[OPEN]

[heirring]

WHO: Wysteria, Flint, & YOU
WHAT: Catch-all
WHEN: Fantasy!March
WHERE: Kirkwall/the Gallows
NOTES: Predominantly wrap-up/endcap threads for Wysteria and Flint before they ride off into the sunset. If you want something bespoke, feel free to wildcard me or reach out for a starter. Wysteria's impending departure is known, Flint's definitely isn't.

Comments

[heirring]

In short order, both Wysteria and her horrible little white dog have caught up to him. And made to pass him, an urgent hand at his elbow implying this is to be a walk and talk in the way to the ferry. Presumably, she has business in Kirkwall of her own.

"Oh you? For me? Nothing, nothing at all. No, I actually meant to offer the very opposite thing. You will have heard that I'm traveling soon to Orzammar. Well I suppose that necessarily requires passing through Ferelden as well, which naturally led me to consider ever Fereldan in the company"—naturally—"And I thought I might offer to carry a letter or two for you if you have any you wish to send. Or things too heavy for the ravens, and so on."

She's so gracious.

[thereneverwas]

Somehow it's even more ominous that she doesn't need anything, but he still finds himself smiling as she talks, slowly catching up to where Wysteria's point is reaching. And it's quite kind, actually.

"Might take you up on that, in fact," he replies, pleasantly surprised, "ever been to Crestwood?"

[heirring]

"I have not," she announces as the three of them—dog included—make their way along the courtyard. The weather is uncommonly kind today; there is a scrap of watery sunlight laid here across the yard having fought out from between the shadows of the glowering towers.

"But if I'm not mistaken, I believe it lies at the northern bank of Lake Calenhad, yes? I have been through the region once or twice, and imagine the detour would come very easily."

[thereneverwas]

"Bit up and to the right of it, yes," Barrow confirms, "...got its own lake." There was a whole thing about it, but that's not important right now.

"Right on the way to Orzammar, if you come down via the Storm Coast." He hitches in his step to avoid treading on a little white paw as the dog prances around his feet, sniffing at his boots. He looks down at it, letting the interaction happen-- it's bound to, with all the cats he has in his charge.

"...goes without saying, m'lady, but you'll be missed."

[heirring]

"Oh please. I'm hardly the first member of the company to run off for a few weeks or months. And besides, I intend to write, and also Viktor and Jayce will yet be working on the airship. It will only be as if I were in the next room."

Nonetheless, she seems quite pleased by the prospect. How fine it will be to be missed! It warms something not entirely kind but certainly fond behind her ribs—the part of a person who likes it, just a little, when someone is sad to see you going. It's very slightly like a showing up to your own funeral, only this time there are lots of people crying.

(The little white dog, presumably, will find other exciting boots to huff in Orzammar.)

"You will have to promise to me that you will look after everything so everything is still in one piece when I return."

[thereneverwas]

"Of course," comes Barrow's easy agreement, "so long as you promise to let us know if there's anything you need." Stupid errands are the spice of life, and he finds himself saddened by the idea there might not be any more in her service, at least for a while.

[heirring]

"Oh, most certainly. There will be no escaping my demands on your time, Ser. Not entirely, at least. In fact, I suspect the lyrium studies to continue in some respect. Viktor has a great interest, you know, and I have recommended yourself as an able and knowledgeable consultant on the matter. And I imagine I will be well placed to assist in that work in some respect as well."

Just what Barrow wanted to hear, right?

(Maybe don't miss her too much.)

"In fact I do wonder whether you might ask after him from time to time in my stead. The man is very committed to wasting away in the work rooms, and it would do him some good to have a conversation partner other than Mister Talis every so often."

[thereneverwas]

"Ah," Barrow says haltingly, but as she continues, it occurs to him that there's no reason not to check on Viktor: the man had been genuine in his efforts to learn about the siege weaponry, and the least Barrow can do is return the favor.

"I'll do that," he agrees after a pause, "seems like a decent bloke."

[heirring]

(continued here.)