[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?
Tie them to Assan's leg like a messenger bird, and everything.
[Actually, that's not a bad idea. No one put a brand on the griffon. He should be fine to run deliveries if he needs to. Especially since it's to Harding, who is the most trustworthy person here, as far as he's concerned.]
Just telling you what I think. Wouldn't lie to you-
[At least. She doesn't expect Davrin to admit it, though.]
... thanks, though. For all of this. I'm glad I checked in with you. IHopefully, if we get looking, we'll find some more useful information about this situation, but I don't intend to weather it quietly. I don't‐
[She sighs.]
I don't like being on opposite sides of anything, with friends. I've had enough of that.
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.
Perhaps Torgal should show him there's more joy in sticks rather than stones.
[An idea to keep the kids busy while the adult talk, surely.
And given a location, Torgal is at the door whining again, this time for Jill to hurry up and open it so he can go. He doesn't understand what an address is, but he know will lead him the right way. Still, though, he'll have to wait until she politely ends the conversations.]
I will meet you there in an hour or so, if that works for you.
[Jill is not the first to arrive at the meeting place. Torgal is, actually, and quite a few minutes ahead of her too. As soon as she unlocked the door, the frosthound bounded out and down the streets in search of his new feathered friend. Jill takes her time packing up a couple of loaves of bread into a basket, along with two other items, before making her way to the park.
If Davrin and Assan are already there, Torgal will practically knock them over with excitement, barking along the way. If they aren't, then he'll meet them as they walk, still just as enthusiastic about his play date. He still retains enough of his manners, though, to lead them to where Jill is perched on a tree stump, basket in her lap.]
[They arrive about the same time as Jill and Torgal. To be fair, Assan arrives before his guardian, diving out of the sky to land a couple feet away from Torgal, and prancing. He's so happy, look at this delighted little griffon face.]
[Davrin jogs up behind him moments later, waving to Jill as he comes.]
Not long at all. I've barely had a chance to rest my feet.
[She waves back, rising so she can hold the basket out towards Davrin. Inside of it are two loaves of the offered bread, though in truth, calling them loaves is a bit... generous. They're both misshapen and lopsided, one end bulging out farther than the other, but at least they're edible? Look, she's still learning her way around the kitchen and sometimes, the ugliest things come out first.]
I took the liberty of heating them up a bit just in case you wanted to enjoy them now.
[Though if he decided to be polite and pass on that offer just so he can toss the weird bread to some seagulls later, she won't be too upset. What Jill doesn't know won't hurt her.
Speaking of birds, Jill will hold a hand out for Assan to inspect before she offers to pet him.]
[Nah, he won't. Can't keep free bread waiting. Especially when he takes the basket and it's warm. Warm bread? Score. It could look like a blob as long as it's edible. He's not picky.]
You want some too? Hate to dig in and not share. [Because no matter how lumpy and weird, he's just going to rip into one.]
[Assan takes a break from pestering Torgal to trot over to Jill, and butt his head up against her hand like a cat. No sniffing required.]
[Underneath the bread and the cloth they're wrapped in are two small bottles filled with a mysterious liquid, stopped up with corks. They clink together as the basket gets shifted around, but for now, there's no risk of either of them breaking.
To his offer, Jill shakes her head. Gods, she's eaten far too many of her own loaves that just the idea of eating any more bread anytime soon makes her stomach twist.]
I think I've had my fill of bread to last me the next three summers. Not even the very best soup could convince me otherwise.
[Now that the griffon's accepted her attention, she cups his head in her hands, slim thumbs gently stroking lines against his feathers as she speaks to Assan in the sweetest softest voice.]
I do hope you've been keeping out of trouble, Assan. [A tilt of her head has her pointing in Davrin's direction.] And keeping him out of trouble too.
Fair enough. [He won't press further. Just tuck into one of the loaves, which lets him see the bottles at the bottom.] Dabbling in potions, too?
[Genuinely curious. They're not marked, and he can't immediately identify them.]
[Assan just presses his face more into her hands, eyes closed happily. He chatters a bit, like he's answering her.]
He's the only one who Harding could see for a while. Between the two of us, he hasn't had time to get into trouble, thankfully. [Himself though?] And neither have I.
[Indeed they are potions, purposely left unlabeled, just in case of some unwelcome eyes happening upon them. Even if it's now something of an open secret because of Cid's post, that doesn't mean Jill is taking any unnecessary risk in ferrying the stuff.
Her voice is still gentle as she continues petting Assan, like a mother soothing a baby to sleep. Surely, the bird will be spoiled by the end of this session from all this attention.]
