faderift | [Closed] The Road to Jader ...

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[Closed] The Road to Jader ...

WHO: Bethany Darton, Aleron Darton, Carver Hawke, Fenris, Alistair, and Inessa Serra
WHAT: Looking for the Champion, high and low
WHEN: Mid-Harvestmere
WHERE: The fine Orlesian city of Jader, and small town just outside of Jader.
NOTES: Warnings for ...well. The DA2 Crew. You know how these guys are.

For weeks, Bethany Darton had been searching for some hint of her older sister's whereabouts since she had heard about the demise of the Hero of Fereldan. Her determination only mounting when Carver returned home with Dog, she remembered one of Marian's last letters, sent from a trader in Jader. She rounded up some people who were actually willing to track down Marian again, and as soon as she had returned from the Island of Red Lyrium, she gathered them all up and headed down to the docks as quickly as she could manage it, to Jader itself.

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The trip itself is barely more than a day - but it is a day to sit and talk amongst yourselves if you like. Ocean travel does give one more time to catch up than you might realize, or even make new friends.

Ah, lovely seaside Jader. With it's fine markets, and open shoreline, and almost pleasant speaking Orlesians who are as much interested in Trade and Commerce as to find that coin is a more valuable resource than getting snippy with Fereldans. After the Inquisition ship lands, the small group will be able to meet some of these merchants or in the local taverns to ask questions about whether or not they had seen The Great Champion Marian Hawke....

After a few lucky breaks, they will find that the Champion only passed through Jader, but had spent most of her time in a small town just outside of it. A short journey there, and they'll find themselves in a small inn, where Bethany grabs Carver, and heads directly to the owner.

Only one question rests on her lips. Have you seen our sister?

At least this trip is more stable and pleasant than her last sea journey. Inessa basically agreed to it, since it's one the way to other matters on this side on of the sea. She's never entirely comfortable on the water, but with Garahel to steady her and people as a distraction, the young Warden can manage just fine.

Often, Inessa can be found leaning on the railing and staring outward, lost in thought. But if she hears footsteps approaching, she'll turn and smile. "And how are you doing?"

Of course Fenris had been very willing to come along. He wants to find out Marian's whereabouts as much as anyone, as she'd been one of the first and few mages to ever earn his respect. He feels like he owes it to her. Now he can only hope they find some sign of her.

As he approaches, he greets Inessa, always one to give Garahel a bit of attention as well, reaching to pet his head. "I'm glad we're no longer stuck on an island surrounded by tentacled abominations. Not that Orlais is always that much better." Still, it's an improvement... ish. It's good to get out of Kirkwall every so often too.

Charming, charming Orlesians. They never fail to smile nicely and play nice when it's in their best interest to and disdainful when that also suits. So far, the merchants that Aleron has spoken to have been very interested in selling wares and making coin, hoping that being helpful with this 'looking for the Champion' business will aid in securing a sale. At least, on the surface.

Sneaky snobs that they are, however, they switch to Orlesian when addressing each other. While looking for the Champion is a thrilling tale, they don't actually care beyond convincing 'this Marcher bumpkin to buy something or stop wasting my time.'

Aleron doesn't so much as crack a hint of a smile. But he does lean over slightly and lowers his voice, "How long do I give them before informing them I understand every word they're saying?"

Inessa smirks at that while Garahel nuzzles into that hand. Hi, friend. "If the weather holds, I'll be content. That last voyage was...unpleasant. I don't care for a repeat, in any fashion."

She pauses and looks at him, thoughtful. "What do you think of this lead? Is there a decent chance at finding her?"

So very charming. Bethany herself is smiling the smile of someone who has absolutely no idea that people would be saying horrible things about her, oh no, why in the world would they be doing that? She puts one hand on Aleron's arm, her expression giving nothing away as she murmurs back to him.

"Wait until they say something useful and then we can see what we can do about using it to our advantage." Then raising her voice, she spoke as she gently picked up a piece of lace, "Such information is worth it's weight in gold, you know. All things considered. What pretty things you have here ..."

Carver draws himself up, tall but (for now) respectful as they approach the owner. He glances at Bethany, hoping his nerves aren't showing in his expression. "You put this together? You want to talk to him, or should I?"

