Let No Soul Hunger For Justice: Nothing But The Truth

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Adelaide, Alistair, Anders, Bethany, Nathaniel, Varric, Vasran, Velanna
WHAT: The Second Ritual
WHEN: 10th of Bloomingtide (May 10th)
WHERE: half an hour outside of Skyhold
NOTES: Plotting post.

They've kept to the same clearing as the last, because the location's good. Far enough away that no one could stumble upon them by accident, near enough in case something went seriously wrong, it works.

He has scarcely more hope this time than he did the last, but at least there's no singing involved. This can't go as strangely. In theory.

Comments

[hugeinorlais]

That would be more reassuring if you didn't sound like you wanted to kill me for expressing that particular concern.

[For a moment it looks like he's going to clap a hand over his mouth. He doesn't, but only just.]

How are you today, Seeker? You're looking lovely.

[Wait. Shit. His default flirting is going to ruin him. This is going to backfire spectacularly. Fuck.]

Also the weather is fairly nice...for a mountain stronghold in the ass-end of Thedas.

[stabsbooks]

I didn't -

[ She cuts herself off, and the corners of her mouth turn down. He can't really believe she would kill him. Even in Kirkwall, he had never actually seemed afraid of her, even when she was at her most threatening. And besides. He knows her better than that by now.

Doesn't he?

But her own imposing manner, her lack of...of approachability, of warmth, is something she's all too aware of, without Varric pointing it out. She swallows, taking a moment to collect herself, her eyes narrowing in suspicion as Varric continues on carelessly. ]

What are you talking about?

...What are you up to?

[hugeinorlais]

I'm just babbling the first things that spring to mind. I'm not up to anything.

[Which...under other circumstances, would basically be the most blatant lie ever told.]

There's no reason to be suspicious, Seeker, honest.

[He's dead.]

[stabsbooks]

Bullshit.

[ She's not stupid, after all, and Varric has never more clearly been up to something in his life.

She steps forward, towering over him, and if he hadn't just accused her of wanting to kill him she might well have drawn her sword on him. ]

What are you hiding? Tell me, now!

[hugeinorlais]

I can't lie to you, Seeker. I wouldn't even try, not now, we're past that.

[Varric's hands go up in surrender and he...is still sweating bullets.]

I'm just minding my own business, doing nothing illegal or illicit! Really!

[...yeah, he's dead. Might as well go for broke:]

Has anyone ever told you that you look beautiful when you're towering menacingly?

[stabsbooks]

Stop that!

[ It shouldn't be upsetting, being told that she's beautiful. Annoying, perhaps, when she's trying to be intimidating...but not upsetting.

But it is, when Varric says it in that flippant, casual way, and she can't even explain why. She balls her hands into fists at her sides, and the sneer on her face is anything but beautiful. ]

Why do you do this? Why do you -

Ugh.

You are up to something, Varric, and I will find out what it is.

[hugeinorlais]

You won't, because I'm not up to anything!

[Oh, Andraste's flaming tits, it sounds like he's taunting her, doesn't it?]

I don't know what to say to convince you. I...would suggest something but nothing is jumping out at me; you're currently taking up about ninety...ninety-five percent of my available thinking power just...being...there.

[He gestures upward and, by dint of that, at basically all of her.]

I'm open to suggestions, though.

[stabsbooks]

[ She shakes her head mutely, unable to understand how they had come to this point. She'd come over just to talk to him, to make sure nothing horrible had happened to him...and here they are, arguing again.

Why does this always happen? ]

Varric - I merely wanted to talk, I -

[ Her voice is steady, her jaw still set stubbornly, but the frustration doesn't reach her eyes. She stares at him, brow creased unhappily, and her gaze is almost pleading. ]

Why can you not - just be honest?