It isn't that he trusted Kazuma. In fact, precisely the opposite; he saw disconcerting motives in him, but he hadn't been able to bring himself to act on his suspicions. And now, what a mess. And through it all, his priorities had been so much. Well.
It's a mark that he's feeling upset that he doesn't actually spend much time on his usual alcohol collection. He grabs the bottle he'd had, but instead he's looking around for Bull and somehow, in the flow of everyone leaving, he loses track of him. Not an easy feat to do, and he's irrationally angry about it. Sure, every other week he'd run off and made Bull come find him. And every week Bull has come to find him. But this time, he doesn't want to wait.
Still, he's not going to hang around on his own; he goes back to his own room to sit and pick at the notes he has on his desk.]
[He isn't that long - maybe a half hour - before he shows up and knocks. He brings more alcohol with him, just a few bottles and not the whole keg like last time, but an apology for being late at least.]
[He looks confused for a second at the accusatory tone, holding his hands up in surrender.]
. . . Well, you know, they keep us locked up in that room all weekend. Hard to get privacy for business. Gotta take a half hour for myself when they let us out.
[ Sometimes we have to face some HARSH TRUTHS, Dorian. And one of those is everyone poops. Coming in dropping his bottles down. This time he just heads right to sitting on the bed.]
So, probably should have called that one from the moment I heard him do the creepy laugh. Someone who can do that laugh has definitely got something up.
[Going to sit down next to him on the bed. What are you going to do about that?? (Is it hold him because he has a lot of feelings right now and that would be nice).]
Hah. Yes. I might have brought up the four or so times he waxed poetic to me about gaining entrance to the restricted magic library and learning the forbidden arts.
If only. I know the look all too well, but somehow it's always so much more complicated while it's happening.
[By this point Bull should know Dorian will tolerate pretty much anything, even if he might bitch. So, yes. The comment makes him a little sad all over again, though, so he's reaching for the wine.]
Why is it always the mages who must be so stupid. That was a rhetorical question, incidentally.
Yeah. Last time, sure, freaky mage shit. The white-haired kid was an accident. But the other two - you'd think they'd say something in their own defense. Most people do.
Perhaps they didn't care to spill their innermost desires to a crowd of ill-wishers cheering one's execution? Perhaps they killed to escape, but it hardly seemed like a safe bet. Tempting targets those weeks, too.
[Pausing, though, because he's not stupid. He's thought through the part of the rules that mentions third parties, and he didn't miss the bit about 'the motive they showed everyone.']
Or did you mean to suggest there were motives they didn't show everyone? Do you know something about it I don't? [He says it lightly; he's not sure whether he's suggesting Bull actually knows something, or whether he's just picked up on something. He can be awfully perceptive, after all.]
[He doesn't know if he buys that at all. It was far too specific a comment. But he also isn't going to demand Bull talk to him about it right now. Just raising an eyebrow in order to make clear he knows there was more to it than that. And, more wine.]
Well, I, for one, am perfectly content if they choose to continue to destroy precious family heirlooms. I hope next week, I'm to kill lest they tarnish all the good silver.
[Monday evening, after the motive and a bit of dinner and reading, he'll go by Bull's place. It's nicer than getting his own room messy and risk having the clown pants near his nice clean sheets.
At this point, he doesn't feel obligated to bring a gift (other than the valuable and precious gift of himself) but he has brought wine in case Bull doesn't have anything good left.]
[Bull has a gift too - the gift of new pants to admire. He looks a a little smug about it. Even the fashion senseless Qunari knows when he can rock a cool pair of pants, it turns out. Still misses his freedom of movement though. You never know when you'll have to bust some moves other pants just can't contain.]
Come to check what it's like in the room of a valued person? Could almost call it salicious.
[So there's a surprise worth not even protesting to the value crack over. How do you like knowing you knocked the sass right out of him? I mean, they're mainly so attractive because they aren't musty bloodstained clown pants, but he does look pretty good in them.]
Sure, think Alice would be up for giving me a second week just on looks? It's worked before. Once got a raise from a noblewoman just because she had a thing for horns.