Why. Why did it have to be Orlais? What was wrong with Marian?

At the very least, there aren't as many sneers as Carver was anticipating, so he's a bit more relaxed as he speaks with the local merchants. For once, he actually tosses his name around much more than usual, hoping to spark something. Most know of it, but only a handful mention something about the Champion coming through, some time back. Nothing definitive, but it's... something, he supposes. At least they're on her trail.

Still, he's a bit frustrated by the time he walks away from the eleventh? Twelfth? merchant he's spoken to. "And Orlesians continue to be entirely unhelpful."

Bethany looks over at him, her brown eyes fixing on his, before she sucks in her breath. "I will. I mean, we will."

She squeezed his arm, and then pulled him towards the bar itself.

For the most part, Fenris is content to keep to himself, more or less. As long as this journey doesn't pose the difficulties of the last one, everything ought to be fine. While the trip is underway, he finds a quiet spot out of the way of most others on deck. He darts a glance around, and then finally takes out the book that he's currently working on attempting to read. He hadn't had time to get back to it during the last voyage, so... maybe this time. A short, uneventful trip is a good thing.

Carver squeezes hers gently as well as they approach. Maker, let it be something. Let there be some news, something for them to follow up on.

The owner notices them coming over and waves. "A fair day to you. How may I help you?"

Bethany let out a breath, her brown eyes bright and fixed on the other man. Her fingers were pressed into Carver's arm. She breathes out, softly, before she speaks. "A fair day to you as well. We were wondering if you had any information about our sister - she is about my height, with dark hair like ours, and very bright blue eyes?"

"Perhaps we ought to have brought an Orlesian with us. They might have responded better to one of their own, not some Fereldans with mabari." Inessa remarks dryly, as she gives Garahel a comforting pat. The mabari seems a little put out that those they've met haven't been dog-lovers. He won't be down for long, though, perking up hopefully with each person they pass.

Edited 2017-10-07 03:02 (UTC)

"I can do the accent," Alistair offers as he comes up behind them. He doesn't have a mabari, either, and if he looks enormously and unmistakably Fereldan—well. That's not his fault. His mother was Orlesian, but somehow it didn't help.

He is serious about the accent, however, and proves it by sliding into said accent for his continued rambling:

"I cannot do upper class Orlesian accents, or whatever it is the Marsh people speak, but Jader is not so difficult. It has changed hands so any times that everyone sounds like a Fereldan attempting an Orlesian accent." He catches all the way up—all the better to elbow Carver in the ribs. Not too hard. Alistair cares about Marian Hawke a great deal, and the longer they go without word of her the worse it is, but he's not her sibling. It has to be worse for them. If he can keep their chins up—or make them angry instead of sad, sure, whatever—then he will. "Try it."

It feels like forever until the owner answers, though truthfully, it only takes a few moments as he peers at Bethany. His eyes light up in memory.

"Ahhhh. I think I know of whom you speak! She was here round about this time of year, maybe in Kingsway? Yeah, Kingsway. Last year." He nods as he motions for them to wait a moment as he goes back behind the counter, rummaging around. "A sharp sense of humor, her. I liked her. She rented a room for a time."

"How long?" Carver pressed. "Do you remember when she left?"

The owner stood up, a few baubles in his hands as he walked up to them, holding them out to the twins. "Don't remember the exact date, but I remember overhearing her say something about having to head home. Didn't seem too happy about it. That was a few nights before she left. Came up to her room one morning and she was done. Up and out like that with no warning. Left just enough coin and trinkets to cover her bill. These are what she left behind."

Poor Garahel. He's with you on that one, buddy. Orlesians have no taste. "It does sort of loudly proclaim 'ensemble of dog lords, coming through'. Still, we have coin, and that should be all that concerns them." At least they're not turning them away, which is something.

Alistair gets a cocked eyebrow, followed by something akin to horror in his expression as Alistair keeps talking. Maker, why. WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS ALISTAIR. WHY ARE YOU SLAUGHTERING YOUR HERITAGE-

Okay but in all seriousness, he's not sure he wants to know why Alistair can wing an Orlesian accent. "Maker's breath, I'm not gonna ask anyone to have to try a bloody Orlesian accent. I'm not cruel." The elbow to the ribs is met with a congenial side-eyed look. "You don't want to hear me try it. Trust me, it's bad."

