faderift | [ OPEN ] One time love, take care how you use it

WHO: Zevran Arainai, Isabela, their audience
WHAT: Zevran and Company heat up a cold night with some steamy songs from up North.
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Tavern
NOTES: Bawdy songs, salacious dancing, coin being tossed- adult language and content.

It was cold, they were bored and a little tipsy, and Zevran had run through as many stories of the fifth blight that he could stand for the night, Isabela had run through as many suckers as she could get in her game of cards as would be lured in by her laugh and her bosom. Comfortably buzzed and not wishing to become maudlin Zevran began to pick out the notes to a rather saucy Antivan song- one he recited recently for Alistair. By the time he'd gone through the first verse with just the Lute Isabela was chortling. "You wouldn't actually-"

"Oh, mia Bella, I would. I truly would." Never one to step down from such a challenge, his plucking went from idle to strong with purpose, which only had Isabela throwing her head back and cackling.

Giggling, in her own way, warm and rich and turning a few heads. The atmosphere wasn't dire or dour but it could use a little spice. A little heat. Whether it was the sudden sharp strum that brought him back to the beginning or Isabela elbowing him in the ribs to actually start singing that got more heads, he couldn't say. by the time he hit the refrain and had nudged her enough to get her standing on the table, writhing along with the music? They certainly had the attention of most if not all of the tavern. When he hit the second call and response- half the women in attendance replied, egged on by Isabela on the table still- leaping onto another in time with the music.

As he had quite a few such pieces in his repertoire, they had all night to fill with song and dance and bawdy intent.

[ ooc: tag around and have a party, everyone's game! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The tavern was usually filled with at least a low din, but this was by far the rowdiest Kallian had yet to see it. But, when the attention was on the entertainers, it made it that much easier to sit unnoticed in the corners.

The elf girl had no drink. No coin to spare for anything like that. She simply listened, occasionally having to hide a smile or a blush behind her hands.

Kallian didn't think she knew the woman dancing. But the elven man who was playing the songs... She was certain she had seen him before, years ago, the memory seeming like half a dream among a fog of chaos. Those marks on his face... Kallian studied them carefully. That was the face of a man who had fought against the darkspawn who had threatened the alienage all those years ago...

So many faces in the tavern, so many more that were unfamiliar. But there was something that prickles at his skin- the idea that someone was watching him with curiosity rather than attraction. It lingered until he took his latest round and found the eyes that followed him.

Or rather the eyes that remained on the tattoos on his face.

"So. You have been watching quite intently, Bella. Do we know one another?"

Kallian promptly blushed and looked away.

"My apologies, ser," she said softly, "And... no. You would not have seen me. But, years ago... You were there. When the darkspawn attacked the alienage in Denerim, you were there, weren't you? With the Hero."

"And you...are one of the survivors of that battle, yes?" A beat and he narrowed his eyes, fighting through the years, the multitude of faces he has seen, and wine. Quite a bit of wine. "I think I remember you."

"I doubt it."

She shook her head.
"I was only a child then, messere, easily lost in the crowds. But if not for the Grey Wardens and their companions... if not for you... I almost certainly would have died that day. So... thank you."

"There were not so many children in the alienage that I would forget those I saw." Not those taken by the Tevinter, not those by the haunted orphanage. Not even those that begged for favor or for coin- she had been cautious and calm- or at least that is how his drunken memory paints her. "We are happy to have been of service."

She nodded bashfully and then peeked up from under dark lashes.

"I... I don't mean to be forward or bring up unpleasantness, but... messere, do you... do you, by chance, know what became of those the slavers took back then? Where they went? I understand if you don't, but..."

She shrugged helplessly.

"Those that we recovered at the time before they were taken from Denerim were granted their freedom. Those that were taken before we knew what was happening- I cannot say." Most likely dead or sold to those in Tevinter, but saying as such felt terribly unkind.

"I see." She dropped her gaze.

"Thank you, messere. I... I will let you get back to your songs. I do not mean to take up your time."

"Do you have any you would wish to hear? I would hate to leave you without a smile, Bella." It twisted in the space close to his heart, so.

"I... The songs I learned are nearly all Orlesian. Would you know any of those?" she asked.

"I have traveled through Orlais for many years; I would certainly know quite a few." He smirked. "Tell me the name and hum a few bars."

She considered.

"Do you know the song for Eluvia?" she asked, "Sent into the sky?" She sang the first few lines of the song, her voice soft but sweet.

"I think I may just." Thinking that he may becomes a certainty once she sings, and he picks out the melody of the song on his lute. Softer and sweeter than the rest of the fare tonight- but it is for her. He hits the first verse with a low, easy tenor.

She listened raptly, blue eyes bright
"Thank you, messere. You're very kind."

"You are most welcome. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Bella." He took her hand and kissed it, just the once, before slipping back into the crowd.

[ OPEN ] One time love, take care how you use it

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