[So very, very proud of himself. Really, it's unbecoming. It's not like it's a high bar to take over musty bloodstained clown pants.]
Marienette made 'em. Figured I'd ask for a pair to make up for the ones that got doused in . . . whatever was left of Maria and Niles. And Rhys.
They look very good on you. I shall have to commend her.
[Was that a real compliment? Why yes, it was. He adds an extra flirty spin on it, the same one he might add to praise how nice someone's room looks now that Dorian's fixed the decor. Encouragement and praise for good behavior, like training a big slobbery dog to stop pissing on the good rug.
Anyway, going to make himself at home and take a seat on the mattress.]
I didn't know we were dressing up. Fortunately, I always look stunning.
[Big slobbery dog comparisons might be considered a qunari microaggression you know. Well, this has been a fun round of flirting about pants but all good moments must end. Bull has been busy with something - a tablet is sitting on the desk, and he's obviously not been doing much. Mostly thinking. Never a good sign.]
[Frowning a little. That was a pretty good round of flirting, if he does say so himself. It's a little insulting to have it discarded so readily for shop talk. But he's a nice person and Bull clearly has something on his mind, so he'll allow it.]
Have they run out of ideas so soon? They ought to offer a spa. I'd kill someone for that, I'm still aching from being made to sleep on a cot.
Yes, they'll spook us with some low budget terror and then once the week ends, someone will decide to take a midnight stroll and shall wind up strangled.
But some of us are valued, so we can get up to whichever suspicious late night activities we may wish to.
You want a midnight stroll, you can take my friend here with you. [Patting his axe. Which is leaning against the wall next to the mattress. Isn't that dangerous? Does that not worry you in the middle of the night Bull?] She's valued too, every week.
It does seem a bit of a waste though, considering your poor suitability as a target to begin with. Is there something we should be doing, to take advantage of the extra protection? Patrols seem so foolish, but...
But it makes a good show, right? Hasn't seemed to help anyone in past weeks. Hard to keep an eye on people who don't want to be protected. Gotta keep 'em in one place. Under actual protection if you want to do any good.
Yes, of course. Perhaps it's macabre of me, but I admittedly don't see much point. Their little game doesn't include any room for a quiet weekend in. They are very confident they can get someone to kill each week, and despite our best efforts I am very confident that someone will die. We may as well abstain from the additional effort.
They gave me one. Call us the Kampff. [He doesn't get the reference, but. It's a strong word, for a hard task.] Supposed to follow orders they give us under the table, in exchange for another incentive.
They aren't offering a price, they're asking one. You don't do it, they'll take something. [Stick, not the carrot. Among other capitalism terms that Bull resents.] Got a thing for showing us eyeballs as threats too.
[He's pulling up a video on the tablet - biolocked to him - and turning it around to show him. Dorian should recognize Par Vollen, even if he's never seen it except in paintings or etchings. Dorian should definitely recognize the image of a huge rift above it.]
[He goes quiet as Bull plays the video, drawing in a tense breath of air. He already knows what he's going to see - some sort of terrible threat destroying Par Vollen, enough to tempt any loyal qunari. He doesn't trust this, but that doesn't mean it's pleasant to watch.]
[If it isn't enough, there's a shot of the Chargers, dying in the destruction as well. As if they wanted to make sure and cover all their bases. Bull doesn't say anything, just letting him watch. He seems awfully calm though.]
[He's not calm, though he is quiet. He's noticeably upset; the destruction is incredibly realistic, particularly if you aren't accustomed to watching live action movies. He's seen enough small scale destruction from rifts to imagine what it would be like in a population center, particularly one with no inquisitor and no decently instructed mages. As it ends, though, he takes a deep breath, and runs a hand through his hair. He says his next words carefully, trying to explain without sounding dismissive. Because, yes, of course that would be incredibly difficult for Bull to ignore. It was clearly designed that way.]
You must know that this isn't real. They're demons. They'll show you whatever it is that they know will affect you. [But despite what he says, he is noticeably shaken.]
