Definitely not a Dalish...

[aggregiopavali]

WHO: Fenris and whomever
WHAT: An elf that is so far from Dalish as it's possible to be arrives in Skyhold
WHEN: Late Harvestmere
WHERE: Around Skyhold, heading to the Herald's Rest
NOTES: Open to all - he's just arrived, feel free to grab him - he'll be heading for the booze as fast as possible

He'd taken a circuitous route to get here, chasing down a particularly nasty slaver troupe that he'd run across previously, but had been too heavily guarded before. This time, only two armed guards had made it easy.

A lot of people were heading back to their homes once more. He didn't care about that, not really. All he cared was that Tevinter wasn't getting it's latest shipment of slaves. But it was something one of the slavers said as he tried to beg for his life that had caught Fenris' attention - that Tevinter Magisters were seen at the Inquistion. It was what had sent him scurrying there as fast as he could. Magisters trying to infiltrate something that had set itself up for good could only go one way, and frankly, it would be easy pickings.

Of course, he knew he would be recognizable to them. Danarius had paraded him about too often for him not to be known, Still, it was a calculated risk. Besides, he'd heard Isabela and Varric were there. People he could trust.

It was vast, he realized as he joined the crowds of refugees pouring into Skyhold. A vast fortress up in the mountains. What better place to launch an invasion of either Orlais or Ferelden from. At least he could see why the Magisters were drawn here.



[ooc I'm heading to bed with a migraine, but I'll get these in the morning.]

Comments

Tavern!

[ombranera]

In the corner there might be a familiar face and voice, Zevran perched on a stool and picking away at a lute while he spun the tale of The Hero of Fereldan for the fifth or sixth time this week. With the arrival of Alistair and the wardens interest had been renewed. As fantastic as the adventure was he added a few flourishes here and there- and cut out other parts entirely. There were some things that did not need to be remarked upon in the current climate.

What happened to Connor and the Circle Tower didn't need to be brought up with so many mages and templars already present and tense. The Dalish were painted as heroic, the Dwarves industrious, the humans troubled but capable. He was winding down to the usual break just before the company reached Denerim when he spotted the familiar shock of pale hair and tanned skin. Zevran slipped from his perch and absconded with a bottle of wine and two glasses, sidling up shortly thereafter. "So you found your way here after all?"

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Fenris had been drawn to the tavern, unsurprisingly. A remarkably familiar place, like many the world over. Though not all of them had Zevran in, that was for sure.

Why the assassin had made his way to Skyhold was anyone's guess, but the fact that he brought wine - and a decent looking one at that - over with him meant that Fenris wasn't running for the hills straight off. "I got... waylaid," he said, finishing off the drink he had. "A group of slavers at the foothills, looking for easy pickings amongst the pilgrims here."

[ombranera]

"Mm. I ran into bandits in the same area. They are to be sending guards out within the next few days I suspect." If they wanted to continue to offer some manner of protection to those on the road at least. Zevran uncorked the bottle and poured them both a healthy glass, nudging the fuller of the two to Fenris. He had only just arrived, the walk was long, the nights chilly, and he was playing host after a fashion. It wouldn't hurt.

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"If it makes them more cautious, it's no bad thing," he pointed out. "Guards on the roads would make it easier for us simple travellers." Like there was anything simple about the pair of them.

He took the glass, and raised it in a salute to Zevran. "I am surprised to see you here, to be honest. But not surprised to find you in the bar."

[ombranera]

"It would indeed." Oh so innocent travelers, they, no danger at all to anyone that might try to prey upon them. "Well- I thought perhaps they might need the skills and experience of someone that's been through this sort of madness before."

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No, no danger what so ever. Fenris carried that huge sword of his just for show. He glanced over at Zevran. "That's very noble of you."

Fenris wasn't entirely sure why he was here, other than to investigate the rumors of Tevinter magisters actually being here. There was no reason for him to stay, other than it was nice to be in one place for a while, somewhere where he wasn't stared at for being an elf living in Hightown.

[ombranera]

"And what of you, mm? What summoned you up from slaughtering slavers?" He had not seemed overly interested when they met on the road- for all their similarities their motivations tended to vary greatly- at least from what little Zevran knew of Fenris.

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Different lives, different motivations. "I'd heard there were Magisters seen amongst the ranks of the Inquisition. I came to check out just who, and why." Because he couldn't believe that a magister would willingly help the Inquisition. It was contrary to everything he knew about them.

[ombranera]

It wasn't entirely kind- but Zevran could not help crackling a laugh. "Desperate as the Inquisition may be, I do not think a Magister would wish to waltz in and offer their help, nor would they accept. Now I have seen a rather dashing mage from Tevinter wandering about the library on occasion but I do not think he is a Magister. He lacks the slaves and scars of a bloodmage- unless he is hiding them under his clothing. For you I am willing to investigate this in depth."

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"If they could turn it to their benefit, they would." Fenris has had far more experience of Magisters, and to a man, they are self-serving, power hungry, evil incarnate. At least, all the ones he'd met, which were many. Danarius like to parade Fenris about.

"If he is young, he may not have turned to blood magic yet. There is time. Besides, why use your own blood when you can use that of others?"

