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[ungovernable]

WHO: Benevenuta Thevenet, Dorian Pavus, Zevran Arainai, Nerva Lecuyer, Taashath, Rafael Viteri AND THE OTHER ONE. I don't know how to spell that and I already looked up Rafa's name.
WHAT: Pretty much what it says on the tin. And by tin I mean subject line.
WHEN: Covering a span of several weeks, after puppies and before showing up late to Emprise du Lion.
WHERE: Nevarra, mostly.
NOTES: Plotting post; original sign up post. Get at me at matriarchal or via PM if you have needs.

Having taken Ayse's information to the Inquisition leaders, Benevenuta is dispatched with a small group to handle the matter in Nevarra. Feel free to do individual closed threads within the subheaders of anything you want to achieve in Nevarra, and we can work out amongst ourselves how best to do plot elements! We will try to spread out plot contributions so that we don't get bogged down in a ten thousand person thread for any one part.

Comments

[bunko]

His point is good, and his compliment, better. Scipio's smile jumps quickly to his face, as much a sign of his agreement as it is a signal of how pleased he is to hear it.

"You are very kind, my friend, and very right." No false modesty here. Such qualities are qualities that he and Rafa have in spades, spades upon spades, and pretending otherwise would do them both a dishonor. "They are the ones of luck, to have us among them--for your reasons at the very least. How good it would be to show them still more reasons. Very well, then--I accept your offer, and will become your willing student. It would be an honor, for me. Not in the least because if your tricks with the hair are as successful as your other tricks, I will be the best prepared Warden among them!"

--For those curls are, after all, springing free and formed in perfect shapes. Truly, the work of a master.

[ombranera]

Antivans had to stick together in the south- provided they were not caught up in petty grudges (the pasta incident was not petty, it was a point of pride, but it has been long since laid to rest) or opposite sides of a feud. Jonas may have released Zevran from his oath of loyalty years ago but extending a shade of his assistance to the Wardens only felt right. His brother was among their number and someone needed to point out when they had gaps that required filling.

In their knowledge. Minds, so filthy.

Rod after rod he pulled from his hair, the soft gold now caught in a mass of ringlets. Zevran combed his fingers through them to test the give and nods to himself, satisfied. "I speak it as I see it, as the saying goes. When we return from Nevarra? I shall leave my evenings open to train you. Fewer witnesses so the grand reveal is all the more surprising, yes?"

And so any failures aren't mocked. Mostly.

[bunko]

"I could not agree more." Long has Scipio favored the surprise, and the grand reveal. This is part of his showman's spirit. Since he does not consider himself a failure, the possibility of such does not enter into his mind. Of course he will be a success, just as he has been a success in everything! And with so great a teacher as Zevran instructing him, his success is even more assured.

Pleased, he beams at Zevran, and sticks his hand out for a handshake. "We are so completely in agreement, my friend. And I will hold you at your word, and look forward to it!"

And who would have thought, that he would be eager for such lessons from la pasta rivale? Truly, the world is a funny place.

[ombranera]

Zevran takes the hand as given and shakes it in turn, grinning. "It has been a fair while since I've taught someone that already knows the bulk of how it is done in Antiva. You will be a swift study, of this I am certain."

Not having to explain what he means half the time by using certain words, certain references? Will make it go by quickly, that understanding a fellow countryman has in their very bones shall make this easier on the both of them. Perhaps, if pressed, he might extend the same offer to Rafael- as one cannot train half of a duo; it does not work as such. The pair work as one in most everything else.

"Perhaps extend the offer, too, to your partner. Things are easier on the battlefield if you know with great certainty that your left hand is as skilled as your right, yes?" If one does not have to worry after their fellows.

[bunko]

Scipio's enthusiasm flags a little when Zevran brings up Rafa. Only a very little, of course, mostly in the slight downturn of his mouth. Not that there's anything wrong with Rafa! All is quite well. It is because of Rafa that he is here at all, to make this agreement with Zevran. What fortuitous circumstances, yes?

But also... Also.