[He's silent for another few seconds, trying to figure out what to say.]
Could be. They had objects - claimed they were proof. Can't say one way or another, if they already know what's inside your head, easy enough to summon something to convince you. Still. Not exactly a stretch is it? We know this is what happens if we're not there. If the Inquisition fails.
[Resting his hand on Bull's, if that's allowed. If he doesn't seem receptive to it he'll immediately move as though he just happened to put it there by accident. He's thinking seriously for a moment.]
Why would the Chargers be in Par Vollen? It isn't exactly easy to get there. Isn't that just a little too perfect? Not any Inquisition soldiers who died fighting. The ones you care about.
It isn't as if they're going to give us any more. You either take the fight in front of you or take the knife in the back, and I'd sure as shit rather see that sword coming.
Yes. And I'd rather us not end up at the mercy of some plot we can only see the edges of, myself.
[He did, but. Not quite so clearly. At least, he believed that they'd be safe, that if they focused on not being killed and not being scapegoated and just surviving. He thought he knew himself enough to know that they wouldn't get to him as long as he steadfastly refused to believe.
But he feels doubt creeping in already, as much as he doesn't want to. Bull will kill to save Par Vollen. How could he not, how could he even allow for the slightest chance they aren't bluffing? The hopelessness of preventing Bull from going ahead with this triggers his own terror; he'll do it, and he'll die, and then Dorian. He'll be alone here.
And it feels wrong, too, somehow, to just accept that it has to be that way. As though Corypheus' actions have nothing to do with him, because it isn't his country under attack. It will be his country that accepts Corypheus with open arms if it comes with the conquest of the Qunari. He can't act as though he has the luxury of gambling here when he knows full well Bull doesn't.
This isn't going to end well, especially not for him. Deals with demons never do. If only he could clearly see any other option.
He takes a deep breath, trying to keep himself steady. It's won't do to be overcome when he's the one of them who ought to know what to do.]
There may be some other way. Don't do this yet. Stall, to the extent you can.
[Bull simply nods. It isn't loaded with any meaning beyond acknowledging the hesitation. Dorian knows what he needs to to understand, to know that he has to do this. It isn't as if a great weight has been lifted - Bull prefers to carry his own secrets. He can trust his own instincts, his own face not to betray them. But he can't do it alone either.
The unmentioned battle continues to be if a demon knows his mind well enough to know Par Vollen, surely they'd know the easiest way to manipulate him. It's easier not to think about. To only move forward.]
They haven't asked me to yet. I won't do anything until I'm sure.
You won't do it without telling me, either, will you?
[He means that to sound practical, and hopes it doesn't come across needy, instead, like he suspects it does. None of this has anything to do with anything about the two of them as individuals, it isn't personal. It wouldn't be fair to demand consideration on any personal basis, it isn't something he's owed. He just doesn't want to hesitate until it's too late, until Bull loses whatever faith he had in Dorian's ability to unravel this threat and comes up with his own solution.]
If it comes to it, I'll do what I can to see you through. It isn't as though the scenario doesn't matter to me. It's only that the best method will be to kill them before anything they threaten comes to pass.
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It isn't that he trusted Kazuma. In fact, precisely the opposite; he saw disconcerting motives in him, but he hadn't been able to bring himself to act on his suspicions. And now, what a mess. And through it all, his priorities had been so much. Well.
It's a mark that he's feeling upset that he doesn't actually spend much time on his usual alcohol collection. He grabs the bottle he'd had, but instead he's looking around for Bull and somehow, in the flow of everyone leaving, he loses track of him. Not an easy feat to do, and he's irrationally angry about it. Sure, every other week he'd run off and made Bull come find him. And every week Bull has come to find him. But this time, he doesn't want to wait.
Still, he's not going to hang around on his own; he goes back to his own room to sit and pick at the notes he has on his desk.]
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Glad you had a moment to stop by!
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. . . Well, you know, they keep us locked up in that room all weekend. Hard to get privacy for business. Gotta take a half hour for myself when they let us out.
