faderift | The Amazing Boo-Boo

WHO: Inessa Serra, James Norrington, Kain Ventfort
WHAT: Discussion in the aftermath of the assignment, because what the fresh hell was all that.
WHEN: Roughly around now?
WHERE: Just outside Markham, at the circus.
NOTES: CW: animal death, human death, red lyrium, shenanigans.

Seated far, far back in the stands this time, Inessa crosses her arms as she watches the new 'Amazing Boo-Boo' at work. The act is just as before, though the 'red lyrium' infecting the bear is nothing more than paper mache and paint, this time. Said bear is smaller than its predecessor and more pliable (no wonder, as it's perfectly healthy) but no one else seems to notice or point it out. That's probably for the best.

Sighing, she glances over to her two human companions. "This will be an...interesting report to write. I'm wondering whether or not to include everything, or just throw it in and see if Christine believes me or not." Honestly, Inessa wouldn't blame her much if she was skeptical.

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It had been a long few weeks for James, honestly, and this was just ... it was the icing on the bizarre cake that was his life. Dare he say, it was downright Orlesian. So, after swimming through caves to get smugglers and being captured in Tevinter by bandits -- here he was. Sitting on a bench next to two Templars after -

Well.

He offered out the bag of candied nuts, his tone drawling. "You'll have to include it. Otherwise she'll wonder how we got in and out without getting infected or having the general public riot on us for killing their favorite bear."

"It's certainly going to sound unbelievable, no matter what you do. She'll just have to trust that you, of all people, wouldn't embellish or play tricks when making official reports." There are probably others in the Inquisition prone to such things, but never Inessa. It's one of the things Kain prefers about her, really. "Unless you've been hiding some secret other side, that is..."

He takes some of those nuts, munching on them as he watches that bear wandering around below. The show is much better from afar, and without any real red lyrium involved. "We were fortunate that we avoided any trouble from taking down their beloved bear."

Inessa takes some of the candied nuts, for once just for herself. Garahel -traitor that he is- is sprawled near some children eager to give him all the petting and dropped treats. "No, no secret side that embellishes official Inquisition reports...and with assignments like this, I'd hardly need to even if I had the inclination. But fine, I'll include whatever I must to leave no room for questions, and if she still has them, you two will be available to confirm."

She tries the nuts -they're good- staring at the arena that had previously held them at one angry, tainted bear. "That poor handler, though. I know it's hard losing an animal, but he really should have kept his distance. It's a miracle that the bear didn't snap and kill anyone else."

"You know, honestly, I was sort of surprised the man didn't catch on sooner that the bear was going to go ahead and tear his arm off. The thing had red spikes coming out of it - red spikes. Probably maddened with rage." He sighed, "I just wish I hadn't missed that first thrown juggling pin. I might have been able to knock the bear with it long enough to save his life. Luckily, I had a better catch."

He nodded towards Kain, "Nice throw, by the by."

He shakes the bag to get the cinnamon sugar mixed around - takes a few more, and holds out the bag again.

"It was no trouble at all. I'm just glad it actually worked... I wasn't so sure, at the time." He frowns for just a moment at some of the memories of pretending to be a performer. "Though neither of you are to ever, ever inform anyone else about the ghastly outfit I had to wear."

It would disgrace the honor of the Wardens, after all. Kain grabs another handful of nuts, watching as the show carries on. This time all of the danger is pretty much staged. The bear is still learning the ropes, not as well trained as the former, so the act is still a bit rough around the edges. But it's not bad as far as entertainment goes.

Inessa takes a few more nuts, but Kain's words provoke a wince before she downs any of them. "Whoever sewed that monstrosity has committed a sin against the Maker himself. My lips are sealed, and please tell me you've set it on fire. No one deserves to be punished with that eyesore." She will gladly admit that Kain is handsome in nearly any attire. This outfit was evidently outside that standard; if Kain couldn't make it work, it was irredeemable.

"Honestly ... I rather thought the ringmaster was punishing you for something, at first. Trying to get the animals to gore you. That someone made that - on purpose - hrm." He shook his head, "It had to have been an Orlesian. No one else has such gaudy tastes."

He glanced over at his Warden companions, allowing his tone to become slightly sheepish. "I do apologize for arriving so late, so we could not formulate a more solid plan. I was ... sadly, tied up. I am rather impressed, Inessa, that you managed to convince the Circus to let us in to begin with." His lips twisted, "Just what did you threaten to do to them?"

"I'm afraid I have to agree on that, and I come from there. Now you see why I prefer the Grey Warden armor over whatever we wore back home..." He'd been to his share of those fancy gaudy parties growing up, and definitely made to wear quite the colorful fashion. This clown outfit, whatever it was, was on a whole new level, though.

He glances over at Inessa. "I'd be curious to find out that answer, as well."

"I might have mentioned that the Grey Wardens had the power to conscript even outside a Blight, and let them draw their own conclusions. Our branch within the Inquisition has put that on hold, but of course they didn't know that...." Inessa shrugs, figuring that playing the Grey Warden card was the easiest path to cooperation...at least for being what she was.

Edited 2018-05-29 02:32 (UTC)

James stared at her for a moment, before he tilted his head back and just laughed. "Maker's Breath, I wish I could have that as an excuse to get people to do the right thing. 'Stop torturing sick animals or I'll make you a Templar'."

"Now I think you're both clearly on to something. I'm using that excuse for sure, the next time a need arises." What better way to win an argument than to threaten to conscript someone? Why has he not thought of this sooner? Kain is definitely impressed with his girlfriend at the moment. He nods thoughtfully. "And we prevented a horrific disaster from unfolding... all in all, it worked out for the better."

Inessa can't help but look a bit smug at their responses, taking more of those treats. "We can't lean on that too often, but still. A little implication goes a long way. You could always use that excuse indirectly, James. Just mention that you're friends with some Grey Wardens and let them drawn their own conclusions."

James was still quietly snickering under his breath as he popped a few more candied nuts into his mouth. He crunched them thoughtfully, before an evil smile came over his face. "I wonder if I could pull that one on that brat Bene."

"Oh? Is someone giving you trouble? A new recruit, perhaps?" He takes a small handful of the nuts as he stares off at the spectacle taking place below. "We Wardens have pretty good ways of dealing with those more... difficult personalities in newcomers."

For one, the whole way of joining them in the first place is... well... rather intense.

The Amazing Boo-Boo

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That was supposed to be Wardens I have Templars on the brain ...

hahaha no worries, I figured what you meant, anyway!

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