ceejdoesroleplay | Open Post

[The adjustment in grip is utilitarian, at least in his mind, his hand wrapping completely around the elf's in turn and allowing him to keep a better hold. A necessity, it turns out, as the Fade opens in front of them briefly and his vision blurs, breath seizing in his chest at the sudden yank through reality. He stumbles when his feet find solid flooring. Fuck that felt weird.

Taking his hand back, he presses against the wall, peeking out of a boarded window. A throb of pain has him clutching at his shoulder with a heavy grunt, jaw clenching.]

What's going on? [He has to ask; he has an idea that it was involved with the demons falling out of the sky and killing everyone that the mages and templars hadn't, but keeping his head down generally meant missing the nuance of all this.]

[ He doesn't fight to hold David's hand, after all this had been a run to survive. Things happened.

However, when he see's David double over in pain, Sen steps forward to hold David upright. ]

You were injured in the landslide, weren't you? [ It's a side question to be answered later, but he couldn't afford to use his magic to heal Davi quite yet. Not if they wanted to wait for the cultists to pass by and leave.

He could see through the crack that they were already swarming the village. He almost instinctually presses up close to David to get a better look but also out of nervous energy of being found. But, he hadn't answered David's question, had he? ]

They're members of Corypheus army. They've been looking for me for a while...they- [ Should he say he was the herald? No. That'd be bad. ]

They think I know where the Herald of Andraste is currently in the mountains.

[David positions himself, as if purely by instinct, to cover the smaller body between him and the wall with his arm braced against the creaking wood. He huffs and looks at the tacky blood soaked into his shirt.]

Someone brought the mountain down on me, yeah. [He grumbles, watching intently as the armored Tevinter mages move among the deserted homes. He's not too bothered about any of it though; he works better under duress.]

The Herald? Y'mean the fade-touched madman that they're propping up out there with a fucking target on his back? [He doesn't like that, that much is immediately obvious.]

One of them must've done it. They were using landslide to cut me off from my companions.

[ He wonders though if the enemy would just start searching these houses, or just simply set it all ablaze and hope to either smoke them out or burn them alive. In any case that wasn't something to worry about right now. They needed to think of a plan to get out of this.

He glances up at David and purses his lips in thought. Madman? Hm. Suppose he was one considering he took on this whole job based on touching an orb. Though what the man says it definitely felt like that a lot of the time. It's only through his own will and perseverance that he hadn't been used as a figurehead. ]

That would be him. They've been trying to take him out for awhile on Corypheus orders.

[David grunts, still looking sour about the whole ordeal. He has a hand pressed to the wall as he shifts to stare out at the mages spreading out between the houses, knowing that sooner or later they'd be kicking down the door of their little hiding place here. He swears again and starts panning around to find a back way out tht wouldn't drop them into the 'vints' laps, then back to Sen.]

Can you get us out of here? Quietly. Before we get set on fire.

[ The question serves only to get him to start thinking more quickly. What could even do to get them out of here without being seen? His magic was potent but not enough to make a quiet get away.

He grits his teeth as he begins to hear the steps of the enemies drawing closer. Any moment they'd be upon them. If only they could just fade out of-

It's with that thought his eyes do shoot open as he looks back to David. He takes his hand against, gripping it tightly. He'd only ever done this on himself but, if he adjusted the magical energies and the triangulations...

It was a good thing he was a Knight Enchanter. With the words whispered, he swirls his staff around himself and David, creating a Fade Cloak around them. It was adjusted only ever so slightly to allow some invisibility but he knew it wouldn't last long. ]

We have to move now. [ He doesn't give David a chance to retort he just starts pulling him out the door. The cultists would've go further into the village and he doubted they would think to go back the way they came. ]

[David's head dips reflexively as the Cloak is cast over the two of them. He glances around him at the shimmering barrier, then at the elf. A tingle up the back of his neck has him hustling the other along toward the nearest exit that might get them away from the front. He presses his lips together tight to keep his pain to himself.

Following the smaller man's lead, David stays close to keep the illusion together, though he doesn't understand the mechanics of it.]

