we're not lost! we're on an adventure!

[chainlightning]

WHO: Merrill and open
WHAT: Merrill has freshly arrived and is already lost.
WHEN: Mid-Haring
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: c:

[ If anyone has made a map of Skyhold, no one's shown Merrill -- of course, she is rather freshly arrived, having come in during the night with a group of alienage elves. Most were from Kirkwall, but a few had joined up as they traveled from other locations, and all are glad to be off the road and out of the snow. She's spent most of her time getting them settled, trying to prove to whoever asks that yes, they do really all want to join and can be useful. She's mentioned Hawke and Varric more than is perhaps strictly necessary. But if it works, if it helps her people (elves, even though they're not Dalish; her new clan, her found clan), then Merrill is willing to do it.

That's why she had gone looking for the library in the first place. She doesn't appear to have found it, though; she may be in the kitchen, the pub, someone's bedroom, an office, yet another airing cupboard... basically anywhere but the library. And she is completely, utterly lost. ]

Oh, I do wish I hadn't lost that ball of twine...

[ Her sincerest apologies if she's interrupting something, really. ]

Comments

[ombranera]

Most knock before entering.

[ He crackles a laugh, putting down the darning. ]

But then you are known to wander about, aren't you?

[chainlightning]

But if I knocked and it was the library, I'd feel very silly.

[ Not that she doesn't feel a bit silly when she ends up in various rooms and cupboards, but that's not the point. ]

I'd only just gotten used to Kirkwall, really; I'm better at getting around in the woods. And Skyhold doesn't seem to have a map.

[ombranera]

Because that would be sensible. If you wish to find the Library you must-

[ He thinks on it for a long moment before shaking his head. ]

It would perhaps be a great deal simpler to show you.

[chainlightning]

Oh, would you? That would be lovely!

[ Though she pauses and looks toward the socks he's working on. ]

But if you're busy, it's quite alright. Socks don't mend themselves, after all.

[ombranera]

Alistair has yet a few socks without holes in them. For now.

[ He sets the mess aside for the moment, shaking out his hands- it is delicate work and perhaps he had become too engrossed in it if Merrill, of all people, snuck up on him. ]

It is no trouble at all, Merrill.

[chainlightning]

If my clothing get holes in them, can I bring them to you, too?

[ She's joking, mostly -- she can repair most of her own clothing, though the more armored parts are a bit more difficult. Besides, it's not like she wears socks. ]

How have you been?

[ombranera]

I will for a kiss, certainly.

[ He waves her out of the room, locking up behind him. He'll not be gone long enough to warrant laying out the trap wires as he normally would. ]

Fairly well. Killing Crows, becoming a myth to them, helping out the Inquisition. Nothing out of the ordinary- and yourself?

[chainlightning]

Per hole or per item of clothing?

[ It makes her giggle -- she's not sure if Zevran is serious or not, considering he seems to flirt with everyone, but flirting is rarely directed at her. It's nice to indulge in it, reminds her of Isabela's stories and trying to sneak peeks to see if Anders has any dirty spells in his books. ]

Helping the elves in Kirkwall's alienage, mostly. We decided as a group to come here, to try and help out.

[ombranera]

Whichever you are more willing to give, Bella.

[ Though he'd gladly go per hole should she be of a mind. Something so sweet and light as a flirtation with Merrill would be completely harmless and quite amusing for the both of them. ]

A noble calling indeed. I had wondered what would come of them in all the chaos. It is good to know that someone took their interests to heart.

[chainlightning]

[ She laughs again; it's nice, to not be treated as something repulsive or to be feared, or to be treated as a child. ]

It helped that Aveline was still with the guard, too.

[ And they were a tough lot, the ones that remained, that didn't go with the Qunari. ]

[ombranera]

I have never known a woman of stature to take the interests of the elves to heart quite so well as Aveline. She is a remarkable woman for it. [ That, and her jawline. And her shoulders. And her hands. Mmmm.

Down the hall and to the left, closer to the more complete portions of the Hold proper. ]

What is it you hope to find in the library?

