Messages - from Emprise du Lion

[the_effect_she_has]

FORM: Sending Crystals
SENDER: Emprise du Lion scouting party (various messages sent out)
RECIPIENT: To Commander Cullen, to the Magi Council, to friends and family
WHAT: Reports, personal messages, flirting, and general griping about SNOW WHY ALL THE SNOW.
WHEN: Covering the three weeks of Haring
WHERE: Emprise du Lion
NOTES: Mentions of violence, of physical torture, of death, and of course, complaining. Why snow why.

Further edit: Katniss's post is screwed up because I didn't realize sending crystals are only auditory. So, please if you will, Katniss is making weird noises in the background of her messages. If asked, she will describe what she is doing.

Comments

[the_effect_she_has]

Hm. All right. Apparently I am supposed to look after him because none of his clan is here, so I am sure we'll get ... really chummy.

[Or he would get kicked into a snow drift.]

... why do I think you are speaking from personal experience?

I can try. I can't promise they'll be nearly as good as yours, though.

[slipshot]

I ah - Let's just say I have a habit of not behaving properly. [A little sheepish.]

[At the compliment he grinned (invisibly) and snorted (audibly).] Are you trying to butter me up for a favour? Because it's working.

[the_effect_she_has]

No.

[She snorts softly, before she thinks about it.] Why, what kind of favor could I get?

[And yes, that's a little cheeky.]

[slipshot]

Well Korrin has taken to requesting massages, so I'm sure we could always start there. [Just as cheeky back - the smirk is audible]

Also, I can run distraction for you. Put me in a room with Merrick and I promise you're not the one he's going to be angry with.

[the_effect_she_has]

Hmmm ... you sure you're not going to try for a massage and just find pointy quills? I've been told I'm a prickly sort.

[She lets out a quiet noise.] ...seriously Gavin, what did you do?

[slipshot]

Even porcupines have a correct way to pet them without getting spines stuck in your hand. [The grin is audible.]

Ah - it's an old, old story, Katniss. I'm just - yeah. It's an old story and one I'd rather just leave behind me, if that's alright. I'm sure one of the others would be more than happy to wax on at length about my failures if you ask them.

[the_effect_she_has]

Well, I can't promise I won't stab you. But I will say sorry afterwards.

[There's a thoughtful pause, before she speaks firmly.] The past is past. We're making a new future here, and you should have the chance to do the same.

[slipshot]

As long as you avoid the kidney's, I'm sure we'll be alright.

[There's a pause on his end - not a long one, just a short one as he takes in her words, and when he finally speaks it is with a small smile, invisible save for the way it softens his voice.] Thanks. I - I appreciate that. And I hope it's true.

[the_effect_she_has]

I promise, I'll avoid the kidneys. Just for you.

[Her lips twitched up at the corners, and her voice is gentle.] It is true, Gavin. At least ... for me and you it is. We're all present, my friend.

[slipshot]

We're all present.

[There's another pause on his end, but then he speaks again, the smile all too audible.]

Yeah. I like that.

[the_effect_she_has]

Good.

[She paused.]

Now, tell me about something beautiful you've seen today.

[slipshot]

Sure.

[There's a small pause as he leans back against the castle wall and looks down into the courtyard.]

How about something from just this minute? There's a healer and one of the refugees down in the courtyard. She's been looking after him for the last three days - he was so rough when he came in that I was pretty sure he wasn't going to make it. But she's leaning over him right now, pressing a damp cloth to the brow, and the light is hitting her hair in just the right way so that it makes the loose strands look like burnished gold, and he's looking up at her as if he's seeing Andraste herself. Her fingers hesitate, but then press gently to his chest, just above his heart, as if to reassure him, and his hand - despite the pain, despite everything - comes up to gently rest his fingers upon hers.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss listened quietly, looking out to the still winter landscape and closing her eyes. Picturing as Gavin spoke, before she sighed out.]

Thank you, Gavin ... that's just what I needed to hear right now. I am so glad you can see all that.

[slipshot]

Anytime, da'len. [He smiles even though she can't see it.]

The world is full of it. It isn't hard to find.

[the_effect_she_has]

You know you're the only person I let get away calling me da'len, right?

[Is her wry, if not fond reply. She is no one's child, after all.'

I am still looking for it, every day. You just have a better eye for it.

[slipshot]

That just makes it sound like I should take advantage of it more often. [His tone lilts with the tease, the smile spreading to a grin, and audibly.]

Ah, it's just practice. You'll find it.