merchantprince | driftfleet inbox.

That's not-- I mean, the Chantry symbol is a sun, but-- shit.

Okay, so maybe Thedas is a little backwater. Just because we don't have fancy light switches doesn't make us stupid though. Just bored. And more prone to murder, apparently.

Is it? [He lets out a "ha" sound] Man, and I was just grasping at sticks there.

But haha- alright. If you say so. Though I haven't heard of a world that isn't prone to murder- so I guess Thedas has company in that?

You know what they say: money makes the world go 'round. And time is money. And murder is also money. It's all connected.

Bullshit. Not that many people murder strictly for money. It's not a good business model. How can you make money if everyone's dead? Even most weapon dealers usually try to spin their merchandise as a way to "protect yourself - has a nicer ring than a way to kill people, you know?

Now beliefs and ideals - twist those around enough and those are sure to cause the murder rate to spike.

It's a way of thinning the competition! But seriously, there's a lot of murder where I'm from. You stiff someone two hundred sovereigns in a trade deal, they'll turn around and pay three hundred to have you shanked. That's how it is.

That's true... but when the war is over, the underground is still making money. Gotta consider that.

Really, huh? [He doesn't sound fazed, assassinations is just the thing in Tethe'alla] So what's the most anyone's paid out to have you shanked?

Yeah, but think about it- the Underground's hellbent on making money because it's their belief that's what important, right? Either for their own greed, or because the money is going for something they have beliefs in. Why else would they go through that trouble? It's just shiny coins at the end of the day- right?

Something around... eight hundred sovereigns? [He shrugs.] A lot of people want me dead. Obviously I'm still here, so none of them were able to make it happen. What a shame.

[Varric doesn't mind philosophical discussions. He's thought about it a lot himself.]

Hmm... yeah, I see it. Greed is definitely the biggest motivator for people. Like the Guild... and the Carta... and pretty much everyone. Never really thought of it as a belief though. But it is.

[He makes an impressed whistle] Wow, nice job! You should see if you can get that up to four digits next.

[he gives a heh sound]

Ha- yep. The belief that makes the world go round or whatever. [a beat] Not sure how well that expression works in space.

You know, that's not a bad idea. If nothing else I'll be a thousand sovereigns richer.

[He pauses too.]

I'm not sure either. Maybe we should make up new sayings.

Yeah, exactly! It sounds good too.

[He gives a heh] I'll let you do that- Mr. Wordsmith and all that.

[There's a pause like he's going to say something more, and he scratches the back of his head]

Anyway....I should probably thank you. For all the stuff you've done with Robin and Nel. [Since let's face it, if Varric hadn't been around making things go smoother- Kaneis probably would've let Fenris have another round]

[Varric takes a drink. You can bet it's alcoholic in nature.]

Don't thank me. If I'd been quicker, Nel would never have seen anything... That poor kid. All I can really do is damage control at this point.

[He rubs at his temple.]

I just hope we did the right thing. It's not... like me to get involved in shit like this. I'm usually smarter than that.

[Bullshit, he thinks. He's heard Fenris and Merrill tell stories and sing praises of Varric enough times to know this is a guy that can't help but wanna help out folks. Like he's a few cool points away from reciting those damn Dwarven Vows.]

[He won't say that though. Might as well let Varric have his denial. But seriously, this guy is such a dwarf]

Don't kick yourself too hard. I don't think any of us, including Fenris, foresaw he was gonna kill Robin that day. Planned murders are a little more...planned?

[OR AT LEAST, NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAYSTATION. And he sure hasn't seen any sign of Fenris being here to pick up the pieces. Thanks man :\ ]

...I've been wrong before, but I think it was. I mean, best case scenario- Robin's like a deadbeat parent who needed a kick in the head. And worst case...well, I've seen worst case. No one wants that going on in the fleet.

Fenris is definitely not one for foresight, I can tell you that much.

[That would be the first time someone's ever called him a dwarfy dwarf. Everyone's always asking where the beard is.]

Worst case, we all start taking turns killing the guy since he apparently can't die. I still haven't gotten an explanation for that but it's probably safe to blame our gracious kidnappers.

I would've never guessed.

[Hey, he kinda likes the beardless dwarf look. It answers the ancient question of what a dwarf chin looks like-- turns out a little bit like Gaston's. Huh]

I...don't know about that. Not that I don't think Atroma can't bring back the dead it's just- [How to say it] Well, I've died and been resurrected before. And I can say it took me longer than a day to be able to casually chat up a public network like that. And why would he tried to hide he died and got brought back anyway?

There's something weird about the guy.

[... Well. Yes.

Varric does a little doubletake, not that the audio feed catches it. There are no walking dead jokes or anything like that, though. Because here's the thing-- if people can be brought with different memories, then they can probably be brought back from the dead.]

That... doesn't sound pleasant. Sorry you had to go through that. [What else can you say to that? Shit, he's not meant for this.]

There's definitely something weird about the guy and it's not just his piss-poor decision making. The elf seemed sure he'd come back-- not that it would've stopped him if he couldn't.

[Frankly, even HE'S not meant for this. He really didn't mean it to elicit sympathy- more stating a simple fact to show a point. So hearing someone give condolences...ergh, time to make a joke]

Eh. Least I came back pretty. That's the important part.

Fenris was likely sure because...well, as much as I hate to admit it, I'd found evidence that Atroma possessed similar resurrection capabilities as the Initiative in Exsilium - the guys who brought me back. And...I may have told him so when we were talking about demons.

Edited 2015-02-12 15:02 (UTC)

[Varric responds positively to joking through awkward conversations.]

That's right. The hair is really something else. What's your secret? Do you condition your hair with the tears of the competition?

[He can see it. But then Varric's smirk falls somewhat.]

Well... shit. [He shakes his head.] Don't beat yourself up over it too much. The elf was in Exsilium, too; he would've figured it out at some point.

Realistically, you can't lock a bunch of people in a tiny space and not expect them to kill each other eventually.

[Look at mages and templars.]

Haha, wouldn't you like to know~

[As in, he ain't telling you shit about his secret Varric. YOU CAN'T BE TRUSTED.]

...Well that's a cheery outlook on our situation.

Don't worry, I know he would've figured it out. And like you said, even if he didn't think Robin would come back- it probably wouldn't have stopped him.

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