[He looked down at the basket in his hand, feeling a little less foolish while staring at it rather than her. He glances back up when she mentions his name, wondering if she too knew all about him thanks to some book Varric apparently writes at some point. If she has heard of him, she does a good job of playing it off.]
Yes... that is my name. And I am from Thedas. I just didn't expect... [He motions vaguely at the basket with his free hand.
He once again looks up, giving her a subtle, crooked smirk and soft chuckle.] Even if I hated them, it wouldn't do to admit such a thing to an Antivan. Especially not one as thoughtful as yourself.
I am. You have good hearing as well as a sharp mind.
[The smile returns, confident now that everything is more clear and that he knows better than to insult her meager Antivan cooking. He's back in her good graces.]
I was remiss in not leaving a more thorough note. I apologize for that. I should have realized receiving gifts from strangers would be odd but I had hoped it would make your coming here a little less, ah... less of a hardship. [Less terrible, really, but that was close enough.]
Hm, yes, I'd heard Antivan desserts were a good cure for slavery. [He cringes slightly at his bitter statement. She was trying, and she certainly didn't deserve his misplaced anger at the situation they both found themselves in.] I'm sorry... I suppose, I'm not quite settling in as well as I'd have hoped.
I- the gift is appreciated. So, thank you. [He bows his head slightly in gratitude and apology.]
[Josephine doesn't cringe - too practiced at hiding her thoughts in court - but her smile does thin a little]. It is quite all right. I don't believe there is a proper timeline for settling in. You should take your time, as you need.
[They're platitudes, she knows, but that's all she can offer him.] You're quite welcome, but I wish I could do more. Is there? Anything I can help you with.
[Even if she had cringed, Fenris would've missed it, his focus on anything but her, head bowed in apology, his eyes on the ground.] Still... there's no advantage to be gained from driving people away. [Which was unfortunate, because that was a skill he had.
He glances back up, poorly masked surprise in his eyes at her offer.] Not that I can think of, no.
Well. Maybe. Out of curiosity, how long have you been here?
[How long was something a touch trickier to explain.] Well, in truth, I seem to have just returned. It felt like I was gone for many years but apparently that time hadn't passed in the same way. So I've been in this place for... almost a year now?
A year? [He nods slowly, slipping into an unfocused, contemplative frown.]
I find this place... very confusing. Perhaps you can clarify a few things? I think you may have had the longest stay out of anyone I've asked.
[His frown deepens a little more as he tries to figure out how to phrase the main problem he's having.] We are... slaves. In a way. I understand they're harvesting the energy we produce. From sex. And they've provided rooms and feed us, but do not pay us, and we're not free to go home. So, in that way, we're very much like their property.
But aside from that requirement... we're free to come and go as we please? To move out? Work? I assume they do not give us an allowance of any kind. What happens if we commit a crime? All of that is very new. And not very slave-like.
[She nods. When he says it like, it seems like so long but in truth time had flown by. Far more easily than she had imagined.]
I can answer any of your questions to the best of my ability.
[He speaks and she tries to follow, nodding at times to urge him to speak.] It is a very unusual circumstance but I believe - and perhaps I'm mistaken as I'm not versed with magic - that the energy that we exude is, in their opinion, worth it all? Perhaps their hold on us has such a reach that no matter where we are here we are still useful to them. And as long as we live and breathe and... [And have sex, but she says that instead with flourish of a hand.] then it hardly matters what we do with ourselves.
As for a committing crimes [Her knows wrinkles - shows what she thinks of that.] we are still at the mercy of the city's laws, but more than that, it might result in physical harm or death, which would stop our usefulness as their source of energy. So they would dissuade us from such things.
[He crosses his arms over his chest, but slightly slouching like he was, it almost looked more like he was holding himself. Obviously, no one would enjoy being in a position like this and they were all in the same boat.]
And they obviously have some way of enforcing this. I've heard the longer you postpone the more -[he looks a little uncomfortable having this conversation with her now, since she herself was avoiding any cruder language; he clears his throat]- desperate you become.
And then there are these -I'm not sure what to call them. 'Pranks' seems much too innocent a word.- Magical traps? Curses?
[He looks deeply thoughtful for a moment before nodding. That was the golden rule to survival as a slave - never stop being useful. The moment you did, you were as good as dead.]
