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allthisshitisweird2016-07-22 05:47 am
faderifting) wrote in allthisshitisweird2016-07-22 05:47 am
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE MEME!
TEST DRIVE: ORLAIS EDITION
I. EVERYBEAR I GO
Believe it or not, there are bears in Orlais, too. Stuffed ones posed in noble salons casting intimidating shadows as lords tell unlikely stories about how they bravely stared the great beast in the eye before they slayed it with a single shot. One comtesse keeps bears as pets in large pens on her estate, much to the distress of her nearest neighbors. But most common are the dancing bear acts found on street corners here and there. Perhaps there is some sort of special bear communication network that has passed on a message, because it seems like the presence of the Inquisition has inspired these bears to finally make a break for it out of servitude, and that is how you find yourself being chased by a bear in a belled hat down a narrow cobbled alley lined with street vendors.
II. OUI OUI MON AMI
The Inquisition's efforts are currently focused on Orlais, where a civil war is raging and intelligence indicates Corypheus seeks to eliminate Empress Celene, while the oppressed elven population's discontent threatens to bubble over into a second rebellion. The Inquisition's activities here are mostly political and designed to gather influence and information: endeavoring to make a good impression at the ball of an influential comtesse with ties to the Council of Heralds, or assisting with the reconstruction of the alienage district destroyed by fire. There are rowdy soldiers in taverns to eavesdrop on, and restless crowds listening to streetcorner speakers preach Celene's virtues, or Gaspard's, or lament the end of the world.
But honestly, who cares about any of that? Halamshiral also offers great high-end shopping. Priorities. Gowns, tunics, fur-trimmed cloaks, sleeves slashed and puffed with layers of bright-colored satin. Tall boots with gold spurs to clink as you walk. Veils, lace-trimmed smallclothes, perfumes, necklaces worth your weight in gold. If you have the coin, the shopkeeps have time for you. The slightest whiff of poverty will leave them cold toward you. They might even pretend not to see you, but hey: they work on commission.
Even among decadence and finery, there are signs of unrest. In an out-of-the-way village square, little Orlesian children gather to throw thick gold coins in a gilt fountain, with whispered wishes and giggles. All at once, a thief pushes his way into their circle, breaking the idyllic scene. He leaps into the fountain and grabs a handful of coin. Thin, dirty, ragged, hollow-eyed and, under the hood of his cloak, elven, he scans the now-screaming children -- and then takes off running.
“Stop him!” howls one precious Orlesian cherub, her rosy cheeks streaked with tears. “That dirty knife-ear took my money!”
Kids are just the cutest.
III. SKYHOLD
Skyhold is where people who don't like fun accents and life being a constant masquerade hang around repairing walls, filling out paperwork, and, on rare occasions, engaging in elaborate, color-coded team snowball fights.
That last occasion? Totally over. Now the Inquisition will see you work, work, work, work, work. Working to save Thedas is not all fun and games, and there are plenty of things to keep you busy in Skyhold. See that roof over there? It has a hole in it. Climb up, someone suggests, and fix it. See that hole over there, in the wall? Some drunk from the tavern fell through it yesterday, and it needs repairs. See that floor over there? It’s dirty. And here’s a mop.
If these tasks seem too menial and demeaning, perhaps you’d like to head up to the library and reshelve some books. Perhaps you’d like to meet a special friend there? The stacks are warm and cozy, and at least a little out of the way. Secret spaces are at a premium. But be careful: you aren’t the only one in Skyhold, no matter how many people shipped out to Orlais.
If warm ovens are more your style than warm books, try the kitchens. They could always use a helping hand - especially because one of the baby griffons has made its way down there. A sharp-beaked competition for your plans to pilfer snacks, but you’ll prevail, right? The griffon loves chicken, and the taste of your blood. Get her outside before she gets too comfortable.
Or just feed the dogs, you dirty Fereldan.
IV. WILDCARD
Thedas is a big place. Do something else in it. Maybe in the Hinterlands.
\o/
But he's come, he's laid the necessary groundwork where needed (not that it isn't much, they are supposed to be in hiding after all) and now its just a matter of biding their time. Once its all settled he's told them to come, and they did - or well at least some of them have. All part of the plan, of course - it'd be too suspicious if they all arrived at the same time.
His stroll towards her direction looks casual even though it very much isn't. It's purposeful to those who can see, and only a few can truly see - Henley being one of them, and Dylan knows that just as she knows that too.
Dylan keeps half an eye on her, maintaining his walk as they get within distance--
--and then he bumps into her.]
Ah--my apologies.
no subject
just long enough to be right in dylan's path. that she's smiling when it happens is obviously unrelated; she's quite clearly smiling at someone else. )
Watch it, shem -
( she doesn't overplay the surprise, catching herself mid word and seeming to redirect mid air, flinging her arms around him. there's a small animal noise of protest from the depths of her leather coat. )
I thought you were dead in a rift!
( she didn't. )
no subject
It takes a moment for him to return the hug, which he does, complete with a few pats on the back.]
Sadly there's still one more shem in the world to deal with instead of less. [It's not that hard to hear the amusement in his voice.] Hopefully you can make do with that.
no subject
( daniel and henley have already parted ways and thought better of it twice; it is unlikely that third time will ever be the charm, but she does occasionally feel compelled to make the (very, very) idle threat. however, in the interests of puncturing any jealousy before anything she says can be overheard and taken offence to - she gives him a testing poke in the belly, )
You could learn to backflip, couldn't you?
no subject
[Only the gentlest of ribbing from Dylan. He's sure Daniel (and hopefully the others) would arrive eventually, but until then its just the two of them. Not that its of any issue - again, laying low and all. Even if Dylan himself isn't really doing as much of that as he should, but. He's got enough excuses.
He laughs quietly and does a fake wince when she pokes his belly, continuing to sound very amused as he speaks.] I'm not as spry as I used to be, unfortunately. But I suppose I could give it a shot if I really had to.
no subject
or not, since - )
Did we keep you waiting long?
( - she probably doesn't mean 'me and the ferret'. although, maybe. )
no subject
Dylan's laugh quickly dies down after a while, though his smile is still in place - and if anything only gets wider at the question.]
Just enough for me to start missing your fine company. [And the ferret's as well. Possibly.] Can't say things are the same without any of you around.
[Not that... they've really been together at all, since he had to maintain his own side of the con before finally being able to throw it aside. Its quite refreshing, really.]
no subject
ignoring him when necessary something henley has down to a fine art, so it's fine. she's doing it right now, bumping her pointy shoulder into dylan's arm affectionately - )
You're our best audience. When we've figured out where we're staying, we should get a drink.
no subject
He huffs quietly at Henley's words, the smile turning into something more fond instead of amused, and he gives a small nod of agreement.]
Sounds like a plan to me. [Gestures in the direction of the Herald's rest.] Thankfully there is a place we can do that instead of trekking all the way out to Redcliffe or something.
[Honestly that'd be too much work for a drink, even for him.]