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

[foundfate]

[Oh good, a smile. That's what Watanuki had been hoping to see. He's smiling too, but he also looks relieved. Not just at the fact that Varric looks better now, but also at the fact that his thoughts didn't backfire horribly. Everything went better than expected!]

It's no problem.

[neverheardofhim]

[Congrats, Watanuki, it wasn't a complete disaster!]

[His gaze dropped to the floor, then over at a wall, then finally back up to Watanuki. He let out a low sigh, body relaxing in the slightest, even though Varric's mind continued to work itself into circles.]

Stick close to me this week, okay? [He hadn't kept an ever watchful eye on Adelina, and the end result had been a disaster. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.]

[foundfate]

Eh?

[Things he hadn't expected: this.]

Why? Are you worried about me?

[neverheardofhim]

So what if I am? [He gave a mock glower up at the man, a half-hearted smile on his lips.]

[foundfate]

I'm 'Independent', remember? I can take care of myself.

[He should have left it at that, but. But.]

...But if you're just going to worry incessantly, then I guess I can stay close. Just so you don't freak out or something.

[Is that appreciation in his voice? Is he trying to cover up an embarrassed look? No never, of course not.]

[neverheardofhim]

Yeah. Just so I don't freak out. [Watanuki wouldn't be the first person to resist his attempts. In some ways, it was a little comforting. Here, everyone had been relatively opening to his nosy ways.]

[He knew he liked Watanuki.]

Thanks, kid.

[foundfate]

You're welcome, old man.

[ok now it's time for him to tease Varric a little. Two can play at this game.]

[neverheardofhim]

[A laugh rumbled out of his chest, taking Varric by surprise. He blinked for a moment, startled by the sound. After a moment, he reached out, clapping him on the arm. A grin, short and fleeting, stretched over his lips.]

I'd outrun you in a heartbeat, Goldie. Just keep that in mind.

[foundfate]

You say that, but wait until I leave you in the dust.

[Fighting? Nope, Watanuki can't even throw a punch. But running, that's something he can do.]

[neverheardofhim]

[Really, Varric didn't doubt it. He already had longer legs, after all. But he didn't dare show it.]

[He also wouldn't admit to the fact that all this was getting his mind off of less than pleasant things.]

We'll have to see about that. We'll have a race sometime this week.

[foundfate]

By what, running through the halls like a herd of horses?

[Though the rooms were soundproof, they could probably get away with it.]

[neverheardofhim]

Why not? How else are we supposed to stay in shape?

[foundfate]

I was kind of hoping that we would find a way out of here before 'staying in shape' became a problem we had to worry about.

[neverheardofhim]

A week can make of break a man, Goldie. [A week without Bianca in his hands. His shots were going to suffer for sure.]

[foundfate]

How can a week affect something like that?

[Says the guy who never exercises unless he has to.]

[neverheardofhim]

Tell you what. Next week, I'll tell you all about the virtues of a vigorous exercise regime, alright Goldie?

[For now, he'll be gravitating toward some of the women he'd been keeping an eye on, though not without giving Watanuki as respectful nod. He'd have to remind himself to thank the kid next week.]