maskormenacelogs | (no subject)

Kidnapped? [ more kidnapped than they already are? .. how does a normal person kidnap the iron bull, anyway? he's not exactly easy to overpower.

he wants to ask, but.. miles' expression. and doubtless, it's not a good memory. instead, he reaches out, fingers briefly, gently closing over one of the other man's hands. they withdraw again swiftly, though, curling in his lap again. ]

I'm sorry, you don't have to-- Tell me more about your Gregor instead.

[ Oh. That small gesture is startling in its kindness. Miles' head jolts up for a moment, bewildered (and pleased). ]

No, it's - you may as well hear about it too. The Russians developed a way to teleport us via our nanites and contained us all on a submarine without our powers. We were trapped there for a week and a half before rescue came.

... Gregor kept me company over the comms as much as he could.

[ he's never quite certain how his more tactile overtures will go, so he's pleased to see that it hadn't--at least--offended miles. he still has no idea what a submarine is (though he can guess from the make of the word that it has something to do with being under the water), but being trapped anywhere for a week would be difficult. especially given that the trapping was done by enemies of this country-- who knows what might have happened there? ]

I'm sorry, I can hardly imagine. [ though he can certainly come close, after that horrific near-future he and dorian had seen. ] I'm glad, at least, that you weren't there longer than that. [ he manages a small smile. ] .. He seems like a good man. I suspect that you wouldn't so obviously care about him if he wasn't, though.

[ Miles comforts himself with the fact that, as far as such imprisonments go, it was relatively mild. No torture, only discomfort. The torture had come later ...

Happier thoughts. Gregor-y thoughts. ]

He's one of a kind. I don't deserve him, to be honest. How he deigned to involve himself with me, I have no idea.

[ he hesitates at the comment, a little startled. ] I'm not certain that you're giving yourself enough credit. I know that we've just met, but.. you seem lovely. [ and mahanon generally has a good sense for people. it comes from training under his keeper, probably-- and also being judge and jury for the inquisition. ]

Were you friends long before you-- [ a slightly flustered pause to choose an appropriate way to phrase it, ears hinting at pink again. ] --ah.. became romantically involved? [ started courting? became lovers? no, no, he definitely chose the best way to ask. ]

Oh, I'm giving myself all the credit I deserve. Not to worry.

[ He waves off the compliment with a much-practiced air of casualness. Self-deprecation is Miles' default way of interacting with the world. ]

Childhood friends, in fact. I can't remember a time when Gregor wasn't in my life in some way or another.

[ the gesture earns a small smile. ] I suppose I'll decide that for myself as I get to know you.

[ at the very least, he doubts that gregor thinks that way about miles. ]

I'm certain it was good that you had one another. [ particularly since miles doesn't seem to be the sort of man to let class rules define him. ] What does he think of being here?

[ Gregor is the very best balm for Miles' hideous self esteem, in fact. But that's neither here nor there. ]

He loves it - when he can figure out what to do with himself. It's all one huge vacation for him.

[ a vacation, is it? maybe that's how he should start thinking about it. it just feels.. wrong, somehow, to be relaxing here knowing what's happening at home. but if what others say is true, then it will be just like his experience with time-magic, and he'll simply go home to the same moment he left. ]

I'm sure we all have trouble finding something to do with ourselves here. [ he breathes a sigh, glancing to his empty glass and, after a pause, pouring another half-glass. ] At least, I've no idea how I'll keep myself busy. I can hardly imagine working in a-- what was it.. tea shop? [ he frowns faintly down at his glass as he lifts it, but shakes himself of the expression a moment later, glancing back up. ] --I'm afraid I'm poor at sitting still for long. A friend from home teases me about it all the time.

Gregor works in a coffee shop, so perhaps it isn't such a bad idea ...

[ He's slowing a bit the further he gets into his second drink. Alcohol always puts him right to sleep. ]

Are you used to roving about, then? Inquisiting?

--Does he enjoy it?

[ 'inquisiting'... ]

Roving about, yes. All over Skyhold when we're not elsewhere. [ he sips at his glass, smiling to himself. is miles getting.. sleepy? oh dear. ] .. I'll tell you about my Inquisiting next time, perhaps.

Yes. He's very satisfied, I can feel it ...

