[Video 001: Arrival] Tuesday, Week 37

[threesovereigns]

[Zevran has been trying to ignore the fact that the book found with his gear upon his awakening has been talking. Given that it looks almost exactly like one of the mages' tomes that even he felt would be better not to light-finger, the sounds couldn't possibly be anything good. But the book would not shut up, and the strange place he was in was providing no answers. He turned to a page within it that seemed to be some sort of Fade portal made paper, and after tracing a few moving symbols with a wary fingertip, a blond elf appears on the network.]

Ah, this seems to be working at last and does not seem to have transformed me into a newt. Wonderful!

If you can hear me, I wish to introduce myself.

My name is Zevran, which I first thought would be foolish to share, but upon reflection I have concluded that, should you have been sent to kill me, you likely already know that I am here.

I must ask... does this strange country possess anything approaching a tavern? I confess that I am very lost, and would feel much better if I was considering my fate with a glass of wine in hand.

I am not a man without talents, so if the wine comes with a price... well, let us negotiate, yes?

Comments

[Video]

[tallymarks]

Into a newt? Is that a danger in your land?

[Because being transformed is a definite threat. Being transformed by something that, so far, she's only seen manifest as a phone, on the other hand...]

[Video]

[threesovereigns]

In general, the mages with such talents seem to prefer more impressive animals such as giant bears. And I admit they seem to prefer to transform themselves...but I do not see why a newt would be impossible.

Of course I should not speculate too wildly, yes? My talents, as they say, lie in other areas.

[Thus proving that Zevran can only make it so many complete sentences without at least a mild flirt, he tips her a wink to go with a light emphasis on 'talents'. Given that he's new to this place, it's still a restrained one. By Zevran's standards.]

[Video]

[tallymarks]

Oh, these aren't magic. I'm not sure they could even be accomplished with magic - not on this scale.

[She seems oblivious to any flirtation, and not even, at the moment, deliberately so.]

[Video]

[threesovereigns]

How interesting. You see, I seem to be in possession of a tome that I would swear a holy oath I in no way stole that looks like it belongs to one of the Circle libraries, and I am talking to you through what seems to be some sort of Fade portal in it. But you... are not in the Fade, no?

[As she seems to be oblivious, Zevran lets the matter rest... for now. His tone remains light and playful even as he disucsses something that's obviously got him on edge.]

[Video]

[tailforbrains]

[Neeshka's networking device comes in the form of an indestructable spell scroll, but she still understands the worry. She grins at the language she understands, and at the face she can at least recognize the ears of. Finally, somebody she might actually be able to relate to!]

Hiya, Zevran. I'm Neeshka. They don't call them "taverns" here, they call 'em pubs or bars. But there's a few. People like to drink no matter what planet they're on.

Are you still in that big, metal "city" they call a ship?

[Video]

[threesovereigns]

[The ears are familiar, the horns... some sort of half elf, half qunari? Is that even possible? It would seem indelicate to pry, so Zevran matches her grin with one of his own.]

Pubs, bars... so long as there are untapped kegs and shadowy corners, I am willing to adapt, yes?

And I am. It seemed prudent to understand where I was before moving into still more unfamiliar territory, although I must say there is a refreshing lack of skeletons for a tomb with so many sarcophagi. Although I suppose if they all sleep, as I did, there would be no source for the skeletons.

[Video]

[tailforbrains]

There might be one down in the Old City, at the bottom of that mountain you'll find when you get out of the ship. The good ones, and most of the interesting people, are in Poseidon, and you'll have to get a lift that way unless you wanna walk half the night.

[She snickers at his reference to tombs.]

Yeah, I know. And none of them walking, either! You'll be glad to know, though, that nobody's dead in there. Just asleep, like you were. And like a lot of us were. We just randomly wake up now and then.

[Video]

[threesovereigns]

I have walked more than half the night for reasons considerably less pleasant than a promise of a tavern... or bar at the end of it.

