( closed. ) I don't wanna always play nice

[dashing]

WHO: Herian Amsel & Cosima Niehaus
WHAT: Theeere you see her, sitting there across the way—
WHEN: a vague span of time in which Herian is deeply frustrating.
WHERE: A TAVERN. maybe other places.
NOTES: Herian is still Herian, unfortunately.

( Herian is not late. It would be a rare occurrence, although she remembers Cosima's own inclination to fashionably delayed arrivals. As a result she is unconcerned as she waits at a table in the corner, pressing a metal spoon to her slightly swollen and bruised lip. Her eyes are closed, head tipped back against the wall, and then her hand closes around the wrist of a stranger. )

Do not, ( she warns, and sure enough the man retreats, leaving the jug of wine undisturbed. It's breathing, or something.

Herian, for her part, could probably be feeling better for something that she's been looking forward to, but that means she probably shouldn't have sparred with Coupe, and that is not a compromise she would have made happily. The injury isn't bad, but she has been broody. Best to try and set it aside.

She is, however, very much considering setting aside her usual inclination away from wine to indulge. It seems the day for it. )

Comments

[dashing]

( It is, admittedly, nice to wear something that is not battered travel robes. Some pay on her return has allowed her to buy something new, though, so for all her bruises she hasn't scrubbed up entirely poorly. At the sound of Cosima's voice she brightens a little, standing to greet her. )

There is no cause for alarm. A spar with Knight-Lieutenant Coupe.

( Her smile almost widens, but it stings a little. It's still conspiratorial, as close to "you should see the other guy" as a smile will allow. ) How do you fare?

[youwonscience]

Wren?

[First-name basis doesn't mean a whole lot, considering that Cosima calls everyone by their first name unless she gets the sense doing so will actually offend them, but it's clear they've at least met.]

Looks like, um, an intense sparring match. I'm good, though. Sorry I'm late.

[She's not entirely sure what the right greeting is after Herian stands. A handshake would be sort of weird, and a kiss on the cheek feels presumptuous, so she touches Herian's arm, light and fond and hopefully not accidentally hitting a bruise.]

I kind of lost track of the time.

[dashing]

( Wren makes her brow quirk rather visibly, curiosity peaked. ) Aye. The Knight-Lieutenant was of the same Circle as I. We...

( Her head cants very slightly, ) ... had some matters to discuss.

( The touch is nice, and she remembers herself, drawing out a chair for Cosima. ) Don't concern yourself. I took the liberty of ordering wine? I... cannot confess much knowledge of what they had to offer, or its quality.

[youwonscience]

We, um, did a field mission together before the move to Kirkwall.

[She wants to ask, clearly, but doesn't. Instead, she says,]

The wine smells OK to me. It's not like I know much about Thedosian wine other than "good" and "not so good," so I'm sure it's fine.

[She sits.]

I think the last time I was here they had a potato soup that was pretty good.

[dashing]

Ah. ( A moment, that is more just... Herian being typically herself and taking her time to speak, than a Significant Thing, as she claims a seat. She's not oblivious, either. )

You are free to ask, Cosima. ( Quiet, as if there's something playfully secretive in saying that, before she pours wine for them both. ) It would be a poor thing if I were to invite you to share wine and be unwilling to speak.

( And a slight smile. ) Do you rank it above or below the churros?

[youwonscience]

Below, but churros are a high bar.

[She grins, warm but brief.]

OK, I'm curious, but I also want us to both enjoy dinner, so it can wait for another time. If you'd rather.

[dashing]

I hope they withstand my expectations. ( Given what generally has passed for food throughout the course of her life, though, odds are they will. )

It— ( She considers. ) Not the most pleasant matter to dwell on, in many respects. ( Possibly understatement of the year. ) Though I have great love of the Circles for all the good they did for me, events of the White Spire's annulment are not a matter for much enjoyment. ( Gently, she rests her hand over Cosima's, thumb lightly mapping over Cosima's knuckles. )

Another time, though. That you are free to ask whatever you wish of me stands, regardless.

[youwonscience]

Another time, [she agrees, a bit softer.] A less festive occasion, yeah?

I really am glad you came back. I wasn't sure I'd see you again.

[Cosima's said it before, but it seems important to re-emphasize it now. For whatever reason.]

[dashing]

( Herian's smile widens, and her lip immediately offers reprimand as the expression tugs at the injury, forcing her to temper the smile. She only lessens it a little, though, even if she is attempting to inconspicuously brush the pad of her thumb against her lip to make sure it isn't bleeding.

It's really not very inconspicuous, but at least she isn't bleeding. ) And what a sight for sore eyes I must be.

( Bruised and battered as she is, her tone is gently self-mocking, no sharp edges in it. After a moment, she nods.)

That concern was mutual. ( Or that another who was less absent, less difficult, might win Cosima's affection, but that seems too bold or presumptuous a thing to say. ) I have been assured that I am due no more missions of that nature, unless I press for them.

[youwonscience]

That's great.

[It's warm and genuine. (And she resists the temptation to demand to examine Herian's wounds; she's a grown woman, she'll ask for a proper healer if she needs one.)]

And you look great to me. Did you work out extra on the road?

[This is 100% a joke.]

