faderift | She robbed them of wealth

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She robbed them of wealth

WHO: Araceli Bonaventura and you!
WHAT: Catch-all for post-Mire; gambling in the tavern, Skyhold parkour 2: electric boogaloo, chilling in the gardens and wildcard available. Also dinner with Korrin Ataash
WHEN: Between returning from the Fallow Mire and folks departing to the darkspawn desert and red templar winter adventureland
WHERE: Skyhold; the Herald’s Rest, battlements, gardens or wherever if you wildcard it
NOTES: Feel free to have seen a wild Araceli roaming past (and possibly up and over) your windows or to have had a run-in with her fox. I’ll match your style/tense.

tavern; teaching cards and dice
If she’s going to have to learn new games of cards, the least she can do is make sure people can play a few hands of the games she grew up with or introduce them to liar’s dice. Liar’s dice is always so much more than just making coin or whatever you’re wagering after all; liar’s dice teaches you how to figure out a tell and how to cover your own with enough practice and how to tell the most bold-faced lies without a single person noticing if you’re good.

She’s more than happy to buy a drink for anyone who wants to play a hand or two. If you’re new she’ll go easy on you if you offer to explain how Wicked Grace works.

parkour;
The best thing about being back in Skyhold is actually having something to climb that won’t have her landing stagnant water that’s full of corpses ready to attack her. There’s always a little note tacked on a corner of the board in her elegant hand offering lessons and her name but it’s easier in small groups or one on one. Often you’ll need to track her down as she does her regular circuits of Skyhold, climbing up and down the walls either side of the fortress

gardens;
The gardens of Skyhold are larger than most gardens in Castileos, lacking the sea air but they’re more sheltered than most other places in Skyhold so she can some of the weak watery sun. After the Mire she needs it so she’s relocated from the library that was beginning to feel overcrowded with actual researchers, something she is absolutely not. Instead she’s working on something of a report, scowling at it most of the time and there are doodles in the margins, annoyed scribbles and half a paw print along the edge of one of the pages but it’s fine, it’s a draft, it’s perfectly fine.

Besides, it’s not even a report exactly, more of a guide, advice about how to actually get around and fight safely in conditions like the Mire.

Feel free to interrupt before she starts getting distracted with her little reference sketches.

wildcard;
Where else have you bumped into her? Or have you met a rather striking fox with streaks of red beneath his black fur and wondered who the hell keeps shouting ‘Lux’ as you stare down at said fox.

dinner with Korrin Ataash;
It took a lot of convincing to get the kitchen staff to allow her to cook. It helps that she had the coin to pay for it thanks to several profitable games of dice because it’s easy to spot a liar and far too many of the soldiers have honest faces here, the kind of men and women that’d be eaten alive in Castileos. She promised Korrin a meal she’d cooked herself and they absolutely deserve it after that hell.

She can’t make her favourite exactly. They don’t have quite as many fish but that’s obviously the problem with being stuck up a bloody mountain although there’s at least plenty of snow and ice to help keep it fresh. One of the helpers stays to explain the herbs she doesn’t recognise but all in all there’s plenty of fish stew served in bread bowls with rich tomato sauce with a healthy glug of good red wine through it.

When Korrin arrives according to the note Araceli left with her, there’s even a candle or two lit. Look, you gotta have ambience for this after she spent a whole day engaged in high stakes kitchen negotiations.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And Korrin will absolutely brag about that later, no doubt. For now, though, her attention is firmly on Araceli's charming company and the delicious meal she's prepared. She raises her own glass, tilting it slightly to clink that of her generous dinner companion. "Indeed. All that hardship was made worthwhile by your presence, and this moment now. I would endure it all over again without regret...though you'll have to forgive me if I hope there's a long break from all that."

Her lips quirk in a wry smile as she takes a sip of that wine, savoring it as she couldn't with that 'care package' from earlier. "Don't worry, I'll keep your garlic toast secret. Though if that's the best way to get some of it for myself, I won't hesitate to bat my eyes at you. I'm not too proud to admit it." What is pride compared to garlicky heaven? And getting a smile out of Araceli, too.

