At first, it was only Genthus. Esme peered up at the qunari – and then further still, locking on the animal perched atop his head. Caro had written that their trip into the ruins had been successful, and yet … She still felt poorly prepared for confronting an extinct bird-cat creature this early in the day. It was also disgustingly cute.
“Can I pet him …?” Esme rocked to her toes and was forced to acknowledge that she was far too short to reach no matter what she did. She gave up on the idea abruptly, adjusting her gaze to meet Genthus’ and trying to measure the worry in his voice. “Magnus is missing?” Honestly, she knew the blacksmith only by reputation. Pity, though. It would not be bad to have someone with those skills around on a permanent basis.
Things went quickly after that. Horus swooped in – literally – with a flashy bit of magic. She let the mage talk without interruption, trying to see how he would fit in with the rest of them. Not badly, she hoped – his behavior would reflect on her. Byrne appeared from upstairs and Esme went pink beneath her freckles, staring at him.
“You were here the whole time?” That didn’t seem fair. They hadn’t seen each other for months; not since the wyvern business in the south of Fereldan. The same went for Genthus, of course, but Genthus had not kissed her at the King of Denerim’s ball. Grumbling, Esme went to Ceren and attempted to relieve her of one of her burdens. The food smelled lovely, rising above the background scents of dust and mildew. She patted Horus on the shoulder on their way to the kitchen.
“We all get a say on new members, but Byrne’s the leader. Get to charming.” It would serve Caro right, to be the subject of Horus’ undivided attention for a little while.
@Genthus
@Horus
@Caro Byrne
@Ceren Brynmor
“Can I pet him …?” Esme rocked to her toes and was forced to acknowledge that she was far too short to reach no matter what she did. She gave up on the idea abruptly, adjusting her gaze to meet Genthus’ and trying to measure the worry in his voice. “Magnus is missing?” Honestly, she knew the blacksmith only by reputation. Pity, though. It would not be bad to have someone with those skills around on a permanent basis.
Things went quickly after that. Horus swooped in – literally – with a flashy bit of magic. She let the mage talk without interruption, trying to see how he would fit in with the rest of them. Not badly, she hoped – his behavior would reflect on her. Byrne appeared from upstairs and Esme went pink beneath her freckles, staring at him.
“You were here the whole time?” That didn’t seem fair. They hadn’t seen each other for months; not since the wyvern business in the south of Fereldan. The same went for Genthus, of course, but Genthus had not kissed her at the King of Denerim’s ball. Grumbling, Esme went to Ceren and attempted to relieve her of one of her burdens. The food smelled lovely, rising above the background scents of dust and mildew. She patted Horus on the shoulder on their way to the kitchen.
“We all get a say on new members, but Byrne’s the leader. Get to charming.” It would serve Caro right, to be the subject of Horus’ undivided attention for a little while.
@Genthus
@Horus
@Caro Byrne
@Ceren Brynmor
02-23-2025, 01:59 PM
