pinprick | Fade Rift: Inbox

You know what to do.

[Nathaniel squints. He's clearly missing huge chunks of information. As it's not his business, he'll let Anders sort it out.]

[Nate gets a squeeze, a partial apology for being left out of some of what's going on. He'll apologize better later.]

I'm not actually sure. He said to do whatever with them, or give them to you, and proceeded to be arrogant and insulting and demonstrate every reason why he wasn't a good match. He had to have had some friends among the nobility here, but he chose someone who didn't get along with him at all thanks to how dismissive he is of suffering and I can offer no guess as to why.

At least he's given his word that he's not coming back. Which I think was supposed to be some sort of jab, but you're better off without him.

Michel de Chevin.

[ Zevran supplies, setting the chest aside. That was- he can't think about it for the moment. Focuses instead on how to best trim this down for a fair answer. ]

He and I were involved, in as much as I am ever involved with anyone. A little fun, no sentiment. Before I left for Antiva he came to me, package, which I assume to be this, in hand, asking where it was we stood. What he was to me. Explaining Sesicos, friends with whom one has sex, did not seem to ease his mind.

He said he loves me. I suppose he truly believes that to be the case.

[ And that was about when it all went sideways. Zevran frowns at nothing for a moment before extending a hand to Nathaniel. ]

I shall have some of that whiskey, if you do not mind sharing.

[A picture is painting itself in Nathaniel's head. Michel de Chevin was that posturing chevalier who had forgiven him for his relation to his father without even knowing him. Well. That, and a famously disgraced chevalier.

He offers the whisky to Zevran, frowning thoughtfully.]

Are you safe from him?

Except to get the package originally you had to answer the way he wanted, and when you didn't he sought some roundabout way to... I don't even know. He directly insulted me, called me names, to what end? Maybe so you wouldn't get them through no fault of his own?

[Anders shakes his head and exhales.]

He doesn't understand what it is to love. But at least I can't see him coming back to attack.

[Unless he hears about Zevran seeing someone else. Zevran deserves someone. They just have to find it.]

[ Zevran is struck, for a moment, by Nathaniel's consideration. It is not a fear he has had and to have such a thing asked is...terribly charming. He offers a faint smile and shake of the head. ]

He cannot hurt me, no.

[ Leave him shaken- certainly. But hurt? No. ]

That is what I said. What we did- it was more involved than anything he has experienced before. A game of power dynamics with I as dominant- which is unusual for a Chevalier. Desire is not sentiment. We disagreed- he left. That he has sworn to never return...it feels familiar in a most uncomfortable way. Better for him to be gone if that is the game he means to play.

[Nathaniel grunts.]

He says it, and expects that because he's said it, you owe it to him to say the same? Is that how it is?

It is the way of those who have power. Demand what they want, be shocked when it doesn't happen, then seek to manipulate. I considered not giving the inks, but they're lovely things and I've seen your artwork, Zevran. They'd be wasted elsewhere, and it would be your loss more than this could be his gain.

[He rests his head against the elf's for a moment. Nathaniel is the heart here, Anders is the... judgement. He's not about to mention that there was a note, or a scarf. There was too much sentiment there.]

He implied it did not matter- he only wished to hear the truth.

[ But it had not been what he wanted to hear- and he left. Were this Taliesin there would be a reckoning on the horizon. As it is he curls close against Anders, one hand slipping out to tangle his fingers with Nathaniel. They are no close friends in truth, he and Nate, but he admires the man. Respects him. ]

It is to be equal and honest between two people that care for one another, yes? There is to be trust. I cannot trust that he would not abandon me in favor of his station. Ever.

[Nathaniel sips brandy, hesitantly accepting Zevran's hand. It is not a sort of contact he is used to from someone he knows so little, but this is a vulnerable moment for Zevran. Bonds are formed quickly in such moments.]

He's a chevalier. Disgraced or no, essentially above the law, with no restraint imposed. I wouldn't trust that of him either, and I barely know the man. Hopefully, it gave him a start. People seldom say no to a chevalier.

Trust is essential. Without it... And you're both right to distrust him.

[It all reeks of a messy attempt to manipulate, because if it hadn't been, Michel could simply have left the stuff outside Zevran's door.]

I'm sorry. I wish I had something better to offer.

It is not so unfamiliar to me, the game. Normally they are not quite so adamant that it is love.

[ That was what shook him most, that vehement insistence. At least he knew better. At least he thought twice this time. ]

You are giving me this, yes? Company for the night where you are close and kind and want nothing from me. That is worth more than you think.

