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]

[She lets out another quiet 'I'm glad' as she continues to watch him eat. This week has not been kind to him. The motive, losing a friend to this horrible, horrible place, she can't even imagine what all this feels like. Nor does she want to.

Though hearing that name, she tilts her head a bit in curiosity.]

Lieze...rota? I can't say that I ever have. What kind of flower is it?

[deofoled]

[ For his sake, next week better be less disastrous.]

It's a yellow flower with five petals. In the Netherworlds it's highly sought after, but it's pretty rare.

[firstaid]

Yellow? Oh wow it sounds like it would be a beautiful and bright flower. Do they always have five petals?

[Shes not sure if it's uncharacteristic of him to talk about flowers, but it's definitely solidifying her opinion that he is a kind and gentle person.]

[deofoled]

They are beautiful.

[ A beat.]

I've never seen one that had anything but five. But when I was traveling where they grew, I didn't pay much attention.

[firstaid]

Oh, so you've seen a field of them? Wow a field of yellow flowers sounds so majestic.

[She can't even begin to imagine how wonderful that looks.]

[deofoled]

They grew everywhere on that world... it was stupid of me to ask, I'm sure you have different flowers in your human world.

[ But it's clearly nostalgic, and cathartic for him in some way.]

[firstaid]

It's not at all silly to ask.

[She smiles at him, even giggles a little bit.]

Is that flower important to you?

[deofoled]

[ He can't bring himself to answer, but he does manage a barely noticeable nod. It's something he wants to talk about and doesn't at the same time, so it's difficult. If he was better at conversation he'd just try to change the subject, but he can't even manage that right now. So instead he focuses on finishing the last of the stew.]

...thanks.

[firstaid]

[She notes he doesn't answer her question audibly and instead a nod. Another time and another situation she would prod further. However, given the situation she doesn't. Instead, she nods at him and holds out her hand to take his empty bowl.]

You're welcome. Here, I'll take that to the kitchen.

[deofoled]

[ Another nod as he hands her the plate.]

You should go back and hang out with the others. I'll be fine.

[firstaid]

I believe you will be fine as well. Though if you need me, you know I'm next door.

[Just an offer from her as she offers him a smile.]

Take care of yourself, Killia. I will come check in you tomorrow. [And with that, she leaves.

Also spoilers: she may not be in good spirits to check in on him....]