[ OPEN ] Well I can't stand to be with myself, this liberation's seemingly rare

[ombranera]

WHO: Zevran and Various
WHAT: Zevran sparring and dealing
WHEN: Throughout Drakonis
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Violence, swearing, usual Zevran Content Warnings Apply. Open prompt below, poke me on plurk for a closed starter. Prose or actionspam welcome!

As much as he'd protested Alistair running off on some mission in the west- the time apart gives him that much more chance to train. He'd been doing so privately in the barn, occasionally squaring off against Settimo when they both had the time and patience for Settimo's paranoia and Zevran's over-adjustments for the blind side. Learning to fight with only one good eye is slowly driving Zevran to frustration. Settimo could not come at him hard enough to be a challenge, he could not learn his new limitations without a solid effort on both their parts.

Setting aside his vanity he takes to the training grounds- but working on stuffed dummies is only good for so much. Soon enough he is picking out soldiers and rogues to come at him in the dirt circle. Day to day it goes much the same. Zevran stands with bad eye covered and his swords, with his hands, with a single short sword and calls any that would step up to help him regain his awareness. It is, to be honest, slow going. More often than not if his opponent has any manner of skill he ends up on his ass. But he grits his teeth, stands, and goes at it again. And again. Afterward he recovers with the highlight of his training- a bucket of water to sluice off the sweat and grit of the day. Whether it's the relief the cold brings or the appreciative looks it tends to earn? He doesn't say. But thus he spends his days, training himself or wrestling with the fledglings, who will offer their own commentary and catcalling in Antivan during his other matches.

Comments

[aggregiopavali]

Fenris didn't hestitate, heading over to stand beside him, giving him a long thoughtful look. "You're leaning a little to the left too much," he said, still contemplating Zevran. "Be careful of that."

[ombranera]

"Truly?" Mmm. Something he shall have to adjust. "Anything else?"

He could not very well observe himself- and Fenris knew enough to offer him solid commentary.

[aggregiopavali]

Fenris moved closer, contemplating him. "No, just that slight lean to the left as far as I can tell. Though if you want to fight some more..." The offer was there, even if he didn't take it.

[ombranera]

"I could stand to go another round. My sight may have suffered, but my stamina?" He crackled a laugh. "Aaah, you know of it's wonders well enough."

[aggregiopavali]

Good. Zevran was cracking jokes - a defensive mechanism he knew well, but he was pleased to see it, and gave a low chortle. "Good to know that hasn't suffered. It would be a shame."

[ombranera]

"I could prove it to you later, mm?" He was, as ever, careful with Fenris when they did more than drink. There was much in the elf's past he understood on a bone deep level; pushing too hard at any one point would strain whatever this delicate thing they have and that? Was not something Zevran wished to risk.

[aggregiopavali]

Fenris was in a relatively good mood, for all that he was bored, and he chuckled in response to Zevran's suggestion. "I wouldn't be averse to that," he said delicately; he wasn't sure if Zevran was using sex as a coping mechanism or he genuinely wanted to sleep with him - either way, Fenris would proceed cautiously.

[ombranera]

"Is this where I make another innuendo and you roll your eyes- or where I offer a compliment and you do that charming thing where you cough over your chuckle to hide a blush? Because of the two, truly, I would prefer the latter." Fenris had a way about him, not entirely unself-conscious- it was impossible for an elf such as he to be unaware, but...charming in what he chose to show. "To that end, I would not be adverse to seeing more of your handsome self."

[aggregiopavali]

"Most likely the second one," he admitted with a shy smile - just like that, he imagined. He was aware of many things - how striking he was, even without the tattoos to add something to his features, he just very rarely let himself be with people.

[ombranera]

"Ah, just like that." He rests a hand over his heart, his smile crooked but warm rather than lewd. "I might swoon."

[aggregiopavali]

He shook his head, but he was laughing. Just a little bit. "You will never change, will you?"he asked Zevran.

[ombranera]

"My friend, why would I ever wish to?" Life was more fun this way, with teasing and smiles and easy camaraderie.

[aggregiopavali]

Fenris just laughed a little, Zevran managing to coax another smile out of him, this one definitely genuine, and warm. "That is fair. I just hadn't seen you around much lately." Skirting around the truth, and not at the same time.

[ombranera]

"You know how it is. Kidnapping, recovering from torture, being drunk in the barn while recovering from torture." He shrugged, unwilling to make a thing of it even as he, in his own way, made a thing of it. "I have not been good company until these past few days."

[aggregiopavali]

"I... guessed." He knew himself what he was like at his worst, and how little he wanted any company, so he'd held back, waiting until Zevran seemed to appreciate being approached a little more. "Sometimes it just takes time, my friend."

[ombranera]

"The worst I could have imagined for myself came to pass." That he was caught. That he was tormented by blades and blood magic. He shifted, sidled up to Fenris. Shared is space without touching him outright. "And yet I still stand. That must count for something, yes?"

[aggregiopavali]

He knew what it was like, and relaxed his stance even more as he stood next to Zevran. "If you're still standing at the end of the day? Yes." He was still here, after all.