Hearing Alistair, Inessa's lips twitch. She shakes her head, amused as she is by his talent for a Jader accent. "I...think it's safest for all that I not make an attempt, but I approve of your own attempt. Between that and the coin Carver mentioned, we might manage a little success. Either that or people will pay us to leave." That still counts for something, as long as they get answers.

Bethany's fingers crushed into Carver's arm for a moment, before she moved forward to take the jewelry that the man had given her. A few pieces seemed like they might have just been something Marian had found off some stupid-enough thief trying to rob her first -- and one or two items she felt choke her slightly because they were gifts Bethany had sent her.

And then there was the signet ring.

The red Hawke, done in the Kirkwall style, emblazoned on gold.

"... she must have meant to come back for this." She murmured, handing the ring over to Carver, before she took out her purse to pay the man for all the trinkets they were about to take off his hands. "She said she was going home?"

Her brown eyes crinkled - "...Home Fereldan, or home Kirkwall?"

Edited 2017-10-09 20:49 (UTC)

"That's what I was wondering." Carver knows it could be either one, and that means they have two avenues they have to explore.

"I'm afraid I don't know, madam," the owner said, sounding sincerely apologetic. "Just 'home'."

Carver doesn't react quite as visibly. But his jaw tightens, and on the inside, he's shaking. Her rings... and she went to go home a year ago? What in the Maker's name happened to her? "Is there anything else?"

"Not that I can recall. She liked the house whiskey, and knew how to make anyone laugh."

"Sounds like her." He squeezes Bethany's hand.

It's one of the nice things about Fenris. He's quiet. Most of his sister's friends liked to talk. A lot. Incessantly. With the occasional exception, Fenris just kept quiet. Carver respects that.

And really, he'd have been fine to leave the elf to it. But since Fenris hoped for an uneventful voyage, well, he just tempted the fates. They hit a patch of choppy waters at one point, which of course is making the ship sway. Carver's trying to help tie up a barrel to make it more secure. Naturally, something goes awry. One of the ropes snap, and the barrel breaks free, bouncing its way across the deck...

...and right at Fenris.

"Elf, incoming!"

Better duck or dive.

Aleron nods his agreement, as that's a sensible suggestion, but at the same time he looks uncomfortable. That involves a modicum of deception that isn't a part of his genetic makeup. Diplomacy and lying will never be tools at his disposal.

The distraction of Bethany shopping, whether it's in earnest or not, helps greatly however. He snakes an arm around his pretty wife's waist and leans over to inspect the lace in question. "Do you like it, beloved? Mother says I do not spoil you enough."

Because there's not enough dresses and lace and baubles awaiting them at home already.

Why can't sea voyages just be calm, boring affairs? Just once, Fenris would like to have a journey that didn't end up with something going awry. But that's definitely not to be this time. As the sea turns rough, he grumbles to himself in frustration. It figures.

He definitely doesn't notice the barrel until it's almost too late. But thanks to Carver's shout, his head snaps up and he catches it rolling right toward him...

He moves fast. Swiftly, he goes into a roll, tumbling away to the side, narrowly avoiding a collision. The barrel meanwhile smashes right into the spot he'd just left, spilling its contents all over. It smells suspiciously fishy, which is never good. "Thanks for the warning. I didn't want to spend the day covered in... whatever that is."

Orlesian isn't a language that Fenris has much experience with, though he has a good ear for picking little things up here and there... Inflections, tones, that sort of thing. That knack had helped him considerably to learn Qunlat, back when he was among those who spoke it all the time. For now, he can only observe, but he definitely is catching plenty of their snobbery in their exchanges.

"Oh, I don't know. I tend to enjoy drawing it out for as long as possible. It makes the payoff all the better when you reveal you understood everything."

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[Closed] The Road to Jader ...

The Journey There

Jader

The Small Town Outside Jader

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shhh no one that saw. nope.

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