We've plenty of room, and whisky. It's no trouble on our part. [Nathaniel gives Zevran's hand a squeeze.] And considering what you've done for us, I think you're owed a few favors.

Nate's right. Which isn't much of a surprise.

[Both of them get a squeeze.]

If you'd not picked him to be the challenge, I'd still be sleeping on a cot instead of the floor. ...Wait. Do I owe for that?

[His voice is very clearly teasing.]

Well I was going to choose either someone that would be one over by one of us or someone that would be won over by neither of us- to that end the options were Nathaniel, Velanna, Alistair, or Kaisa.

[ It's a casual thing, almost habitual, in how he tugs Nate's hand up enough to kiss the back of it. Idle affection, thoughtless but sincere. ]

So it was either going to be very hot or hilarious. No matter what happened, I won.

[A low chuckle.]

Kaisa would have jumped at the chance, for both of you at once. Velanna would have been righteously offended to be asked. And Alistair...would actually have been hilarious, you're right.

Alistair would have been the second-best choice. And as I'd prefer to not make Velanna feel mocked, Kaisa would then have been third. But I think we can agree that Nate was the right one.

[A threesome with Zevran and Kaisa would have been interesting, yes. But this? This is a thing he'd not dreamed of.]

And I'm glad you didn't consider anyone who might have tried to kill us both for the suggestion. There are a few of those.

What would have been mocking about asking Velanna? She is a marvelous woman, sharp, dangerous. You southerners do not quite know how to treat so lethal and lovely a lady.

[ With a touch of caution and a healthy dose of admiration. ]

I know I had a difficult time recently but I have returned to enjoying life well enough to keep living, Anders. [ wait, had he told Anders that? No?

...Time for another drink of whiskey. ] Thus- someone fun.

She would consider it so. She doesn't think she is desirable, so she would have accused you of mocking her. And anyway, a city elf and a human seducing her...I doubt it would have gone well.

[Velanna is at once pitiable and frustrating to him; as long as he has tried to treat her with dignity, she has been coming up with reasons he's secretly plotting against her. And somehow, he doesn't give up. More fool him. He takes a drink of brandy.]

[He knows the feeling of wanting it to all be over all too well, and the look he gives the elf is pained before Anders presses his temple to Zevran's. At least he's feeling better. There is this. Anders exhales and doesn't press the matter.]

Exactly. She's fantastic, but her pride is a broken thing. It would have come across to her as mocking no matter how we phrased it, and as she's finally joining the Warden group campfires some evenings instead of sticking to her own I don't want to do anything to threaten that. It's hard to start reaching out when... mm.

[There's a pause as he looks from one to the other. The conversation is far too heavy. Anders gives them both a squeeze and then releases them, moving to pull off his pauldrons and bracers and set them to the side.]

I think this conversation would go all the better with me on my back. As with many things. And I expect to be in the middle.

...I am uncertain if innuendo and flirtation is permitted while we are in bed with your lover, Anders. I mean- I have done so before but only when given permission and I think, perhaps, it is not given here- which is well and good. You two are-

This is-

Half the reason Michel troubled me so, half the reason I have given sentiment such consideration is watching the two of you together. I would not meddle with this for anything.

[ He respects them far too much to wish anything to trouble them here. ]

[Nathaniel feels slightly ashamed for his jealousy, but really, he understands what Anders is suggesting.]

He means cuddling, not sex. And telling him to stop teasing is like telling the grass to be less green. Anyway, if you were going to steal him away, you'd have done so well before now. I think you two are good friends. Nothing wrong with that. Now come on.

[Nathaniel leans Anders back, reaching out with his hand to take Zevran's arm and pull him into the cuddle.]

[He smiles and lays back with Nate, letting his lover make the point for them.]

If it'll make things easier, I'll try to lighten up on the teasing. I may forget. I'll do my best, though. Come get some rest, Zevran. You're among friends. Especially after all you've done for us.

[And for him in particular.]

You're not meddling. I want to help how I can.

I mean I am not certain if I am allowed to make innuendo and tease back? But-

[ He is not given much choice when Nathaniel tugs him down- he flounders for a moment before burying his face in Anders' shoulder, sighing. This. This is good. This is fine. ]

I do not wish to cause trouble. I know what jealousy does to a man.

[Nathaniel tucks Anders' head against his shoulder and releases a long breath.]

Give it a bit of time. I know your intentions are innocent, but...give it time.