Seemed like what was needed. Couldn't tell right off downstairs, but soon as I got up here? I had a few ideas.
[ One hand lifted, waving idly. ]
That's how sex is back home. Sometimes it's this ritualistic thing, really gets bone-deep and leaves you a little lighter afterwords. Sometimes it's just an in-and-out, itch-scratching sort of deal. Depends on the situation. And the person.
Odd- when I spoke to Sten about sex he refused to answer. Then again he was a singularly focused Qunari.
[ Members of the Beresaad, it seemed, lived differently than Ben Hassrath. ]
I am not certain if I can call what we just did ritualistic- well there was bloodletting so perhaps- but I do feel...lighter. Better. Not so much an itch scratched but a weight I wasn't entirely aware of carrying carved out and tossed through the window.
They're not normally very talkative with outsiders to begin with. That's not a surprise.
[ That's right. A Sten had traveled with the Hero of Ferelden. Brought back all sorts of interesting intel from what he'd heard. But that's business. Or politics. Either way, not very good pillow talk. ]
Mmhm. That's how it can be, if you're doing it right. Taps into little nooks in your head you didn't even know about. Bondage in particular's pretty useful when you're having to juggle a lot in your head. You get to let go.
[ Bull's head turns, that eye regarding Zevran quietly. ]
[ A singularly stoic individual, Sten. Save for around kittens. And cookies. And Valor. how Jonas earned his respect, Zevran was uncertain- he never bothered asking.
Still, he sets thoughts of that particularly bloody road aside, finishes his water, and settles against Bull's side. If he had known how warm Qunari could be he'd have attempted to share Sten's Bedroll rather than Alistair's. ]
...I suppose. [ A beat, a sigh. ] I am unaccustomed to being in any one place so long. Being hunted by the Crows leaves such a tactic unwise. I am less accustomed to being known or recognized by anyone that isn't trying to kill me. Here I am known by name if nothing else- here people have come to know me and it...itched. Under the skin. Masks are easy enough to hold when you only know someone for a day or so.
[ With Zevran migrating closer, it was easy to drape an arm down, toying absently with the ends of his hair. Because he could, mostly, because the texture was pleasing and the motion equal parts soothing and affectionate. ]
Start wondering when the other shoe's going to drop, when someone's finally going to plant that knife in your back. That feeling, I know.
More or less. Though by now if they haven't been able to kill me they'd likely attempt to drag me back to Antiva City to be judged there.
[ He grimaces, nuzzling his cheek into Bull's shoulder. That was a possibility, not a certainty. This is far more pleasant a thing to focus on, the heart under his ear, the hand in his hair. ]
The coin would be good enough for most. I figure it is only a matter of time.
Tell you what. That happens, I'll come fish you out again. Free of charge.
[ Bull chuckles, fingers straying to run along the curve of Zevran's back in slow, lazy lines. They'd have to be ballsy to try and sneak into the Inquisition, all to extract one rogue assassin.
And it sounded like Zevran had himself a few people that might object to that on a personal level. ]
Varric would have a field day. He said he's been looking for new material lately.
[ He's done more for less. Hell, gave his eye for a punk Vint kid he didn't even know, because it happened to be the right thing to do. Zevran laughed, but Bull knows where his own masks falter.
He doesn't leave people behind. Not like that. Not ever again. ]
I could give him my life's story- there's certainly material enough there to make at least five books- not including the blight business.
[ If he can joke about that- he's well settled in his skin. Though he finds himself oddly reluctant to uncurl from Bull's side just yet, too comfortable. He ought to examine the thought. Later, perhaps. ]
They truly would not know what to do when faced with your like. It would be something to see.
[ He snorts, before letting that massive hand settle on the elf's waist. ]
Don't start sending out invitations just yet.
[ The Crows have their reputation for good reason. They'd have a decent chance if they managed to surprise him, though he reasons in an open fight they'd still have numbers on their side. It'd be a bloody fight, that's for certain.
Fortunately, bloody's a good way for his fights to go. Not the sort of thing Zevran needs to get mixed up in, though. He's been through enough. ]
No word of them this far south. That probably should bother me more than it does but currently? I am quite bothered. By anything.