[Zevran's correction is probably more for effect than for real need -- he's nothing if not a quick study.]

That said, if there is a steady flow of merchants and their carts, I would be foolish to insist upon walking. I shall endeavour to see you in a few hours' time, perhaps?

[lanfear]

I'm afraid the wine here is...rather poor vintage. [Everything was, when put before V'saine's vineyards, grown to perfection and now three thousand years gone.]

But I can provide something passable. For the right price, of course.

[threesovereigns]

Truly tragic, milady. However, should it not taste of wet dog, I shall consider it an improvement over where I last was, and praise it accordingly.

Now, as much as it pains me to speak in such crude terms with a beautiful lady...[He says with absolutely no pain whatsoever, and rather a lot of good humour] What sort of price for your wine?

[lanfear]

It tastes of...grapes, I believe is what they're called.

[She strokes her chin thoughtfully, a smirk playing across her lips]

As for my price...conversation should be sufficient.

[threesovereigns]

Are grapes not the common ingredient for wine where you are used to drinking? You must tell me more.

[Zevran does a fine impression of avid interest, albeit one tinged with enough playfulness to make it clear he's not actually interested in the complete and utter history of variant forms of wine.

Well... beyond whether or not he can drink some.]

I have been told there is some travel between the settlement at the feet of this 'ship' and the town of Poseidon. I am attempting to make it there.

[heartofasun]

I just got here not too long ago myself. Perhaps I could interest you in a card game with that drink?

[threesovereigns]

For one so beautiful and mysterious as yourself? Consider me to be very interested in seeing your cardplaying skills. Come, when I find a place to drink, shall I invite you?

[heartofasun]

That would be delightful. I do enjoy a good card game.

[threesovereigns]

And just where do you come from, my mysteriously unnamed friend? Apart from a land that has both cards and games to play with them, of course.

Video

[kettchmeifyoucan]

[Wes isn't sure about that newt business. BUt the rest of it was definitely his language.]

You're in luck. The booze situation has recently improved considerably.

[threesovereigns]

Really? How fortuitous indeed. Is there a particular reason behind this windfall of alcohol, or shall I simply direct my thanks to the Maker?

[Whether or not one can hear the capital in the title is up for grabs. Zevran could, after all, simply be paying proper respect to the brewer.]

[kettchmeifyoucan]

It's a long story. Short version is trade is suddenly a lot better.

[video]

[growingwild]

They'll be a tavern somewhere, I'm sure. Search me if I even know where that is, though.

But for all you know, this is just all part of our fiendish plot to trick you into feeling safe before we kill you. [Briar grins - this fellow looks like he should at least be able to tell that Briar's just fooling around]

[video]

[threesovereigns]

[Zevran's grin glints in return. This, this person he approves of.]

Nonsense, this simply means you are thoughtfully providing me with the backdrop for a proper tavern brawl. Admit it: you secretly want to swing from a chandelier, no?

[video]

[growingwild]

[Briar snorts] What kind of taverns have you been drinking in, that they'e got chandeliers?

[Video]

[genoshas_general]

Seems like the others have given you the directions. But we could talk, if you're looking for information. [Wanda flashes a grin for Zevran. It's towards the friendlier end of her smiles, and about in the middle as far as how dangerous they are go.] I'm the Scarlet Witch. But you're in luck: it's easier for me to turn you back from a newt than into one. [It probably is, anyway. Spell reversal is something she's tried, turning people into animals is not.]

[Video]

[threesovereigns]

Indeed, this method of speaking is strange, but the people at the other end are most helpful.

[He pauses for a moment, allowing his eyes to widen slightly.]

If I were an untrusting person, I would perhaps be suspicious of how helpful. But regardless of whether that applies, I have found that witches make intriguing conversational companions. I should be honoured to talk.

[Video]

[genoshas_general]

For good or ill, we're all in this together.

What 'this' is has changed drastically recently, but that doesn't change the basic facts.