easternseaqueen | IC INBOX

( cont. from here. )

Her breath drags out slow with the warmth of Isabela's kisses against her skin, even if she hadn't entirely anticipated the kiss to her neck. Ruby's eyes are shut, and a distant part of her is very aware of how long its been since she had any kind of intimate contact with anyone, whether it was as Ruby or Red.

Carefully, the kind of carefulness that comes with being worried about hurting someone, her fingers curl about the back of Isabela's neck, and she (less carefully) throws back pretty much the entirety of her drink and very deliberately sets the glass down before she drops her mouth to drag a kiss of her own against Isabela's collarbone.

"Mmm. That's nice, sweet thing, but don't worry. I don't break."

The kisses continued decadently up Ruby's neck.

"...you have such pretty skin, you know that?"

"I'm stronger than most people," Ruby admits, angling her head so that Isabela can access more of her neck and pulling her hair over one shoulder. Her breath hitches for a second, because even if there is some part of her that is going really, Ruby? Is this really a good idea? it feels good, and she is so tired of feeling terrible.

"I'd never really thought about it." She isn't really thinking about it even with the prompting, instead letting her hands drop to Isabela's waist so she can pull her closer, a little harder than she really means to. "Although-- actually there is a thing I should tell you, probably."

"I do enjoy a strong woman, no lie there," the pirate purrs, grinning to be pulled close.

"And what is it you think I should know?"

"Well," and part of her is wincing, bracing herself for this to go badly, "I'm a wolf. I mean I'm a person and I'm a wolf. In my world I'd be called a werewolf, except I... hear that means something different, here."

She leans back just enough to try and catch Isabela's gaze. "Full disclosure. Most people aren't really fans."

Isabela raises an eyebrow.
"I knew there was something about you. I heard stories about them when I was in Denerim some years back. So... Going to turn here? Going to bite and scratch and make me run my fingers through your fur?"

A grin plays around her mouth.
"This is for fun, sweetness. As long as it doesn't end with us trying to kill each other in the bad way, I don't mind it being a little... wild."

"I think we should be safe on that count," Ruby replies, huffing out a laugh. "Personally I'd prefer to stay human, if it's all the same to you."

It's a little ridiculous, really, and maybe that's a good thing. Maybe that's something she needs in this particular moment, even if it is hardly the thing that's going to stop her feeling so hollow. Ruby still grins a little, never mind the rest, and tugs Isabela into a kiss that has more than a little bite.

"I like human women plenty well. So many things you can do with them."

She eagerly kisses Ruby back, not shying away from the teeth at all, even biting back just a little.

Bela, do you know anything about the Rivaini harbor near Dairsmuid?

I'm a Rivaini pirate, what do you think? Of course I know things.

Ah, but that's just the start of the game, isn't it? You want to know if I know something specific relevant to your interests. What's your real question, Anders?

What should I keep an eye out for? Do you have contacts there who are friendly to mages? Where would be the worst place to stick my head, and how do I get out when I accidentally wind up there somehow?

Oh, Anders.

You know, everyone thinks that Tevinter is the place to go if you want mage-friendly people. And I suppose if you're into power games at any cost, it might be. But, honestly, Rivain is the place you go where being a mage doesn't have to make you any better or worse than anyone else. They're respected there, but not exalted, unless maybe you're a seer. I know the mess with you and Justice is all over, and I'm glad, but you would have been safest there--getting possessed is an average Tuesday for a lot of the Rivaini mages. You would have been seen as completely normal.

That said, Dairsmuid is the one place where Rivain gives any kind of lip service to the Chantry. The nobles there are Andrastian, or claim to be, anyway. And though pirates don't do a lot of business in the capital, I'd still keep your head down in case someone enterprising tries to cash in on any lingering bounties for you.

Long story short, don't do anything stupid that brings the nobles' attention to you, and if you see any Qunari emissaries, steer clear. One of my ships, The Stiletto, is scheduled to dock there in three days and staying in port for three weeks. Her captain goes by Shena. She doesn't give a shit about mages one way or another, and she's loyal to me, but she's got a hair-trigger temper, so don't piss her off. Her first mate is an elf named Kellen--you'll know him by the missing tips off both ears. Tell them you're a friend of mine, and they should be able to help you if you run into any trouble. I can give you a token to take with you to say you're with me in case they don't take you at your word.

