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[liberaltus]

[Behold. This is not your everyday pleasant, charming, and well-spoken Dorian, noooo -- say hello to your not-so-friendly neighborhood irascible Dorian. He’s not above sarcasm and friendly banter, but short tempered is rare for someone so practical and cordial…and yet.]

So we’re the bad guys, the root of all suffering and evil blah, blah, blah…now where have I heard this tune before? Oh right, partiality as old as the Maker himself…and yet they’re not above lying, manipulating, torture, brutality, and theft [theft gets its own special emphasis for very specific reasons] they don’t kill, they don’t imprison, such unique little snowflakes they are. I’m certainly not seeing any of their own in here for transgressions committed, because they’ve been flawless hosts I suspect. Venhedis kaffan vas.

[He’s so irritated that it’s difficult to tease his sarcasm apart from his true irritation.]

Of course, I could be wrong, the little pack of Savrii that assaulted me unprovoked could have been a fever dream, it’s possible. Not bloody likely. But possible.

[So what’s brought on so much agitation? Well, for anyone who knows the mage, they know he’s something of a drunkard and a drunkard without wine is being forced to dry out. Right now, he’s only agitated…small mercies.]

As an aside has anyone taken stock of all of our resources, they’re still feeding us and supplying us with some things, yes? I need more than that to keep myself occupied -- books, cards, music, writing materials…any-bloody-thing really.

[His voice isn't shaking at all.]

Comments

[liberaltus]

[If Dorian was invested in learning the language there's no doubt he would continue practicing until his accent was on point. What would be the purpose otherwise?]

French? Ah...I recall one of our number speaking in French, it sounds Orlesian to my ears, a very nasal language honestly...like they are trying to clear their throat when they speak half of the time.

[But then again the only other country more hated than Tevinter would have to be Orlais...and the two countries were polar opposites so naturally they would have issues. Dorian found that there were more similairites than not...at least among the ruling class.]

Ah, relics of the old language, we still use the colorful phrases. [Dorian is actually proud of his mastery of Tevene given that it is a dying language, more or less.] Literally it means: you shit on my tongue. Or if you just want to say shit you'll drop the vishante bit.

[shashka]

[ a laugh ] Glad you haven't disappointed me with your taste. [ see, this is why he liked Dorian so far. ] Years ago, our nobility back home used to speak it. Tried to emulate the pompous French court. [ for all the Soviet Union's flaws, at least it wasn't Imperial Russia. ] What are these "Orlesians" like?

[ a world without Russians but with French. what a true hellscape Thedas sounds like. ]

The best languages are always the ones you can curse the most creatively in. I admit that I have a certain bias towards Russian, but never let it be said we don't have some creative turns of phrase. If we wanted to say the same thing, we'd say something along the lines of "Насрать".

[liberaltus]

And most people mistake it for bragging. [Dorian simply offers up a delighted laugh at the idea of any other country trying to be like Orlais.] Fortunately no one tries to emulate the Orlesians, they have such terrible taste in clothing. [It's a problem if your collar has so many frills and fringes that it covers half of your face.] Orlais? All frippery, nonsense, and the rdiculous Grand Game...part of Orlesian politics. It basically boils down to political and familial infighting and one-upping your rivals often using bards as a proxy as they could also be assassins. Essentially all is fair as long as the player of the Game is not caught, murder included.

[If you're a dog man the Ferelden might be your speed, Ocelot, and they loathe the Orlesian so you'd be well in their company.]

We could probably go back and forth, translating one another's languages, something that could prove interesting in the face of boredom. [And of course Dorian goes to great pains attempting to pronounce Насрать" but he gets it to sound similar to the word.]

[shashka]

[ hmm... ]

Sounds a little bit like your home, only somehow worse, because I'm sure they find a way to make it all that much more obnoxious.

[ it is difficult to say. after all, the idea of playing a grand game and undermining others does sound like a fascinating challenge...

...but not if it's with the French, even the alternate universe ones. ]

There are worse things to do, I guess. Though, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't mind a drink right about now.

[ though unlike Dorian, he doesn't drink all that much. or, at least not in comparison to Russians. ]

Of course, this might all be another simulation.