dendarii | [IC] Faderift Voicetesting

[IC] Faderift Voicetesting

[ 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. ]

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Sorry, sorry!

[ she only sounds so apologetic, though, laughing as she is, just happy to see him. seeing him whole is good enough for a smile right now. everyone's acted so spooked and on eggshells about the subject of miles's magic that it's gnawed at sonia a bit, worrying her, but he seems alright. that's good enough.

she sets him down firmly on his feet before she lets go, pressing a kiss to his forehead -- and then she actually gets a look at him and holds him out at arm's length, plucking at his tattered sleeve with a scrutinizing frown. ]

And what is this? Good God, Miles, you don't dress yourself like this, do you?

[ He seems - well, as healthy as he ever is. Tiny and frail, but certainly bright-eyed. The outfit is a bit rough around the edges to be sure, and definitely in a Rivaini style rather than something Ferelden. He tries to strike a pose, though secretly he's dismayed by her frown. He'd like very much to impress her. ]

What, you don't like it? All admirals dress like this in Rivain.

[ They really don't. ]

Then I'm afraid to break it to you, dear cousin, but you're absolutely blind to fashion. No self-respecting man of rank would walk out of his house dressed like that on purpose.

[ it is delivered utterly fondly, though, and while she might be strongly tempted to take him on an immediate shopping trip, she looks intrigued, her eyes bright. ]

Oh? So it really is true, then -- you haven't been telling me tall tales in all those letters? You've really got a whole fleet?

Ah, well. I admit we had a bit of a rough journey here. We're doing our best.

[ He really ought to tell her the truth. Now, before she finds out from someone else. But - that intrigue in her face is something else, isn't it? He can't help but try to live up to the image he presented in his letters. ]

I truly do. The Dendarii Free Mercenary Fleet - perhaps you've heard of it?

Hm, well -- I suppose you're forgiven, then.

[ all in good humor; she's just happened to see him. and now he really is impressing her -- her eyes go wide, and she claps her hands together. yes, of course she's heard of them, how could she not? it's not the kind of thing she keeps an ear to the ground for, but she's heard plenty of third-hand tales over a bottle of wine. no doubt some of them are just as exaggerated as she suspects some of miles's letters are, but those stories got around for a reason. ]

That's you? Miles, that's incredible! I thought you'd went off to Rivain to study.

[ at least, that's as far as she'd been told. she'd always worried the truth was something somewhat less benign. ]

[ Ah, how can he tell her the truth when she looks so excited. It's much easier to lean into the lie. ]

I did go to Rivain to study. I just also took over a mercenary fleet in my spare time.

Clearly they didn't give you enough to study.

[ she's practically radiating delight. all the apprehension about magic, the questions she has and the worries, too -- those can all wait. right now, she just wants to hear about miles...being miles. ]

Goodness, how fast did you have to talk for that? That's quite impressive even for you, Miles.

[ she's known him since he was little. he's always talked his way into everything, just like she's always tricked her way into everything. well, tantrums have always been a good failsafe. ]

[ Miles is always gonna Miles no matter where he is. He grins back at her, hands on his hips. ]

I promised a captain a little ancestral land. By the time he realizes it was Blight-ruined, I'd made off with the ship. One thing led to another.

You didn't. [ she sounds absolutely gleeful. ] And you got a whole fleet out of that? You've really outdone yourself, Miles. I'm so proud.

[ maybe she shouldn't be? but come on. ]

[ Probably not but. That's. Quite okay really. ]

It all got out of control, honestly. I kept digging myself in deeper.

[ sonia delicately lifts an eyebrow. ]

Mm. Sounds familiar. [ she waves him closer, placing her arm around his shoulders. ] Come, come, we must catch up, dear cousin. I've got a lovely Barra vintage stashed in my room -- perfect for the occasion. How is your family, these days? We don't hear all that much from Uncle Piotr.

[ Oh. That sparks Miles' interest. ]

Tell you what. I'll tell you about how my gran'da is doing if you give me some of that wine first.

[ she grins. ]

I thought you might be interested. Come on, I'll show you my quarters -- it's not quite home, but it's not too bad, given what I've got to work with.

[ her quarters are also...five flights of stairs, so she's already a little rosy-cheeked by the time she's dug out the bottle. she retrieves two small glasses. ]

Alright, spill. What's going on with your family? Your letters always talked more about your fantastic adventures. How are your parents doing?

[ she misses them. they were fun relatives. ]

[ Yeah uh. Miles is huffing and puffing by the time he gets up there. Stupid tall stairs and stupid small legs. He's more than happy to fall into a chair, or flop onto the floor, or whatever is readily available really. And hold a hand out for that glass. ]

My parents are doing fine. Doting as ever. Da's not disinherited anymore, so that's something. I had a chance to stop in and see them on my way here.

[ oof, poor miles. maybe she ought to have offered to carry him...no, that would've been a bit insulting, she supposes. she pours him a generous cup, settling back onto her bed with her legs drawn up beside her. miles can have the desk chair. ]

Oh, I'm so glad to hear that. Your grandfather's finally come to his senses?

[ A lot insulting. He'll take the wine, though, and gulp at it in between breaths. His feet dangle a few inches off the floor from where he's sitting.

Though, he makes a face at that comment. ]

More like he's given up on getting a grandson who can inherit. He's trying to convince my parents to have another child, I think.

[ oh boy, inheritance issues. sonia wrinkles her nose in a wince. ]

What a spitefully stubborn old man. Are your parents considering it? I mean -- do they want to?

[ Miles is silent a moment. Of course Aral and Cordelia would never consider it, but. Miles doesn't entirely believe that. ]

Shouldn't they? Otherwise it's the end of the Kosigan Banns.

[ sonia lets out a little scoff over the edge of her glass. ]

Don't be ridiculous. A little inheritance hiccup won't end the Kosigans. Besides, you took an entire mercenary fleet -- you think you can't take your grandfather's title? [ she tilts her head, sipping. ] I'm sure your father would want you to have it.

[ Miles relaxes a bit at that. The wine helps, and so does Sonia's optimism. ]

Da likely wants to. Yes. If Gran'da doesn't decide to declare one of his horses an heir instead.

[ you can always count on sonia for unrelenting, if sometimes inappropriate, optimism. ]

I'm certain he does. And I don't know -- Uncle Piotr has always seemed a little too grounded for that sort of thing. I'll bet you could wrest it out of him yourself.

[ not easily, though. sonia thinks for a moment on the implications of a Fereldan lordship being inherited by an apostate -- generally not good. but if anyone could make it work, it'd be miles. ]

[ Probably quite bad. A frail, notoriously short apostate at that, though it's the magic more than anything working against him; his height mostly makes idiots whisper about elf blood, despite elf heritage really not working like that, and Cordelia being thoroughly human.

Anyway. He takes another long drink. ]

Mm, well. He did give me his seal dagger before I went. Even if I think he intended me to cut my own throat with it.

[ sonia's eyebrows knit in a delicate way of making a face without...actually making a face. she spoils it immediately by taking a sip of wine and then actually making a face. ]

You know, sometimes I'm amazed we're related on your mother's side. I do think your grandfather and my uncle share some unpleasant sensibilities.

[ Oh Sonia. He's charmed, though, grinning a little at her. ]

It seems to be endemic to the Banns of that region, eh?

[ But he says it with a hint of fondness and pride. ]

To the banns indeed. And may I never be counted among them.

[ she raises her glass in a toast with just a touch of dramatics. she winks over edge of her glass at him. ]

But never you, dear cousin. Your heart is much too kind for that, I think.

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