CLOSED | if being strong's your kind,

[murderbaby]

WHO: Vanadi, Athessa, Mhavos.
WHAT: stupid elf drama.
WHEN: post-the post-murderhaus log.
WHERE: Somewhere in Lowtown
NOTES: Emotional and romantic drama is the point of a fantasy wargame.

There is a reason Mhavos generally avoids any communal drinking activity, and it's rather obvious: he doesn't drink, and doesn't commune. He doesn't loathe them. He just doesn't feel comfortable at them, and however well they go, he's happy to be rid of them.

Anyway, he's been nervous all night, because... well, because he doesn't want to hurt anyone. Walking out onto the street, he makes a few quick strides to catch up with Athessa, hoping Vanadi, nearby, is out of earshot.

"I-... need to speak with you. It's of... well, of some import." Yet he's staring directly at Vanadi's back. What an utter master of subtlety.

Comments

[sulahnan]

"Well I don't think we're fit to climb onto any roofs just yet, that's out. And I've no urge to revisit Wysteria's haunted mansion, so that's out. What even is there to do in this town?"

Plenty, if they were the sort to get absolutely piss-faced drunk, or wanted to commit a crime, or rent a room at a brothel. But Athessa assumes their night is more likely to take them somewhere quiet to sit and talk, and that's vastly preferable.

[highborn]

"There's always a pleasant, quiet evening of cards and drink in someone's quarters," he suggests, then quickly amends, "Athessa's quarters. I don't believe either of us have quite got the knack of decoration as you have."

Their rooms are embarrassingly boring, please take pity.

[murderbaby]

Hey, now, Mhavos' room has boobytrapped drawers and chests with false bottoms. But- no, actually, continue thinking he's boring, that's fine.

"Or you could heroically carry our battered bodies to the nearest roof." He gestures to Vanadi.

[sulahnan]

"If knack is a new word for mess..." Athessa mumbles, then sends Mhavos a sidelong glance.

"Are you really so keen to find more giant bats, Mhavos? I mean I understand the draw completely, what with the success of last year's find—"

[highborn]

"There are bats up there?" This city boy is aghast, horrified, or at least willing to play the part over a kernel of truth. "I spent a bit of time on a roof during Satinalia. I had no idea I was so close to death."

[murderbaby]

Mhavos' only response is to stare at Athessa smugly. Ha, bats are gross, you're outvoted.

[sulahnan]

"Of course there are bat's up there. And in archways all over the city, under the bridge, in the belfry..."

She mimics Mhavos' expression cartoonishly.

"Really it's a wonder you two are brave enough to even be here after dark."

[highborn]

"I know, I say this to myself near every day." He heaves a long-suffering sigh, adding, "But I think I could, if we are really very attached to the roof thought."

[murderbaby]

Mhavos resists the urge to whine about how Vanadi has been spared the giant horror that is Athessa's pet bat, because he doesn't want to ruin the surprise when Vanadi is inevitably cursed with its presence.

Instead, takes a step away from Vanadi, so Athessa is closer, pretending to size Vanadi up. "One at a time, of course."

[sulahnan]

Athessa sighs and starts walking toward the docks. She doesn't explain herself, just puts a little extra feeling behind the sigh, pitches it high at first and lets it dip as it trails off.

[highborn]

Ah, it seems their choice, whatever it is, has been made. Vanadi cocks both brows at Mhavos. "For the best," he says, "I'd almost certainly get one or all of us killed."

And, obediently, he starts after Athessa.

[murderbaby]

"Have some confidence," Mhavos says. "There's a war on. We're more likely to die in battle. Well, you are."

But, of course, he follows.

[sulahnan]

"I'd stay alive out of spite if you dropped me off a building," Athessa decides, after giving it the bare minimum amount of thought.

[highborn]

"That, I do believe," he says. "Far more likely than me dying in battle. Athessa being Athesss, and also as they would have to get me into battle first."

And he is, very firmly, the cat on the leash being dragged through the lawn when it comes to such things, no thanks to any fight he can't disappear from.

[murderbaby]

"Ah, no true patriots for protecting Orlais' vaunted borders," did his accent get extra thick there? Perhaps a trick of the wind. "Neither of you are allowed to die without first submitting the proper paperwork, anyway."

[sulahnan]

"Filed in triplicate? Six months in advance?"

[highborn]

He groans. "No, no. Absolutely not. I plan to one day be crushed to death under many bodies in the throes of passion, and there will be no time at all for any of that."

[murderbaby]

Mhavos hums. "I don't believe I have a form for that."

[sulahnan]

Athessa makes a face. "You sure about that? I mean you'd have to be the first to go in order to avoid all the deeply unsexy bodily fluids that happen after death."

[highborn]

"Well, the plan is for this to be a tragic accident — with any luck I'll be the only victim. Then it will be everyone else's concern."

[murderbaby]

"I am not taking inventory of fluids. That's not remotely how personnel notarization works." Still deadpan.

[sulahnan]

"And I refuse to have my sexual prowess tarnished by your tragic demise, Vanadi."

[highborn]

He huffs his offense, one hand briefly resting on his chest. "I hope you're not both suggesting I change my plans. I've dreamed of this death for fifty years."

[murderbaby]

"So think it over for fifty more," Mhavos grumbles. The thought that others plan their deaths sits oddly-- but Vanadi is likely joking. "Regardless, I refuse to put that in the registrar."

[sulahnan]

"Surely under our present circumstances," Athessa says with a sweeping gesture that briefly turns her about to face them, walking backwards. "You have new variables to take into account."

Present circumstances being that Vanadi is no longer on Rune, no longer the same sort of elf as he was, no longer wealthy, no longer beholden to a demon, and so on and so forth.