faderift | [ OPEN ] Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time

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[ OPEN ] Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time

WHO: Zevran and YOU
WHAT: Zevran's Birthday and Ardent Blossom Contest
WHEN: Forward dated to Guardian 5
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Shenanigans connected to this announcement

Someone had been a sneaky little shit, preying on Zevran's lack of familiarity with traditions and dates and the weight people tend to put on something so mundane as a 'birthday'. Someone (Alistair) had spread word and made a thing of it, despite Zevran not seeing the point nor truly wishing to cause a fuss. He had, however, decided to take a day for himself to do nothing. No fuss, no stress, no real work. A day to indulge in a few of his many hobbies. He did not know what one did on their birthday normally but here he was, sitting in the Courtyard with one of his found spoils on his head, awaiting those that paid mind to his earlier announcement. When he wasn't idly sketching whoever he saw in the courtyard he was in the Herald's rest, enjoying a quiet drink and making notes on the better stories or songs he has heard throughout the day.

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"I am she, as well." Dimples deepened, before she placed the gifts in his hands, and stepped back, folding her hands in front of her. At that statement, her brown eyes brightened. "Oh, absolutely. I've already got plans for cheese biscuits, soft cheese cake with cherries, a dog collar for Doghren ... we Wardens take birthdays quite seriously. Almost as seriously as we take the Blight."

That she said this all with a straight face? Should say something about Bethany's sense of humor. "I hope you like them - I had to eyeball the sizes based on Alistair's vague 'He's this big, and this wide'."

"That dog is not going to last until his next birthday." It probably would, if only to spite him. That smelly, horrid, infuriatingly sneaky creature that nearly bolted from the room thrice this morning. How something with claws was so quiet while on flagstone- he could not say. Only that she had nearly made her way out more times under his care than he could tolerate.

Even if Alistair was horridly fond of her.

"Now I am worried." But, curious. He unwrapped the smaller of the two packages first, peering within.

"Oh, don't hurt the puppy. It's not his fault that all his family is ... unfortunate looking. I have one of his brothers - and he is equally ugly and equally lovable. Reminds me very much of his namesake." Bethany stated with a tiny smile, one that grew as she watched him open the smaller package.

"That one is from me, personally. For taking such good care of Alistair -- he needs good friends and you have always been an excellent one." The package turned out to be warm, woolen socks in a deep blue, with a griffon embroidered in silver yarn on the ankle.

"I do not hurt dogs. I simply do not trust it's ability to now what will and what won't kill it." Dogs were not the wisest creatures when they were so young- but to hear that Bethany had a similar beast? Made him grimace in sympathy. "I honestly am not much of a dog person."

For all that he adopted a Fereldan dog lord into his family.

It took a moment for the embroidery to register, struck as he was by a memory of similarly knit socks, lost to a bog, but before they had been lost? They had warmed him often. Something of Wynne. He chuffed a faint laugh and set them aside, turning to open the larger of the two. "They are lovely- and he needed the minding. I did not mind being the one to do it."

"Typically, dogs are killed by everything that would kill us. Is Doghren a special sort of dog?" Amusement slipped across her face, before she laughed, "Well, a friend told me there are kittens about as well. I can fetch one for you, birthday boy."

One eyebrow rose to say she acknowledged the irony of him being friends with Alistair, considering how much Alistair in fact loved dogs.

"Then you shall expect many more socks to come." Her smile widened, as she swayed a little in excitement as he opened the larger package. "This ... we all put in on." It was a cloak, warm and sturdy, dyed a darker blue than most with a fur lined hood. On the back, Bethany had carefully stitched another griffon with silver thread. "Considering all you have done for us, we've decided to make you an honorary Warden. You of course, get the fanciest cloak though."

For a long moment he simply stared at the bundle in his lap. It was no Antivan half cape but it was lush and it was warm- hooded and a vibrant blue.