What'd you do then? [He mutters as they hustle away. He gets the sneaking suspicion that this isn't just some random apostate or elvhen refugee, but he doesn't want to pry into a stranger's business if they're not going to stay together long. The armored robes give him the impression that if they get into a fight that he wouldn't be on his own.]

[ He keeps hold of the Fade cloak around them, it's steady and constant just long enough for them to get out of view of any of the enemy mages. Still, Sen wouldn't be satisfied until he knew they were far off from this place. He doesn't let go of the man's hand and even when they ask him the question he's silent.

He needed all his wits about him to keep this spell going. His eyes dart around when he finally see's a crack in the wall of the mountain. Just big enough for them to squeeze into but small enough to be hidden from view if you weren't looking. He pulls David along, and does one more Fadestep pulling them both inside the crevasse. With the ambient energy of the fade cloak he gathers it and tosses it towards the crack, creating an illusory screen to hide it.

With one long breath, he sinks down against the wall, finally letting go. ]

Sorry. I just wanted to be sure were absolutely safe before we started playing twenty questions.

[ He looks back to the bear of a man and pats the ground beside him. ]

All right, let me see your shoulder...as for what you asked before...

A lot of things. Many things. Many that have placed a target on my back.

[David's face contorts at the Fade Step dragging him along, swearing mutinously under his breath at the jarring of his injury. He accepts the silence, knowing the danger they're in, but he's not someone that wants to just let these things go when they directly affect him.

Leaning his weight against the wall of the cave, David finally lets himself just feel the ache and the stabbing pain in his shoulder. He carefully peels the fabric of his shirt away from it with a growl, teeth gritting.]

Well, I know you're an elf, puts you on the shitlist of half of Thedas. I know you're a mage, makes you a target for most of Thedas. Armor makes me think battlemage, which makes you a threat, which means the Templars are gonna be up your arse... [He hisses a breath and lowers himself to the ground next to Sen, grimacing and pulling open the lacing of his shirt to expose the long, ugly scrape that had come from getting wedged between jagged rock.]

Nothing's broken, thank fuck for that.

[ He purses his lips thinly as David starts listing out just the many reasons for why anyone would be after him. All valid, things he had been chased for before. Even if living as a Dalish elf mitigated the templars it still didn't help.

Seeing the injury, Sen raises his hands to it, frost beginning to form on the tips of his fingers as he places them over the injury. They would release a gentle, cooling air as the magic would soon start to heal and repair the injury. ]

Those would be reasons...but those were Venatori. It doesn't help that I'm the Inquisitor they would so love to hang.

[David gives him a flat-eyed look in spite of the relief that comes with feeling the wounds knitting back together. He's not surprised, that much is obvious.]

Dunno why you didn't just lead with that, would've saved me the trouble.

[The itching around his shoulder intensifies the longer that healing spell is trained on him, goosebumps running down his arm from the cold washing over the aching muscle.]

If you got separated from your people, does that mean I'm gonna have to deal with more of you?

Had to be sure you weren't a secret Tevinter agent, but considering you didn't call out to them when we were in that house I figured you weren't.

[ He says it with something of a chuckle as he just continues to do his work. His fingers would glide a bit around the area as he spreads the energy out and around the wound. The intensity dying down as soothing relief should begin to set in.

As for that question he frowns slightly, unsure. ]

I was out here with three others, so potentially. If they can find us. Though I think they may be regrouping back at camp.

The Iron Bull will likely be devising something to try and find me. He is good at that.

[It's easier to breathe without the pulsing pain radiating into his chest. He quiets down considerably and sags against the stone wall, dragging his shirt off over his head to better inspect both the damage to it and the bloodstains without a thought given to present company. After all, it wasn't as if he cared one way or the other who saw him shirtless, and this was more important than propriety anyway. Healing spells don't clean you up.

At a glance it's clear that his build is pure muscle, scars and hair ranging across his torso, a tattoo of a rose on his neck and a lion's head on his forearm that have to have come from an artisan in a large city, not out here in the sticks. His accent may fit in here, but that was about all that did.]

