Tried some bear stew. It was a little grizzly. (open)

[metaari]

WHO: Anyone who wants to show up
WHAT: Learn how to cook, eat food, drink, talk, be merry
WHEN: waves hands at the last weekend of Kingsway
WHERE: Camps just outside Skyhold
NOTES: Followup open log to this post

It's through travel with everyone recently that Metaari has come to realize that... well. There aren't a lot of battle chefs around. Not that he considers himself a chef, either, but at least he knows how to do a little more than stick meat over a fire. And now it's time to impart his knowledge on others so that they, too, may eat a little better when on the road. And, you know, assuming they aren't in such dire straits that they can afford to spend a little time pampering themselves.

Comments

[dalishious]

Of course Merrick is there, relaxing near the fire with his trusty pipe when he's not rushing around helping Metaari wherever he can. He plays his guitar and sings off and on, his songs getting more and more boisterous as the night goes on and he imbibes more of his homemade moonshine.
.
Said hooch is available for those who want to be knocked on their asses, but he also brings some ale that he says he paid for-- though, for those who know Merrick, that probably isn't true, and it's very wise not to ask.

Most notably, Merrick's entire bearing seems to have changed. Instead of skulking and twitching around anxiously, he seems far more relaxed-- and if the dragon's tooth fragment around his neck is any indication, it should be fairly obvious why.

[metaari]

It's on one of his trips around the fire that Merrick will find himself suddenly enveloped in large arms and tugged in the opposite direction that he was heading. Metaari hauls him backwards, arms wrapped around his waist to pull him onto his lap and he promptly rests his chin on top of the elf's head with a grin.

"Having fun?"

[dalishious]

Merrick lets out an undignified squeak as he's scooped up, and though he rolls his eyes as he's cuddled like a stuffed animal, there's a smile on his face.

"Watching people burn themselves trying to cook?" he replies, mirth dancing in his eyes. "Quality entertainment."

[metaari]

Metaari laughs and he runs his hands down Merrick's arms to take a hold of his wrists, turning them over so that he can look at them. He hums faintly, lifting one of the hands up so that he can give it a closer look. "Ah, but not you. Good. Burns aren't fun."

He grins and lifts his head up again before tilting it down so he can kiss the back of Merrick's head. "I'm glad, though. I think we all needed this."

tw for self-harm

[dalishious]

It had taken some time for Merrick to be comfortable with Metaari looking at his wrists. The lines there are mostly faded into scars crisscrossing over his flesh, some fresher than others, but no new gashes on top of them. It's been a while. Longer than it's ever been, actually.

"I'm still not carrying fancy spices around when I travel," he says stubbornly, half-joking.

[metaari]

He's glad for it, too. Metaari wants to be able to love and appreciate every bit of Merrick's body, and the slow trust to do exactly that has been the sweetest reward. It was almost better than him saying yes to... well. Commitment.

"That's alright. I've more than enough space on my body for a few extra pouches for spices." He grins and closes his eyes as he rests his forehead against Merrick's head, letting out a faint, happy breath.

[dalishious]

Merrick doesn't want this to end. He wants to be gathered up tight and safe in Metaari's arms forever, the scent of the bonfire around them, surrounded by the crisp night air. He can almost forget that tear in the sky above, the impending battle for their lives.

He's content to turn slightly and nestle up against Metaari's chest for a while, completely unconcerned that there are other people present. He could almost fall asleep like this, but there are things on his mind.

"I told everyone," he murmurs. "Cyril is all right with it. Teasing me worse than before." He scowls a bit.

[metaari]

And Metaari is content to let him stay there for as long as he wants. He figures everyone around the fire is already firmly aware of their relationship by now anyway, and the last thing he expects from any of them is a problem with it.

Still, the words make him pause, tense slightly, but he lets out a breath. He... well, Cyril would be the most likely to be alright with it, if Metaari were to pin the Asharas down properly. Metaari smiles faintly and nods, absently stroking a soothing hand up and down Merrick's back. "I'm glad. It's good to have at least one ally."

[dalishious]

So there's the good news. Merrick sighs, worrying his lip for a moment, grateful that the alcohol has numbed a fair bit of his anxiety at this point.

"Beleth..." Is heartbroken? Devastated? What are words? "Isn't."

[metaari]

"Ah." And there it is. The reason why Metaari has barely seen a hair on Beleth's head since they left the Asharas behind. Even the trip back to Skyhold, she was scarce, only around when there was nowhere else to be. Metaari hadn't thought much of it at the time, thought that maybe she was simply upset about leaving her brother again...

He tightens his hold slightly, strong and warm and reassuring. "Will she be alright, given time?" Metaari honestly doesn't want her upset; she's a good person, and doesn't deserve the heartache that he's brought about.

[dalishious]

"I don't know," Merrick mumbles in reply. He feels guilt threading through his ribs even though he knows he logically shouldn't. He hasn't done anything wrong... right?

"She...she thought we might have Bonded someday, she and I."