[ombranera]

"Mmm, true enough. We shall keep an eye out for this, yes? The last thing we need is the Imperium getting any ideas." Beyond 'the world is ending and it is not our problem' but then again, that was normal. "Take all the fun out of investigating him why don't you."

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Fenris knew when he was being teased - he wouldn't expected anyone who hadn't been a slave in Tevinter to understand. But still, he could trust Zevran to a point. A very small point. If Tevinter chose not to get involved, that was fine with Fenris. But it was the fact there were natives here that got him worried. "I'm sure you can find plenty of 'fun' without my help."

[ombranera]

"Well yes but it would not be near as dangerous." And dangerous fun was the best fun, didn't Fenris know this? "Or as exciting. You have a talent for finding the best fights. And for ending them decisively with your magical fisting trick."

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He gave Zevran a faint half-smile - as good a smile as you were going to get from him. "And dangerous is fun, of course. Well. I like to think I fight the fights that are worth it." And killing slavers was always worth it. "There is no point getting into a fight if you can't win."

Ah yes. His magical 'trick'. Funny how people always came back to that.

[ombranera]

"A truly noble cause." From an elf that would, according to the rules of the world they live in, never be noble. A pity. Not that Fenris would likely know what to do with such a thing, neither would Zevran. "Handsome and pragmatic. Tell me, how is it we have not slept together yet?"

Anyone else it'd be sincere. With Fenris? The tease is made all the more blatant by the exaggerated waggle of Zevran's eyebrow.

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Nobility? An alien concept if ever there was one. He snorted at the thought. "Hardly. Though the loot always seems to be profitable from them." Being able to afford to buy that perfect slave at a moments notice meant that slavers were rarely short of cash. "That... I can't answer. But I fear it would be because mostly we would never heard the end of it from Isabela." Especially if she weren't invited.

Would he sleep with Zevran? Unlikely but not impossible. They both knew exactly what it would be - a letting off of steam to mutual enjoyment. Being with Isabela on and off for some time had taught him the benefits of that.

[ombranera]

That wrung a laugh out of him. "Ah, she would if we were so thoughtless as to not allow her to watch. Or participate. Though she may or may not end up writing it out eventually should she see us speaking overlong. I never do know where her limitations for her 'friend fiction' are."

Such a strange habit- but amusing none the less. If only they knew an illustrator of some sort then they could truly make something special. "Have you secured your accommodations, such as they are? With as many people that are here and few rooms that are actually fit for living, the options are limited. However there is a room adjacent to mine no one has claimed quite yet- possibly because it is less of a room and more three walls with a tarp hanging over the far end- but it is better than camping out in the courtyard."

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Sometimes Fenris was grateful he couldn't actually read, so he didn't have to be inflicted by Isabela's 'friend-fiction'. "No, perhaps we shouldn't encourage her there." Truth was, she didn't need much encouragement.

"Sounds just like home," he deadpanned. Yes, a joke from Fenris. Though given the state of Danarius' mansion, it wasn't too far from the truth. "No, I have not secured accommodation yet." He was prepared to sleep wherever was necessary. "Thank you." It was quiet, but it was there.

[ombranera]

He knew under the broody exterior there was a shred of humor- one had to have some to hold Isabella's interest or be able to stand Varric. Or Hawke. Or endure that which had been done to him- honestly if he didn't have one? Zevran would think him some manner of golem. He snorted a faint laugh and patted- ever so lightly, the armored gauntlet nearest to him.

Skin to skin was a touchy subject with anyone, let alone someone that had been a slave. Doubly so for someone with lyrium burned into them. "Think nothing of it. Consider it belated repayment for helping me with the Crows, yes?"

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Without a sense of humor, Fenris would have left Hawke and the others for dust long ago. But he felt a comradeship with them, and to a lesser extent, he felt it with Zevran. At least the beginnings of it.

He tried not to flinch at the contact, and mostly succeeded. He would always be sensitive to touch. "Somewhat belated, but yes," he said, amused at the thought. "I'd forgotten we'd helped with that at all."

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Slow gestures in the future, Zevran noted. Slower and lighter. He had his own issues, heavily buried- Fenris never felt the need to do anything but wear them on his skin. Some small part of him would always envy him that honesty.

"Considering everything else you had your hands in?" Ha, fisting joke, they will never get old. "I am not terribly surprised.

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He never saw the need to hide what he was. He wasn't currying for favour. If people didn't like him, or understand him, that was their problem, not his.

He gave Zevran a small look - he was used to the innuendo, after all - then shook his head a little. "Kirkwall was lively."

[ombranera]

A familiar and comfortable look, even if Fenris wasn't someone that was around often enough for him to be the bearer of said look, but Zevran was certain they'd be around one another enough for it to become terribly familiar.

"A little more than most if Varric's book was anything to go by."

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He wouldn't know - he hadn't read Varric's book, given his lack of reading ability. Not that he was going to tell Zevran that.

"Knowing Varric, he over-exaggerated everything three-fold."

[ombranera]

"Knowing Varric I wouldn't be surprised if it was tenfold. He does have a flair for the dramatic and, I imagine, he will be pleased to see you." Wherever he is wandering about.