(no subject)

[wickedchase]

FORM: Sending crystal.
SENDER: Twisted Fate
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Games. Isn't it always?
WHEN: Guardian 22
WHERE: Skyhold.
NOTES: Encouraging threads to become action threads, but not necessary.

Haven't had a game in awhile, have we? What a shame.

I have one that should be fairly simple.

I'm in the tavern. Find a way to make me laugh, and I'll buy you a drink.

Straight-forward, yes? You know where I'll be.

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

I make no promises, but we'll see what happens. I've been meaning to catch up with you, anyway.

[wickedchase]

I would always welcome your company, spitfire. You know where I'll be.

[gatheringstorm]

The usual table? I figured as much.

[She doesn't waste much time, heading to the Herald's Rest and snatching up a bottle of wine and some glasses for them both. Fate's game doesn't really come to mind, but if she does make him laugh, he can always get her something else. This is on her. Settling those on the table first, she then sinks down opposite him with a tired but genuine smile.]

Here, on me. I know what you said, but we'll get to that when we get to it. I'm in no hurry to be elsewhere right now.

[wickedchase]

[When Korrin walks in, Twisted Fate is distracting himself, shuffling his cards dramatically as his eyes gaze off in thought. When she arrives, he looks up and smiles briefly before he cuts the deck, places it together, and sets it aside.]

Well, well. That's a flattering surprise. Usually I'm the one buying.

Much appreciated. It's been awhile.

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin shrugs, freeing the bottle of its cork to pour some for them both.]

It's no trouble. Emprise du Lion may be a frozen hellhole, but it's a frozen hellhole that'll make you rich if you know where to look. [Silverite and dawnstone; not all of directly went towards making her friends happy.]

And I know. It's just been one damn thing after another this month, none of it good. [A weak smile forms.]

[wickedchase]

I'm afraid its riches are a little outside my preferences. Give me the opportunity to talk a man out of his coin any day; much more fun than picking rock off the walls.

[To each their own. Fate sits back, then sighs and closes his eyes.]

That... is certainly putting it lightly. I'd say morale is a bit low as of late, all things considered. In a bit of poor spirits myself, hence the game. Maybe someone more cheerful can make it a decent night.

[gatheringstorm]

[Leaning in, Korrin rests a hand upon his. She can't take away what happened, but it always helps to know that one's not alone in the aftermath.]

Yeah, morale is shit right now. Between the rift opening up and the mess with the Crows, it takes a toll. At least we knew what to expect with the Inquisition's current focus, but that crap blindsided us. I'm glad you were with us in Antiva, though. If I had to wade through that clusterfuck, at least it was with people -well, some people- I could trust.

[Still highly wary of the Iron Bull and that isn't changing, not that she can blame him for Taas going berserk.]

[el_tybs]

Games are always fun.

Though I don't think I'll be playing this time. In Emprise and all.

[wickedchase]

A shame. Well, why not an "I owe you", then?

[el_tybs]

That would work. Would that be specifically for playing a game in general or this one specifically?

[wickedchase]

Either. I'm a flexible man. What sounds interesting?

[el_tybs]

Well as amusing as I am, I'm funnier when it isn't planned. So probably another time just playing a game.

Maybe not Wicked Grace. I haven't had a chance to learn that. Unless you want easy pickings.

[wickedchase]

Bah, there's no sport if you don't think you play well. We'll do something else.

Tell me your best jokes or best stories, then. You're killing me here.

[action because yes]

[keeperofmagi]

[She could just reply to the voice, but she doesn't. Instead she heads for the tavern, after a long enough interval to prove that she didn't just go there immediately, to see just what he's been up to that has him begging for laughs in exchange for alcohol.

She knows she isn't going to win the drink, so she just gets two and brings him one instead, setting it down in front of him.]

How is begging for amusement a game, exactly?

[wickedchase]

[Nerva's arrival does surprise him slightly. He doubts she could find a way to win the game, but that's fine enough. Instead, he raises a brow and takes the drink offered to him.]

It's a game because there are stakes, and it is enjoyable. After all, who doesn't like my smile?

[He cracks one at her, but it fades quickly enough as he focuses on drinking his cup.]

[keeperofmagi]

I will go out on a limb, and assume anyone who sees it after they played cards with you. [It's almost said wryly. Almost.]

But I've never known you to need to find your amusement from others. Usually you are happy enough to please yourself.

[Aka: What's up, bro?]

[wickedchase]

Well, that might be true, but at least I'm pretty to look at. [She's not wrong, though.]

And I please myself in many different ways. [Twisted Fate leans back in his chair.] But you're becoming observant, I see.

I suppose things have been just a bit dreary as of late.

[keeperofmagi]

[She ducks down into her bag as he talks - and takes out a small, weather worn and worse for wear chess set, and begins to lay it out in front of him. Benevenuta had been her the itch, for the game, and at least in this way she can claim she is at least attempting to entertain him.]

Attuned, I think, is the better word.

[She sets out the white pieces for him, and the black pieces for herself.]

Dreary? For all of us, or is this a personal storm cloud. [Because she can't really deny the former.]

[wickedchase]

[Ah, chess. This is the kind of game that's almost too serious for him. Of course Nerva would care for it. It's so much harder to cheat at, too.]

A little of both, I suppose. My personal stakes are... difficult to deal with.

...Are you ever afraid? Of getting attached, I mean. To anyone.

Voice

[the_effect_she_has]

Hearty laugh or just a chuckle?

[Is Katniss's automatic response.]

Voice

[wickedchase]

A notch above a chuckle. Let's go with that.

What've you got for me, hm?

Voice

[the_effect_she_has]

I'll just come down and show you.

[He could hear another smile.]

Voice

[wickedchase]

My oh my. Something to show me?

Now I'm very interested.

Voice to Action

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss came down into the tavern about five minutes later - dressed in a long cloak with new armor, dyed a dark forest green. Her expression was ... expressionless, and when she entered she took a moment give a cool look around.

Several of the soldiers went quiet, while others lifted their glass in greeting. She nodded at them, before she went to scan Twisted Fate. She moved across the bar with the silent step of someone who would not have a problem sticking something sharp if she got the wrong kind of look.

She pulled herself into the chair in front of Twisted, and gave him a very bland look, before she stated simply.]

So ... about three weeks ago Buttercup took on Knight Commander Sauveterre with nothing more than his teeth, his claws, and raw determination. [One eyebrow rose.] And Buttercup had him screaming for his Maker in about, oooooh two minutes.

[wickedchase]

[The way she looks is completely serious. As if she has an important matter to attend to. Twisted Fate raises a brow and looks at Katniss, waiting to see what she had to say or do.

What she does say takes him off guard. In the best way.

Fate laughs, pulling his hat down slightly over his eyes.]

My, oh my. You got me, Katniss. Very well played.

I think I owe you that drink, don't I? Unless there was something else you wanted.