And it's the stars, the stars that lie to you.

[neverheardofhim]

[This week, Varric opted to take a page from Vanille’s book. Gathering everyone together after the roller-coaster that the first trial had been proved to be somewhat cathartic for himself. He hoped that it would prove to do the same for the others.]

[He wasn’t alone, of course, having found himself blessed with the most ragtag team of chefs and party-planners. He might have had words for and thoughts on Elda and Kimbley, Mikazuki was welcome company, and he wasn’t about to turn away potential allies, even in a fight as simple as cooking dinner.]

[Once everyone’s set to a task, baking a cake, brewing tea, or stirring stew (the only task Varric could think to assign Elda to), Varric excused himself to his room. His first task was writing up cards, each personally titled and signed by Varric.]

Food in the Library. 5 p.m. Don’t spend the night alone.

[Each note was slid under a door and accompanied by a single rap on the wood.]

[With his tasks completed, Varric returned to the kitchen to put out any potential fires and, with luck, set the food out. A table in the library would be adorned with plenty of tea, cake, pancakes courtesy of Viktor, and stew thanks mostly to Varric (sorry, Elda).]

Comments

[neverheardofhim]

[Well, he's never been to a murder trial before this, but he's pretty sure the Chantry sisters there don't sit around talking about their kinks or being bitten by vampires.]

I think you could be dangerous. Moreso than the rest of us. But the fact that you're trying to devise a way out of here, that you're considering sending thank you notes, and hell, the fact that you're making cake for everyone tells me that maybe, there's something in there that doesn't want to do it.

Consider this an appeal to that side, more than anything.

[alchemicals]

And what makes me more dangerous than everyone else here? Asking for curiosity's sake.

[neverheardofhim]

You said it yourself. You lack empathy.

[alchemicals]

So I do. But there's a difference between not caring if people die and actively trying to murder everyone, right?

[neverheardofhim]

Is there? I'm not so sure.

Alani was one of the best of us. If she could be swayed, who says next week you won't be?

[alchemicals]

If I really didn't see a difference between not caring and wanting you all dead, if I really wanted to get out of here, I wouldn't waste my time waiting for one of his stupid incentives. I'd have killed you all within the first week and been done with it.

But I'm not really interested in that. And the fact of the matter is that two people have killed someone, and I haven't.

[neverheardofhim]

[That's... a good point.]

Look. I'm just looking out for everyone here, alright? Like I said, I'd like to think you're not that kind of guy. And you're certainly not the worst of us. [Thanks Gangrel.]

[alchemicals]

Well, fortunately for everyone here, I'm not interested in ending up in the pit, and I have to play by the same rules as everyone else.

Also fortunately for everyone here, there are a few people I'm particularly invested in not seeing dead.

[neverheardofhim]

[That... was a language Varric could speak.]

I hope you keep them safe then. Seeing someone you care for dead... [But he wouldn't wax sentimental to Kimbley. It wouldn't be appreciated, for starters, and Varric didn't want to waste his limited capacity for emotional expression on him.]

It's a cruel game, this. So keep them close.