[She appreciates the attempt at subtlety, even if they're both making it more awkward than necessary. She gives him a smile for the effort, though.] It can be, or so I've heard. I've never prolonged it so far. The very atmosphere here can be, ah, quite convincing. [She resists the urge to adjust her collar, for fear of bringing light to the warmth on her face.]
These pranks, that is somewhat new. [After the first day - that first disastrous day - of the pranking she hasn't felt the need for it and she found herself looking down disdainfully at the practice. What this seeks to serve? I have yet to guess. The whims of these witches sometimes are beyond my understanding. Though I suppose I shouldn't think to understand the minds of kidnappers, their thoughts diverging so completely from what I would ever do.
[She refrains from shrugging, as if that would make things too casual and dismiss them completely.] We simply make do with what we have.
[His eyebrows hitch up at her admission, surprised by how candid she is about it while she'd purposely been avoiding outright talking about sex. The contrast makes him chuckle quietly.] By atmosphere, you mean the curses? The food at the last party was all laced with magic, and I think I could venture a guess as to what the curses would encourage. Not to mention the mistletoe.
And you... you aren't bitter? I can't help but feeling as though our options are either to find a partner we don't truly want to bed, or at least not immediately, or be drugged or cursed into doing it.
[His frown deepens at her advice. None of it is alright, and yet obeying is better than death. It was a sentiment he'd used to understand very well. His expression shifts to something blankly resigned.] Both options seem equally horrible.
[She nods, glad to be spared the crude language. There are times to use it. First meetings are not among them.] There are parties like that. In fact all of their parties are such, some simply more than others. [They aren't bad, per se, but no being drugged with anything, especially magic, wasn't quite nice.]
I... [She gives him a lopsided look, lips thinning as they press together but neither scowling or smiling. She clearly doesn't know how to explain that she isn't much bitter about things in general.] I do wish I could go home and stay there but one can't simply spend their time being angry and wishing. At some point we can only make do. The enjoyment of, ah, the lovers you choose here can be what you make of it, to some extent. Some with certain... specialized desires... [She coughs delicately.] might have more trouble than others but companions can be found and pleasant ways to spend the time are possible.
[Fenris' expression is a mix of awe and respect and envy at the attitude that seems to come so easily for her. He tended to dwell on things, stewing and brooding, for far longer than those things deserved, but he'd always been that way. Still, it didn't mean he wasn't trying to change that about himself, not blind to his own shortcomings.]
I suppose, making the best of things is all we really have left to do. [His stubborn side disagreed. 'Making the best of things' sounded a lot like giving in and doing what they were told.
There were easier things to think about though.] Specialized desires? [He chuckled quietly.] And do you have any of those?
[She can guess what he's thinking, bets that it feels like giving in, and she gives him a look of sympathy in turn.
Before she can say anything, he turns the questions back on her. Her first instinct is to sputter a little and turn red.]
No. [She looks away, wondering for all the world if the ground could swallow her whole.]
I meant... That is... Other people, I mean. [Her own preferences and leanings were not nearly as scandalous as some but this reaction isn't helping her case.]
Ah, yes, other people. Of course. [His tone is completely serious and borderline apologetic, but the glint in his eyes and the slight curl at the corner of his mouth sends a different message.
They all had quirks, whether they indulged them or not.
He clears his throat and shifts the basket of goodies to his other hand.] Anyway, now that I know this was actually intended for me, thank you... I probably shouldn't take up more of your time, but it's a pleasure to meet you, Joesphine. [He gives her another half bow, a slight incline of his head.]
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Yes... that is my name. And I am from Thedas. I just didn't expect... [He motions vaguely at the basket with his free hand.
He once again looks up, giving her a subtle, crooked smirk and soft chuckle.] Even if I hated them, it wouldn't do to admit such a thing to an Antivan. Especially not one as thoughtful as yourself.
... Unless I've misplaced your accent?
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[The smile returns, confident now that everything is more clear and that he knows better than to insult her meager Antivan cooking. He's back in her good graces.]
I was remiss in not leaving a more thorough note. I apologize for that. I should have realized receiving gifts from strangers would be odd but I had hoped it would make your coming here a little less, ah... less of a hardship. [Less terrible, really, but that was close enough.]
