[The appearance of a skeletal black dragon on the back of Harding's hand had been impossible to miss, but what worries her more than its sudden appearance is the rumors that have quickly begun to fly regarding what these insignias are supposed to do. Almost as soon as she catches wind of the earliest ones, she reaches out to Davrin, concern so apparent in her voice that he can probably hear the furrow of her brow from the other end.]
Hey— would I be right in guessing that you've found yourself with a new tattoo all of a sudden?
[Her concerns about what this actually means run much deeper than that, but best to start there.]
[The mark, the brand is an unwelcome addition. That alone is enough to irritate him. The only tattoos he has, he earned - they're his clan's. Thank you very much. But the rumors are worse.]
[... he may have checked Assan for one too. Just to be sure. But no one has to know that.]
I did. [His voice is clipped. Terse.] You hear about why?
Sounds like what I'm hearing, too. To "keep the peace".
[From his tone, it's clear what he thinks of that whole statement. He sounds less annoyed when he talks about Solas.]
I've got worse news. Someone from the "other team" dropped off something recently... I took about three steps toward him and he suddenly started yelling about how much his arm hurt.
[... Davrin's did too, but uh. This is Davrin. He's not going to say so out loud until it's literally scream-worthy.]
[She doesn't sound terribly thrilled, either; following Davrin's response, her own voice takes on that hardened edge that she usually tends to save for the battlefield.]
So that rumor is true.
[Fantastic. Just what they need.]
They're using these things to try and control us? Marking people like we belong to them was bad enough, but—
[She cuts herself off, flustered, and lets out a growl instead.]
[He doesn't sound any happier. After checking certain other parties for a brand, chances are he'd gone to chop wood for a while.]
But, we're not going to let that stop us. Are we? [Easy, Harding. Don't start throwing giant boulders, please.] I think we've both had enough of other people trying to control us. They can't keep pressure of this scale up forever.
[See: evil gods, and/or Solas depending on if you consider Manipulation a form of control.]
[Deep breaths— she might have a better handle on her powers now than she did at the start, but rocks could still go flying if she's not careful, especially here, where there's new magic in the mix.]
Think it's the kind of thing that's going to run its course?
[She can't help sounding a little doubtful. These things rarely do, not without resistance.]
[Why does he sound proud? Not like he was worried she might lose control and therefore, get hurt. Or worse.]
It's hard to say at this point. [He doesn't want to lie to her.] This kind of thing is out of my expertise. This is more... Shadow Dragons kind of territory.
[Huh— that really does make her feel better than she would have expected. Why does she feel so much more calm, having his approval? Being a people pleaser was an even harder habit to kick than she'd thought, apparently, but there's no denying that she's grateful not to be in this alone. She doesn't know many people here. Having a friend to lean on or even get mad with makes all the difference.]
If only we had a certain detective here with us.
[If only—]
I've done my share of collecting information and reporting back on local politics, it's all part of being a scout, but that's harder in a place where I don't have a whole network of connections.
[Harding is a scout, and he is more used to operating in the wilds. Operating against animals, monsters and Darkspawn. Politics beyond the Wardens' internal bickering here and there is out of his depth. She's probably got way more idea than he would, but even then... having someone like Neve around would do wonders.]
Hold on though. Maybe you don't have connections, yet. But you do have a network.
[A vastly different one than she's used before, probably. But still.]
[The shellphones have taken some getting used to, but she's seen so many strange things since she first left home that these have felt fairly innocuous— really kind of incredible when you thought about all they were capable of.]
I haven't been using it to its fullest extent yet, but maybe it's time to start— and I've always been good at making friends.
[Telling people what they want to hear, for better or for worse, was how a lot of those vital connections got made. Being in the right place to shoot at the right person at the right time often helped, too.]
If it makes you feel better, I haven't either. The picture function though - can't say I mind that.
[If his camera roll is full of Assan - no it isn't.]
I'd say we should sit down and figure it out, but... [But while he knows perfectly well how tough Harding is, the thought of inflicting pain on her himself is not something he wants to dwell on.] But if anyone can make friends with the people on this thing, it's you.
We can exchange notes on what we learn, how about that?
[Not the same as being able to work on it together in person, but until they figure out how to deal with these brands effectively, it's probably best to keep at least a moderate distance— much as she hates to say it.]
