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.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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
[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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
[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.]