Quest 001: A Favor for a Favor

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric had lost track of the days he'd been on this backwater planet. New time systems and science involving orbits and science the likes of which he'd never had the time for made him feel a bit... temporally lost. He'd spent most of his time fiddling with his new devices, wandering about and grousing about how he was effectively useless, thanks to his weapon being strapped to his back.]

[But there was one thing missing.]

[He'd done enough fucking around to figure out just how the TAB worked. He'd experimented by sending a few small videos to the contacts he'd gathered up -- mostly insisting that the Hawke's eat their meals and drink whatever water they could find. The usual stuff.]

[Now it was time to get down to the important business. The feed clicked on, with Varric's face perfectly in view. He gave the device both a crooked smile and a nod of acknowledgement.]

A message to whoever's listening. You don't know me, I don't know you. That's all well and good, but I make a living off of knowing people. [Varric lifted a bottle of clear liquid into view.] So. What better way to bond than over a drink or two?

[He lifted the bottle to his lips, taking a long swig from it. When he looked back, his lips cracked into a grin.]

You can have a bottle all for yourself if you do me just one favor. Find me a quill, some ink and a decent notebook, and it's all yours.

Comments

video;

[tearsinajar]

But the real question is — what's in the bottle?

[neverheardofhim]

[The dwarf let out a scoff.]

Alcohol of course. [Now came a hearty laugh, followed by the sound of rummaging behind him. He turned from the device for a moment, then glanced back.]

Got a bottle of Mackay's Epic Single Malt, bottle of Antivan Sip-Sip, two bottles of Dragon Piss and... something called Fireball? [Another laugh.] Just to name a few.

[voice]

[ryuuzaki]

What sort of drink? I'm afraid I'm a lightweight.

[Or is he? "Ryuuzaki" sounds youngish, low-voiced, rueful, and British, to people who recognize that sort of thing.

More importantly, "making a living off of knowing people" attracts his attention.]

[neverheardofhim]

Still going through it all, but I'm sure I can find something that suits your fancy. How light of a lightweight are you?

audio.

[retrovirion]

Do we have to find all three or can we just find one or two of them?

[neverheardofhim]

Depends. Which two are we talking about here?

audio (for now)

[shadowblends]

I have a decent-sized notebook that I am willing to part with.

No alcohol necessary, really.

[Although, he could trade it for something that he might actually be able to use, so ...]

[neverheardofhim]

[Getting what he wants free of charge? Now that's a miracle. And certainly likely to bite him in the ass, if he wasn't careful.]

I'm afraid I'll have to insist on some form of payment. How do you feel about chocolate?

video;

[otiosity]

I put my name on the ones I want.

[neverheardofhim]

Is your name on all of them?

Video

[prorenataa]

[ The video turns on, briefly showing a man's face before the device is set down and starts to reflect a lovely view of a dark roof. ]

It's not a quill but I have a couple of pencils I could part with.

[neverheardofhim]

I can't complain about that. In fact, you just became my favorite person.

Got anything in particular you're looking for? It's a mixed crate, but it's full of some good stuff where I'm from. I'd be happy to offer a recommendation or two.

video;

[sketchycharacter]

I've got notebooks and good drawing pencils, but it looks like you're already covered. Which is good, because I'd actually rather hoard them for the future.

audio;

[tearsinajar]

[ In the background: ]

If you give away those journals I gave you, Nathan Drake, I swear to—

whoops i marked this as read somehow... BUT at least varric got to witness the lovers quarrel

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric did his best to play nice and not laugh at Nate's apparent marital "troubles," but he would still be greeted with a smirk and raised brows once he returned.]

Appreciate the offer, Scribbles, but it seems like it might do more harm than good.

video;

[hawkethat]

It's not a quill, ink, and notebook, but I have been eating all my vegetables just like you asked - is that good enough?

[neverheardofhim]

Proud of you, Waffles. [That definitely wasn't said in a deadpan voice or anything. When did he become a Dad. Oh right, a decade ago.]

Come pick out a bottle. Preferably one labeled with Marian.

video;

[flynnitomite]

[Flynn has been bored, miserable, and desperately in want of a drink for some time now, so what the little man has on offer is just what the doctor ordered.]

Well now, I've some experience in ... acquiring certain needed items for clients before. I'd certainly be willing to help you out.

[[p.s. he sounds just like Alistair]]

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric squinted at his screen for a moment, briefly confused. The voice sounded familiar, but in a way that he couldn't quite place his finger on. In any case the man didn't look familiar, and Varric liked to think he was excellent at remembering faces.]

There's a few people in line before you. Better produce fast.

[Not that Varric was opposed to sharing. He just liked being an asshole, first and foremost.]

video

[pubcrawl]

Don't come crying to me when your stash is gone.

[neverheardofhim]

And here I was, planning to share.

video;

[desynched]

A quill? You sound like a right romantic.

[ Writing things down on paper is uncommon; quills are even more uncommon. ]

[neverheardofhim]

Would you prefer it if I cut open my hands and wrote in blood? [He could pick up a stick of graphite or something of the like, but that was both messy and far less elegant.]

[Maybe she was onto something.]

video;

[ghettobatman]

[He can't see it, but he can hear the liquid swishing.]

[Color this alcoholic intrigued]

Is that alcohol? Where did you get that?

[neverheardofhim]

A gift from the powers that be. [Which roughly translates to "the captains."]

Want some?

video;

[shiro2hero]

I can probably find something in one of the houses back there.

If you still need something, that is. No uh -- charge... necessary.

[neverheardofhim]

No charge? [Suspicious, very suspicious.] I don't know about that. Gotta be something you want.