[ Nell's neither gone nor woken by his knock--judging by the damp hem of her skirt and the bruise still darkening on her collarbone she's only just arrived. But there's a fire already lit in the hearth behind her, and his pleading grimace draws a smile to belie the roll of her eyes as she steps back to gesture him in. ]
It's like someone's hit the whole city with Winter's Grasp.
[ Kostos clocks the bruise, gives it an acknowledging eyebrow raise that borders on congratulatory, but doesn't ask who. It'd be awfully hypocritical. ]
I want to die, [ he agrees, without much feeling, and makes a beeline for the fire. He has too much dignity—by his own insistence—to lie down in front of it like a dog, but only just. He stands directly in front of it. ] Skyhold is this way all of the time. We camped on the ice. You were right to wait so long to come.
[ Nell acknowledges his eyebrows with lift of her own and a tilt of her head that together form a shoulderless shrug. ]
There's a chair-- [ she gestures at the desk across the room in offer, then turns her back to shed last night's clothes with shivery efficiency, hauling on clean shift and robe in its place. She drags a blanket from the bed behind her as she moves to join him. ]
Sounds perfectly miserable. Camping on the ice?? Maker, it's a miracle the Inquisition has any mages left.
Perhaps it's a conspiracy. Keep us uncomfortable enough and we'll want to go back.
[ Except he's relatively fine now, settling into the offered chair. Nell is much better at fire than he is. And maybe Gareth is slowly freezing solid in his bed, but he's tough, like jerky. He'll probably be able to thaw back out without any permanent damage, so. Conspiracy thwarted. ]
[ Nell drops to sit on the floor beside the chair, curling up beneath the blanket, and tipping her head to rest against Kostos's knee. She knows he won't like it, but that's beside the point. ]
Tempting. Do you think Tantervale's liable to be any warmer?
Yes, investigate. She's becoming a prominent voice against the Inquisition and they'd like to know more about her, to figure out how to handle it. The Templar, Ser Coupe, who ran Chantry Relations and now Forces. She agreed I should do it.
Maybe. That will depend what we find and what the Inquisition is willing to do with it. It's a sort of test, to see what Coupe has the stomach for and where her priorities really lie.
Edited (totally changed my mind ) 2017-12-30 22:39 (UTC)
[ wouldn't want him to have an allergic reaction or anything ]
Well, I know there are rabbits, so at least some lion tracks.
You wouldn't even need a disguise for infiltrating Tantervale. I've always imagined it as a place where everyone wears black all the time and never smiles.
[ He nods. It probably can’t be felt in his leg. But it’s followed up a second later by his standing up and offering a hand down to Nell if she wants one getting to her feet. ]
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It's like someone's hit the whole city with Winter's Grasp.
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I want to die, [ he agrees, without much feeling, and makes a beeline for the fire. He has too much dignity—by his own insistence—to lie down in front of it like a dog, but only just. He stands directly in front of it. ] Skyhold is this way all of the time. We camped on the ice. You were right to wait so long to come.
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There's a chair-- [ she gestures at the desk across the room in offer, then turns her back to shed last night's clothes with shivery efficiency, hauling on clean shift and robe in its place. She drags a blanket from the bed behind her as she moves to join him. ]
Sounds perfectly miserable. Camping on the ice?? Maker, it's a miracle the Inquisition has any mages left.
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[ Except he's relatively fine now, settling into the offered chair. Nell is much better at fire than he is. And maybe Gareth is slowly freezing solid in his bed, but he's tough, like jerky. He'll probably be able to thaw back out without any permanent damage, so. Conspiracy thwarted. ]
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Tempting. Do you think Tantervale's liable to be any warmer?
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You would die in Tantervale.
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I was sort of asked to investigate the Grand Cleric there and I'd like to do it.
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If we're going to try working within the Inquisition, might as well...work within it. Our interests might align, here.
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Like our interests aligned in Nevarra?
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sorry i'm late
[ Kostos puts his hand on top of her head and doesn't quite muss her hair, just for a second. ]
Be careful.
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I will. You could come, you know. Lend me your scouting expertise.
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Anyway. He considers. ]
Do you think there are lions in Tantervale?
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Well, I know there are rabbits, so at least some lion tracks.
You wouldn't even need a disguise for infiltrating Tantervale. I've always imagined it as a place where everyone wears black all the time and never smiles.
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Whereas you will be instantly uncovered, because you’re so funny.
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[ Whatever, she knows he loves her. ]
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[ She knows. She also yawns, and it turns into a sigh, head turned so her forehead rests against his leg. ]
I need a nap. Stay? It's too cold to sleep alone.
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