It's past the time of when it was needed, but I had a few extra bottles of Cid and Zelda's concoction laying around and I thought perhaps you could put them to better use than I can. One never knows if we might need them again.
[A few extra bottles is an understatement. The man shoved so many at her, more than she originally agreed to take, and with her not really being the most social of butterflies lately, Jill didn't really use any of them. So off they go to a good home, just like the bread.]
Speaking of Harding, I brought one for her too.
[Just because she hasn't met Davrin's friend doesn't mean Harding wasn't on Jill's mind. Something something, a friend of my friend, etc.]
[It clicks, even as Jill starts explaining. He nods, slowly, setting the basket down carefully while he breaks off pieces of the bread loaf.]
The post on the network. I remember. [He also remembered what he'd offered in return. As much as he appreciates it, there's a part of him that feels like he should be giving something in return.] I appreciate it, Jill. But - can I do anything for you? [He holds up a hand.] Just makes me feel better about taking these off your hands.
[It could be anything, really. Especially when she adds the bit about Harding.]
Thank you. It's bothered her more to be cut off from people than me. She's a people-person.
[Jill's already shaking her head, finally letting go of Assan's face. Even as Davrin presses, she didn't do all this for something in return. Sometimes the spirit of kindness moves her and to be honest, she owes him for that outing that she sorely needed a few weeks back. It was just a simple walk, but he never forced her to talk more than she was prepared to do and for that, Jill is grateful. It got her out of the house and out of her head, even for just an hour.
Aside from that, she really can't think of anything he could give in return because last she remembered, Davrin was a hunter, not a magician. He can't give Jill what she truly wants and she wouldn't dare ask the impossible of him.]
You're already helping me get rid of any extras I can't use rather than letting them go to waste. I can't imagine there's anything else you could do.
[Jill nods, not necessarily being a people-person herself, but understanding the dilemma all the same.]
All right, but the offer stands. If you need help with a bounty or anything in the future... you know where to find me.
[Maybe it's the Dalish upbringing. Everyone relies on each other. Or the group support of the Wardens. Either way, doing things for each other is ingrained in him. He won't force the issue further, just putting the offer out there is good enough.]
[Assan whines (somehow) when his face is released, but quickly realizes his friend is here, and darts off to chase Torgal around instead. This is one of the best days ever.]
She's doing all right. Trying to find her footing again. [He shakes his head with a sigh.] She's used to having a whole network to fall back on... and she's got to rebuild it now.
I do. I'll have to get the rest of the Paladins convinced that I'm just there to find you, but I'm sure that's possible.
[Sooner or later, Jill just might have to hold him to that offer. She doesn't know Davrin that well, but she feels confident enough to think he's a good enough guy who'll honor it when she needs him.
But for now, her arms are free to cross in front of her chest, though this time, she isn't closing herself off from the world like the last go round. Today, it's just a casual pose as she takes a few aimless steps in the direction Assan and Torgal ran off in.]
Is she a Paladin too? Not that it matters outside of the brands to most people, I think, but I believe figuring out where to start finding connections makes things a bit easier than starting from scratch.
[From his tone of voice, it's obvious how he feels about the entire affair. It's stupid. None of them asked to get pulled into this. No one asked any of these other-worlders what they wanted.]
[He packs up the rest of the bread, and slings the basket over an arm to follow her steps.]
Nah, the Corsairs picked up Harding. Neve though - she just got here, she's Paladin. [A beat.] You should meet her too. Your magic is pretty similar.
[Honestly, she feels the same. Some of her friends are Paladins and really, Jill is the worst kind of Corsair there is. She's too kind, too reserved, to truly belong to the rowdy bunch, but then again, she's been part of the outlaw life back home for years now.]
Ah, I see. Well, I'll keep an eye out for Harding. Maybe offload some bread to her too.
[She tilts her head in question at the new name being mentioned, but remains like that at the magic comparison.]
She's a Dominant?
[Jill is doubtful—there's only but so many of them—but then again, she remembers Rem and Tifa mentioning their versions of the Eikons. Perhaps there's something like Dominants elsewhere.]
that's ok it's too late at night for caffeine for me
[Perhaps, but also maybe there's a reason why they are put in the armadas that they are. But just like how the rifts bring in certain people and not others, no one knows those reasons.]
Well, I could use another taste tester as I continue to improve my kitchen skills. Maybe she would like to volunteer?
[Which means lots of lumpy bread, lopsided cakes, and questionable stews.]
Ah, I see. Do mages have elemental specialties where you're from or do some of them dabble in a bit of everything?
[No one knows, it's true. But Davrin's too pragmatic to put faith in anything but what he can see, touch, etc. Which made it a lot easier to say "let's kill the gods".]
