RP: Open

[fereldans_king]

Alistair had found a seat in the great hall, tucked off to the side and slightly hidden by the drapery, and had applied himself to reading the journal that had been gifted to him. Paperwork he might detest, but he had learned the importance of research - not just from reading the endless reports his advisers foisted upon him, but also from Cousland. The man had insisted on reading every book and slip of paper that they had come across in their adventures. Alistair had scoffed at him in the beginning but Cousland had proven how useful it was over time. How the man ever kept it all straight in his head was entirely separate matter of course...

He sighed, and paused for a moment - rubbed his tired eyes and stretched in his chair. The sky outside had not showed any change in lighting, still that ugly, roiling gray, and the buzz of magical energies grated on his teeth. He'd tried to sleep, briefly, but had given it up for lost. Now, though, he was beginning to feel the stress of it.

He closed his eyes for a moment, and leaned back in his chair, his head bumping against the wall. Alistair went over the current situation in his head, trying to straighten it all out.

Two Cullens - one who suffered yet more demon-related trauma (poor man didn't deserve that), and another who's been exceptionally quiet. Three Dorians - whoever that is. Flirtatious man, by his writing. If Zevran were here, he'd would get along with any of them like a house on fire. A slew of people from some strange world without magic and flying ships. An elven woman named Sera, who Leliana seems to known, but isn't ours. Alistair's face took on a sad expression, tinged with frustration. Multiple Champions of Kirkwall and Heroes of Fereldan...but not my Hero of Fereldan. And no one else besides Leliana who would know me.

That was a slightly upsetting thought. There's at least one other me, though I haven't seen or heard from him at all. I can't blame him - I don't know that I would want to be confronted by whatever did or didn't happen to me, simply because Cousland wasn't...well, wasn't. He shook his head, but remained leaning back in his chair, eyes closed.

What a mess.

Comments

[fereldans_king]

"That's excellent news. The Wardens have had enough trouble with the world...indeed, we could even say that the world has had enough trouble with us! If it succeeds, it will change the way Thedas looks at us." Alistair looked thoughtful, but pleased.

"Neria mentioned that she would be willing to share what she had found. I only wish I had some help to offer her."

[wardenalistair]

"I would say we've had enough of changing the way the world looks at us for recent history, but if it means I get to die in a bed next to Neria instead of at the end of a darkspawn's blade, I'm all for it."

Alistair folded his hands on his stomach and got a dreamy expression on his face.

[fereldans_king]

Alistair gave his other self an amused look, and then gently prodded him in the side. "It looks as if someone has missed his wife more than emotionally, if you're thinking about being in bed with her."

[wardenalistair]

"Ha!" Alistair chortled, though he blushed brilliantly.

"That was...not what I meant...though I can see why you got that idea. Er. Well. Anyways. You would too if she was your wife, believe me."

He blushed more at the admission and had to look away, lips curling up at the edges.

[fereldans_king]

Alistair chuckled. Had he ever blushed this easily? Did he still turn that brilliant shade of embarrassed red? It was such an education, seeing himself from the outside.

"I imagine that I would, considering I have more than enough evidence of that in front of me." Alistair's grin was fond. "I am glad that she makes you happy. In all sorts of ways, even." It was his turn to do a ridiculous impression of Zevran's outrageous leer and eyebrow wiggle.

[wardenalistair]

Alistair's laugh quickly turned into a loud moan at the leering and he covered his face with a hand and groaned.

"Maker's breath, that was terrible. Did my face look like that too? Blessed Andraste. We should never do that again."

[fereldans_king]

Alistair laughed. "Well, we learn knew things every day. I wasn't aware how bloody red I turn while blushing, you didn't know how ridiculous we look imitating Zevran."

[wardenalistair]

"Hmm, yes." Alistair wrinkled his nose.

"This has been a very insightful experience, I'm sure." He gave a lopsided grin.

[fereldans_king]

"Insightful, embarrassing, educational...I'm sure we could come up with a host of words to describe it." Alistair hummed thoughtfully, and then grinned at the Warden. "So, are you going to introduce me to the woman who swept you off your feet?"

[wardenalistair]

Alistair squinted at his other self, his ears going red. Again. Maker, embarrassing was definitely the right word for this situation.

"Well," he said quickly, to cover his awkwardness, "I suppose that seems only fair."

[fereldans_king]

Alistair smiled disarmingly at his other self. "You look like you expect me to be up to something nefarious." He shook his head, chuckling. "I assure you, I'm not. I would just like to know what to look for if I ever get the chance to find my own happiness."

[wardenalistair]

Alistair made a face and looked vaguely guilty.

"When you put it like that, there's no resisting you," he said, then paused to examine to smile his other self was wearing.

"Is that what they mean when they say I have puppy eyes?" he wondered aloud. "Because if so...that's...that's...hm." He wrinkled his nose and admitted, "Probably accurate."

[fereldans_king]

Alistair laughed. "Really? Pushing past the age of thirty and we're still being accused of using puppy eyes to get what we want?"

Alistair's eyes roamed his companion's face, and sighed. "Though now I understand why I've been told so many times that I shouldn't play cards. You wear your emotions right there on your face." He paused, and sighed. "Which of course means I do as well. Something to work on, I guess."

[wardenalistair]

Alistair waved a hand. "You...you do that, Mr. Kingliness. I'm sure your job requires more subterfuge than mine. For me, that just sounds exhausting."

He sat up, running a hand back through his hair.

[fereldans_king]

"It is exhausting. But necessary. Can't have the Duke of Such-and-Such knowing that you think his doublet is an awful color and his nasally whine obnoxious." Alistair stretched, luxuriating in the soreness that had already developed form his bout with the Warden.

"Though if I remember, Warden politics are a little less ridiculous than Orlesian ones. So maybe you won't need that particular skill."

[wardenalistair]

Alistair arched a brow and smirked. "Oh, are we really so snooty now that we are going around judging the color choices of people and their doublets? I never thought I'd see the day. Though I suppose, to be fair, there were some truly atrocious Orlesian fashions making their way insidiously into Ferelden when last I was at court." He shuddered.

"I don't think I would call them as ridiculous, no. But a bit absurd? More overt and less 'ooh let me smile in your face while I send someone to spill all your family secrets, incite your ruin, and drive you to suicide,' certainly. But they are still far too...hrm, well, political, for my taste, with the First Warden practically angling for the throne of the Anderfel. Or so everyone says, and I really haven't seen much to say otherwise. Still, I'd rather grimace in his face and be upfront about my dislike than not. Seems dishonest."

[fereldans_king]

((OOC: Sorry for disappearing! I thought I had responded to this a long while ago. Would you like to continue this, or have another thread where the four of us (Daylen, Neria, and us two Alistairs) finally meet?))

[wardenalistair]

(OOC: Oh, no worries at all! We were pretty much winding down anyways, I think. I'd totally be down with a scene with all four of us - that sounds amazing. And my Alistair can be less guilty and more happy for you, haha.)

[fereldans_king]

((OOC: Sweet! Maybe once the giant drama with Meredith has resolved itself somewhat?))

[wardenalistair]

(OOC: Sure! Honestly, I'm open to whenever :))