we're not lost, we're on an adventure

[chainlightning]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Merrill
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Tips and tricks for navigating the city
WHEN: Now?
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: c:

Hello everyone! If you could do me a favor and not cut any of the long strands of twine you might see around the city, that would be wonderful. It's to help people get around. Myself included - lived here for years and I live for a while and can't remember where anything is!

[ Not that Merrill was very good at remembering where things were when she was in Kirkwall every day anyway, but. ]

If anyone else is having a hard time finding their way around, a ball of twine is the best way! It'll get you back to where you need to be.

Comments

[chainlightning]

Not at all! It's never been much of a problem before, but I'll take extra care, Fenris. I promise.

[ speaking of- ]

How are you?

[lyriumcarved]

Just don't say I didn't warn you. I doubt Kirkwall has improved that much since we've been away.

[Though it's true, Hawke did a lot to get rid of some of the criminal activity that plagued the city. Fenris is cynical enough to be certain that it's all just started up anew by now.]

Aside from questioning my latest choices, I'm fine.

[.......]

[Oh, he... should maybe say something to reciprocate. To be fair, she's alive, people around her are alive, and she apparently hasn't made any hideous disasters happen with that blood magic that he's heard of. Which is... Something. It's grudging but he finally asks,] You?

[chainlightning]

Oh, probably not. But at least Varric's been back here for a while, I'm sure that's helped.

[ Or... something. ]

Your latest choices? What are those?

[ All true! She even helped rip Justice out of Anders, Fenris, aren't you proud? Or... something? ]

Oh! I'm very good, thank you. I have a griffon friend now! His name is not Feathers, but he's still very fluffy.

[lyriumcarved]

If anyone could manage such a thing... it would be Varric.

[And not that he's completely against the idea of returning. For all of its downsides, and areas that aren't worth visiting... there's sections that are worth it, that have a very freeing feel to them.]

Returning to the Inquisition, mainly. I haven't decided if I mean to stay. [Though he knows that his goals are very much in line with many of the Inqusition's. Enemy of my friend is my enemy and all.]

They let you near the griffons? [What could possibly go wrong?] The Wardens don't mind this? [At least, he'd always assumed they were just a Warden... Thing. Still, if it works out, maybe it'll keep her... busy with something. That's probably for the best.]

[chainlightning]

You don't necessarily have to stay. The help is appreciated.

[ And he's not wrong. What they're fighting against could hurt them all, if not do worse. ]

Oh, yes! I was one of the people to help rescue them from Weisshaupt. And the Roostmaster has been okay with anyone visiting, really, as long as they don't do anything to upset the griffons.

[ Besides, "helped rescue the griffons" is kind of a thing you can't ignore. ]

[lyriumcarved]

The Inquisitions enemies are worth fighting. I figure I have that incentive at the very least.

[He's just not so sure there's room enough for the both of them, when it comes to him and Anders. But they did make it work before, with Hawke and everyone. Somehow.]

I'm sure the griffons themselves must be very selective about who they trust, as well, and rescuing them is one way to earn it. Have you flown on him yet? [Who knows, maybe caring for a griffon is a good thing where Merrill is concerned. It gives her a sense of responsibility.]

[chainlightning]

They are. Several Venatori captured some of my friends and I- well. I had sort of wished I was you, when we cornered them. [ The heart ripping part. She wanted that. ] I threatened to castrate one instead.

[ That sounds- still horribly cheerful. Oops. ]

Not yet! He's a bit smaller than the rest so I didn't want to accidentally hurt him. We did a lot of bonding, though -- grooming, treats, that sort of thing -- and work with his harness.

[lyriumcarved]

[Well, this is at least something they can agree on... ensuring that Venatori die painful deaths. Something to bond over for once.]

It would have been a well-deserved punishment. I'm sorry I missed it. But there will undoubtedly be more opportunities where those came from.

[There always seem to be plenty more out there to deal with.]

At least it seems you're taking this matter slowly and with caution. Consider me surprised. [If he'd simply been told "Merrill has a giant killer flying creature for a pet now"... let's just say he'd not have guessed it going this well. So far at least.]