"I will suggest it to him," he agrees, diplomatically. Zevran's point is quite a good one. Perhaps if it presents it so to Rafa, he will agree. Yet honesty and respect for this small friendship inspires Scipio to add, "But he may not agree. He is not so..." How to say. Thoughtfully, he waves a hand, as if to pluck the words out of the air. "He finds less joy in things. This wardening, he finds it the harder."

[ombranera]

"It is a hard path to walk- all the more so for cunning Antivans. There are wardens of Antiva, this is true, but they are as different to those of the South as oil is to water. Different thoughts, different means, different tactics. For that alone on top of what it is you must endure..." He stops a moment and considers, turning his eyes to Scipio in a rare moment of seriousness.

"You hear the song as much as the rest, you and he, yes? Suffer the dreams, the hunger?" Zevran had traveled with two new Wardens for the better part of a year during a Blight. He knew what troubled them. "Alistair does not much care to discuss these things beyond 'grin and bear it' but...if you, either of you wish for something that might help ease these discomforts, There are some things I know to ease the pain or offer a more restful sleep."

[bunko]

Scipio is not a coward, per se. He has a brand of courage particular to him, the sort that allows for both foolhardy risk and hasty retreats at the sight of dangers deemed inescapable. It helps to have Rafa, who often has a keener eye for the troubles. Though Scipio was skilled at slithering out of trouble even before their partnership, he has come to rely on Rafa to inform him.

There is, unfortunately, no way to slither away from these terrors of the night, the gnaw of hunger and the tune that exists, somewhere, at the back of the mind. These things cannot be escaped. These things are difficult to confront. And so they don't. Scipio trusts Rafa with his life, would trust him with his very soul, should it ever come to that, yet their conversations on such new complaints have been very limited. Easier to complain of the cold and whatever work is now expected of them. But Scipio knows what it is that he feels, and suffers. And to think of Rafa, forced to suffer such things: this is somehow more difficult.

And so Zevran's offer easily gets attention from him. "Truly?" It is an offer as kind as the offer of training. "To not sleep does make things so difficult, and--" He hesitates, wary of betraying Rafa's trust. To speak of weakness is not done. Yet his concern overcomes such thoughts. "Is it a potion, that would help? Or some other such thing?"

[ombranera]

"Every warden is different. Potions worked for Jonas for the first month or so- but that was during a blight. It may work better for you and your friend- and even then? A month or so of actual rest can be of great comfort. Teas, exhaustion- many a time Alistair would spar with me, with Sten, with Jonas to work himself to the point of passing out. It helped. As for the food?" He shrugs, setting his kit aside for the moment. This is Warden Business.

He is not an official Warden but- any that traveled with them during the Fifth Blight came to know much. "Keeping a personal store on hand is not unreasonable. You are newly joined, I am told it levels out. Alistair does not eat quite so much as he did ten years ago, but it is still considerable. There are a few cooks that are more easily persuaded by Antivan Charms. As you are both quite charming it should not be so great a burden, yes?"

[bunko]

"The eating, yes." And no sooner is food mentioned that Scipio comes to feel a pang of hunger. He rubs one hand over his stomach, thoughtfully, a little dejectedly, and casts a glance toward his saddlebags, where he has some small food stored. "If only Antivan charms could convince a cook of Antiva to come to Skyhold. I would not complain of the food, but... it is not quite the same. Did you ever have the fish stew, that was served at the Mermaid's Teat--the real one, not the pale imitation that was built so much later! If I had that stew to eat..."

He sighs. No use in thinking of it, but he cannot help but to think of it. Perhaps he can raise money, and send an orphan to learn at the elbow of the man who makes the fish stew. And then, when that orphan is a little older, and has learned the secrets and the subtleties, he can bring that orphan to live in Skyhold, and make he stew. It is a very long-term thought, but perhaps it will work.

In any case. "Your advice is good," he tells Zevran, with a smile, "and has given me much to think on. I do not know how Rafa will take to exhausting himself. Maybe tea. He does like tea."