"The next place I plan on going will hopefully be dry or be by the sea so I can actually strip off and go for a swim without worrying about something trying to kill me at the same time." Because even getting undressed enough to clean up and change felt like a risk in the Mire because those wisp things liked to pop up with absolutely no warning. "And there will be no snow either, Skyhold is quite enough for me."

As in you are possibly insane Korrin and it's a very good thing she's become so very fond of you after hearing about just how cold this place manages to get when winter hits. If Clint Barton is a man who can be believed about such things.

It's probably conceited to enjoy her own cooking so much but she's good at it and so she can't help the little pleased noise that escapes her when she takes a bite, even after spending a whole day tasting it and slapping other hands out of the way. "You don't have to bat your eyes to get me to make you some, I am open to other methods of payment when it comes to you when garlic bread puts me at such risk. You're a mercenary, I'm sure you're used to being creative with trades and favours."

If it's conceited, Korrin is absolutely certain that Araceli can still get away with it. She sighs contentedly after that first mouthful, keenly aware of the difference between this and the normal -bland- Fereldan fare they usually have available. And Orlesian food isn't bad, but she really does miss cuisine from further north.

"I'll offer nothing short of my very best, you deserve it and more for reminding me of the proper use of spices. Ferelden never does them justice, and sadly Antiva and Rivain are too far away for a field trip. This is as close as I can get, for now. Strange, isn't it?" That a rifter would be the one to remind her of such lands when she herself has never been to either.

Another mouthful later and Korrin's lips curve in a playful smirk. "If I have anything to say about it, we'll manage a good swim before too long. I know most of Thedas rather well, remember. If there's a nice, private pool nearby, I've probably found it...and would be happy to share, of course. How could I resist such company?"

Grinning, she takes a sip of wine, glad that the bread bowls are strong enough to withstand the meal because that had been a last minute panic. Yes, there were obviously bowls in the kitchen but it was better like this because at the end you cut up the bowl (or broke it apart but she wasn’t sitting around in the ship graveyard on a misty morning now was she) and ate it slowly, relishing the last of the flavours.

“I can’t believe people here willingly eat things without doing anything to them! I understand that everyone has their own tastes but I would like it to taste of something. The only place I can forgive is the Mire because I don’t think anyone was prepared for how to keep food properly.” She learned in the kitchen that yes, there were spices and that no, they weren’t used often. Or indeed at all. Because of all the Fereldans. The look of alarm when she’d started throwing in a dash of this and that would’ve been funnier if it hadn’t been so sad, all the poor people who didn’t know anything about making a meal taste like a damn meal in the first place.

“And what I shame for me to have no bathing suit,” Araceli purrs over the top of her glass. “I shall have to find a map no one will miss and of course we will have to sit close so you might whisper of them so no others can spoil them.” And then she sobers just a touch, her smile as close to shy as it ever gets. “I never thought I would be the one to care so for a rescuer or to have required it but I am glad to have met you, Korrin, you make life here...you make it feel like life, I don’t know how better to explain it.”

"No one could keep food properly in that hell, not even the natives. Compared to what we had, this is heaven." Fresh bread is wonder enough, and she's always had a weakness for it, bowl-shaped or otherwise. Having it now reminds her that she's put up with the stale crap for far too long; no wonder her appetite died in the mire. At least it's revived now, with a vengeance, and it's all she can do to hold back from inhaling the meal, wanting to savor both it and Araceli's company.

That comment about a certain lack of bathing suit has Korrin smirking as she finishes another sip, no doubt having very suggestive thoughts on her mind and willing to share them all. But that shy-ish smile and the words that follow it are as distracting as they are heartwarming. She momentarily moves her hand away from the wine glass to rest it atop Araceli's free one.

