[IC] Faderift Voicetesting

[dendarii]

[ Well this is a surprise. Miles has been all over the damn continent, and a decent portion of the ocean besides. But the last thing he expected when he'd offered his totally-legtimate-definitely-pirates pirate fleet to the Inquisition was to see his family again. Probably the only two people in the damn world who'd care to torpedo the image of Miles the Rivaini Mercenary Captain - Byerly out of spite, and Sonia out of joy. (It's kind of a shame in Sonia's case, because he's quite fond of his second cousin.) ]

What in damnation are you doing here?

[ Accusatory in Byerly's case, quietly exasperated in Sonia's. He's trying to cut an impressive figure here. Hard when he's a slim little thing in slightly tattered mercenary grays - though perhaps the hulking Qunari mage nearby makes up for it. ]

Comments

[dendarii]

[ Miles twitches a little. There's a clear moment of struggle on his face where he tries to decide how the hell to play this. The Qunari is already turning, looking delighted - Miles has cousins? Why didn't he tell her? - which sort of decides things for him. Blight. Blight and destruction ... ]

I ought to say the same for you. Last I heard you were a drunkard sleeping with your sister.

[bouchonne]

[ That lands. It's a rare hit that lands on Byerly, slippery and twisty as he is, but that does, and visibly so; for a moment, he stiffens, and his eyes widen, and his hands clench into fists so hard that his knuckles go white and he trembles. And there are no words. Rare, that Byerly is without words.

It doesn't last long. Just a single heartbeat before By forces himself to relax, even though he hears his pulse pounding in his temples, even though he feels queasy. Even though he'd like to put a fucking dagger in Miles' throat. He feels his mouth smiling, and he hears his voice saying: ]

Sometimes one craves a change. But of course I needn't tell you that, coz. Since you're constantly running from one thing to the next soon as the last one fails. Say, have you killed Old Man Piotr yet?

[dendarii]

[ Miles doesn't get much joy out of the jab anyway. A glint of smugness at By being lost for words - replaced by a wince of his own in turn. Piotr is and will always be a sore spot for Miles. He'd spent his whole like desperate for the man's approval, and then his magic had shown up ... ]

How could I have? I've not been home in ages. I'm surprised you recognized me at all.

[ He's kind of built this whole pirate thing out of people not recognizing him. ]

[bouchonne]

Well, you're so distinctive.

[ The sneer is audible. And - just to ensure Miles doesn't miss his point - he holds up thumb and forefinger to his eye, only an inch or so apart. ]

You know, I'm not sure that the Inquisition needs another apostate.

[dendarii]

[ That's an easy target, long since scarred over, but he still smarts. Byerly gets a bright-eyed glare. ]

A Rivaini Seer with a free mercenary fleet, you mean. Haven't you heard of Admiral Naismith?

[bouchonne]

No.

[ Yes. ]

[dendarii]

[ A small eye roll. ]

Oh come on. Give me that much. I know our raid on Dagoola Isle was famous enough.

[bouchonne]

[ An elegant shrug. ]

Perhaps you're famous in the shallow waters of your homeland. Ferelden cares little for you.

[dendarii]

[ Another wince. ]

I'm Ferelden too. As much as I am Rivaini. Gran'da was going to make me his heir.

[ Until the magic showed up, anyway. ]

[bouchonne]

Are you?

[ By makes a grand show of looking Miles up and down. ]

You don't look Ferelden. You look like a foreign hedge-mage. Showing up here with a ragged bunch of outlaws.

[dendarii]

A seer with a mercenary fleet. What did you turn up with, a bottle?

[ Though Miles' own little band is kind of ragged honestly. Taura is the most impressive one of the lot of them. ]

[bouchonne]

[ Yes. ]

And my wits. Alas, would that you'd come with something similar.

[dendarii]

[ A snort at that. ]

You think I got this far on my brawn?

[bouchonne]

I assume your mother got you this far. I know she was quite the criminal herself, back before your father was caught up in that madness.

[dendarii]

[ That's an old one too, a little less sore. But he still looks annoyed. ]

My mother was an expeditionary leader. Hardly a criminal.

[bouchonne]

Really? What I've heard is that she was a cunning adventuress who ensnared a good Ferelden man with blood-magic, wrecked him, wrecked his estate, and bore him an heir befouled with the taint of magic.

[ By presses a hand to his chest. ]

I mean - that's what I've heard. I'd never use that sort of language myself.

[dendarii]

[ That hurts a hell of a lot worse. Miles glares hard for a moment, then mutters something - and sets Byerly's coat on fire. It's barely more than a spark, but he sure hopes it smarts. ]

[bouchonne]

[ By jerks, and lets out a vile curse - rips off his coat and hurls it down on the ground, stomping on it furiously to tamp out the fire. And he lifts a fist - but doesn't punch Miles. Instead, he turns it into an accusatory finger shoved into the man's face. ]

Yes, coz, let's see how well that apostate nonsense goes over when you're pleading your case to the Inquisition.

[dendarii]

[ Ha. Miles lifts his chin as high as it will go - which isn't far, but. ]

I'll be useful to them. That's the only criteria.

[bouchonne]

Really? That's what you think? You think they won't worry about the disgrace of being associated with you? They're trying to improve their image.

[dendarii]

If that were true, then you wouldn't be here.

[bouchonne]

[ His smile is chilly. ]

I think my use might outweigh my scandalousness.

[dendarii]

[ He gives Byerly a sarcastic little bow. ]

Well, there you have it.

[bouchonne]

And what use has the Inquisition for ill-tempered, ill-disciplined bandits?

[dendarii]

Ill-tempered, perhaps. But my group is quite effective.

[ As. Obviously ragtag as it may be. ]