[ closed ] It's not fate, it's DESTINY!

[aintwejust]

WHO: Malcolm Reynolds, River Tam, Korrin Ataash, Kallian Endris, Beleth Ashara, Clint Barton
WHAT: Legitimate business in Kirkwall
WHEN: Backdated to Firstday - 3rd or Fourth of Wintermarch
WHERE: Skyhold to Kirkwall and Back again
NOTES: This here job what won't go smooth.

THE RIDE OUT
KIRKWALL PROPER
THE RIDE BACK

Comments

stowaway!

[girlinthebox]

She wasn't really sneaking if she'd just come along and no one had seem fit to notice...right?

It's a small ship, though. It's only a matter of time before she's discovered, likely when food becomes an issue. In the meanwhile it's the shadows of the ship she sticks to, ear to the boards listening to her creak and moan in the tossing of the waves.

[aintwejust]

"..." Honestly he'd hoped it was a figment of his imagination. That he was go'n a little whimsical and wasn't see'n things right. But there it was, a familiar shape in the shadows. Pale face, tangle of hair, wide, wide eyes.

"Li'l River Bug how in the- what are you do'n here?"

[girlinthebox]

"You were going for a ride."

Discovered. But she doesn't look ashamed of herself in the least. No point in it now. It's too far for them to realistically turn back, and she's already proven she can stay out of the way. Hasn't she?

She peers up at Mal, waiting.

[aintwejust]

"...yeah, to go do some work in city what's dangerous and don't look too kindly on wayward mages wander'n about!" And yet here she is, waiting for him to- what? Kick her off the ship? How she even GOT here is a mystery to him and he's gonna haveta watch her till they see this done.

"When we get back I'm tak'n you straight to your brother and you're tell'n him this ain't my fault." Last thing he needs is someone gett'n all huffy just cuz the bug wanted to see outside for a li'l while. "...and don't eat any of the eggs, you'll make yourself sick."

[girlinthebox]

"They won't know to look. Eyes pass over the spaces they're used to seeing." She's used to drifting through the background, being part of the noise. She doesn't need a babysitter, even if Mal will insist on being one. If only to mollify her brother.

But now that she's been spotted she creeps out of the shadows, cramped as they had been. It's remarkable she even found room to fit back there, or didn't get sick with the rocking of the waves.

[aintwejust]

"...you ain't help'n. You- you're stay'n on the boat with Monty till we're done. You hear me?" He ain't tak'n her into Kirkwall proper and that's that. Too risky. "How'm I supposet'a keep him from bugg'n me if you keep crawl'n about?"

He sighs, he frets, and he shrugs out of his coat (his precious, armored coat) to drape it around her shoulders. It gets cold down here sometimes. "You are gonna drive me grey afore my time, Li'l bug."

[girlinthebox]

The coat drowns her, draping down almost to her knees and completely engulfing her, good as a cloak. Her fingers curl delicately into the lapels as she frowns up at him. He won't change his mind. But if he needs her, she can beg forgiveness rather than ask permission.

Easier for everyone that way.

"Grey makes you look distinguished," she replies after a moment, brow crooking.

[aintwejust]

"Yeah well no one will take a 'distinguished' cap'n seriously. Might think I take on airs and act better than 'em." Not that he don't now but- only better than ones he's actually better than already. That ain't River.

It IS her brother, even if he likes to think it the other way 'round.

[girlinthebox]

"Tell them they can't leave the castle or a dragon might eat them?" she counters dryly. Not that Simon is particularly intimidating on his best days, but he's perfectly capable of breathing fire, in a sense.

In truth, he'd been so busy lately, and she'd taken to wandering off so often, he might not even notice that she was gone until she was nearly back again. Meanwhile, she wants to see Kirkwall, and not from the boat.

[aintwejust]

"And who's the dragon now, mm? Jayne?" Or herself? There are things, small things, that he's seen that make him wonder. That make him tilt his head and squint and wonder- but he lets 'em wander right on by. SHe's a girl. A strange girl that sometimes is and sometimes ain't- and pok'n at that bundle of trouble ain't all that wise.

Better t'not. Keep on sail'n.

[girlinthebox]

"Keeping the princess in the tower for her brave knight? Wonder who."

It's definitely one of her more sober days, if she's capable of sassing right back at him. Maybe he'll see that she's capable of taking care of herself, on occasion.

Of course, Mal had always been a little more protective of her than most. She'd tugged at that string before, trying to tell the color. Family? Not sister, not daughter, maybe piece of himself he lost long ago?

Not willing to stay on the boat, in any case.

[aintwejust]

Well she's in fine form today, enough that he chuffs a faint laugh. "Ain't no knight we're keep'n you for, li'l bug, but your brother and Chevalier he aint. Even if he got the hair for it."

Fine, he'll be the dragon. Jayne'll be his wings and they'll somehow, someway keep River outta trouble. He can't rightly tie her to the post in the ship, who knows what might happen? But he can sit and sigh and wave her on up.

"C'mon. We got proper food in the galley."