[open] prelude to summer

[kartereo]

WHO: Waver Velvet +
WHAT: Kirkwall adventures
WHEN: 15-31 Bloomingtide
WHERE: The Gallows and Lowtown
NOTES: None

i. discarding objects

It was a goddamn relief that those screeching bronze statues have been hauled off and out of the Gallows entirely. Seeing the various parts laying on the ground had been getting more than slightly disturbing, and Waver preferred to not think about the fact that his ears had rung for hours afterwards. They often threatened to do so again if he recalled those adventures for too long.

On the other hand, seeing the murals go didn't have the same reaction of utter relief. The fact that half were being saved suggested that their value was such that all of them ought to be, but the rest of him argued that melting them down would probably result in more money.

The day before removal, Waver went to take one last look at the whole set. Truly, he hadn't really paid much attention to them until it was made clear that they were going away. He didn't hide the fact that he was standing and staring at the whole set, trying to read the artist's intentions in the piece.

"I wonder if anyone's going to draw the contents of the ones being melted down," he murmured to himself. "Or if that's just going to be a part of removal tomorrow."

ii. may flowers

Since he helped clear out the herb garden when he first came with the advance group to the Gallows, Waver wandered by there often. He wasn't a gardener nor would he trust himself with the plants, but it was one of the first places in all of Thedas that he had had a tangible impact on.

Sometimes he'd sit himself down under one of the trees and enjoy the quiet. If he dozed, well, that was obvious. He'd end up sprawled on the ground instead, an inelegant pile of long limbs and his hair probably half underneath him and half being held onto by the rougher patches of bark on the tree itself.

When he wasn't dozing and there was someone coming, he'd pull his extended legs back and curl up a bit more. There was always a soft, "Sorry about that" as well.

iii. shopping
Arriving in the colder months had, for a time, not been a problem for Waver. He had his coat that staved off most chills, and being as close as he was with Iskandar meant he also had a human heat lamp to rely on if things were too bitter. But with spring beginning to change into summer, the need for lighter clothes became all too apparent. His beloved coat was stifling by the mid-afternoon, and the rest of his clothes weren't too far behind.

So Lowtown it was, wandering the streets to investigate fabric sellers and tailors. This, of course, required money, and that wasn't something Waver had much of. In a way, that was a blessing: he wasn't going to attract pickpockets. On the other, it meant examining fabric and then having to walk away.

On more than one occasion, he sighed heavily and said, "Damnit, I wish I had known to pack an entire wardrobe."

iv. wildcard
For other things

Comments

i.

[onlyhymns]

Cade has been avoiding the Gallows with good reason: it's a hotbed of terrible memories, some of which he's not entirely sure aren't still occurring. But, in hopes that it'll be cathartic, he too is watching some of the removals.
"I hope not," says a quiet voice from behind Waver, "they're better off forgotten."

[kartereo]

"Mm?"

Waver's question was mild, closer to a hum than an actual question. He didn't turn around either, mostly because if someone had that opinion, they probably would prefer a hair of distance.

"I suppose that's true for many."

iii (going to be slow for a bit)

[gatheringstorm]

"It would've been convenient, huh?" Korrin looks over from examining daggers at a stall nearby. Sure, they're not her fighting style at all, but she can appreciate fine craftsmanship. But the daggers slip away from her attention as that sigh gets to her.

"How much are you looking to get?"

no worries

[kartereo]

"I mean, grab me when I have a trunk full of clothing or something," Waver said, his usual grumpiness threatening to slip into comedy. But with a shake of his head, he turns to Korrin.

"Honestly, enough for two light weather coats, plus a few shirts and trousers. I've budgeted for the expense. I think."

III

[tallasaking]

"Or ... you could try asking around your local Inquisition, and find out that perhaps they can help you out." Is Tyrion's amused response from behind him. He'll see that Tyrion is pushing a cart of traded items, that he is going to take back to the docks. Amazing what people will trade for weird Qunari things uptown.

