[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

[vorbratta]

[ 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.

[dendarii]

[ 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.

[vorbratta]

[ 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. ]

[dendarii]

[ 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.

[vorbratta]

[ 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?

[dendarii]

[ 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.

[vorbratta]

[ 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?

[dendarii]

[ 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.

[vorbratta]

[ 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.

[dendarii]

[ 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.

[vorbratta]

[ 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. ]

[dendarii]

[ 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.

[vorbratta]

[ 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.

[dendarii]

[ 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. ]

[vorbratta]

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.

[dendarii]

[ Miles returns the toast, draining his glass. ]

Too kind for what? To be a bann?

[vorbratta]

[ sonia laughs easily, her usually cheerful mood a bit more relaxed than usual. ]

Don't be silly, Miles. You'd make a terrific leader for just that reason. Cruelty isn't a trait -- it's a vice, and one you don't have in common with some of our family.