#hammeredtime

Yellow eyes peered out through strands of near black hair as Dastan tilted his chin up in response to the bartend's question of whether or not he wanted another stout now that his first was finished. And just like that, another was delivered. No words necessary. Though if you asked the wolf they seldom ever were.

The men at the end of the bar were getting rowdy again, their incessant (and increasingly loud) lewd commentary about every female that walked by suddenly focusing in on the lone brunette who'd settled on a stool nearby. Either the tall woman didn't notice, or she didn't care. She could have been hard of hearing, though the dock hand doubted it as she'd carried on a conversation with several of the staff over the course of the evening.

Greed:

1. He cleared his throat.  "In what manner are you speaking?  There are many truthful answers to this question.  I can honestly say that everything I have done has involved my wife."  He grinned with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.  "I'm certain you want more, but information isn't free."

"Sometimes I believe that you are speaking another language, and I should be grateful that I don't always understand you.  But, I have no idea what you are referring to."  She blinked at Gamlen with confusion.  "I do have a fair bit of tattooing done on my body that means quite a few different things aside from the Vallaslin upon my face."

There had been rumors brewing within the Gallows that smugglers were slipping lyrium into the city to apostates illegally through various means.  After several debates about the legitimacy of all of the claims, one seemed to stand out above the rest in the eyes of all present for the discussion; at least everyone but Orsino himself.  If lyrium were being smuggled in, it was definitely in its pure state and not inside sausages, watered down in other potions, or laced in cheeses.

However, it was up to him to assist the Templars track down any such sources that might exist within the city at large even though he was certain it would be on the black market far away from any eyes that could possibly discover it spontaneously.  Even still, he was assigned his own duties that entailed going from every cheese vendor in the city and check their stock, including any private stores they might have.  It had taken him most of the day visiting the docks checking imports there straight off the ship.  But, he, nor his contingent of Templars, had discovered anything out of the ordinary except for maybe the strange scent of some very ripe cheese.

Unfortunately, that left him going door to door to find the last few licensed cheese vendors in the city that might have anything out of the ordinary.  All of the addresses except for one led him to store fronts and owners happy to oblige him looking over their stock of cheeses, but it only led to frustrate Orsino more that he had been set on this task along with the two goons at his side.

At the last store front, he obtained a small snack and a cool beverage that cooled his temper a bit while he sat out beneath the haze of lowtown, surprisingly, he felt more comfortable out here than he did walking the streets of hightown.  Granted it had been a while since he really fretted it any longer; fool me once shame on them, fool me twice shame on me.

Reluctant to follow up the private residence lead, he called Ryleigh ahead of time to confirm the resident of the location to make certain this wasn’t something he was walking into that was apparently fraudulent.  Everything cleared with the name on the paper, so he glanced from his armed escort to the street upon which the apartment stood matching the numbers on his piece of paper with the ones on the door.

The last thing he needed was to knock on the wrong door in this neighborhood.  He could already hear the mabari behind the door begin to move as he lifted his hand to beat out a few knocks upon the door, which was swiftly followed by an unpleasant growling from the dog on the other side.  It was going to be a long ending to a very long day; he could already tell.   At least he didn’t have to pretend to be annoyed at having to do this chore Meredith had sent him on.

Send ✆ for a morning text

When you wake up, give me a call?  I need to ask a favor.  It’s important.

Send ✉ for a text that wasn’t sent

Can I use some of your cheese?  I want to cook something special for… Oh, I’m not quite ready for him to know who I’m actively involved with.  I’ll find cheese elsewhere.

Send ☎ for a rushed text

Templars Find Beth

Send ☏ for a loving text

I will never understand what goes through your head sometimes.  The length you go to for me and my family at times, leaves me speechless.  Thank you, I know you don’t get told that enough.

Send ⁇ for a drunk text

Adddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd.

Next morning –

Sorry, I passed out on my phone was going to ask you to come scrape me up from the bar if you weren’t busy.  Apparently I was a little too far gone.

Send ø for a late night text

I never thought I’d be asking you for backup, but after last time, could you watch my back for a job?  If you’re busy I’ll find someone else —

Send ✘ for a hateful text

Look, if you’re going to fall back into old habits again.  I don’t want to see you anymore.  I can’t pick you up off the couch like that again only to have you fall back into it with open arms.  If you love us, your family, or just me, fight it; you’re better than that and you can do it.  Don’t take the easy way out. 

17 - Your muse thinks they are a superhero, and keeps trying to stop crimes. Mine tries to make sure yours doesn’t die.

“Cops?  We don’t need any fucking cops.”  Gamlen Amell charged out the door, draped in… was that a tablecloth?  Morrigan pinched the bridge of her nose.  “Cheeseman’s got this covered!” he announced, half-stumbling into the alley. 

The witch could have walked away.  Wanted to walk away.  Very quickly.  But she had promised Elissa she would keep a watch on the man until the psychedelics wore off… whatever they were.  If he got himself killed, her friend would never forgive her. 

It’s my muse’s wedding day —— to the wrong person. Your muse tries to stop it.

"So… why would a blood mage choose that len’alas lath’din, of all people, to ensnare in marriage?" Keita tried very hard not to be revolted in front of Elissa, but it was difficult. 

Elissa smirked slightly anyway, despite the worry that was clearly plaguing her. “I think it’s meant to get to me. Since I’ve been reentering the political world, most don’t really approve of our relationship. I think someone decided to rectify the problem.”

"Why not kill him?" The question was blunt, but honest. Which had to count for something. 

"To hurt me more, probably." Elissa’s tone was also matter-of-fact, though Keita thought that it was more of a pride thing, disguising her distress.  

"Right. So I am to act as a distraction, while you sneak up behind them and break the spell?"

"You got it." 

Keita nodded, a grin quickly spreading across her face. “Understood. Have fun killing the bride!” 

"Stabbing the groom is not an acceptable form of distraction!"

"Fun ruiner!" 

—-

Keita waited impatiently in the audience for her cue, remembering Elissa’s instructions. 

The Mother who was not a mamae— which was confusing but so was the entire religion— droned on endlessly until she finally came to the question; "If anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot be legally joined in marriage, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

Keita shot up from the back row, “I object!”

Far too many eyes for Keita’s comfort were suddenly fixed on her. The Mother raised an eyebrow elegantly, “Your reasons?”

Gamlen, of course, smirked, “Aww, you afraid you’re missing your chance with me knife-ears?” 

No stabbing, no stabbing, no stabbing… "The bride is certifiably insane?" Keita offered, reaching vainly for a good reason to object.

The bride huffed angrily and Gamlen laughed, “Oh yeah?” 

"Obviously no one with full possession of their sanity would want to marry you." 

"I’m hurt, knifey." 

"Not yet," Keita muttered under her breath, before raising her voice again, "Honestly though, have you seen him? She must be crazy." 

The Mother rolled her eyes, “Any actual objections?”

"…he is secretly a frog in disguise?"

"Any legal reasons these two cannot be wed?” 

Keita grinned charmingly, seeing a shadow slowly moving behind the alter, “Necrophilia is illegal, is it not?” 

"Well yes but-"