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

So it's him and his temporary crew rid'n up to the coast to hop on a boat, meet'n up with Monty (an old war buddy), sail'n across the waking sea and skedaddl'n up to Kirkwall for a quick pick up in the alienage. Easy peasy, right?

Right.

Gett'n to the coast ain't all that hard. You get on a horse or in the cart and you ride. So long as no one sets noth'n on fire that shouldn't or backtalk's him (aside from Korrin), all's well. It's gonna go smooth. It's gotta go smooth.

Ride to the coast: Uneventful. Ship: Cramped and smells of pickles, li'l bit of a storm on the ride over but noth'n too fanciful. Land'n is smooth as butter and just what he expected'a Monty and his Crew. Mal takes point and starts the long walk up to Kirkwall-

once everyone rinses the brine from their hair and face.

It's gonna go smooth. This is an easy job, it's gotta go smooth. All they gotta do is get in without caus'n undue fuss'n, find Evelynn, show her the very fine card Fate gave him, and they can find the box and go on their Merry.

It's gonna be fine, right?

Right?

Cargo in hand, a coupla bumps and bruises along the way (figuratively and literally) they head back to Monty's boat a mite faster than they left him. Ship still smells like pickles with the added bonus of some kinda cargo of hiss'n beetles people want as pets.

Which.

Ain't much good if one wants a restful sleep. But no one's gett'n et and they all make it to shore more or less. Then it's just the long, long, long ride home to Skyhold.

Is she insane? She has to be, for going along with this. Korrin's uncharacteristically quiet upon reaching Kirkwall, tense and expecting a reaction to her large, horned self at any moment. Perhaps some wouldn't mistake her as the vanguard of a Qunari invasion but even if they don't, there's the issue of all the fear and hatred that the Qunari left behind thanks to their actions. That it's been several years probably means nothing. Some people can definitely hold a grudge, nevermind that the Vashoth mage hadn't been a part of that.

Every so often, she's darting a glance at Mal. And that glance says 'why did I let you talk me into this?'.

Edited 2016-01-08 05:58 (UTC)

Kallian was even paler and more nervous than usual. She was the one who would be the least conspicuous for this job, and the retrieval rested on her slender shoulders. But the small elf had received warnings about what a dangerous place Kirkwall's Lowtown could be, and it was through Lowtown she would have to go to reach the alienage.

"Anything else I need to know before we do this?" she asked in a small voice.

If there's one thing that can be said about a life of travel, it's that it prepares one for anything. A cramped ship that smells of pickles traveling through a minor storm at sea doesn't faze Korrin at all; thankfully, she's never been the sort to succumb to sea-sickness, and has traveled via ship enough that she can keep a steady balance aboard one. That leaves her with two things to on the journey over; check on those less fortunate, and mull over what's going to happen once they reach Kirkwall, preferably on deck rather than below. Given the events of several years ago, concerning rampaging Qunari nearly taking over the city, Korrin's less than certain her participation is a great idea. But Mal needed another person and it's been too long since they had an adventure together. So, fine. Hopefully this will be quick and painless.

Twisted Fate caught word of Malcolm and the remainder of his chosen crew returning soon. More than he's willing to admit, he's anxious to have his cargo returned; it's not worth much in sovereigns, but it's priceless to him.

Once he finally catches sight of them, Twisted Fate folds his arms behind his back and cracks a smile.

"Well. Everyone looks like they're in one piece."

"So. Apparently Monty's shipp'n pickled eggs." That's the smell. "And smutty literature."

That. That's extra.

"Hand over the card I gave ya when we meet her and try to smile. This is all very fine and legitimate work and t'ween me and Korrin we got you covered should things start look'n a little tense. No one's gonna lay a hand on you." Easy peasy.

So long as things go smooth, everything'll be right and fine.

Just.

Let things go smooth.

It would be nice if things did go smooth for once, but the way Korrin is glancing around, she's doubting it. But the city elf with them doesn't need to be made any more nervous than she already is, so Korrin will try not to further fray those nerves.

"What he said. We've been at this for a long time, so we know what we're doing." Usually. "Let's just get in and do what needs to be done. The sooner this is over, the better for all of us."

"I noticed, on both fronts." Korrin darts a wry smile at Mal, shaking her head. "At least we'll have something to read on the way over, if it's a boring voyage. I won't mind that, though Kirkwall...that'll be interesting, no matter what happens."