"Hello, Waver."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin mentally calculates how much that's likely to cost and nods. "If you run a little over, don't sweat it. I haven't seen anything I really want and the urchins haven't dared to steal my belt pouch yet. Strange, huh? I can lend you enough to make the difference."

book club

[limier]

He does, in fact, beat her there.

A penchant for punctuality only extends so far in the Gallows, where a seemingly-endless list of tasks keeps unfurling itself for the Inquisition's view. The upkeep of a functional Circle was no small matter; the transformation of a dead one into the Inquisition's new, northern stronghold —

If you want to be busy, it's not difficult. Wren wants it very much.

The books thump onto the table: A few slim volumes, one inscribed with a peculiar set of characters (he may recognize them for old Tevene), the others bearing typical Trade runes.

"I've signed my soul to the condition we return these in," Dryly. "So no terrible loss, should we bend a page or two."

[kartereo]

"You can clearly boot them into the water from here, that's why," Waver said, imagining the action. It really is more like an old cartoon, but there's something satisfying about that. "I'm way, way more of a pushover. Probably literally."

He wasn't going to test that out though.

"And thank you, I appreciate it. What're you out looking for, if you don't mind my asking."

[kartereo]

"Hel-- good God," Waver cuts himself off, looking at the cart. The amount of stuff piled in is impressive, and the moment's surprise curls into an impressed grin.

"Well, you've clearly had a productive day so far." Which was probably a grievous understatement. "And as for my wardrobe predicament, let's just say not everyone needs to know the precise state of my clothing. Or lack thereof, as it is."

[kartereo]

"I do not fuck around with librarians," Waver replies, his voice surprisingly grave. "When you live on research and they can cut you off, you can't afford to anger them."

Clock Tower's librarians were there stern, severe, and towering type. It left an impression.

With that, Waver turns each book over to best look at the spine, reading the titles, and face screwing up at the old Tevene. "Interesting alphabet," he murmurs to himself, before reaching under the books to pull out an even slimmer volume.

What he had done was taken a few sheets of parchment and fold everything to make a little booklet, the pages measuring four inches by six. Inside was a neatly written title page, A Few Examples of Non-Thedas Architecture; Earth, 2006. The rest of the pages, totaling no more than twenty, had faithful attempts at trying to draw a few examples of architecture from different periods and the briefest of blurbs about the time frame and culture that produced them. Nothing comprehensive, nor a best of list. More this is what is within my capability to draw.

[gatheringstorm]

From Korrin's grin, she likes the mental image as well. "Mostly? Stuff to decorate the room Araceli and I share. Well, that and apartment decor in general because I'll be damned if we have to share a big warehouse with countless other people and thin walls forever. We just need to find a place with landlords that aren't skittish about...well, me. I haven't had anyone think I'm trying to invade in a while, but a large woman with horns? That'll get them freaking out about damage deposits and stupid shit like that."

[kartereo]

"Hm," Waver said with a thoughtful rumble from deep in the pit of his stomach. "Do you imagine that they'd get skittish if someone else went and scoped places out for you to check out the basics?"

Part of Waver also imagines that drywall back home would also get some damage from horns, but that thought is neither here nor there.

[tallasaking]

Tyrion smirked, leaning on his cart a little as he tipped an eyebrow up at the other Rifter, a smile flickering across his green eyes.

"Hard work has it's rewards. So does the ability to make nice." He patted his cart lovingly, before he snorted, "Well, I hope you allow me to know, at least. As my wife is a master seamstress."

[kartereo]

"At that rate, you should start looking to get a second wagon."

Never mind the logistics of getting two connected and moving them simultaneously. That was something to ponder later.

"If that's the case, do you know if she's accepting new clients?"

[gatheringstorm]

"I wasn't saying that so you'd repay me somehow, you know." But the offer has her sending a warm smile his way nonetheless. "And some might, but on the other hand, a human could put them at ease. Which is stupid, since they can wreck shit just as well without horns.