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On the other hand, it seems to have defused the tension.]
Well. It was an eventful evening all around. I suppose you may as well come in.
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So, probably should have called that one from the moment I heard him do the creepy laugh. Someone who can do that laugh has definitely got something up.
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Hah. Yes. I might have brought up the four or so times he waxed poetic to me about gaining entrance to the restricted magic library and learning the forbidden arts.
That was plainly a disaster waiting to happen.
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You'd think we could spot this shit by now. Who's got the look in their eye.
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[By this point Bull should know Dorian will tolerate pretty much anything, even if he might bitch. So, yes. The comment makes him a little sad all over again, though, so he's reaching for the wine.]
Why is it always the mages who must be so stupid. That was a rhetorical question, incidentally.
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[Drinking and being held against the best pair of man bosoms on this ship is a good way to drown your sorrows.]
Makes you wonder, probably the first time someone actually killed for the motive. At least the motive they showed everyone.
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[He's still being held against a pair of man bosoms but he's trying to parse what Bull just said.]
How so? You mean that Calypso and Tsuyuko never told us what they were actually after?
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[Pausing, though, because he's not stupid. He's thought through the part of the rules that mentions third parties, and he didn't miss the bit about 'the motive they showed everyone.']
Or did you mean to suggest there were motives they didn't show everyone? Do you know something about it I don't? [He says it lightly; he's not sure whether he's suggesting Bull actually knows something, or whether he's just picked up on something. He can be awfully perceptive, after all.]
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[ Nothing out of the ordinary shows on his face, but reaching for the wine bottle, though. Moving on to better topics.]
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[He doesn't know if he buys that at all. It was far too specific a comment. But he also isn't going to demand Bull talk to him about it right now. Just raising an eyebrow in order to make clear he knows there was more to it than that. And, more wine.]
Well, I, for one, am perfectly content if they choose to continue to destroy precious family heirlooms. I hope next week, I'm to kill lest they tarnish all the good silver.
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[MORE WINE. Is insulting Dorian by talking about the beautiful painting really helping your case here at all Bull.]
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[He's not jealous of a painting. He's not. She looked pretty cheap, though.]
I didn't want to say anything, but I'm fairly certain her chainmail was permanently lodged inside of her. Not much fun.
monday evening;
At this point, he doesn't feel obligated to bring a gift (other than the valuable and precious gift of himself) but he has brought wine in case Bull doesn't have anything good left.]
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Come to check what it's like in the room of a valued person? Could almost call it salicious.
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[So there's a surprise worth not even protesting to the value crack over. How do you like knowing you knocked the sass right out of him? I mean, they're mainly so attractive because they aren't musty bloodstained clown pants, but he does look pretty good in them.]
Trying to impress someone?
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[So very, very proud of himself. Really, it's unbecoming. It's not like it's a high bar to take over musty bloodstained clown pants.]
Marienette made 'em. Figured I'd ask for a pair to make up for the ones that got doused in . . . whatever was left of Maria and Niles. And Rhys.
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[Was that a real compliment? Why yes, it was. He adds an extra flirty spin on it, the same one he might add to praise how nice someone's room looks now that Dorian's fixed the decor. Encouragement and praise for good behavior, like training a big slobbery dog to stop pissing on the good rug.
Anyway, going to make himself at home and take a seat on the mattress.]
I didn't know we were dressing up. Fortunately, I always look stunning.
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So, nightmares again.
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Have they run out of ideas so soon? They ought to offer a spa. I'd kill someone for that, I'm still aching from being made to sleep on a cot.
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And yeah. Almost insulting. Bringing it back around again - after the paranoia, should be easy though.
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But some of us are valued, so we can get up to whichever suspicious late night activities we may wish to.
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[Plus, he probably can't lift it.]
It does seem a bit of a waste though, considering your poor suitability as a target to begin with. Is there something we should be doing, to take advantage of the extra protection? Patrols seem so foolish, but...
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[He stops for a moment, taking a deep drink. Some one is always going to break.]
