( 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]

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.

Hahaha it happens

[youwonscience]

Oh my god.

[Cosima leans in, conspiratory but delighted.]

That I would have liked to see. What kind of lord were you? Empty-headed but beautiful? Aloof and mysterious? I need details.

[dashing]

You think I could even play at empty-headedness? I'm wounded.

( She is not, and sips her wine. )

A scoundrel, I'm sorry to say, of poor character.

[youwonscience]

Oh no.

[She's delighted.]

Did you have a moustache? Seduce any impressionable young ladies?

[dashing]

Scandalous flirtations were certainly played out, but no virtue was compromised. I may have left trails of broken hearts behind me.

( Her tone is too cocky to be sincere, dramatised and self-deprecating in ts over-confidence )

I did attempt a moustache, but it didn't agree with me.

[youwonscience]

Hm.

[She tilts her head to one side, considering.]

No, fair. Besides, your jawline sort of speaks for itself, doesn't it?

[dashing]

( Her brow quirks. Quietly, just a hint of dryness:)

Was that a compliment, or a terrible play on words?

[youwonscience]

[She bursts out laughing.]

Oh god, totally the former. The pun was 100% accidental.

[dashing]

I'll allow you the benefit of the doubt - this time.

( Her severity is dramatised, and undermined by the smile that Cosima's laughter has drawn out. )

But be careful, too many compliments and I'll be all too easily swayed by your opinion.

[youwonscience]

I'll definitely keep that in mind. I'd hate to exert, uh, undue influence.

[Smiling this much probably counts as undue influence, given Cosima's smile.]

[dashing]

( It certainly has the terrible tendency to make Herian smile more, that's for sure. In fact, it could almost be considered beaming, the smile she flashes Cosima now. )

I think you might find yourself leading people with your goodness, even without the intention of it.

[youwonscience]

Well, I mean, if I end up hanging up with notorious scoundrels, I look virtuous by default. You've uncovered my cunning plan.

[dashing]

And who are these notorious scoundrels?

( So very scandalised, so very teasing. Her hand rests over her heart as she reels. )

Have you need of rescue from their depravity?

[youwonscience]

I mean, I was just kind of generally counting Kirkwall. You've been to the Hanged Man?

[dashing]

One knight against a city entire does sound worthy of an epic. I hope you'll be suitably impressed.

( And a quiet laugh, as she sips her wine. )

I'm not sure I can truly say I've been to Kirkwall until I have visited that tavern.

[youwonscience]

That's the word on the street.

[She sits back a little, pleased to have made Herian laugh.]

I've gotta admit, I like being in a city. I'm better at cities by the ocean than fortresses in the mountains.

[dashing]

I— did not realise my own fondness for cities until I had returned to them. They hold so much worthy of caution but— it is amazing thing, to think of all the lives that twine together in a city. Countless stories and ideals and desires, all wound around each other.

( Herian realises she has gotten quieter, more pensive, and she huffs out a breath. ) Although I prefer heights to the water, to a degree.

[youwonscience]

Really? I guess I'm partial, since I grew up on a boat. [Hopefully Herian will be slightly less outraged than Araceli was that Cosima did not bring this fact up immediately upon introduction.] But a boat harbored by a city.

[dashing]

Oh?

( Herian's torn about the impending confession, perhaps it's a little evident. )

I am not... an able swimmer.

[youwonscience]

Oh no, [Cosima says, laughing, not unkind.] Look at us, a bird and a fish, trying to find a common ground. Do you not like water, or just never learned?

[dashing]

( Her smile is a little sheepish, as she sips her wine and then leans forward against her arms. )

Never learned. There were no large bodies of water in the alienage, and then I was in the Circle. I don't-- dislike, I simply take care not to stray too far in without due cause. ( And, somewhere between bravado and deliberate absurdity, ) Perhaps in the moment a revelation would happen upon me, and I'd prove myself quite talented in the art.