[dashing]

I'm so glad you noticed. It was my foremost concern.

( Equally joking, for all her straight delivery.

Gently, she picks up her wine and taps it against Cosima's. )

And you? I trust you've mastered swordplay in my absence?

[youwonscience]

I, uh, own a dagger now?

[Which is something she's mildly uncomfortable with, to be honest, but she's also uncomfortable feeling like a burden every time violence happens. She has some new sympathy for Alison learning to use a gun.]

And I only ended up imprisoned once while you were away, so. I think I'm doing good.

[dashing]

A dagger...

( Herian leans forward, propping her chin up in her hands, and considers Cosima for long moments. More gently, she has to ask: ) Do you know how to use it?

( Because there were places were having a dagger and not the skill to use it might set Cosima in greater danger. ) But in that we match. I, too, was imprisoned only once.

( Is she fucking with Cosima, or??? )

[youwonscience]

I mean. I'm not going to beat anyone in a fair fight, but I know where the major arteries are, so.

[Less of a joke than it might be.]

...OK, wait, really?

[dashing]

To confirm or deny would give away confidential details of my mission.

( AKA. she's being a jerk, and she grins a little despite the sting in her lip. )

And, if you like, I can try to teach you a little. I am better with sword than dagger, but... what to look for, ways to defend in close quarters? Those are universal.

[youwonscience]

If you're not too busy, maybe a good idea. I'm still, like, not totally on board with the violence against people thing, but pretty sure my world's nonviolent philosophers didn't know about demons or darkspawn, so.

[dashing]

Violence is not a thing I revel in, Cosima.

( Careful, quiet. It's not a reprimand at all, but there is something... gently corrective about it. ) I take up the blade to better allow me to defend those who have need of it. To be a knight, in the truest meaning of the word, is to hold up virtues of kindness and to protect the innocent and downtrod. I take up blade and magic, both, to the same end.

( Admittedly there are times when it goes horribly wrong, her abilities can be destructive, and the sword is made to cut. )

To excel in these skills, to me, should ultimately end with the shedding of less blood, not more.

[youwonscience]

No, that's not -- of course you don't.

[Embarrassed and a little frustrated.]

If I thought you did, I wouldn't like you so much. I understand that, I do, and I think what you do is important. It's just ... that's not me. Even if I were better at keeping up with my yoga [not gonna stop and explain] and I wasn't sick, that's not...

[Cosima stops, thinking of how to say it.]

I don't judge anyone for eating meat, but it's important to me that I don't. Maybe that seems weird.

[dashing]

It is only strange from the view of one who known what it was to struggle to find any food, let alone turn it down. That you value it so dearly says much of your compassion.

( She says it with a slightly smile, and reaches to brush some of Cosima's hair back, though her hand lingers at her cheek for a moment. )

Our decisions define us. To be able to uphold what you believe is important in deed, more than just idealistic thoughts or words, that is more than many can do. I admire your gentleness, Cosima. Know only that the offer stands, not that I will press you to partake of it.

[youwonscience]

I think it's still smart to know enough what I'm doing that my opponent won't just take the blade out of my hand, [Cosima says, a little softer.] I'm opposed to killing people, I'm not opposed to self-defense.

[She seems a bit more serious, but resolute. Cosima's been in Thedas over a year, and while the changes in her aren't extreme ... they are there all the same.]

[dashing]

Then we can begin classes whenever you so desire. Defensive measures, only, unless you bid me otherwise.

( One of her hands drops back to the table, the other collecting the cup of wine. She barely drinks at all, but for this the indulgence seemed acceptable, and she allows herself a sip.

The changes in Cosima are not lost to her; emphasised, perhaps, by the months of separation. Cosima has always been more bright and spirited than her, but she knew of the kidnapping by the Venatori, of whispers of strange things to befall the Inquisition these few months.

Strength is not a change to mourn, but if it should tamper with her brightness or spirit? That would be a great sadness. ) Agreed?

[youwonscience]

It's a deal, [she confirms with a small smile.]

[She's quiet a moment, sipping her wine. Then:]

So, you give any beautiful ladies fencing lessons while you were on the road?

[It's a tease, light, meant to ease them back into more relaxed territory.]

[dashing]

Hmm.

( A dramatically thoughtful sigh, leaning back in her chair as she racks her brain, trying to remember. Did she give any beautiful ladies fencing lessons?

Silently, as she works through the tally from memory, she starts to count off on her fingers. One, two, three, four— )

Ah, no. ( A huff of breath. ) An elderly couple tried to sell me the bottled tears of dragons and claimed to have a marionette to control the actions of your beloved, but no fencing lessons. You have a unique rank of privilege.

[youwonscience]

[She laughs.]

Wow, that marionette sounds intensely creepy. They should regulate that kind of thing for public safety.

well i sure thought i posted this yesterday

[dashing]

I think they spoke pure nonsense, but...

( She makes a #yikes-worthy face regardless. Must as she appreciates serious conversation, it's good to hear Cosima laugh. )

One thing I can share, if you can be sworn to utmost secrecy? ( A slightly whimsical thing, something that surely won't be any danger, any controversy. It's too absurd to be believable, perhaps, for some. ) I did have to pose a brief time as a Starkhaven lord. That was... bracing.