"You're explaining it just fine, Araceli. I know this life isn't one you asked for, and I sure as hell can't blame you for that, but I'm glad I was there to find you. Selfish, maybe, but that's the way it is. You make life here a lot more bearable -and colorful- than it would be otherwise. I thought I'd be lonely, without my kith, but now...not so much. Plenty of that's your doing." Not all of it, but Araceli's responsible for a significant portion, and those freckled cheeks brighten a shade or two because of it.

"Not to brag," but she's going to brag because it's her, "but we have ways at home but I couldn't actually explain them, I know how to cook but I'm not a chef, and I've never captained a ship or been the quartermaster." Maybe she should have made the effort but there had always been more time, always on the horizon, it's not like she could have planned for this sort of eventuality. Not even the wise women could see beyond the borders of their world because the beyond was death and she had never liked to think of such a thing unless joking and laughing.

Alas, joking and laughing seemed to be followed by less pleasant things of late. Or maybe that was because she still expected to turn and see a friend she'd trained and fought beside whenever she laughed only to see a stranger more often than not. It takes a while for her to look up but she smiles when she does, grateful for Korrin's touch even if that makes whatever awful thing (homesick, she's homesick but home was the sea and being near it so why would she ever have felt such a thing before?) catch in her throat.

"I think given all you've told me of mages and your people, I was probably one of the less judged for my great crime of falling through a hole in the sky. Selfishness if I'm involved, I don't mind though, not when I miss everyone back at-" She almost says palace but she swallows the word and reaches for her wine, giving herself a shake. "I shouldn't oversalt this meal when it's perfect; tell me, should I procure anything for your venture into an even colder place than this? Seeing as I won't be around personally to keep you warm."

That catch and subject change don't go unnoticed, of course, but Korrin's not about to pressure Araceli for more details than she's ready to share. And she doesn't want to ruin Araceli's efforts by allowing the meal to grow cold, so she'll have some more. "That in itself will have me hoping for a short scouting mission, you know. I've gotten pretty fond of the idea of having a tiny human heating pad." A pout won't be enough to bring Araceli along, but she can try, can't she? "Something to remind me of you is always welcome. I have a feeling that there will be precious little else to smile about over there. Aside from that...balm, you know what that dry cold air does to skin."

Not that the Western Approach would be any kinder to it; the onPausing her meal once more, Korrin adds a sympathetic hand-squeeze. "I know how it is to miss those close to you, especially when you've had them at your side for so long. Though I know I'm lucky in that at least I can write to mine. If they come to Skyhold or anywhere close to our assignment, I'll have to introduce you. You'll have more rowdy qunari than you know what to do with."

As much as she would like to tell Korrin, because Korrin might not care too much about what Araceli was actually doing, she still doesn’t want to stand out and being a rifter? That makes her feel so much more obvious than she’s comfortable with when even a guard seems unobtrusive compared to their queen. “Castilean storms are more rain and wind that snow but it’s the same principle I think, and I happen to know plenty of tricks I would be happy to show though we would have to exchange tentmates I think.” Not that audiences bother her but she shared with someone who snored last time and that always kills the mood even when you are just trying to sleep. “I’ll slip something into your pack, don’t you worry.”

She smiles and buys some time eating because she’s ravenous; bland food doesn’t appeal to her so she only eats as much as she has to because it feels like a chore which eating should never do. “Some of them I’ve only known a year but you fight alongside someone and live with them, you become closer quicker than you would otherwise but it’s not just that. It’s being so far from the sea.” Not knowing if there’s a way back home. “Homesick doesn’t apply if the sea is your home until you can’t see it apparently. Though rowdy qunari would be a good distraction, think of all the tricks I could teach them. All of them up and scaling the battlements.”

Korrin chuckles as she breaks off a piece of that break bowl to dunk into the stew. "Rowdy and probably drunk and damn reckless even when sober, and scaling battlements? A scary combination, that. At least it would keep the healers busy, if nothing else. A few of them could even be halfway decent protegees, if I'm remembering right. I make no promises, though."