'The Iron Bull'?

[That kind of name is ominous as hell (just as the owner of it intends) and it makes David a little less sure that this was a good idea.]

[ He should not find this one of the most attractive sights in the world right now. Not in a situation like this, but there it is. A shirtless, bear of a man. Sen just has to slowly look away scratching at his cheek just to not look too long. Can't be disrespectful to the guy he just saved and saved him.

He will just, move right on to the next thing David says. ]

He's a mercenary from the Qunari. Don't worry, he's a lot gentler than the name sounds.

[ Well. Sort of. There's a pause before he finally looks over to David.]

I don't think we had the chance to exchange names. Mine is Sen.

[There's a look on David's face at the mention of a qunari that says it all, that he doesn't like the idea of a qunari coming for them while he's freshly healed.

Balling his shirt in his lap, he turns to watch the mouth of the cave for silhouettes. The mention of introductions softens his expression somewhat, a tiny smirk on his face.]

David. Can't really do introductions when you're trying not to get incinerated.

Isn't that the truth? Honestly, whenever I try to make introductions to the enemy their first response is to throw a fireball my way.

It's very rude.

[ He can only joke in a time like this when things are like this. When everything is terrifying you can only laugh in the face of danger.

Still, he places a hand against is face already feeling the mana fatigue beginnning to sink in. He had no poultices left so any form of combat or support magic would be a no go for now. ]

I'll need sometime to rest before I leave. I understand if you need to be off on your own. You'd be less of a target if you weren't near me.

[David looks back around at the sound of exhaustion creeping into the other's tone. He doesn't know a lot about magic, but he knows from experience that it can be exhausting. Healing probably takes more out of them than martial spells.

The back of one of David's hands presses to Sen's forehead, the other against his own to gauge the difference. As long as it was only exhausting him and not having other ill side effects, he'd call it fine.]

Rest if you gotta. I don't have anything to offer but I can keep an eye out. [He nods at the cave entrance as he says it, then adjusts where he's sitting to lean his uninured shoulder against the wall to give him a better view of the light at the end. The midday sun is muted in the crevasse, making the vigilance more warranted.]

[ He's not sure how to react when he feels David's hand against his forehead. He blinks a few times in confusion but he doesn't stop him. David would feel though that a mild fever was starting to set in on the elf.

He expected that the stranger would've taken the option to leave. He wouldn't blame them, so when David offers to stay, Sen does offer a small soft smile in return. ]

I can't say no to an offer like that. Not within the current situation.[ With that he leans back against the cave wall and sinks down a bit. He just needs to shut his eyes...just for a few minutes.

Just a few...

and a few turned into ten. Then twenty. Then he was out like a light. ]

I'm not that much of a dick to leave someone behind.

[David posts up with his arms crossed over his chest, keeping still so as not to disturb the other's napping. The longer he sleeps, the more aware he is of the sounds of the cave, of the sounds of breathing, and the faint echo from outside, but it really seemed as if they'd lost track of their quarry in their determination to burn everything to the ground to find him.

When the light outside starts to dim, he turns finally, reaching to shake the elf awake. If he didn't respond, he'd be getting carried out of there to try and at least find one of those scattered Inquisition outposts.]

[ He's not sure how long he's out but he definitely starts to feel someone jostling him. He stirs for a moment, his eyes blinking awake as he looks around. It took him a moment to realize where he was. He looks over to David who he only realized he slumped onto during his sleep.

He moves off slowly as he looks out towards the cave entrance. ]

Are we taking shifts or do you think it's safe to leave?

Should get moving now that it's quiet.

[He stands and offers a hand up, before creeping out toward the entrance with an arm out to signal Sen to keep behind him. He peeks out, scanning the wrecked landscape, before finally stepping out into the frigid evening breeze. He huffs quietly and rolls his freshly-healed shoulder, then gestures for Sen to follow. It's safe out here, thankfully. At least, safe from pursuing 'vints.]

Alright, where's your camp? Gotta return you before they get worried and send those scouts out, right?

