[Open] Another pirate arrives at Skyhold

[nothief]

WHO: Balthier and OPEN
WHAT: Balthier poking around Skyhold
WHEN: End of Drakonis
WHERE: Around Skyhold, mostly the merchant stalls and the tavern.
NOTES: No warnings, fine with brackets or prose

Tavern
What little coin he did have on hand he needed to keep. In his business, you needed money to make money. But tonight the raucous conversations, laughter and music from the tavern had been a siren song he couldn't resist. Or perhaps he could blame the pretty barmaid who'd practically forced a bottle of wine on him. Oddly enough she'd disappeared after he'd given her the coin for his drink.

As tempting as getting drunk and wallowing a bit over his current situation was, he kept a keen eye open for card games or even the opportunity for a bit of conversation with someone interesting. One never knew when a simple conversation would turn into something more lucrative.

An empty seat catches his eye, wine bottle in hand, he saunters over, offering the stranger a smile, "Is this seat taken?"

Merchant Stalls
Balthier wasn't buying, or selling anything. Not yet. Wandering through the stalls, he was idly perusing the goods, taking stock of the kinds of things available. Although not ideal, the collection of merchant stalls was a decent place to look for business, to keep an ear out for anyone not finding what they're looking for.

Letting himself get a little too distracted by a particularly shiny necklace, which seems to be catching the midday sun just right, he nearly bumps into another passerby. "My apologies. I should be watching where I'm going."

[Wild card, anywhere else around or just outside Skyhold]

Comments

Tavern

[justice_is_blond]

There's an unfortunate reason why the seats next to Anders are empty, and it's entirely Anders. He's nursing his one drink of the night with care, off to the side, and the question gets a surprised look before he's nodding and gesturing. Someone who doesn't look angry is a nice break.

"I'll allow it." He gives the newcomer a small smile, gesturing. "Are you new?"

It's a pretty safe assumption, really, considering the guy's come over to sit next to him.

[nothief]

That Balthier is new is a reasonable assumption to make, though he tends to fall on the side of turning a blind eye to past transgressions in the name of opportunity and necessity.

"I'd say so," Balthier confirms his suspicions with a nod as he eases into the chair beside him. He might be new, but it was impossible not to take notice of the constant stolen glances in the blonde man's direction. He's starting to second guess this decision.

"You seem to be causing quite the stir," He observes quietly, busying himself with pouring a glass of wine. "I'm almost jealous."

[justice_is_blond]

"It's the hair. Grow yours out a little longer and everyone will give you looks too." There's no seriousness in his voice as he sips his drink. A moment later he's reached the decision that he should probably help the newcomer out.

"I took some actions a few years back that were... extreme. The common opinion is that I should have died for them, and that didn't happen. Instead, I was shown mercy and given the chance to atone through helping others." Anders shrugs, trying to make it look like he's entirely unbothered. "Sharing a drink with me is not the popular option. If you... If you choose to move, I'll not hold it against you."

[nothief]

Almost self consciously, Balthier reaches up to run his fingers through his hair before giving the mage a roguish smirk and shaking his head.

"Mm, no, I think not. Besides, it suits you, I'm not sure I could say the same," He flirts, equally as light-heartedly.

Seemingly unconcerned over Ander's admission, he takes a casual sip of his wine. In reality, the wheels in his head are spinning. Of course, he's dying to hear what the man's done and even more curious as to why, if so many people believed he should have been executed, that he wasn't already buried in a shallow grave.

"I'm sure I've shared a drink with better men... and worse. And I'm sure you could say the same. I think I'll stay put, if it's all the same to you," He says with a confident smile.