Her smile softens after a moment to focus again on Araceli over the food. "If Emprise du Lion was anywhere close to the sea, I'd bring you a souvenir. As it is, all I have to offer are likely more ice and snow and rocks, and maybe not even a decent qunari heating pad by the time the place is done with me. Better take advantage of it before I go, hm?" It's not all suggestive, honest. Korrin's just as partial to cuddling as anything else in bed. "I'll be happy to see those tricks of yours, though."

"Well, that is one thing that will have to change - unless it's spontaneous scaling of the battlements, I don't hold with people doing such a thing drunk. There's reckless and there's idiotic. I won't have someone hurt on my watch if I can do my utmost to prevent it. I am, after all, a professional, and a woman such as me must live and die by her reputation, I am sure it will break hearts but better than than heads, no?" Have you ever tried doing it drunk? She's been doing it since the age of twelve but even so, it's terrifying after and sometimes during, because you can't judge your limits correctly and you take chances that might as well be diving into the gaping maw of a hungry shark.

Only when forced do you climb drunk, one slip and your head is split open like a melon, especially in Skyhold.

"If there are any pretty rocks, or better yet anything shiny, a little one will do. You will laugh for I live by the sea but I had bits and pieces of strange and interesting shells and rocks, different sorts of glass worn smooth, all of them on my windowsills and on dressers, wherever I left them, other bits and pieces too. For a thief, my own treasures are very simple, things that come from the heart." And then she's grinning, a particular roguish one. "I am happy to be taken advantage of, if it is you who is doing the taking and I can show you so many tricks your head will spin and you will forget your name. And I haven't forgotten about showing you my scar, which truly does require I whip it out, so to speak."

"I haven't forgotten that scar, either, and afterward I'd be delighted to see it...and any others you'd show me. I suppose it'd only be fair to show you those of mine that aren't on display at the moment." Korrin can't help but match that roguish grin with one of her own. Scars, birthmarks, she loves seeing everything that makes a body unique.

"Shiny, hm? I think I can manage that, though I won't say more for now. Some things ought to be a surprise." And it depends on where they go and what's available, but Korrin's been there before, if not in that exact area. She knows what to expect, and already has a few ideas given the curve of her lips. Between wine and stew and the enticing vision before her, Korrin's certain this is the best night she's had in a good while.

"No drunkenness, got it. I'll hammer that into their heads--literally, if need be. There is one potential student that might flourish with your help. His name is Kas and he's another Vashoth--young, though, more human in height. He's just made it as a scout and if he's not coddled, he'll respond well." Besides, she'd like two of her favorite people to meet, if they haven't already somehow.

"Perhaps I'm the only person here with such a scar," there are more rifters she needs to meet, that's true, but being hit by a ball of lead leaves a rather odd scar it's true, "and you are the only one who gets to see it. Unless those sharing my tent did and that hardly counts, we can make a game of it, scar for scar, story for story, stitch for stitch." Her smile is wicked and bright, leaving no doubt about the sort of stitch she's referring to.

"Perhaps I will get to escape Skyhold for a time to somewhere so I can welcome you back in a fitting manner." Probably a meal because after going somewhere that sounds as cold as Brunilda's country then a hot meal and mulled wine would be welcome no doubt but she wants to visit a small town perhaps. Do some shopping that doesn't rely on the merchants stationed up here.

She'll get herself a new corset too because there's no better way to welcome anyone back.

"Kas and I...have met," she says carefully, suddenly rather more interested in her meal than she should be, deciding to try Leandra's favoured diplomatic strategies when it comes to Vashoth matters. "I think he requires more time to be accustomed to the presence of a rifter such as I." There's the small matter of him calling her a demon after she let it slip through a moment of careless thinking and it annoys her that one small silly word can sting so but there it is. At least there's proof that he's young though, even if he's not far off a foot bigger than she is.

