001; video

[selfpraise]

[Dorian's making this post from some corner of the library he's claimed for himself. Piles and piles of books can be seen in the background and he also holds one in his hand although he chucks it to one side as the video starts.]

That had to be the quietest party I've ever attended. Not a single death and no one's reputation torn to shreds. Formal events such as this swearing in should have more of high society tearing into each other because how else do you get over the tedium of smiling politely all night?

I suppose the identity game was meant to be the entertainment, but that's a little too Orlesian for my tastes.

[There's a pause as he stares at something out of view, someone walking past who can't believe that he isn't trying to keep his voice down to a whisper. But they don't say anything so Dorian continues on.]

Now where was I? Ah, yes. Change is inevitable and I thought the level of technology would be the only thing I needed to get used to, but if the parties are going to be a lot less bloody then I'd like to know what else I should expect. Keep in mind personal hygiene is still optional to a large number of people back in my world. [He wrinkles his nose in distaste at the thought of people like Blackwall.]

Comments

[whathawksdo]

I have to disagree. Watching a bunch of thugs try and fail to mug me has got to be one of the most entertaining sights in the world.

[ Fun, too. ]

[selfpraise]

You seem so happy to lose your reputation.

[whathawksdo]

What can I say? Sometimes it really is nice to go where absolutely no one knows your name.

[selfpraise]

What could possibly be the drawbacks of having your reputation precede you?

[Other than Cassandra taking Varric prisoner in an attempt to track her down...]

[whathawksdo]

Well, for one, waking up every morning wondering "well, I wonder who'll try to kill me today" gets incredibly dull after awhile.

[selfpraise]

I've gone from fairly well known in Minrathous to relative obscurity in the South so trust me when I say that doesn't change.

At least fame ensures that the smarter ones will think twice.

[whathawksdo]

And did you actually try to keep your head down when you arrived in the South or did you immediately set about making brand new enemies?

[selfpraise]

I kept my head down briefly.

[He had to sneak around Redcliffe so that proves he can do it!]

[whathawksdo]

I'm not sure briefly counts, Dorian.

[selfpraise]

In my defence, I'm mostly fighting demons, cultists and red templars, attracting attention is a necessity.

[Better a target on the Inquisition than someone else.]

[whathawksdo]

Red templars? What, are they an extra angry variety?

[selfpraise]

You know that idol you found in the Deep Roads with Varric...?

[It's almost like Hawke's responsible for every major problem in DA:I.]

[whathawksdo]

[ She isn't responsible for the orb. She is free of orb-related responsibilities. The orb was so not her schtick.

EVERYTHING ELSE, HOWEVER... ]

Yes. The one Meredith... had... [ She doesn't need to be told where the 'red' part of 'red templars' comes from once she gets there. ] Surely they didn't keep that damnable thing.

[ Considering she says this with growing horror in her voice, she's likely already answered that one for herself as well.

Of course they did. Stupid, stupid templars. ]

They all saw what it did to her.

[selfpraise]

Evidently they did or they found another source of it because it's distressingly common now.

[Once Varric's personal quest happens he'll be able to point out a more definite reason for it, but until then Hawke is all he's got.]

You do have a rather messy legacy.

[whathawksdo]

Maybe a little too messy.

[ And she honestly doesn't have to think long to know where else it could be from. ]

The only other place I can think of is the thaig. It had red veins all over the place. [ Why, why, why does it always go back to the Deep Roads? The Deep Roads are the worst, the absolute worse. ] Though I wonder who gave up the location...

[ But there's no real way to answer that, either, so she just sighs. ]

I think I might need to hear the whole story about this future of yours after all.

[selfpraise]

[Dorian doesn't really have to wonder, if it's not her then that means Varric and that might also explain why he's sticking around after Cassandra has stopped trying to keep him prisoner.]

You walked out, the circles took that as their cue to revolt and Southern Thedas has been on fire since then.

Is it the parts pertaining to you what you wish to know or the whole messy affair?

[whathawksdo]

[ Or Carver, but the last thing she's going to do is submit her own brother as a suspect. ]

...so he got his war after all. [ And that's only said after a silence that drags on, long enough that the possibility of her having simply left the conversation entirely could have been. She hasn't, though. She's still there. ] The whole mess, but not over this.

[selfpraise]

[There's no wit or sarcasm in his tone. He's not so much of a jerk that he'd take this lightly when it is a big deal.]

Then come find me when you're ready.