and it takes, and it takes, and it takes

[acherontiastyx]

[It... definitely takes a while for the weekly after-execution note to arrive, but it does --- kind of scrawly and on ripped paper rather than nice stationery.]

EY. YO. WE GOT EFFIGIES IN THE DINING ROOM AND WE'RE GONNA BURN EM.

FOOD TOO. THE USUAL AND HOT COCOA. GOOD FOR THE SOUL. GET SOME. MAYBE TAKE IT BACK TO YOUR ROOM IF YOU HAVE TO. JUST GET SOME.

[Anyway, in the dining room, there's plenty of mugs set out, with a janky looking arrow sign pointing into the kitchen to where you can get your hot cocoa. On the table, there's Vichyssoise, a pot of green tea, and some booze. There's also a cookie tray on the floor away from the table on which to burn the Wordsmith and Kimbley effigies, which are handily placed near the food on the table.

...also if you go in the kitchen without shoes on just. Watch the northern corner. There's no kidneys, but there's a lot of broken plates there for some reason...]

Comments

[neverheardofhim]

That's the way it was with my friends as well. I was always the charming rogue, attacking from afar and dismantling traps. Usually we kept two mages around, one being our leader, Lavellan. Dorian was a mage too, but we also had Solas, an elf, and Vivienne, a... an interesting woman.

Then we'd have a warrior to back us up.

[He nodded to her as he mixed the food around. After a moment, as directed, he lowered the temperature, leaving the food to simmer for the time being. His gaze drifted back to her, looking for further direction.]

[firstaid]

[Hmm, she's not sure how she would describe her group.]

Yuri and Judith fight in the front lines. They both like to fight though, so I suppose that makes sense. Rita is a mage, Raven fights with a bow and arrow, but he also has a knife for close range attacks. Karol fights with either a large sword or hammer, and Repede, well, he's a dog, but he's been trained to attack.

[She finishes slicing up a few potatoes and putting them into a bowl for the time being.]

I specialize in healing artes. Though I'm capable of magic and also know how to use a sword.

[That last part being emphasized a bit.]

Oh, it should be done, so take it off the heat and we'll let it cool now.

[neverheardofhim]

You had a dog too? [That brought a smile to his lips, fondly recalling his own animal ally. It'd saved his ass more times than he cared to admit.] Better name than ours, too. Hawke was a smartass, just named him Dog.

[He thought to list his own companions, but he doubted Estelle wanted to be there for an hour. The problem with being in multiple games companies of heroes, he figured.]

I think you would have liked one of my friends. He was a healer too. Damn good one. [He looked down at the food, removing it from heat as he was told and setting it aside once more.] I think you'd like all of them, honestly.

[firstaid]

It sounds like your friends are rather amusing.

[Then again, she just likes people in general. Everyone is unique and has their own traits. It's what makes them so wonderful. Perhaps her years of isolation has made her appreciate others more than she would have otherwise.]

[neverheardofhim]

They're... they're one of a kind. [Both the ones he still had, and those that he lost. The fact that Estelle acknowledged how humorous Hawke was out loud though... It smarts in a way the dwarf hadn't expected.]

Anyways, your friends sound just as charming, Princess.

[firstaid]

I don't know where I would be without them. They've definitely gone above and beyond as friends.

[Then again, wolf pack like friends tend to be like that.]

I'm sure if they were here, they would be fighting against the Wordsmith and his plans with everything they have.

[neverheardofhim]

Same with mine. [He chuckled, recalling the fantasy he had written during truth or dare. Wouldn't it be something if it all came true, if Hawke burst out of nowhere on the back of the demon that allegedly killed her.]

[Seemed like a far better ending than what they were headed for, at least.]


Guess we'll have to work together and fight in their stead, huh?

[firstaid]

Yes, we will. I... I know it's hard and right now even I think it may be useless to fight, yet it's for that reason that I want to keep fighting.

[She's trying to force a smile as she says that, because she truly wants to believe it.]

[neverheardofhim]

Don't ever think it's useless to fight. [Both his expression and his tone were serious.] The second you do, that's when you've really lost. As long as you keep trying, keep fighting... You never know when you'll find a crack in the armor.

Promise me you'll keep doing that?

[firstaid]

[She nods at him. It's true that once one stops fighting, then they've truly lost.]

Yes, I promise. I'll... keep fighting even when things are tough.

[neverheardofhim]

Good. You're a good kid, princess. And I'm proud of you.

[firstaid]

[She shakes her head.]

It's nothing to be proud of. I think... it's just the truth. We need to keep fighting even though it's getting harder and harder to.

[neverheardofhim]

Doesn't mean I can't be proud of you for realizing that. A lot of people don't.

[firstaid]

[She gives him a somber smile.]

Then I suppose I should be thanking you. And once again, I promise.

[Because she may need to hold on to those words...]