That careful tone and sudden focusing on her food don't escape Korrin's notice, of course, and she sighs, realizing how that first meeting must have gone. Vashedan. "He was rude, wasn't he. He's not a bad kid, but being treated with respect is still something new to him, as it doing the same to others. Time might help those manners sink in, but I can usually get him to listen to me." And she will, at a time when Araceli's not the center of her focus.

After a reassuring hand squeeze and smile, she tries to bring back Araceli's own, always a worthwhile endeavor. "You have yet to see Val Royeaux; we should change that. For all that I complain about Orlesians, they have a beautiful city, and their food is divine. Most of it. Some of it I think was made on a dare, and I can warn about those." Dark mushroom and anise in tiny cakes, really? Ew. "And that's my kind of storytelling. I have a feeling I'll have to pace myself or you'll get all my stories before long, and then what will I have to share, hm?"

"Well, startled I might say, but yes. The demon word might have been mentioned," she takes a sip of wine, managing a smile that doesn't pull as tight as the edges as it might because she's with Korrin. "He's young, young men are very prone to ill-advised bluster for too many years." There are more humans here than there are Korrin's people and she does understand how wary the natives must be when people have appeared like she has.

"The place with all the masks! I'd love to go, I miss being in a proper city where I can go to a shop and just buy something. I can buy clothes Korrin! Nice clothes!" She can buy a corset and show it off for you too once she finds a proper tailor. "There are some things we have to savour, like a favourite wine, a good book, a hot bath at the end of a terrible day. After all, we have plenty of time on our hands, there's no rush."

"Bluster or not, I'll take care of it. I want two of my favorite people in Skyhold to get along, if they can." Especially since she won't be there to look out for either of them for a while. Between Kas' youth and Araceli's homesickness, she worries more than she sometimes lets on verbally.

Araceli's enthusiasm about clothes brings out her smile again as she nods in full support of this plan. "And unlike me, I'm pretty sure you can get away without having them custom-made. If you want an audience to model for, I'm more than willing." Her eyes glint in good humor, then she laughs, remembering something. "There's even one 'store' where some strange owner has a mystery box for sale. That's it, just the one item in the entire place. He won't say what's in it, not unless you pay ten thousand for it. Orlesians...they're responsible for too many of my stories that I have to preface with 'I'm not making this up'."

One of her favourite people. Even if it's talk, it makes Araceli look up, almost shy for once but it's hard to not have a set place, to be adrift and hearing something like that helps, perhaps more than Korrin knows. "I'm sure my charm will win the day and if not, he did allow Lux to give him a paw and really, who can say no to an adorable fox that just wants a scratch behind the ears and a share of your dinner or whatever you might have on you?" No one, that's who, because he was a fat little thing after months at sea when he was delivered into Araceli's small hands.

"Oh I'm very vain with my clothes, I blame my mother, she was always so beautifully dressed and most coats are too long in the arms for a thief." It's not a concern for most people but her hands need to be free to allow her to work without fabric in the way. "With corsets, an opinion is always needed and it's far easier to lace it up with some help." She waggles her eyebrows because she knows how good she looks in a corset and she's already eagerly awaiting showing herself off in one. "I want an Orlesian mask too, just to have one. And we could always steal the box. Even to sneak a peek."

Look, rich people have really cool things she didn't always want to steal, like fancy private art collection and cabinets of curiousities.

"I could always be a 'scary qunari' just so you could have a look while he's distracted. Sometimes stereotypes are helpful. And I bet we could find a mask that's sea-themed for you, I've seen them with starfish or mermaid designs before." Though she never thought to ask where they were made, so they'll just have to find out on their own. Not that extra time with Araceli is ever a bad thing.

"You'd always have my help, Araceli, whether lacing them up, giving my opinion...or removing them." That teasing grin lingers for a moment, already enjoying this future trip. If only they had the time now. But sadly, it'll have to wait. That almost-shy look of a moment ago hasn't escaped her notice, either. "I don't say what I don't mean, you know. Skyhold is far better for your presence, especially to me."

