OPEN

[deceivingly]

WHO: Yevdokiya an Waslyna O Bearhold, Tiffany Hart, Matthias, maybe my other characters + YOU
WHAT: a humble open log
WHEN: Fantasy March
WHERE: the Gallows, Kirkwall, the Wounded Coast
NOTES: bath nudity, butchering a seagull, nothing worse atm

Comments

[fairforce]

"I wouldn't have said rebelliousness was a quality that I liked, but now that you've said it--I think you're right. That spirit does make up part of my admiration."

At the bottom of the tower stairs, she lets him keep that slight lead. After all, he's the one that knows where he's going.

"I love Denerim, too. I still remember the first time I saw it--for a long time, it was the largest city I'd ever seen. I think it has something of that same spirit--that stubbornness to survive, despite all that it's seen, all its threats. Not quite as pronounced as Kirkwall's. I imagine that's part of why Riftwatch has chosen to settle here."

[bouchonne]

"That and the advantage of a fortress so cursed that no one wanted it," he says. Then he casts a glance over at the good Lady Seeker.

"Do you know why Kirkwall has a viscount? Why the leader of this city has that title?"

[fairforce]

She nods at the first part, makes a little gesture of concession. Yes. If they want to be very negative about it all--and in fairness, negativity and the harshness of reality isn't always something that readily comes to Tiffany--that's an excellent point.

"No, I don't think I know that piece of Kirkwall's history."

[bouchonne]

By grins fondly. "The Orlesians had come into Kirkwall after a Qunari invasion," he says, "in theory simply to help drive the creatures back. But, in Orlesian fashion, they decided that while they were there, they might as well kick up their feet and stay a while, eh? And they named one of theirs the viscount of the city.

"Well, some years later, the people of Kirkwall decided they'd had enough of Orlais, and they rose up and kicked the invaders out but kept the title while they were at it."

He presses a hand to his heart. "If Ferelden ever goes to war with Kirkwall," he says, "I think I will die of grief. I love these people so much."

[fairforce]

"No!" Tiffany laughs--at the story, at the statement. She has a nice laugh, even when she's caught off-guard. "I thought you were going to tell me some terribly serious story. That's much better. And, credit where credit is due--it is a good title. Even if I'm backwardsly complimenting Orlais and an invading force by saying it. There's something wonderful about reclaiming it anyways, and saying it with a Free Marcher accent out of spite besides. You're still loyal to Ferelden, then?"

[bouchonne]

"Eh." In contrast to the sentiment of his prior bit of waxing rhapsodic about dying of grief, the noise he makes now is perfectly indifferent. "It's fine. It's where I'm from."

Hardly an answer with any substance. He follows a moment after with a question of his own - "What of yourself? Are Seekers above any hometown loyalty?"

[fairforce]

No substance indeed. Tiffany again marks that without comment. She doesn't mind being the one who talks more. Given the patter of earlier conversation, she hadn't thought she would need to be that one.

"We're preferred to be. I think that's a nearly impossible task. Better if you acknowledge the chance for bias so you can work against it. If you ignore it, it will only get the better of you. And," she smiles a little, thinking of the Ruswold, "we wouldn't be who we are if we didn't come from somewhere--for better, or for worse."

Room for indifference is also left there.

a month and a half later, sure

[bouchonne]

"Dreadfully wise," he says, with a little quirk of his lip. "Both parts. So what parts of you are Fereldan, do you think? Do you prefer a quick execution to letting someone sit in jail? I know that's one of the things I don't understand up here. So much time and energy spent feeding prisoners."

who cares, not me

[fairforce]

Tiffany maintains her composure. Inwardly, she's blinking rapidly. Sorry? Where is this going?

"A quick execution," she answers, measured, "if I'm asked to choose. And then only after a fair consideration of the situation and a fair and thorough investigation. Is there some situation I should know about?"

[bouchonne]

"Hm," he says, lifting an eyebrow. "You're rather new around here. Seeker or not, I'm not sure we'd put a decision regarding execution in your hands."