I think she would, if I know her. You might even help her here and there.
[Nothing can be worse than the ham and jam slam.]
Depends on the mage. Neve's specialty is ice, but I've known mages who use a bit of everything. And... then there's mages like Emmerich, who raise spirits from the dead.
[And that's where they differ. She's all for killing a god or two if they need to be put in their place, but she's a firm believer in prayer to the intangible deities of fate and the universe. Not too devout, but quick to send up a quick plea Metia to keep those she loves safe is not unheard of.
Jill continues walking down the closest thing to a path in the woods ahead of her, nodding in agreement about potentially helping Harding and in politeness as she listens to Darvin explain the mages he knows... except one part has her freezing in place, staring at him as if he suddenly sprouted two additional heads.]
Pardon me?
[Did she hear him correctly? Spirits? From the dead?]
[... Right. Necromancy. He probably should have mentioned Bellara's enchanted arrows or something instead. Davrin stops too, rubbing at his face.]
Raising spirits. It's necromancy. [He literally has to stop himself from saying 'He's Nevarran' as an explanation, because that wouldn't actually help anything here.] Where he's from, it's normal. There's a whole... college and school around it.
[Jill know she shouldn't judge. Surely, being a Dominant would bring on some curious questions and stares to her, but fiddling with the dead is a whole other thing and nothing about it makes sense.]
Shouldn't he—they?—leave people be? Do they even have permission to do that?
[Permission from who? Not like you can ask the dead if you can raise them before, you know, raising them.]
[Really normal. They don't have a whole Necropolis for nothing.]
It'd probably be better if him or Neve explained it. [But Emmerich isn't here, so-] The way Emmerich explains it, the spirits he calls up are willing. Or, if he needs to just talk to them - he can do that too.
It's... not something I'm all that familiar with. I listen, but, when he talks about magical theory, he loses me.
[All she knows is that she can conjure up ice with or without priming and that if she really lets loose, Shiva comes out to play. What Jill also knows is that calling up those who died sounds very strange and honestly, wrong to her, but she keeps that part to herself. Davrin doesn't sound like he tinkers in necromancy, but also probably wouldn't take well to Jill deriding his friend.]
I'm as far from magical as it gets. If I can't touch it, study it... it's not for me.
[He hates the Fade so much. It's so weird. It doesn't make any sense. Frankly, summoning up the dead is... weird, to him. It's not as off-putting as it is to Taash. Not when you can banter with Emmerich over how much better at learning things Assan is than Manfred.]
Dalish don't, no. Our dead are buried, and a tree planted over their body. A lot of humans do cremate theirs, though. [A beat.] Just not in Nevarra.
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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.]
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[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?
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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.
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[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.]
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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.]
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[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.]
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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.]
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[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.
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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.
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[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.]
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[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.]
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[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!!]
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[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?
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[Actually, that's not a bad idea. No one put a brand on the griffon. He should be fine to run deliveries if he needs to. Especially since it's to Harding, who is the most trustworthy person here, as far as he's concerned.]
Just telling you what I think. Wouldn't lie to you-
[OR WOULD HE...]
- a couple.
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[At least. She doesn't expect Davrin to admit it, though.]
... thanks, though. For all of this. I'm glad I checked in with you. IHopefully, if we get looking, we'll find some more useful information about this situation, but I don't intend to weather it quietly. I don't‐
[She sighs.]
I don't like being on opposite sides of anything, with friends. I've had enough of that.
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[So there. He is not admitting it whatsoever.]
You got me, Harding. Doesn't matter what this place decides, which crew picked us up. We are on the same side. No matter what.
This is just a bump in the trail we're hunting.
I keep forgetting how cute this thread is and it's a delightful surprise every time
[That reminder coaxes a smile out of her, and she feels a bit more relaxed.]
It's good to know I have you at my back. You've got me at yours, too, whatever happens going forward.
i hate them they're adorable
[He'd clap her on the shoulder if they were talking in person.]
Whatever it takes. We got each other.
they are, it's unfair. tying a bow on this one! 🎀
[That's become something of a mantra for their gang, hasn't it? Even without their sworn cause here before them, the spirit still holds.
Back home, they're hunting gods— what's a little tension between armadas? They'll figure this out, easy.]
» voice | un: tilfrosset
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[Fully expecting her just to say "fine" but -]
Bread? Who doesn't?
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[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.]
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[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?
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[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!]
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[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.
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[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?
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.]
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[Sir, please. Thank you for not mentioning the obvious.]
That said, I also have something else for you. Where shall we meet?
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[If he thought it would make you happy, anyways.]