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I- the gift is appreciated. So, thank you. [He bows his head slightly in gratitude and apology.]
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[They're platitudes, she knows, but that's all she can offer him.] You're quite welcome, but I wish I could do more. Is there? Anything I can help you with.
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He glances back up, poorly masked surprise in his eyes at her offer.] Not that I can think of, no.
Well. Maybe. Out of curiosity, how long have you been here?
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I find this place... very confusing. Perhaps you can clarify a few things? I think you may have had the longest stay out of anyone I've asked.
[His frown deepens a little more as he tries to figure out how to phrase the main problem he's having.] We are... slaves. In a way. I understand they're harvesting the energy we produce. From sex. And they've provided rooms and feed us, but do not pay us, and we're not free to go home. So, in that way, we're very much like their property.
But aside from that requirement... we're free to come and go as we please? To move out? Work? I assume they do not give us an allowance of any kind. What happens if we commit a crime? All of that is very new. And not very slave-like.
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I can answer any of your questions to the best of my ability.
[He speaks and she tries to follow, nodding at times to urge him to speak.] It is a very unusual circumstance but I believe - and perhaps I'm mistaken as I'm not versed with magic - that the energy that we exude is, in their opinion, worth it all? Perhaps their hold on us has such a reach that no matter where we are here we are still useful to them. And as long as we live and breathe and... [And have sex, but she says that instead with flourish of a hand.] then it hardly matters what we do with ourselves.
As for a committing crimes [Her knows wrinkles - shows what she thinks of that.] we are still at the mercy of the city's laws, but more than that, it might result in physical harm or death, which would stop our usefulness as their source of energy. So they would dissuade us from such things.
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And they obviously have some way of enforcing this. I've heard the longer you postpone the more -[he looks a little uncomfortable having this conversation with her now, since she herself was avoiding any cruder language; he clears his throat]- desperate you become.
And then there are these -I'm not sure what to call them. 'Pranks' seems much too innocent a word.- Magical traps? Curses?
[He looks deeply thoughtful for a moment before nodding. That was the golden rule to survival as a slave - never stop being useful. The moment you did, you were as good as dead.]
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These pranks, that is somewhat new. [After the first day - that first disastrous day - of the pranking she hasn't felt the need for it and she found herself looking down disdainfully at the practice. What this seeks to serve? I have yet to guess. The whims of these witches sometimes are beyond my understanding. Though I suppose I shouldn't think to understand the minds of kidnappers, their thoughts diverging so completely from what I would ever do.
[She refrains from shrugging, as if that would make things too casual and dismiss them completely.] We simply make do with what we have.
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And you... you aren't bitter? I can't help but feeling as though our options are either to find a partner we don't truly want to bed, or at least not immediately, or be drugged or cursed into doing it.
[His frown deepens at her advice. None of it is alright, and yet obeying is better than death. It was a sentiment he'd used to understand very well. His expression shifts to something blankly resigned.] Both options seem equally horrible.
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I... [She gives him a lopsided look, lips thinning as they press together but neither scowling or smiling. She clearly doesn't know how to explain that she isn't much bitter about things in general.] I do wish I could go home and stay there but one can't simply spend their time being angry and wishing. At some point we can only make do. The enjoyment of, ah, the lovers you choose here can be what you make of it, to some extent. Some with certain... specialized desires... [She coughs delicately.] might have more trouble than others but companions can be found and pleasant ways to spend the time are possible.
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I suppose, making the best of things is all we really have left to do. [His stubborn side disagreed. 'Making the best of things' sounded a lot like giving in and doing what they were told.
There were easier things to think about though.] Specialized desires? [He chuckled quietly.] And do you have any of those?
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Before she can say anything, he turns the questions back on her. Her first instinct is to sputter a little and turn red.]
No. [She looks away, wondering for all the world if the ground could swallow her whole.]
I meant... That is... Other people, I mean. [Her own preferences and leanings were not nearly as scandalous as some but this reaction isn't helping her case.]
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They all had quirks, whether they indulged them or not.
He clears his throat and shifts the basket of goodies to his other hand.] Anyway, now that I know this was actually intended for me, thank you... I probably shouldn't take up more of your time, but it's a pleasure to meet you, Joesphine. [He gives her another half bow, a slight incline of his head.]