"You don't have to be something unless you want to, I know there are times I play a part but I only enjoy it when I've chosen it, I wouldn't have you do something on my behalf when I know what it is to have people think of me as being something I'm not." That's the big downside at the palace, around nobility who see a girl rising higher than her station, who seeks pleasure where she will and swings her hips. There are ugly stories about that but there's always someone to defend her, to console her. "Do you think they would allow me to wander around with a bare-breasted mermaid waving from my face though, that is the question I would like answered, very much so." Starfish would be more tasteful, maybe tiny little shells or something like them, scalloped edges.

She'd need to sketch it, maybe send something to Korrin out in cold places if they were allowed to borrow one of the ravens for such a purpose.

"Unlacing is always more fun, provided you don't get tangled, that did happen once or twice, I was young, there was a lot of rum, some girls like corsets with ribbons so thin you barely see them." Some girls also get quite huffy when you cut them out of the corset so pretty much every bodice ripper ever has lied just so boldly she can't even be angry. "The things you say, the first one here to make me feel welcome, to make me feel truly wanted in your world."

"To be honest, I had no idea what to think when you and the others emerged from that rift. It was all pure shock, for a while. Even then, it was obvious you had nothing to do with demons...and the more I see of you, the more I like. I doubt that's going to change." That's not pure suggestiveness either, though Korrin won't mind if it is taken that way. She's honored that Araceli is taking the trouble to introduce a portion of her world, and can't help but want to learn all she can about it and the fascinating, gorgeous woman before her.

She quirks a smile, taking another sip of wine. "Oh, I think they'd allow you that. I've seen much more outrageous fashion choices, if not heard of them; 'titsicles' come to mind and yes, it's exactly as it sounds like." Orlesians are all a little insane, okay. She's not going to bother justifying their behavior or preferences. "Mermaids, starfish...or tiny pearls, all would suit you so well. Maybe I'll find one for you that has horns, and you can be the world's shortest -and most exquisite- qunari." Mostly joking on that last one, but that probably wouldn't be impossible to find.

"It was strange to actually see it happening in the Mire when we were all there, just thinking 'that happened to me, and that is how it happened' when it's so fast and you don't even know what's happening. I can only hope we all had such rescuers as I had the pleasure to have." But really, watching it didn't quite answer any of her questions, it was more that Korrin had been patient after, when she'd been jumping from topic to topic, confused and shivering in a way that, upon reflection, had very little to do with the snow. She'd tried to do the same for the newcomer she'd had time to really speak with, it only seemed fair and right to do so after all.

Her bark of laughter is loud and unexpected and she tries to speak for a good minute only to keep giggling until she's fanning her face with her hands. "Titsicles! Incredible. We could find pearls for you too and delicate little scallop shells the same shade but pink and shiny on the inside on long strands, so we can match and be the envy of everyone else who wishes to be one or to have one of us."

Titsicles do have a way of derailing conversations, though Korrin can't be sorry when she gets to hear Araceli laugh. Her response is a grin, at least until she gives in and laughs with her. Because it is absolutely as ridiculous as it is true. "Sadly, I don't think it's in fashion anymore or it'd be one more reason to head to Val Royeaux as quickly as possible."

Managing to calm herself after a moment to think over the image Araceli provides, she smiles warmly. "You'd want to match? Well, how could I say no to that? Masks aren't usually my thing, but I would be partial to an exception. Pearls and shells sound lovely, as it is."

She grows thoughtful after another couple of bites, comfortably leaning back now. "I'm glad you were there, and not just for my sake. Your company is something I'll always treasure, but I think it helped them to speak with someone who's been through the same thing. I can tell them all about Thedas, but that's a perspective I can't share. And it's an important one."

Still giggling and carefully wiping at her face so she doesn't smudge her eyeliner, she fans a hand and hiccups as she tries catching her breath. "Oh Korrin, titsicles, I vow that I shall find some because how could I not now. I will make a mission, only for you."