Yeah? The bread would've been enough. But - we can head out to a park. [Insert name/location here.]
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[An idea to keep the kids busy while the adult talk, surely.
And given a location, Torgal is at the door whining again, this time for Jill to hurry up and open it so he can go. He doesn't understand what an address is, but he know will lead him the right way. Still, though, he'll have to wait until she politely ends the conversations.]
I will meet you there in an hour or so, if that works for you.
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[Seriously, he has the attention span of a golden retriever.]
No problem. We'll be there.
[And they will be, as he'll hang up with a whistle for Assan.]
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If Davrin and Assan are already there, Torgal will practically knock them over with excitement, barking along the way. If they aren't, then he'll meet them as they walk, still just as enthusiastic about his play date. He still retains enough of his manners, though, to lead them to where Jill is perched on a tree stump, basket in her lap.]
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[Davrin jogs up behind him moments later, waving to Jill as he comes.]
Hope we didn't keep you waiting long!
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[She waves back, rising so she can hold the basket out towards Davrin. Inside of it are two loaves of the offered bread, though in truth, calling them loaves is a bit... generous. They're both misshapen and lopsided, one end bulging out farther than the other, but at least they're edible? Look, she's still learning her way around the kitchen and sometimes, the ugliest things come out first.]
I took the liberty of heating them up a bit just in case you wanted to enjoy them now.
[Though if he decided to be polite and pass on that offer just so he can toss the weird bread to some seagulls later, she won't be too upset. What Jill doesn't know won't hurt her.
Speaking of birds, Jill will hold a hand out for Assan to inspect before she offers to pet him.]
Hello, young man. It's been a while, hasn't it?
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[Nah, he won't. Can't keep free bread waiting. Especially when he takes the basket and it's warm. Warm bread? Score. It could look like a blob as long as it's edible. He's not picky.]
You want some too? Hate to dig in and not share. [Because no matter how lumpy and weird, he's just going to rip into one.]
[Assan takes a break from pestering Torgal to trot over to Jill, and butt his head up against her hand like a cat. No sniffing required.]
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To his offer, Jill shakes her head. Gods, she's eaten far too many of her own loaves that just the idea of eating any more bread anytime soon makes her stomach twist.]
I think I've had my fill of bread to last me the next three summers. Not even the very best soup could convince me otherwise.
[Now that the griffon's accepted her attention, she cups his head in her hands, slim thumbs gently stroking lines against his feathers as she speaks to Assan in the sweetest softest voice.]
I do hope you've been keeping out of trouble, Assan. [A tilt of her head has her pointing in Davrin's direction.] And keeping him out of trouble too.
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[Genuinely curious. They're not marked, and he can't immediately identify them.]
[Assan just presses his face more into her hands, eyes closed happily. He chatters a bit, like he's answering her.]
He's the only one who Harding could see for a while. Between the two of us, he hasn't had time to get into trouble, thankfully. [Himself though?] And neither have I.
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[Indeed they are potions, purposely left unlabeled, just in case of some unwelcome eyes happening upon them. Even if it's now something of an open secret because of Cid's post, that doesn't mean Jill is taking any unnecessary risk in ferrying the stuff.
Her voice is still gentle as she continues petting Assan, like a mother soothing a baby to sleep. Surely, the bird will be spoiled by the end of this session from all this attention.]
It's past the time of when it was needed, but I had a few extra bottles of Cid and Zelda's concoction laying around and I thought perhaps you could put them to better use than I can. One never knows if we might need them again.
[A few extra bottles is an understatement. The man shoved so many at her, more than she originally agreed to take, and with her not really being the most social of butterflies lately, Jill didn't really use any of them. So off they go to a good home, just like the bread.]
Speaking of Harding, I brought one for her too.
[Just because she hasn't met Davrin's friend doesn't mean Harding wasn't on Jill's mind. Something something, a friend of my friend, etc.]
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The post on the network. I remember. [He also remembered what he'd offered in return. As much as he appreciates it, there's a part of him that feels like he should be giving something in return.] I appreciate it, Jill. But - can I do anything for you? [He holds up a hand.] Just makes me feel better about taking these off your hands.
[It could be anything, really. Especially when she adds the bit about Harding.]
Thank you. It's bothered her more to be cut off from people than me. She's a people-person.
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Aside from that, she really can't think of anything he could give in return because last she remembered, Davrin was a hunter, not a magician. He can't give Jill what she truly wants and she wouldn't dare ask the impossible of him.]
You're already helping me get rid of any extras I can't use rather than letting them go to waste. I can't imagine there's anything else you could do.
[Jill nods, not necessarily being a people-person herself, but understanding the dilemma all the same.]