Warden blue. He had ever backed them in what they did as he found their efforts honorable; the work they did noble. It had been the greatest thing he'd ever stumbled into; by failing to assassinate them. And from it came relationships he never thought he'd have; a brother he'd never known he needed, a purpose beyond pure murder. The first anyone ever thought him capable of more.

He traced the embroidery with a wondering hand, smile soft and warm. "My thanks, Bella."

"Oh, you can just call me Sister now." She paused, before clearing her throat, "Actually too many men think of me as their sister, so just think of me as Bethany."

She beamed though, her dimples flashing as she took in his gentle smile. "You're very welcome. Consider yourself an honorary Warden, Warden Araini. And you even avoided the nasty initiation. Well done, you."

"Ah, you wish to be seen as a woman worth desiring rather than as a friend, yes?" Were it not for Alistair's stern glares in his direction he might entertain desiring her himself; but Alistair would make the face.

However.

"I do have a few names that might suit you, do you prefer your men broad or lithe?" This would be a most amusing diversion, seeing her seen to. "Ah, I prefer to mix my own drinks, yes."

"We-ll, it would be nice. Of course no Calling and no Blights for the rest of my life would be nice too, but I don't want to get selfish." She said with a hint of a wry smile. A wry smile that turned into a surprised face.

"Ah - well - wait, you ... really?" Then she looked around, just to make sure that Carver or Varric or someone else wasn't about to pop up and 'big brother glower' any possibility of a man away, and gave Alistair the 'Hawke Eye' across the way. If he wasn't going to do anything about her impending spinsterhood, he'd best not tread on her now. He'd get the waggling finger.

"I prefer tall - broad or lithe? Uhm. Both." She flushed a little. "I ... have a thing? For accents? So yes." Then she laughed, "Well there's a reason I always see to my own drinks now. Not after the first Grey Warden cocktail party. The company is grand but their drinks will knock you on your arse for hours."

"I might have several names for you." All well mannered, well skilled, and quite kind. Wardens have every right to take advantage of what few gifts their status offers. A line of casual lovers that expect nothing? Is only their due.

"Nevarran, Antivan, Raivaini?" Accents are absolutely succulent, he cannot blame her for finding them thoroughly attractive.

"Several? Gracious, I've never had several ... anything male, outside of big brothers." She was impressed, and showed it, "You are a marvel, aren't you? Korrin told me you were amazing and she was right."

She paused, before tucking a dark wave behind her ear, "Is it selfish to say, 'Yes please?' Although I have always liked Raivaini. Oh, and Starkhaven."

"Let me make a few polite inquiries to be certain of their availability and I shall send them your way, yes?" Ah, Starkhaven. He could work with that. "A woman should always be spoilt for choice, Bethany. Consider this my good deed for the day."

"You." Bethany stated with a completely serious expression, "Are now my favorite assassin of all time. I've known a few but you are right there at the top of my list."

Then she dimpled, "And the next time we both find ourselves in the Herald's Rest, your drinks are on me."

"I do live to please." Well, mostly. "I shall have to take you up on that another day; everyone is offering me the same tonight and were I to indulge? I'd have no words with which to thank you for your generosity."

"Oh my, well, we cannot have that. Try to have fun, but not too much fun ... and if you do? I have a few healing tonics stored away for just that reason. I've been friends with Isabela and Varric for quite a few years now." She said with complete solemnity, before she flashed a warm smile once more.

"Many happy returns, Zevran. I should leave you to your other admirers." She stood up, dusting off her robes, then gave him a more thoughtful look, "But ... do feel free to come and speak to me, whenever you like. We're not friends, but I'd like us to be."

"I will stop by when we both have time, mm? We can share a few stories and a few drinks, I will share a few more names for your enjoyment." She's sweet, is the younger Hawke. Enough for him to enjoy.

"I am always one for a good story." Now she understood why everyone was charmed by Zevran. He had a way about him that just made you feel at ease, even if you fought it. Which Bethany was not.

Another bright smile, going all the way to her eyes, "And i won't lie ... names would be a delight."

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[ OPEN ] Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time

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