Listen. There's something you should know. Remember Alice mentioning the third parties? The folks who got . . . additional orders.
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[Putting down his own drink. He can already tell this is going to be something important, after last night's aborted conversation.]
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Haven't done anything yet, myself.
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[Though, that's not quite the pertinent issue.]
What exactly are these orders? I should hope you haven't done anything they'd ask.
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[He's much more serious than he's been in any of these conversations, starting to reach over the tablet.]
When they ask us to kill, we do. They don't tell us who, or how. Just that we have to.
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[He looks serious in turn, and a little angry. He won't stop Bull from taking their tablet.]
You don't have to do anything. Whatever their price, it won't be worth what they ask. It can't be.
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[He's pulling up a video on the tablet - biolocked to him - and turning it around to show him. Dorian should recognize Par Vollen, even if he's never seen it except in paintings or etchings. Dorian should definitely recognize the image of a huge rift above it.]
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[He goes quiet as Bull plays the video, drawing in a tense breath of air. He already knows what he's going to see - some sort of terrible threat destroying Par Vollen, enough to tempt any loyal qunari. He doesn't trust this, but that doesn't mean it's pleasant to watch.]
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You must know that this isn't real. They're demons. They'll show you whatever it is that they know will affect you. [But despite what he says, he is noticeably shaken.]
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Could be. They had objects - claimed they were proof. Can't say one way or another, if they already know what's inside your head, easy enough to summon something to convince you. Still. Not exactly a stretch is it? We know this is what happens if we're not there. If the Inquisition fails.
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Why would the Chargers be in Par Vollen? It isn't exactly easy to get there. Isn't that just a little too perfect? Not any Inquisition soldiers who died fighting. The ones you care about.
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[He lets him keep his hand there, just letting his statement hang for a moment. You can't deny it isn't persuasive either.]
Also don't think it's an idle threat.
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[Taking a deep breath, and lacing his fingers through his. For his own sake, too.]
But... Fasta Vass. This isn't going to end well.
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[Dorian should know that by now. Surely.]
It isn't as if they're going to give us any more. You either take the fight in front of you or take the knife in the back, and I'd sure as shit rather see that sword coming.
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[He did, but. Not quite so clearly. At least, he believed that they'd be safe, that if they focused on not being killed and not being scapegoated and just surviving. He thought he knew himself enough to know that they wouldn't get to him as long as he steadfastly refused to believe.
But he feels doubt creeping in already, as much as he doesn't want to. Bull will kill to save Par Vollen. How could he not, how could he even allow for the slightest chance they aren't bluffing? The hopelessness of preventing Bull from going ahead with this triggers his own terror; he'll do it, and he'll die, and then Dorian. He'll be alone here.
And it feels wrong, too, somehow, to just accept that it has to be that way. As though Corypheus' actions have nothing to do with him, because it isn't his country under attack. It will be his country that accepts Corypheus with open arms if it comes with the conquest of the Qunari. He can't act as though he has the luxury of gambling here when he knows full well Bull doesn't.
This isn't going to end well, especially not for him. Deals with demons never do. If only he could clearly see any other option.
He takes a deep breath, trying to keep himself steady. It's won't do to be overcome when he's the one of them who ought to know what to do.]
There may be some other way. Don't do this yet. Stall, to the extent you can.
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The unmentioned battle continues to be if a demon knows his mind well enough to know Par Vollen, surely they'd know the easiest way to manipulate him. It's easier not to think about. To only move forward.]
They haven't asked me to yet. I won't do anything until I'm sure.
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[He means that to sound practical, and hopes it doesn't come across needy, instead, like he suspects it does. None of this has anything to do with anything about the two of them as individuals, it isn't personal. It wouldn't be fair to demand consideration on any personal basis, it isn't something he's owed. He just doesn't want to hesitate until it's too late, until Bull loses whatever faith he had in Dorian's ability to unravel this threat and comes up with his own solution.]
If it comes to it, I'll do what I can to see you through. It isn't as though the scenario doesn't matter to me. It's only that the best method will be to kill them before anything they threaten comes to pass.