How is she handling being here in general?
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[Maybe it's the Dalish upbringing. Everyone relies on each other. Or the group support of the Wardens. Either way, doing things for each other is ingrained in him. He won't force the issue further, just putting the offer out there is good enough.]
[Assan whines (somehow) when his face is released, but quickly realizes his friend is here, and darts off to chase Torgal around instead. This is one of the best days ever.]
She's doing all right. Trying to find her footing again. [He shakes his head with a sigh.] She's used to having a whole network to fall back on... and she's got to rebuild it now.
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[Sooner or later, Jill just might have to hold him to that offer. She doesn't know Davrin that well, but she feels confident enough to think he's a good enough guy who'll honor it when she needs him.
But for now, her arms are free to cross in front of her chest, though this time, she isn't closing herself off from the world like the last go round. Today, it's just a casual pose as she takes a few aimless steps in the direction Assan and Torgal ran off in.]
Is she a Paladin too? Not that it matters outside of the brands to most people, I think, but I believe figuring out where to start finding connections makes things a bit easier than starting from scratch.
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[From his tone of voice, it's obvious how he feels about the entire affair. It's stupid. None of them asked to get pulled into this. No one asked any of these other-worlders what they wanted.]
[He packs up the rest of the bread, and slings the basket over an arm to follow her steps.]
Nah, the Corsairs picked up Harding. Neve though - she just got here, she's Paladin. [A beat.] You should meet her too. Your magic is pretty similar.
/returns late without starbucks
Ah, I see. Well, I'll keep an eye out for Harding. Maybe offload some bread to her too.
[She tilts her head in question at the new name being mentioned, but remains like that at the magic comparison.]
She's a Dominant?
[Jill is doubtful—there's only but so many of them—but then again, she remembers Rem and Tifa mentioning their versions of the Eikons. Perhaps there's something like Dominants elsewhere.]
that's ok it's too late at night for caffeine for me
She'd love that. Not even joking.
[Harding would love anything to do with homemade food. Jam, bread, anything.]
Not... quite. She's a mage. And frost magic is her specialty.
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Well, I could use another taste tester as I continue to improve my kitchen skills. Maybe she would like to volunteer?
[Which means lots of lumpy bread, lopsided cakes, and questionable stews.]
Ah, I see. Do mages have elemental specialties where you're from or do some of them dabble in a bit of everything?
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I think she would, if I know her. You might even help her here and there.
[Nothing can be worse than the ham and jam slam.]
Depends on the mage. Neve's specialty is ice, but I've known mages who use a bit of everything. And... then there's mages like Emmerich, who raise spirits from the dead.
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Jill continues walking down the closest thing to a path in the woods ahead of her, nodding in agreement about potentially helping Harding and in politeness as she listens to Darvin explain the mages he knows... except one part has her freezing in place, staring at him as if he suddenly sprouted two additional heads.]
Pardon me?
[Did she hear him correctly? Spirits? From the dead?]
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Raising spirits. It's necromancy. [He literally has to stop himself from saying 'He's Nevarran' as an explanation, because that wouldn't actually help anything here.] Where he's from, it's normal. There's a whole... college and school around it.
He's a professor, even.
[Is this helping?]
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But why?
[Jill know she shouldn't judge. Surely, being a Dominant would bring on some curious questions and stares to her, but fiddling with the dead is a whole other thing and nothing about it makes sense.]
Shouldn't he—they?—leave people be? Do they even have permission to do that?
[Permission from who? Not like you can ask the dead if you can raise them before, you know, raising them.]
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[Really normal. They don't have a whole Necropolis for nothing.]
It'd probably be better if him or Neve explained it. [But Emmerich isn't here, so-] The way Emmerich explains it, the spirits he calls up are willing. Or, if he needs to just talk to them - he can do that too.
It's... not something I'm all that familiar with. I listen, but, when he talks about magical theory, he loses me.
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[All she knows is that she can conjure up ice with or without priming and that if she really lets loose, Shiva comes out to play. What Jill also knows is that calling up those who died sounds very strange and honestly, wrong to her, but she keeps that part to herself. Davrin doesn't sound like he tinkers in necromancy, but also probably wouldn't take well to Jill deriding his friend.]
I assume you don't cremate your dead then.
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[He hates the Fade so much. It's so weird. It doesn't make any sense. Frankly, summoning up the dead is... weird, to him. It's not as off-putting as it is to Taash. Not when you can banter with Emmerich over how much better at learning things Assan is than Manfred.]
Dalish don't, no. Our dead are buried, and a tree planted over their body. A lot of humans do cremate theirs, though. [A beat.] Just not in Nevarra.