i'll wait, so show me why you're strong

[ravagers]

[ Generally, people need time to cope and gather themselves after a... thing... like that. Unfortunately, that's not how Vanille sees it. Her thing is avoid, and once she gets out of that hellhole that's the courtroom, she makes her way to the supplies closet, then to the library. She spends some time setting up things, pushing things aside to make room. Once she's finished, and she's met up with the Party Brigade, she makes enough invitations for everyone. She slips them under everyone's doors, or hands them out if she sees someone walking around.



Inside the library, there are candles set up to provide some soft, comforting lighting. There are pots of tea, courtesy of Mercy, pancakes made by Viktor, and books (picked out by Estelle, of course) laid out on the surrounding tables. The others have provided their own touches, and Vanille's even managed to make something: sugar cookies, which are actually very good. They're flavored lightly with all sorts of flavors--not all in the same cookie, okay--and each plate is marked with whatever flavor she's put in them.

After a successful trial, it's healthy to indulge, right? Let's mingle. ]

Comments

[ravagers]

I think she'd like that story.

[ Hi, Varric. Here's Vanille, with a cup of tea, leaning against the wall next to you. ]

[neverheardofhim]

Yeah? [He lifted his gaze, glancing up at the woman for a split second. A smile toyed at the corner of his lips, one that faded as quickly as it came.] I would'a preferred to hear the real one. From her. [He leaned to the side, head resting against Vanille's arm.]

Stick close to me, will you? [He gave her another look, this one fraught with words he couldn't speak. 'Don't let me lose you too.']

[ravagers]

... Mm. I didn't talk to her much, but she seemed real amazing.

[ Vanille doesn't shy away from the touch at all. It's actually comforting. ]

Long as you stick close to me, too. And, erm... [ She fidgets a little. ] Thank you... for helping me back there.

[neverheardofhim]

She was. Reminded me of a good friend back home. [Varric cleared his throat, trying to rid himself of the crack in it. It was still hard to envision the fact that Adelina wouldn't be wandering in on him in the future, asking questions and listening to him.]


I'm... glad you took well to it. Lot of people I know might have ripped me a new one for sticking my nose in it.

[ravagers]

[ ... She hears that, and she doesn't comment on it. He's helped her, and she doesn't want to make things worse for him. ]

I'm real used to people helping me. [ She nods. ] I've got a feeling that won't change, no matter how long we're here.

[neverheardofhim]

There's nothing wrong with having help. [He tried to force a smile to his lips, but it quickly fell into a grimace. Instead, he reached a hand up to hers and gave it a pat.] My best friend is one of the strongest women I've ever met, but the amount of time I've had to drag her ass out of tough situations.

[Varric let out a breath of a laugh.] I'll be here to help. As long as you need me.

[ravagers]

Hehe. Well, sometimes that's what someone really needs, even the strongest person. Someone to lean on.

[ She smiles a bit... and she almost wants to give him a hug, but she holds back. Huh. Usually she'd just go for it, but... she guesses she's feeling a lot more down than she thought. ]

[neverheardofhim]

Nothing wrong with us two strong people leaning on each other then, is there?

[Give into your desires, Vanille, hug the dwarf dad.]

[While Vanille might have hesitated, Varric didn't. Though his actions were less affectionate than hers, he figured they were still a kind gesture all the same. One of his hands snaked its way into hers and gave it a squeeze.]

It'll be okay.