But that's— real nice of you to say. I appreciate the vote of confidence. [A beat.] How many pictures of Assan have you taken so far?
I read somewhere there are people who actually don't, which means my kitchen would be their current nightmare since I've made far too many loaves for me to eat alone...
[Notice she skips answering his question immediately, but then——]
So I guess you can say... productive?
[Sure, if that's what you call baking constantly to beat back the depression.]
Me neither, but I assume that like how my little brother Joshua has a lifelong hatred against carrots, there really is someone out there who detests fresh bread just the same.
[Not her though. She's already eaten double her weight in carbs.]
Yes, that's why I'm calling. I would like for them to go to a good home before they all went stale and I figured if you didn't want any, Assan might.
[At the sound of a certain name, there's a sad whine in the background, the noise of a frost wolf who hasn't seen his best friend in weeks. Weeks!]
Carrots? Really? I don't even know what to say to that.
[There's so many more offensive vegetables out there.]
Ahh, well. Can't have stale bread - [He's cut off abruptly by an answering trill, one that ends in a loud squawk.] No. You can't have any. It's bad for you.
[That was to Assan. Then back to Jill:] We'll take it though. Harding might like some too.
[Assan is chattering, but it's nothing Davrin hasn't heard before. Nothing he hasn't talked over before.]
Sounds like there's a couple kids who want a play date. [Literally what it sounds like. His tone is amused, though, there's no judgment here for her question.] Pigeons do. Assan's more of an eagle. When he's not being a child.
Lace Harding. She's a teammate from home. Showed up recently.
I'm sure he is, as long as he doesn't have to eat any carrots.
[That much is clear. However Jill can barely hear herself think with as much barking Torgal is doing. He clearly wants to his opinions to be heard regardless of any scolding she gives him.]
Well, it has been a while since they last saw each other. Shame that the brands were getting in their way and they didn't even have any.
Ah, I see. Glad to hear someone from your world is here to keep you company.
4/05 | voice | un: eternalhymn
Hey— would I be right in guessing that you've found yourself with a new tattoo all of a sudden?
[Her concerns about what this actually means run much deeper than that, but best to start there.]
no subject
[The mark, the brand is an unwelcome addition. That alone is enough to irritate him. The only tattoos he has, he earned - they're his clan's. Thank you very much. But the rumors are worse.]
[... he may have checked Assan for one too. Just to be sure. But no one has to know that.]
I did. [His voice is clipped. Terse.] You hear about why?
no subject
I've heard a few versions, but most of them boil down to the same thing. They want to keep track of who belongs where— keep the armadas from mingling.
[Until now, what armada she'd found herself with upon her arrival hadn't seemed like such a big deal.]
Tensions are running high. I can definitely tell you this isn't what I signed up for.
no subject
[From his tone, it's clear what he thinks of that whole statement. He sounds less annoyed when he talks about Solas.]
I've got worse news. Someone from the "other team" dropped off something recently... I took about three steps toward him and he suddenly started yelling about how much his arm hurt.
[... Davrin's did too, but uh. This is Davrin. He's not going to say so out loud until it's literally scream-worthy.]
no subject
So that rumor is true.
[Fantastic. Just what they need.]
They're using these things to try and control us? Marking people like we belong to them was bad enough, but—
[She cuts herself off, flustered, and lets out a growl instead.]
no subject
[He doesn't sound any happier. After checking certain other parties for a brand, chances are he'd gone to chop wood for a while.]
But, we're not going to let that stop us. Are we? [Easy, Harding. Don't start throwing giant boulders, please.] I think we've both had enough of other people trying to control us. They can't keep pressure of this scale up forever.
[See: evil gods, and/or Solas depending on if you consider Manipulation a form of control.]
no subject
Of course we aren't.
[Deep breaths— she might have a better handle on her powers now than she did at the start, but rocks could still go flying if she's not careful, especially here, where there's new magic in the mix.]
Think it's the kind of thing that's going to run its course?
[She can't help sounding a little doubtful. These things rarely do, not without resistance.]
no subject
[Why does he sound proud? Not like he was worried she might lose control and therefore, get hurt. Or worse.]
It's hard to say at this point. [He doesn't want to lie to her.] This kind of thing is out of my expertise. This is more... Shadow Dragons kind of territory.
no subject
If only we had a certain detective here with us.