[ Bull's gone and fucked the paranoia out of him for a little while. It's a pleasant feeling, being safe. Not worrying for a little while. How he managed it he can't quite tell but he is mightily impressed. ]
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no subject
Date: 2016-01-25 06:58 am (UTC)[ One hand lifted, waving idly. ]
That's how sex is back home. Sometimes it's this ritualistic thing, really gets bone-deep and leaves you a little lighter afterwords. Sometimes it's just an in-and-out, itch-scratching sort of deal. Depends on the situation. And the person.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-25 07:06 am (UTC)[ Members of the Beresaad, it seemed, lived differently than Ben Hassrath. ]
I am not certain if I can call what we just did ritualistic- well there was bloodletting so perhaps- but I do feel...lighter. Better. Not so much an itch scratched but a weight I wasn't entirely aware of carrying carved out and tossed through the window.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-25 07:19 am (UTC)[ That's right. A Sten had traveled with the Hero of Ferelden. Brought back all sorts of interesting intel from what he'd heard. But that's business. Or politics. Either way, not very good pillow talk. ]
Mmhm. That's how it can be, if you're doing it right. Taps into little nooks in your head you didn't even know about. Bondage in particular's pretty useful when you're having to juggle a lot in your head. You get to let go.
[ Bull's head turns, that eye regarding Zevran quietly. ]
You looked like you could use that.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-25 07:26 am (UTC)Still, he sets thoughts of that particularly bloody road aside, finishes his water, and settles against Bull's side. If he had known how warm Qunari could be he'd have attempted to share Sten's Bedroll rather than Alistair's. ]
...I suppose. [ A beat, a sigh. ] I am unaccustomed to being in any one place so long. Being hunted by the Crows leaves such a tactic unwise. I am less accustomed to being known or recognized by anyone that isn't trying to kill me. Here I am known by name if nothing else- here people have come to know me and it...itched. Under the skin. Masks are easy enough to hold when you only know someone for a day or so.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-26 03:46 am (UTC)[ With Zevran migrating closer, it was easy to drape an arm down, toying absently with the ends of his hair. Because he could, mostly, because the texture was pleasing and the motion equal parts soothing and affectionate. ]
Start wondering when the other shoe's going to drop, when someone's finally going to plant that knife in your back. That feeling, I know.
[ Seheron. It never really left. ]
no subject
Date: 2016-01-26 03:55 am (UTC)[ He grimaces, nuzzling his cheek into Bull's shoulder. That was a possibility, not a certainty. This is far more pleasant a thing to focus on, the heart under his ear, the hand in his hair. ]
The coin would be good enough for most. I figure it is only a matter of time.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-26 04:14 am (UTC)[ Bull chuckles, fingers straying to run along the curve of Zevran's back in slow, lazy lines. They'd have to be ballsy to try and sneak into the Inquisition, all to extract one rogue assassin.
And it sounded like Zevran had himself a few people that might object to that on a personal level. ]
no subject
Date: 2016-01-26 04:22 am (UTC)[ He crackles a soft laugh, now there. There was a fine mental image. ]
That is the stuff tales are made of.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-26 04:40 am (UTC)[ He's done more for less. Hell, gave his eye for a punk Vint kid he didn't even know, because it happened to be the right thing to do. Zevran laughed, but Bull knows where his own masks falter.
He doesn't leave people behind. Not like that. Not ever again. ]
no subject
Date: 2016-01-26 04:51 am (UTC)[ If he can joke about that- he's well settled in his skin. Though he finds himself oddly reluctant to uncurl from Bull's side just yet, too comfortable. He ought to examine the thought. Later, perhaps. ]
They truly would not know what to do when faced with your like. It would be something to see.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-26 05:07 am (UTC)Don't start sending out invitations just yet.
[ The Crows have their reputation for good reason. They'd have a decent chance if they managed to surprise him, though he reasons in an open fight they'd still have numbers on their side. It'd be a bloody fight, that's for certain.
Fortunately, bloody's a good way for his fights to go. Not the sort of thing Zevran needs to get mixed up in, though. He's been through enough. ]
no subject
Date: 2016-01-26 05:39 am (UTC)[ Bull's gone and fucked the paranoia out of him for a little while. It's a pleasant feeling, being safe. Not worrying for a little while. How he managed it he can't quite tell but he is mightily impressed. ]
You have a way about you, my friend.