She sighs, leaning against the railing. "Are you sure about this? If you're trying to keep a low profile, I'm the last person you want in that city. As far as I'm aware, it's been one giant 'avoid' sign for my kind since that whole incident."

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.

"We're gonna get you a hat and not say anything." That'll do it, right? Right. Not his best plan. "I wanted someone with me that I knew would cover me without flinch'n- and what won't leave me behind should things get rough."

Korrin won't leave him behind and won't run off on him. He knows that for certain, same as he knows which way is north and that his Crew minds him. The rest- not so much.

"..." 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?"

"Oh yes, that will prevent them from noticing I'm a foot taller than everyone else. Why didn't I think of that before?" Sarcasm aside, Korrin reluctantly nods to his reasoning. She can't deny any of that, nor would she think to do so. "No, I wouldn't. But we'll need to be careful. This is going to be risky anyway, but this might just bring us trouble sooner than expected."

Edited 2016-01-14 03:30 (UTC)

"I agree." Beleth piped up, though she didn't look very soothed. "There's a lot of us. And I'll have my bow. So, I mean. Me and Korrin can fight, even if it's at a distance." She shot a look to the qunari in question, giving her a quick smile, reaching up to pat her arm.

"You know, if you relax, people won't care. Looking like you're tense enough for two isn't going to help much." She pointed out to Korrin. "I think it'll be fine. If anyone messes with you, I'll protect you, alright?" A smile followed that, because wow, Beleth is surely more intimidating. Goodness.

"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.

Korrin tries to echo that smile, tips twitching faintly at the thought but also touched. People having her back is always appreciated, especially when she's feeling vulnerable. Not that she wants to dwell on that now. "My hero."

Of course, that's when she hears the voices of nearby humans who aren't even remotely trying to cover up what they're talking about.

'A Qunari, here? Kirkwall doesn't need to be overrun again.'
'By just one ox? Impossible. It's just somebody's pet.'

Kallian draws her cloak a little more tightly around her, her steps light and quick. She tries to avoid looking directly at anyone if she could possibly help it. Head down. Hands to herself.

Well, maybe not quite. Quietly, subtly, she weaves spells of protection around her and her companions. Nothing too obvious. Maybe a slight shimmer in the air that could be mistaken for a trick of the light.

The tree rising out of the mishmash of buildings was her first clue that they were getting close to the alienage.

"If the elves here are anything like the ones in Denerim... You aren't going to want them knowing you're there," she said softly.

"...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."

"Hunker down a li'l? Pretend you're a hunchback. Criminals love hunchbacks. Makes 'em feel all manner of superior and handsome. Or pretty. Or hot n'bothered, apparently women really like hunchbacks? Somth'n about desperation mak'n a decent lay outta them." He's not all that sure, ain't his thing. "We'll take a side route- I smuggled folk in and outta here plenty to know how to get close to the alienage without caus'n a fuss."

"Keep walk'n." Mal's voice is low and friendly enough, his smile open even if his eyes are dark. "They ain't worth it. We're gonna get paid and they're gonna go home hungry."

It's not much, that. It ain't even all that good a thought to keep 'em warm, but it's someth'n to stow the imminent violence from ensu'n. They got their work to mind and a job to do. No time for undue fuss'n. No time for fight'n what they don't got to. In and out. Quick and clean. One smooth job and they're back home. "You got the card, li'l miss?"

"Plan is we hang back. You walk in with Jayne, he'll mind you. You get what we need and we meet you in the house; we get the goods, we get out. No muss, no fuss."

"Hunching down with a staff on my back...no way in hell, Mal." Though she does relax slightly at mention of a side route. "Hopefully that'll be enough. I've done my best to memorize that map, so with any luck, I won't be caught off-guard anywhere. At least I can cross this off my very short list of places I've never been before."

"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.

"Didn't usedt'be so rough. Fine port for trade before everyth'n went sideways. Most folk now see horns and think 'shit, i'm about to die' and that's if we're lucky. Vashoth ain't been much of a thing 'round Kirkwall even before the Qunari rolled in. Sure didn't help none what came after." He misses having that ease about the town but, well. What can you do? "Long as Badger makes good, we oughta be fine."

A beat.

"He'll make good."

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

THE RIDE OUT

KIRKWALL

THE RIDE BACK

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On the ship

THE DELIVERY

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stowaway!

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