...who let him even use the network, honestly

[deconsecrate]

[ Travelers, remember when you were recently informed about a terrifyingly organized group of dragons? And how this information was imparted in a manner grave, suitably solemn and noble and stuff?

...this probably won't be anything like that, just as a precaution. ]

Not to interrupt anyone's plans for the evening, but--

[ Hawke does not have any of them fancy image-sharing skills, so you're all just going to have to take his word on this. ]

I probably should let someone know there's herd of dragons on the move here, making a terrible mess of the tournament-grounds between Rivergard & Westgard. Bit bigger than the last ones, although not as many! Thank the Maker for small favors.

Does anyone know what you call a venery of dragons, by the way? I've always wondered*.

*[ no he hasn't ]

Comments

[deconsecrate]

Do try to give some warning first. I'm much too young for a heart attack. You could make a flappy hand gesture or something!

[blackhand]

And where would the fun in that be? I'd get to miss seeing you nearly fall on your face.

[See, Hawke. He cares. Really. This is how he shows he does.]

[deconsecrate]

So your idea of fun is 'sadism.' I'll keep that in mind when birthdays roll around. What if I got you a pillow with a face on it? Hours of enjoyable stabbing.

[ Oh, Hawke can tell. Truly. ]

[blackhand]

More like 'watching people make fools of themselves.' But if you confuse that for sadism then who am I to judge?

Also. I don't have a birthday.

[Nyeh nyeh that's what happens when you're born and dropped off at an orphanage and have no parents, you don't know what day or year you were born.]

[deconsecrate]

That is sadism, my glowering friend.

Maker's sake, everyone has a birthday. You may not celebrate the anniversary, sure, but even if you sprang fully formed from a rock - and I don't discount the possibility - you've got a birthday.

Obviously this will make your surprise party just that much more unexpected.

[blackhand]

I don't really see a point to it- you're another year older. That's it.

Isn't that the whole thing about a surprise party? Usually you don't tell the person on the receiving end about it.

[deconsecrate]

Not if they know when their birthday is, you don't. But in your case ...from now on, any corner you turn could have a cake behind it.

[blackhand]

I'm sure you'll find the time to make one.

[Hawke, please, you're in the middle of a Jaunt and food cannot be made in Liminal Space. Good luck.]

[deconsecrate]

Spoilsport.

[ He's not actually sticking out his tongue ... or is he, it's a psychic conversation. You don't know. ]

[blackhand]

Now that's a nickname I'm familiar with.

[It's one of the nicer ones, at least. Hawke will definitely note the amusement that comes with that statement.]

[deconsecrate]

Mine's Chuckles.

[ He wears it with such pride, too. ]

[blackhand]

If we were in the City, they'd call you a loudmouth. That and throw you into the Keep. [A beat.] Well, when there was still a Keep around.

[deconsecrate]

Sounds a lot like home. Would this imprisonment be for my cunning wit, or some other offense I commit just by breathing?

[ You know, like being a mage. ]

[blackhand]

Would you be surprised if I said both?

[You get killed for stealing a loaf of bread, shot in the back by a crossbow bolt. Not to mention any kind of opposition gets you hauled away to gods know where.]

[deconsecrate]

Not really. I did live in Kirkwall.

That means nothing to you, of course; you'll have to take my word for it that the 'Free Marches' are freer for some people than others.

[blackhand]

I'll put it this way- the City is no rose garden. Unless you're high society, you're as good as dirt.

[There's a pause, this is something he's told people in the past.]

It makes my job all the more fun, honestly. Keeps me on my toes.

[deconsecrate]

That's any city, isn't it?

[ No. You two just have canons with horrifying poverty gaps. ]

So if I want to see you smile I just have to find you something to steal. Got it.

[blackhand]

Apparently.

[More like the worlds just didn't want to make anyone happy. That works.]

It's one of the few things.

[Neria knows more, but she's had the advantage of knowing him longer. Hawke will just have to learn over time.]

[deconsecrate]

At least it's consistent.

[ Small favors. His voice could dehydrate the Amazon Basin. ]

As are you, I might add.

[blackhand]

[He'll get a scoff for that, but it's an amused one.]

I'd be a poor thief if I wasn't. Though I've been known to do the odd thing from time to time.

[More like all the time, Garrett. Going and exploring an exploding building and then going to an asylum for answers? And stealing stuff from both places? There are no words for that amount of crazy.]

[deconsecrate]

You'll have to regale me, some day when I'm not surrounded by dragons.

[ Sure there are! Three of them. 'Video game protagonist.'

...anyway, on a more relevant note Hawke thinks he may get some backup here, but if not ...well--actually, speaking of that amount of crazy. Oh dear. ]

[blackhand]

Make sure you don't get burned to a crisp.

[That's his way of saying "don't die, I actually might like you."]

[deconsecrate]

Immolation's not high on my list for the day.

[ u 2, bro. ]

[blackhand]

I'm almost afraid to ask what is.

[Spoilers: he's not.]

[deconsecrate]

A decent place to drink would be a good start. But failing that I'll take 'keeping most of my skin where it's supposed to be.'

[ Is the answer everything you hoped, Garrett? ]