[closed-ish] video; post Savrii chat

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric's been deliberating for a few days now. It's obvious in the troubled curve of his mouth and the shadows under his eyes. His state is complicated further by the fact that his back is still sore from his recent surgery. At least he doesn't have a crossbow towering behind him anymore.]

[He has to ask for help in setting the feed up, simply because he isn't sure how to limit communications. When he finishes, though, his message goes out loudly to anyone and everyone from Thedas.]



Listen. I know I haven't been here long, but we all know that most of you have suffered my company elsewhere in time. Just-- think of this as a normal speech back in Hawke Estate or Skyhold.

I know we all thought we were going home soon. Probably feels like a kick in the balls that we're not. Maybe I agree and maybe I don't, that doesn't really matter. Fact of the matter is, we're still stuck. And now we have a choice to make.

There are two planets, right? We have to decide where we're going once we get over there. I... don't really want to get separated from all of you, though. So... I guess I'm proposing we all decide on a place to go together.

You don't have to. Consider it just a friendly suggestion from your usual pest.

Alright. That's it. [Without anything more than a proper greeting, Varric clicks the recording off. He reached for one of his remaining bottles of alcohol. It was time to prepare for whatever came next.]

Private to otiosity

[Not long after he posted his video, Varric laid down. His back felt raw and his head buzzed not with alcohol, but with troubled thoughts. His fight with Anders sat heavily on his mind, and thus far, no amount of drinking had rid him of it.]

[Worse still was the idea of losing Hawke once again. Surely she wouldn't be far, wherever she wound up but then... Varric had only been a few steps ahead of her when he lost her before.]

[None of it sat well on his mind and so, unsurprisingly, he rose not much longer to grab his bottle once again. He was going through his carefully maintained stores quicker than he thought he might. Couldn't be arsed to care, either.]

Comments

[video]

[purramedic]

[Anders isn't about to assume he's included in this offer, given his current track record with... everyone, but he is curious. Aside from those he's spoken to directly, he's only really noticed the Qunari from afar, and that's only because he's twenty feet tall. Almost.]

Who else is here?

[neverheardofhim]

[Hearing the lilt of Anders' voice came as more of a relief that the dwarf was expecting. It was followed, almost immediately, by a wave of disappointment. He hadn't expected an immediate agreement -- hell, he expected a fight. Yet having it confirmed still made him feel unexpectedly sore.]

[No matter. Varric clicked the video back on, switching to a more private feed. He put on his best smile, trying to pretend that they hadn't fought at all, recently.]

You know about the Hawke's, I'm sure. Not sure if you've come across Fenris yet, but he's here. There's also a Tevinter mage and a Qunari spy. Both friends of mine, I assure you.

[purramedic]

[He doesn't bother hiding a cringe. The only thing remotely promising in there is another mage, and even then, he isn't sure how to feel about the "Tevinter" part.]

Oh.

[For a moment, he's silent, but that only makes the awkward air ten times heavier. He clears his throat before continuing.]

I shouldn't be surprised you were able to make friends with a Qunari spy.

[neverheardofhim]

I make friends with everyone. Including stubborn blond mages.

[The jab came not out of nastiness, but out of longing. Once more, he found himself aching for the companionable jabs that the two men had exchanged between one another. He'd been without them for so long that he was certain its revived presence was igniting the inklings of addiction.]

[Or maybe Varric was just tired of being on the outs with the blond.]

[purramedic]

[The meaning is obvious from his tone, but Anders' eyes fall all the same. Once they'd gotten past the initial surprise, Varric had been the one consistently positive force here, the only familiar face he could fully relax around. Still, he can't lie, to Varric or himself.]

I suppose it doesn't matter anymore in light of all this, but I meant what I said.

I am sorry for how I said it. You were only trying to look out for me.

[neverheardofhim]

I meant what I said too.

[He let out a grunt, hand lifting to rub at his forehead. This wasn't going the way he wanted it to. He was trying to keep everyone together, not push them farther apart. And he was going to kick himself if he chased Anders off again.]

[The dwarf drew a heavy breath.]

And. [Far be it from Varric to apologize, but if it righted things...] I'm sorry too.

[purramedic]

[It only takes but a few seconds for Anders to shoot his friend a smile, restrained but genuine. In all fairness, he can't expect Varric, or anyone, for that matter, to understand. Perhaps that's for the better.]

You're a good friend, Varric.

[otiosity]

[Hawke listens to the feed but doesn't reply. She can't pretend that she hadn't been thinking the same thing. "Stick together to deal with whatever shit will come their way". It seemed to make sense. But she'd already had that discussion with someone else which is why she'd spent most of the past few weeks following Tony and Nate around like a wolf desperate to fit into a new pack. Maybe she'd done it on purpose to offset having to have the conversation with other people. Other people being Varric and Anders.

Not that it had done anything to help because now she felt a sick twist of guilt in her stomach. And even the booze she'd started carrying with her at all times didn't settle it. With a sigh, she pushes her body to stand and tries to ignore how it feels vaguely heavy and trudges over to where Varric had settled.

Without a word she drops down next to lay next to him, face to face, her tired eyes reflecting the unnatural light of the hallways beyond.]

Sorry about your divorce.