And she means that because while she usually wouldn't want to be laughed at over how she's dressed, the entire concept of a titsicle is so funny that she can't help it and she might even dance around just to make the whole thing better or worse, depending on what they actually look like. It's that Brunilda would only be able to stare in muted horror that has the last few laughs falling out of her until at last she's fully able to focus on the conversation.

"I have a corset, a gift from someone very dear to me, and it's covered in pearls - it was made to fit, it has tiny buttons and not laces because the stitching might get damaged tightening it. If I had that with me then I could figure out how to make you match that too, it would be a challenge to find the right tailor, to be sure but if we're turning heads, why not go all the way?" Plus there's the thought of Korrin in a corset that has her eyes darkening even more because she's become very used to seeing all her loved ones in corsets at least once and Korrin more than has the figure for it.

Most of her meal is done by now, proof that yes, she is a very small but also bottomless pit of a lady, and as she's reaching for the knife to help cut the bowl apart, she nods along. "Maybe some of us could set up something, rifters to rifters should it happen again, how it was for us, the important things we learned. I think mine was mostly the politics of a situation but captain's daughter, you need to pick up the mood of a place quickly. I was very careful to pass on your advice about dragons too, that seemed like a very serious thing to do in the event one might get eaten."

The idea of rifters gathering to help out their own, and they do share a common bond despite being from anywhere, greatly appeals to Korrin and she nods encouragingly to this idea. "I'm sure you would be vital to an effort like that; you're observant and quick to adapt, and those are traits rifters need to have passed on to them. Plus, your natural charm will get them to listen." Who wouldn't want to give Araceli a chance, when she's so insightful and willing to aid? Fools, that's who. Hopefully there wouldn't be too many of those.

Korrin pauses to thoughtfully consider the other idea Araceli's put forth, more frivolous but enticing all the same. "I've never worn a corset. It's not exactly favored mercenary gear, after all. But if anyone can persuade me into one, it's you. It would be well worth it, to see you in matching one, I admit. I'm not sure I'd be able to pay attention to anything else."

Except titsicles, because now that's bound to be a perpetual source of amusement. She smirks just thinking about it. "Truly an epic mission, Araceli. I'll do whatever I can to assist your noble endeavor."

"I don't know which parent to tell you to thank; the captain who taught me how to get along and strive to find common ground or the courtesan who taught me reading people and how to put on the right face. Probably both and one would laugh and the other would laugh but sigh first. Life often gives you no choice but to play with the hand that is dealt to you, it's why you cheat and keep the ace up your sleeve." It's why children born of Brides and Sons are said to be so lucky, because the sea is on their side from the start and maybe that's helped her here somehow, a thought she'd truly like to believe because she's done far better than she might have.

"What, you can't be stylish and deadly at the same time? Are those the rules of mercenary folk? You work hard to earn your coin, you must treat yourself to fine and beautiful things and then they will return to you twice over. I will say, I am around eyeline with your already magnificent bust, imagining it in a corset...you would have to repeat things. Several times."

Of course she has manners but if they were alone and one thing lead to another, well would it be such a terrible thing to ask Korrin to keep repeating herself as she deftly undid laces?

Korrin opens her mount to protest her stylishness -hey, that armor was custom-made- but she stops and smirks at that last part. "...well. Now I have to do it, just to see your reaction. I suppose that's a fair price to pay for effectively distracting you. You can very easily bring out the same in me, you know." Araceli's gorgeous in whatever she's wearing but anything to accentuate those attributes would nothing but awed staring from Korrin for a while.

"They're both good life-lessons, I'd give them that. And cheating, hm? I approve. Life is usually unfair, it might as well be unfair in our favor once in a while." Especially in Thedas, where it's difficult for anyone not a human noble to catch a break. "Something tells me it'd be dangerous to bet against you in Wicked Grace, though. I'd lose that corset too quickly."

She robbed them of wealth

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