[ 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

[failedfirst]

Most people aren't speaking around her, and even if they are, she's practiced in ignoring conversations she doesn't wish to be a part of. However, that question is angled specifically at her, which causes her to look up. The elf that belongs to the voice isn't familiar to her, but that isn't saying much. There are many people in Skyhold she isn't familiar with.

"It's not. The enchanting books are of limited interest to me, this is a history of the place where the first rift was opened." She is of course taking him entirely too literally.

[ombranera]

How charmingly literal. "I meant the lighting in the window, how it softens everything in this alcove and gives you your own almost ethereal grace."

Not that he doubted her to be lovely without- but it was as good a way to open this branch of conversation as any. "It does make me wonder- what books are of interest to you- beyond the historical?"

[failedfirst]

"Oh. I simply chose it because it was the only alcove void of simpering fools. Which seems to be a futile quest, here." Seriously why so many people who annoy her in one place? She's been doing so good lately with the not burning people alive thing.

Sighing she closes the book in front of her, trying to decide how to answer this question.

"I prefer history, or tomes on magic. Storybooks are of limited interest, I tire of human heroes who likely did nothing to earn the title, but the origins of the stories can be interesting."

[ombranera]

"Simpering? Compliments to a lovely woman are simpering now? I shall have to make a note of that." He had not known, truly. "Mmm. That does seem to be a lasting trend, does it not? There are a few from Antiva with dashing dalish heroes that I have seen about if you truly wish something a bit more elven."

They all died tragically, but it would be impolite to spoil her.

[failedfirst]

She likely would have asked him to leave her alone at this point, if he hadn't mentioned Antivian tales. That piqued her interest, and it's notable by the slight raise in her eyebrows.

"I've never heard any tales of the Dalish in Antiva. Most Antivians I've met have been human." Also grumpy old Wardens who are more interested in tales of darkspawn than elves.

[ombranera]

"They tend to keep to themselves- most humans know to avoid them. Violent and territorial- honestly considering the brigands and past of Antiva, I do not blame them." He lounged where he stood, shoulder propped against the stone of the alcove. "When I was young I spent time with them, not long as they had no desire to take me in, but enough to know they are quite different from southern Dalish."

[failedfirst]

Velanna doesn't voice aloud that they sound like her kind of people, although she certainly thinks it. She'd long felt that the Dalish were too meek and afraid of the humans. After living among humans for ten years she's gotten a little softer in her opinions, but still thinks the Dalish should not fear them.

"Would you mind telling me about them?" It's out of her mouth before she can really think it over, but there is a moment of hesitation before she adds: "I apologize for calling you simpering before. I just don't like being bothered when I'm reading."

[ombranera]

"I was not with them for long, mind, they did not wish a flat ear among them." He says it lightly, casually, for as an older elf he understands well enough the foolishness of his desires. One is born Dalish, they do not become so simply by wanting. But oh, the tales he had heard and the hopes he had.

A child's hope for something better than a threadbare blanket and pouting for meals. "But no, not at all. And think nothing of it; I have been called far worse by those with sharper tongues." Morrigan, for one.