[If only—]
I've done my share of collecting information and reporting back on local politics, it's all part of being a scout, but that's harder in a place where I don't have a whole network of connections.
no subject
[Harding is a scout, and he is more used to operating in the wilds. Operating against animals, monsters and Darkspawn. Politics beyond the Wardens' internal bickering here and there is out of his depth. She's probably got way more idea than he would, but even then... having someone like Neve around would do wonders.]
Hold on though. Maybe you don't have connections, yet. But you do have a network.
[A vastly different one than she's used before, probably. But still.]
no subject
[The shellphones have taken some getting used to, but she's seen so many strange things since she first left home that these have felt fairly innocuous— really kind of incredible when you thought about all they were capable of.]
I haven't been using it to its fullest extent yet, but maybe it's time to start— and I've always been good at making friends.
[Telling people what they want to hear, for better or for worse, was how a lot of those vital connections got made. Being in the right place to shoot at the right person at the right time often helped, too.]
no subject
[If his camera roll is full of Assan - no it isn't.]
I'd say we should sit down and figure it out, but... [But while he knows perfectly well how tough Harding is, the thought of inflicting pain on her himself is not something he wants to dwell on.] But if anyone can make friends with the people on this thing, it's you.
[You got this, Lace!!]
no subject
[Not the same as being able to work on it together in person, but until they figure out how to deal with these brands effectively, it's probably best to keep at least a moderate distance— much as she hates to say it.]
But that's— real nice of you to say. I appreciate the vote of confidence. [A beat.] How many pictures of Assan have you taken so far?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
I keep forgetting how cute this thread is and it's a delightful surprise every time
i hate them they're adorable
they are, it's unfair. tying a bow on this one! 🎀
» voice | un: tilfrosset
no subject
[Fully expecting her just to say "fine" but -]
Bread? Who doesn't?
no subject
[Notice she skips answering his question immediately, but then——]
So I guess you can say... productive?
[Sure, if that's what you call baking constantly to beat back the depression.]
no subject
[Yeah, he noticed, but... she's got good reason, probably.]
[Though when she actually does answer, he ends up chuckling.]
Yeah, sounds like you could say that. Looking to offload the goods?
no subject
[Not her though. She's already eaten double her weight in carbs.]
Yes, that's why I'm calling. I would like for them to go to a good home before they all went stale and I figured if you didn't want any, Assan might.
[At the sound of a certain name, there's a sad whine in the background, the noise of a frost wolf who hasn't seen his best friend in weeks. Weeks!]
no subject
[There's so many more offensive vegetables out there.]
Ahh, well. Can't have stale bread - [He's cut off abruptly by an answering trill, one that ends in a loud squawk.] No. You can't have any. It's bad for you.
[That was to Assan. Then back to Jill:] We'll take it though. Harding might like some too.
no subject
[To the trill, a loud bark comes as response. He hears you, friend!]
Torgal. [Moving on...] Bad how? Don't birds eat bread?
[A pause.]
Harding?
no subject
[Assan is chattering, but it's nothing Davrin hasn't heard before. Nothing he hasn't talked over before.]
Sounds like there's a couple kids who want a play date. [Literally what it sounds like. His tone is amused, though, there's no judgment here for her question.] Pigeons do. Assan's more of an eagle. When he's not being a child.
Lace Harding. She's a teammate from home. Showed up recently.
no subject
[That much is clear. However Jill can barely hear herself think with as much barking Torgal is doing. He clearly wants to his opinions to be heard regardless of any scolding she gives him.]
Well, it has been a while since they last saw each other. Shame that the brands were getting in their way and they didn't even have any.
Ah, I see. Glad to hear someone from your world is here to keep you company.
no subject
[Assan is trying his best to chip in, but, the look on his guardian's face is at least keeping the shrieks to a minimum. He's just kind of chirping.]
- Maybe it'd be best to let them meet up. I think we're going to lose our hearing otherwise.
You should meet her sometime. She's a great friend to have around.
no subject
[Cover your ears, Assan. You don't need to hear that cliche.]
I wouldn't mind. I have, admittedly, been keeping to myself a bit too much lately.
no subject
[He's helping. Really. Maybe.]
Hey, I get that. A lot's been happening, and none of it's been fun. [Plus your whole missing significant other, which he will not mention.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
/returns late without starbucks
that's ok it's too late at night for caffeine for me
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)