crystal.

[exequy]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Kostos & Nell
RECIPIENT: Crystal owners in or near Wycome
WHAT: Questions
WHEN: The night before the Grand Melee
NOTES: cries about our lack of texting

I lost a bet. [ Just getting that out of the way now, before anyone thinks that he actually wants to be talking to any of you. ] I have to ask you these survey questions. You will not be able to remember them all, so answer whichever you have something interesting to say about.

[ And you know what's really fun to listen to? Nearly twenty questions read off a sheet of paper, rotely and with barely any inflection, by someone whose combination of Nevarran and Orlesian accent gets more difficult to understand the more annoyed he is. ]

One. The weirdest thing you've eaten here.

Two. The most successful quote, international relation, end quote.

Three. The most impressive thing you've seen. —that is horrifically broad, Nell.

[ From some distance away: ] Your mother is horrifically broad.

Maybe.

Four, the strangest banner or coat of arms or nickname. From a competitor, I assume.

Five, the best one of those things.

Six, the most entertaining failure. From a competitor, I assume again.

Seven. Who do you think will win the Grand Melee, and how much are you willing to wage on it? If it is more than ten sovereigns, please let me know.

Eight. The most drinks you've had in one night this week.

Nine. The Inquisition member most likely to get married here and leave the Inquisition forever.

Ten. Best prize.

Eleven. Best facial hair.

Twelve. The competitor you would prefer to swap bodies with for a—this is stupid.

[ Still over his shoulder somewhere: ] For a day! Come on!

A stupid day. Thirteen, the event you wish had been included.

Fourteen, your best guess as to what made the animals so sticky.

Fifteen. The nation here you would most like to party with.

Sixteen. The nation here most likely to be cheating.

Seventeen. Best muscles.

Eighteen. The event you would have won if it existed.

Nineteen, the combat event animal that likely had the cutest offspring waiting for it at ho— [ Rapidly getting louder: ] Maker's tits, that is not on the list—! And wyverns aren't cute! [ There are sounds of a brief scuffle, and then it cuts off. ]

Comments

[nadasharillen]

[she remembers]

...Had you my eyes you could look as fondly as you liked for as long as you had them, Myr. If every-- [ hnngh ] --if near everyone in the Inquisition saw, I'd field every question if it meant you could see the way he looks at you.

[faithlikeaseed]

[...oh.

...oh.

he'd had an answer for the first one but this trumps that. he's a few moments responding; clearly touched when he does.]

...I'm not sure how I could ever repay you for that--but--

Thank you.

[pause, then gently teasing,] Besides not make moon-calf eyes at him anywhere Cade might see; I'd not raise any questions you'd not wish to field.

[nadasharillen]

[There's a slightly embarrassed chuckle.]

Gifts aren't for repaying, but that would be...

[she'd been happily joking, but they'd meandered into land she still couldn't grasp the lay of, despite the oddly desperate importance mapping it held.]

I don't think he'd ask.

[a pause, she thinks of attempting to make it back to banter, doesn't know how. She'd done this to herself, although it had been worth it to hear Myr's genuinely touched tone.]

[faithlikeaseed]

[and now the teasing's gone, but his tone is still gentle,] From all I know of him, I'd think he'd want to and not have the words.

I would not put something like that between the two of you. You've both been so good to me--and deserve only the best.

[that's probably way too serious; he'd had a feeling it needing saying, though, and isn't inclined to ignore those.]

[nadasharillen]

[You tryna make her cry, Myr?

If so, it doesn't quite work, but her low laughter is just a little rough.]

I think our shared penchant for thinking quickly down any given road has got the better of us this time.

[faithlikeaseed]

[Never.

Well, not deliberately, anyway.]

I'm inclined to agree, [ruefully]. Shall we find another that's easier to walk?

[nadasharillen]

[dry humoredly] Let's. How about the immediate solving of all international difficulties, the sound drubbing of Corypheus, and the unification and resurgence of elvenkind.

[love is hard, y'all]

[faithlikeaseed]

[love is hard; he quite agrees.

and wisely does not make any comment on how heavy it must rest on her if all of that is easier]

Right. We'd best apply ourselves to the first; as I'm thinking, the other two follow naturally from it.

Though if we get so far everyone's living in complete harmony, the Maker will return and Andraste appear to put all things right, so we won't even have to lift a finger.