I was figuring a place with some room, nothing grand but enough that we're not living on top of each other all the time, you know? Did you have any plans to move out, too?"

[kartereo]

"You vastly underestimate how much I need something to do." Waver's voice was dry, but there was a grin on his face.

"As well as continue to learn how to function in this city. I can do apartment hunting." It'd be harder than finding one back home, but not by much. "I'll see if I can find a one bedroom. Any preferences with location?"

As for moving out, that gives Waver a long pause before he gives a more sheepish smile. "That kind of depends on Iskandar and what he ends up doing, I think. I have the feeling will be yes though."

[gatheringstorm]

"How about Hightown, with a balcony and garden view. Easy, right?" Yeah, no. "Probably still the docks, but somewhere not a warehouse in the former Qunari compound would do. Since Araceli and I are on the naval project, it's best we're as close to the ships as possible.

And I can't say I'm surprised. Living on top of each other and everyone else gets old." It shouldn't, not for her; a mercenary with a lifetime on the road ought to be inured to that sort of thing. And yet, Skyhold has spoiled her. She grins at mention of Iskandar, though. "There's a guy who needs even more space than me, barely. I'm sure he'll get it, with enough room to spare."

[kartereo]

"I'll say a five block in from the docks radius max then," Waver said, mentally imagining the map of the area. Ten would probably be pushing the ability to get out of the apartment for an emergency and run to the docks as quickly as humanly possible.

"But I'm looking in Hightown for spite." And out of genuine curiosity about the cost of living, if he is being honest with himself.

The mention of Iskandar and space prompted a head shake of despair. "Ugh. You have no idea, but I've seen him squeeze into places. It is impressive, admittedly, but I'd rather he not have to do that."

[gatheringstorm]

"Pass yourself off as a Thedosian if you do it, unless you want the third degree. Get one of those Chantry medallions and mutter something about the Maker every so often. That ought to work." Korrin chuckles, resting her hands on her hips. "Maybe he can get something in Hightown; I'd pay to see that, and all the scandalized nobles."

[kartereo]

"That seems doable, although I do need to ask if my hair's too long to pull this off convincingly." A haircut was out of the question as far as Waver was concerned. He'd rather try to stuff that all under a wig instead.

"The man is technically a king. He probably could, and then that'd be even more scandalous."

[gatheringstorm]

"Not here, he isn't. But yeah, he is a guy who good at getting what he wants. Hightown would never be the same." Korrin pauses to look at his hair, then shrugs. "Eh, I don't think so. It's not extremely common, but that might just get people thinking you're an exotic foreigner from somewhere else in Thedas. Which is fine, just don't say you're from Tevinter."

[kartereo]

"My impression was that those in Tevinter weren't uh," Waver paused, looking down at his own arms, then back to Korrin. "This pale."

Waver could be mistaken for a ghost at times. "But I'll see what I can pull off. I'll also get quotes on the rent."

[gatheringstorm]

"Eh, people come in all shades; it's an empire, you know." Or at least it used to be one. These days, less so.

She nods, then glances around. "Sure, but take care of yourself and your own needs first. We haven't gotten the go-ahead to reside anywhere else but where that pompous nitwit tells us, so I don't know how soon we can move anyway."

[kartereo]

"Fair enough point."

As long as he could pull off weird eccentric noble, he'd be fine. Waver didn't find that a particular challenge. It was more like a return to form.

"Well regardless, you'll have an idea of where there are things open and what you'd expect to pay. Better to have that information now and then get the OK so you can move rather than wait and then have to do all the legwork."

[gatheringstorm]

"Good point, I'll give you that. And if you find a place for yourself nearby, let me know. I won't say no to a friendly face for a neighbor." Hopefully more than one; not just for safety in numbers, but a better atmosphere than they might otherwise get.