[neverheardofhim]

[Any quips he might have had about his marital status died on his tongue as quickly as they appeared. The weariness on Hawke's face made both his heart and gut twist, and replaced any humor he might have had with concerned lines of questioning. A hand reached up, mussing her hair playfully, before coming to rest on her cheek.]

You say that, but you're the one who looks like she's been put through the wringer. [He rubbed a short circle beneath her eye, gesturing to the exhaustion therein, before withdrawing his hand once more.]

What's eating you?

[otiosity]

[She shivered at his touch but only so slightly. She didn't allow many others to treat her like Varric did. He was special, dear to her heart in a way that most weren't and so pained her instead of embarrassed her to see him so concerned.

Hawke gives a shrug as best she can from her prone position.]

Oh, just weary at the idea of having to go help people who can't even seem to fix their own technology. Seems like a bad choice all around.

And really, you're just going to let that joke go? Varric, I thought better of you.

[neverheardofhim]

They're not very original. [Despite his mood, he still managed a rumbling sort of laugh. As if he hadn't made a thousand jokes like that during the process (it was a wonder Adrien hadn't cut something more vital off). As if Anders hadn't sent the same jokes just a few minutes prior.] Leave the wit to the writer.

[He sobered up in the slightest, having reached the rather important conversation that he'd been angling toward. Personally, he didn't see why they would have to help. Varric could still barely figure out how to work the TAB, let alone anything else that they seemed to be having problems with. What possible role he could play was beyond him.]

[Unless they needed someone to make jokes. He could manage that much.]

It could help us get home. [Despite it being his suggestion, Varric didn't seem too keen on the thought. Like hell did he want Hawke to go back to the place that would eventually kill her.]

[The very thought made him curl into her, resulting in a sharp, pained breath as his movement pulled at the sensitive wound on his back.]

[otiosity]

Doesn't that just mean they're good jokes if they've been thought of?

[She sighs, the smell of alcohol is probably strong on her breath or at least it's enough that she thinks even she can smell it. When Varric moves closer to her and hisses a pained breath she pauses. Hawke isn't good at comfort (or at least she tells herself that) so she doesn't quite know what to do when he curls against her.

After a moment, she reaches out to awkwardly pat his shoulder.

They're thinking the same thing.]

It might not. That would be too easy. And are things ever easy around here? Or for me?

[neverheardofhim]

Sure, keep telling yourself that, Chuckles.

[Simple and awkward as her touch was, it was still comforting. Unfortunately, whatever progress she made was quickly erased by the scent that assailed his nose. Ordinarily, he might offer some jab about how she was drinking without him. However, given the troubled note of the conversation, alcohol was more concerning than amusing.]

[What a travesty, that.]

Wish they were. I've said it before, Hawke, but you deserve better than all this. [Far carefully than before, Varric shifted again, this time to look her in the eyes. Once more, he lifted a hand to her cheek, keeping it there rather than pulling away as he had before.]

Least you don't have to face it all alone anymore. Your favorite dwarf isn't going anywhere again. [He offered her a smile, one that was tight and small with his own worries and doubts. He didn't like seeing her like this.]

video;

[pubcrawl]

[ The situation is getting serious by the looks of it, more so now that the dwarf of all people is making a speech. ]

I didn't know you cared, Varric.

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric forced a smile, even though his heart wasn't in it. He doubted the Bull was interested in the dwarf's troubles.]

I just don't want to have to scramble between two planets trying to clean up messes.

[pubcrawl]

Sounds like quite the hassle.

[neverheardofhim]

Glad we're in agreement.

I expect to see you wherever we wind up.

[pubcrawl]

You gonna miss me that much if we don't?

[neverheardofhim]

No. Because I know damn well you'll find a way to drag me into your business.

You'd miss me too much if not .

video;

[liberaltus]

I've no preference for where we end up, but that doesn't mean I'm without stipulations: aesthetics and comfort.

[Go on, give him the moon.]

[neverheardofhim]

I've got a friend offering up a gutter for us. That what you're looking for?

[Just because they've done little on the talking front, doesn't mean he's not getting sassed to the Void and back. Varric missed him.]

[liberaltus]

Are these the best appointments that Varric Tethras can acquire with all of his dubious and habitual borrowings? I'm disappointed. Truly.

[Oh he's missed you too Varric, which is why he has all in the latest of Swords and Shields series well protected and he hasn't been reading them. Nope.]

[neverheardofhim]

[Yeah, he needs to have a serious talk with Dorian about his reading materials. Especially the one's he's been giving Hawke. That's a whole mess he didn't want to deal with. Thanks Dorian.]

I didn't say it was the best I had, just that I figured it up your alley. [A chuckle rumbled its way from his chest.] I hope you know that I won't be able to pull the Winter Palace out of my ass, though.

[liberaltus]

[If Hawke has been reading Varric's books, it's not because of him, he'll plead the fifth there. Granted he's had conversations with her about the future, so you're welcome.]

If this is how well you know me I will just have to take my business elsewhere. [That's not snobbery at all.] Something with four walls, furniture, and decent reading light will suffice.

[neverheardofhim]

[Let him be -- he's been meeting with countless people who have been telling about what they've learned about Hawke. If he's getting his backstories mixed up, it's not his fault.]

You don't ask for much, do you? [Despite his surly tone, he was actually surprised. It really wasn't that much to ask for. Certainly far less than Varric himself was looking for.] I suppose I'll have to see about that. I don't know if I can guarantee four walls though.