...Oh, good. Darismuid would of course be the worst place. This is my life.

[These are his choices.]

I'd appreciate the token. It would mean less of a chance that I have to say what I'm called outloud on the docks of Darismuid if things go poorly.

...Trust me, Kitten. Dairsmuid is not the worst place in Rivain for you. It may be the only Andrastian city there, but its Circle got annulled along with everyone else's and no one really takes the templars all that seriously. You've got a better chance of being kidnapped by pirates trying to make money off you than having to deal with any Chantry bullshit. Still, I wouldn't go pushing your luck either way.

Whatever you do, don't go north. If you find you have to run, go south. Along the northern coast, the Qunari call the shots. And you know what they do with mages. And if they find my token on you? You're in serious shit.

I'll still give you the token, though. It should help you on the whole. My reputation hasn't gotten any less since we met.

Sorry, I thought you were implying it was. I know how my luck goes.

Not north if things go poorly, go south, noted. Thank you, Isabela. I appreciate it. And is there anything else I should know?

Well, it's not the best place for you either. But not the worst you could do. Honestly, I'd suggest Llomerryn, as long as you're not overly worried about pirates.

Don't give your name unless you have to. Just as a general rule.

What, you mean I won't discover that all of Rivain is a part of my massive fan club? I'm disappointed, Bela. I thought you were going to work on that.

I've also got no choice when it comes to the destination. We need to help in Dairsmuid, not Llomerryn.

Sorry, they're pretty dedicated to being my fan club already.

...I'm going to regret this, but why?

Araceli's gathering a few people to help survivors of the annulment there. I didn't know anyone made it. And I need to be there.

[He's only slightly at fault for the annulment, but that doesn't change the debt he feels.]

Alistair has agreed to walk a tightrope in a dress, if he gets a few shirts and good boots out of it. Is there any chance you'd be willing to contribute to the fund? It will take place on Nate's birthday.

You're joking, right? I'll provide the boots and shirts myself for that.

I'm not joking at all. How about I see who else is willing to be a part of this, and let you make up the difference?

Also, don't mention the significance of the 21st to Alistair, please, if you tease him. I doubt he knows it.

All right. No one will hear a thing from me. The 21st is Nate's birthday, hmm?

Also, where is Alistair getting a dress?

Thank you, yes, and I'm hoping to borrow one off Kaisa. They're of about the same size.

Well, if she declines, I might be able to work something out.

She's willing. This will be glorious.

It had better be. I'm almost tempted to tell you when my birthday is.

I can make no guarantees, but you should tell me.

And how would you know whether or not I was lying?

...Why would someone lie about that? No one wants to pretend they're older earlier, and if you lied to me about your birthday you'd just get my attempts to do something once, rather than yearly. You'd lose.

...Anders, how many women can you think of who've told you when their birthday is? The thing with birthdays is that they come with a nasty little obligation where you're supposed to admit how old you are. And you should never ask a woman her age.

In fact... ten coppers says you don't know when your own daughter's birthday is.

I honestly don't tend to ask. They ask back, and then they get Looks on their faces when I have to tell them I've no idea of when mine is. You brought it up, though, so I thought it fair game.

You could always make one up. Other people have.

...it's in the spring. That's all you're getting.

Spring. Noted. And I don't know if it's important enough to make a date up. It's detached from its significance.

Now you're just stalling.

Look, you're enjoying planning this for Nate, aren't you? And you'd probably want to for the other members of your little family? What makes you think they wouldn't want to do the same for you? I hear that's what's done in families.

I... didn't think of it like that.

You don't have to martyr yourself for them. They love you just as you are.

I'm not used to that. I mean, I know some of you from Kirkwall care, have cared, but to have more people feeling like that... It's a little daunting.

[He hasn't had a family since he was 12.]

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