[He already didn't care to deal with military types, and those that would be scrambling to find their leader probably wouldn't take kindly to some displaced Freemarcher keeping him holed up in a cave.]

[ Sen nods as he takes the man's hand to get to his feet. He follows David out, looking about to make sure there were no nasty surprises awaiting them. It thankfully doesn't come to having to throw more spells...though he had forgotten to let go of David's hand...which he does immediately before the man asks his question. ]

It's a bit far from here. But, if we get to the end of this ravine we can double around.

It may take us a few hours and by then we might run into some of my scouts.

[ He doesn't say anything else on that other than to move ahead of David and begin to lead. ]

Here's hoping there are no more of those insane cultists ahead.

Edited 2022-06-09 20:47 (UTC)

[David wasn't going to say anything, but he didn't keep a grip on Sen's hand either as he led the way out in case they might have to run again.

Oddly though, all is quiet save for the crackle of low-burning flames. He stares around at it, frowning deeply at the carnage he knows spreads out from the mouth of the ravine but keeping his thoughts to himself. He'd come all the way down here from Kirkwall to avoid this kind of shit but it really feels like someone cursed Thedas at large to be perpetually under some kind of attack.

Walking at the elf's side, David can't help but keep a slightly paranoid eye out in case someone might be sneaking up to finish the job now that they'd reappeared.]

I'll get you back to them, but then I'm off. Clearly this place isn't near as quiet as I hoped it'd be.

[He's not much one for conversation, but he does stay close and doesn't ignore or shut down anything that might be asked of him. He does stop when he sees figures running toward them from further up a trail leading into the hills, his fists curling at his sides as if readying himself to fight them all.

Only to have to pause when they stop short and put their fists to their chests in salute. One has a bird perched on his shoulder, a messenger crow from the look of it.]

Your Worship! The others said you'd gotten separated from them. We were starting to comb the area to see if you needed any assistance.

Who's that?

[David puts his hands up, shaking his head. Not his business. Not his fight, not his army.]

I'll just be on my way.

[ Sen is quiet for the most part as they walk. They both at least have the same thing in mind to keep their guard up while on these roads. He looks to David as they speak and a small frown falls on his face. He doesn't say anything but he couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed to hear that.

He might've said something but that is shaken from his mind when he looks to see the figures coming towards them. It doesn't take long for him to realize that they were Inquisition Soliders. He smiles, giving a wave as they approach.

Though his smile falters at the salute. Right.

He's a leader. ]

I'm fine now. When we were cut off I met this gentleman who helped me escape from Venatori forces.

I might not have gotten out of there without him.

[ However, when David says that Sen looks back and almost on reflex reaches out to take him by the hand. ]

Wait.

Perhaps it's better you come with us. It'd be better than staying out here in the wilds and running across more of those brigands. [ The soldiers look momentarily perplexed if not outright suspicious, which they say; ]

Your Worship, are you sure? [ Though Sen takes no mind to their question as he looks to David for an answer. ]

[The scouts' look is briefly mirrored on David's own face as he looks first at the elf, then at the other men that seemed to be waiting for Sen's verdict before moving one way or the other. He has to wonder where they'd come from, if this Inquisitor just traveled with a small army at his disposal.

He looks very unsure about all of this, and it's obvious on his face when there comes an acknowledgment that Sen might in fact want to bring him along.]

Was just intending to see about going further east and seeing if it's any better out there. [He had a thought that maybe Denerim would be better than just staying out here in the Hinterlands. Sure it was still recovering from the Blight, but he might be able to find work out there.

The looks on the scouts' faces make him scowl though, silently challenging them to speak up. One just puts their hands up, while the other points out that it's really no safer out in that direction than it is right here, or up in the mountains. Thedas as a whole was being bent over the figurative pommel horse, so if they can take in one more seemingly competent soul, what's the harm?

A thought makes David bristle.]

'Scuse me for the assumption, but maybe I take some issue with the idea of being recruited. I'll sit still until the fuckin' cultists vacate the premises but I'm not a soldier. You don't want me for your jumped-up holy war.

Open Post

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject