faderift | after all these years, you don't want to see me poppin' outta da cake?!

WHO: Twisted Fate & OPEN
WHAT: Everything is super serious and elves are in baby jail, so it's a good time to have your birthday party and have it be as loud as possible.
WHEN: 4th of Cloudreach
WHERE: Herald's Rest
NOTES: There might be nudity. Heinous!

♠ EARLY AFTERNOON.

So bees aside.

Yes, there was a bit of a bee problem a few days ago in the room that Twisted Fate had acquired while Sera was gone. As he said, all was fair among fellow thieves, and he really doesn't need the room, but it's such a good location he thought he'd... borrow it awhile, at least until it stopped being funny. He isn't even sure he managed to get all of the bees out, but he does need to eventually plan a little strike back to her.

Post-birthday, anyway.

For now, there are drinks, there is cake -- red velvet, thank you -- and little paper hats for you!

Socialize, be merry. Twisted Fate is around somewhere, no doubt.

♠ EARLY EVENING.

At this point, there are games to be had, as one might expect.

Wicked Grace and Diamondback are the popular choices, though Twisted Fate might encourage a few drinking games as well. Alternatively, perhaps you come up with your own game.

After all, he's never opposed to try something new.

♠ LATE, LATE, LATE.

Plenty of people, perhaps even yourself, has probably taken in so much drink by this point that nothing is quite even and thinking is hard. But it's all in good fun.

How are you feeling? Or is the party over?

♠ WILDCARD.

Choose your own adventure!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's been a long, glorious day. Not the most rambunctious party he's ever attended, or made, but enjoyable all the same. The occasional soiree is pleasant, but this is something he'd always been more familiar with.

His eyes catch onto Nerva as she approaches, and he brightens considerably.

"I'd say it was a shame that you missed it, but I know it wouldn't have been to your liking. So I'll simply say that I'm glad I didn't miss you at all today. That would have been the true shame."

"I was here earlier, but you seemed well occupied, and I am aware that I am not the most - ah - popular person, with many of your friends."

To say the least. But despite how they had started out, and despite how she felt about Anders, she really wasn't bothered by the company he kept.

Not any more.

She held out the gift. "I could hardly have let your birthday pass without giving you something. I hope it is useful."

Inside was a delicately balanced, basket-handled rapier.

"I don't really care what they think of you, to be honest. But I understand."

Another present. This time without the excuse of a soiree, it's a little more personal now. Hesitantly, he takes it, unraveling the cloth to find the rapier inside.

It's an elegant blade to be sure and he likes that, but otherwise he's chuckling to himself a little. "You know I have no idea how to use this properly. I'm lucky I know what end to hold."

"I know," she replies simply, her hands - now bereft of anything to do - clasping behind her back.

"The sword is only part of the gift. If you - that is, I would teach you, to use it, if you wished to. So that you need not solely rely on your magic, to protect yourself."

"I-- well."

That does surprise him. The weight of the blade does feel nice in his hand, but he's never took the time to learn. He remembers, ages ago, how Malsaam told him he should learn outside of magic in case anything ever happened.

And he hadn't been wrong then. It isn't wrong now, he supposes.

"I would be grateful if you did. Thank you, Nerva."

She smiles at him - warm, broad, and fond, with nothing reserved or held back. She had been afraid that he would turn her down flat - try to tell her that he didn't need anything besides his magic. She had been arguing over it with herself for days, so the relief was palpable.

"You are very welcome, Fate. I would be happy to. Though I - ah--" She paused, there, and frowned. "Are you certain there is not... something else I could call you? Twisted Fate seems so..." She trailed off, the frown deepening.

Oh. Well. He has told Zevran and Korrin. And he of course trusts Nerva just as much as he does them by this point. Though she doesn't approve of magic, she does care about him and that's all he could ask for at this point.

"Twisted Fate is more appropriate than my real name," the elf answers softly. "But if you want my real name, I would... give that to you."

By rule, Nerva is not phsycially affectionate. Not because she couldn't be, but simply because she had very few people to whom it was a natural response. So there's a pause - a hesitation - before she reaches out, a hand touching his shoulder and then squeezing it gently.

"There is a good deal of difference between a Birth name and a Real name," she said, her own voice lowering to match the soft rumble of his. "I would not ask for something that would cause you pain. I only - I am not sure Twisted Fate is as appropriate as you believe. Or, at least, I hope it is becoming less and less so."

That's something he recognizes, how different and unusual this all must be for her. He notes the gesture, and the meaning behind it. Despite the topic, he smiles faintly.

"Twisted Fate is appropriate for a man who couldn't live up to certain expectations, I suppose. My birth name meant bringer of freedom, and I have failed spectacularly at that." He shrugs. "And I've always had a flair for the dramatic. You know me.

"But it is Tobrevas. It's up to you if you feel like using it."

"Tobrevas." She repeats the name as if to memorize it, and there's a flicker somewhere deep in her mind, as if she's heard the name somewhere before, long ago, but the memory does not surface. She frowns, faintly, trying to grasp at that memory, but the harder she tries to grip it, the more quickly it fades into fog and darkness.

"Bringer of Freedom... I am not sure that it is so far untrue than you might think. If we actually manage to defeat Corypheus..." She trails off, thoughtfully. "Thank you. Tobrevas."

"I'm just a helping hand, here because I was out of other options. But I appreciate your vote of confidence on my behalf."

There's a pause as he considers. His name doesn't sound so wrong, spoken by her. There is a flit of something, but... no, he can't really think about that right now. He's lucky enough to have her friendship.

"I trust you, Nerva. Sharing my name is the least I could do, hm?"

"No. The least you could do would be to share a drink," She said, offering a wry smile, trying to ignore that subtle heat that was rising at her collar.

When had she ever cared before if anyone trusted her?

"And I suppose I should at least attempt to play a few games, since I'm here." Not at all because she wants an excuse to linger in his company, nope. Definitely not.

"And I'd be glad to do so. What can I get you?"

He cracks a sharp grin. "Ah, games with you? That would be something to look forward to. I promise, there certainly will be several to play."

"Ah - perhaps something a little heavier than wine, tonight."

Nerva feared very little, but sometimes she needed a little liquid courage anyway. Or, well, less liquid courage rather than liquid 'let's-try-not-to-kill-anyone-tonight'.

"Well, it is your birthday. I thought I should at least make an attempt. At something a little less - ah - regulated than chess."

"Then let me get you a glass of scotch. Kirkwall, actually. I'm a bit fond of it."

That does warm his heart a little, and he quietly approves with a smile. "I'll keep it friendly and a bit less competitive, if that helps. But I would enjoy that with you, Nerva."

"Scotch sounds perfect."

She offers another smile, in response to his, still that broad, relieved warmth from before.

"I can take a little competition. But I will acquiesce to your experience on the matter."

after all these years, you don't want to see me poppin' outta da cake?!

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