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

[firstaid]

I'm glad. You seemed distraught at the trial.

[Then again, it's always a weird sensation finding out someone you're close to is a murderer. Just... her friend back home didn't die for his actions. Just deemed a criminal.]

Um, is there anything I can do to help?

[ravagers]

We were pretty close...

[ ... An understatement, but. ]

Well... you read lots of books. Can you tell me about your favorite story?

[firstaid]

[She just nods at the mention about them being close. She honestly wouldn't understand and she knows it. So for now she just makes her way into the center of the room and kneels there. Her dress flows around her like she were a flower petal.]

A story? Sure, I can tell you one of my favorites. It's called "The Tale of the Jade Planet." In this book, there's a man called the Amber Knight who goes out to save the world. He's quite incredible. Oh, but he's not a main character...! However, I greatly admire him. What he does to help his people and his country as well as his best friend. It's admirable.

[Someone has a crush on a fictional character...]

[ravagers]

[ Vanille joins her, though she sits with her legs to the side. ]

Sounds like a real interesting guy. And it sounds like you like him a lot.

[ ... she might be teasing her just a little bit. ]

[firstaid]

Well, he is a rather well written character and I really like everything he stands for.

[She smiles, perhaps understanding the teasing, yet not at the same time.]

[ravagers]

Yeah? So does he manage to save the world?

[firstaid]

Of course! With the help of his friend.

[ravagers]

Amazing! I'd like to read it myself, but... I don't think the library here'd have it, would it?

[firstaid]

I don't believe it does either. I really wish you could read it, though.

[ravagers]

Maybe it'll come out of that vending machine.

[firstaid]

[Estelle giggles.]

That would be really neat if it did!

[ravagers]

I'll definitely keep an eye out for it, then.

[firstaid]

You should. I would be really happy if you could read it.

[ravagers]

Naturally, I'll give it back to you first, since it's important to you. But I'd love to read it.

[firstaid]

As long as I know you have it, I would be fine. It would be more fun to talk to someone about it rather than keep it for myself.

[ravagers]

Yeah? Well... I'll give it a read if I manage to get my hands on it.

[firstaid]

Wonderful!

[She's not sure if that's a possibility, but she will hope for it.]

[ravagers]

[ She nods, then gives Estelle a smile. It's small, but anything is a good thing, right? ]

Hey... thanks for coming to talk to me. It really means a lot.