[chainlightning]

Oh, she's lovely! A very good friend. [ Especially to Hawke, but even to Merrill. After all, Aveline could have turned her in, could have been harsher about her doubts toward blood magic and the eluvian.

Also, she was very cute about Donnic. ]

Books, mostly.

[ ... which is. not what he meant. ]

I'm still not very good at other cultures. Kirkwall was so strange, and now- well, I'm not there anymore.

[ombranera]

You are hoping that there are more informative books on the world at large in this library? Good luck. It seems to be...well what little of it I have seen, stocked with either outdated magical texts, a hefty portion of chantry propaganda, and the odd stack of smutty literature.

[chainlightning]

[ Well, on the one hand, that's disappointing. On the other... ]

Well, the first and last don't seem so bad.

[ombranera]

Your best bet will be finding people to talk to, of which there are many. Come by the tavern tonight and I will introduce you to some of them, yes?

[chainlightning]

I'm not very good with people, but- I think I've gotten better? Maybe? And I'd like to make friends.

[ So that's a yes. ]

[ombranera]

You're not very good with turns of cultural phrases and some jokes, but you are wonderful with people, Merrill. You've kind hands and a kind heart- and gorgeous eyes.

[chainlightning]

My clan would disagree, but... thank you.

[ And she means it. It means a lot to her, someone thinking that, saying that, and she gives Zevran a little smile.

(Friendship unlocked.) ]

Will you also tell me about any drinks I don't recognize?

[ombranera]

I think that you try does you more credit than being good with people. I, for one, am excellent with people- mostly because it helps me lower their guard enough to kill them. [ And not a lick of it is sincere. But Merrill? Cares. So much.

How she does not make herself ill for it, he doesn't know. ]

But of course. The selection here is small, some wines, a few ales, the usual assortment of brandies- nothing Antivan, of course, but they suit well enough in a pinch.

[chainlightning]

Well, please don't try to kill me, Zevran. I'd have to stop you.

[ And it's still so cheerful sounding, so chipper, as if she doesn't think he actually would try and as if she doesn't think she could actually stop him. Zevran is a skilled assassin and Merrill is a skilled mage, and she truly hopes she never has to find out if one could stop the other. ]

Does Varric complain that it's not like the Hanged Man a lot?

[ombranera]

Merrill I can say happily that were anyone to lay any amount of coin against your life? I would decline.

[ No one that would pay to see her dead would be worth serving- and she has done little that he can see that she would deserve to die over. No, this is a contract he shall never take. ]

You I am good with for fun. And for kisses. But mostly fun.

Why, of course. He will be happy to see you whenever you find your way to him- and whenever he is done scowling at his letters.

[chainlightning]

Oh, good! That did happen a surprising amount back in Kirkwall. Mostly to Hawke, but that involved all of us.

[ Everyone so violent all the time, calm yourselves. She never did get that 'alienage greeting', at least -- possibly because the muggers saw the facial tattoos and figured a Dalish would skin them alive. ]

I may have told some of the children that he'd tell them stories. [ Beat. ] Why is he scowling at his letters?

[ombranera]

Hawke did have a habit of stirring up trouble. Marvelous woman, but a bit of a way about her that begged for such things. I know the type.

[ He is the type. ]

...Now that I will have to see, all the little elves begging for stories, him trying to think of something with less violence or sex in it. [ He crackles a laugh. ] Ah, well. Likely they are bills or something to that effect, or entreaties to reason. I saw one of them from that very handsome Archer you spent time with in Kirkwall. The one from Starkhaven. That one he did not so much as read.

[chainlightning]

At least it was always interesting!

[ Even when there were, you know, people dying. ]

Well, I'm not sure the violence would be a problem. [ They're from the alienage, after all. ] But- well, yes. I imagine he'll keep ignoring any letters from Sebastian. Or maybe use them to practice with Bianca.

[ombranera]

Sebastian! That was his name. Lovely jawline- strange belt. I wonder who thought that would be a good idea. Humans are so peculiar with the way they show their devotion to Andraste.