[ He jolts up a bit, trying to look awake. Feel awake, dammit. He has so many more questions. ]

No, no. Now would be perfect. What were you looking for?

'Feel' it? [ that's.. an odd sort of thing to say. but maybe it's just some kind of turn of phrase, or maybe it has to do with how miles is able to protect gregor.

he startles into a laugh as the other man jerks up. ] Miles, it's okay if you're tired. I should hope that this isn't the last time we'll see one another. I'd be very disappointed if it was.

[ Telepathy, in fact, but Miles rolls right on past it. ]

Metaphorically. [ A beat. ] Well - yes, I'd be disappointed as well. But I'm fine. I'm just too small for the alcohol, that's all.

[ that earns a grin. ] Another reason I drink wine by choice. The last time I had drinks with Bull.. [ he trails off, then shakes his head. ] Well. Thank goodness for elfroot and my Keeper's hangover remedy.

[ his hangover might very well have been the stuff of legends, otherwise. ]

[ Miles pauses at that. Considering Mahanon. Considering Bull, and his stature ... And considering the bottom of his empty glass. Yes, he's just drunk enough for this question. ]

Are you two involved?

[ the question takes him by surprise, leaving him looking a little stunned for a second or two there. as the shock wears off, his ears and face start going hot. ]

In-- Involved-involved? No. No, no, I-- [ is that what it seems like? surely bull hasn't said anything to that effect. unless he's involved with his version of mahanon..? ugh, this is headache-worthy. ] No. We're just friends. [ ugh, his face is on fire. ] .. Not that he's not wonderful. It's just-- I don't have time for that sort of.. thing..

Well. You said the last time you had drinks with him ...

[ Miles makes a vague gesture that might have been more illuminating if he weren't drunk. ]

You have time now.

[ if anything, his blush deepens. ] No, we.. sometimes, we just have a few drinks in the tavern, that's all. Sometimes all of us get together to play Wicked Grace. And Bull likes to celebrate after we kill a dragon.

[ his expression falls, looking faintly troubled, hands squeezing together in his lap. ]

.. I couldn't. [ he takes a breath, forcing his hands to loosen again, flattening them against the tops of his thighs instead. ] Anyway, I don't really think about that sort of thing most of the time.

I don't know what Wicked Grace is, but it sounds like you have fun with him, at least.

[ More vehemently: ]

You shouldn't say things like that. Gregor and I did, and we wasted so much time.

I do. I love all of them. We've all.. been through a lot together.

[ for a few moments, he's silent, staring down at his hands. he turns the left one over, rubbing his thumb into the center of the anchor. at the best of times, it aches, a constant reminder that it's there. ]

It's.. complicated, Miles. I'm not even.. [ he trails off, not sure how he intended to continue that. bull had accepted him so easily, but he still feels like some sort of changeling. he's not the inquisitor that bull knows.

he heaves a sigh, reaching for his glass again. ] Well, anyway, like I said-- I honestly don't think about.. romance and that sort of thing. If it happens, I suppose it happens, but it certainly won't harm me if it doesn't.

[ Miles reluctantly reins in his impulse to push harder on the topic. Not everyone needs to be as love-obsessed as him, surely ... but it seems like something everyone should have a chance at. ]

Just don't deny yourself, Mahanon. Speaking as someone who danced that particular dance ...

[ he can't explain how selfish it would feel. he doesn't even know if he's going to live. corypheus is focusing so much of his efforts on killing mahanon, after all, and they still have no idea what effect the anchor will eventually have on him.

maybe one day. ]

I'm alright, I promise. [ his smile returns by degrees, warm and a little amused. ] Bull is quite attractive, though, isn't he? And such a flirt! I actually wouldn't be surprised if he has a partner here. [ or several, potentially. ]

[ Good enough for now. Miles nods and settles back, satisfied. ]

He really is, isn't he? And huge, but that's no drawback ...

[ Miles sure would make a funny picture doing anything with Bull, given that size disparity. ]

To my understanding, most qunari are quite big like Bull. I've not seen many, though.

[ he'd had a chance, but-- well. he could certainly never regret saving krem and the others, anyway.

a beat, and the amusement in his face deepens. ]

Actually, come to think of it.. if I'm being shallow, most everyone I'm surrounded with in the Inquisition is attractive. [ his ears go a little pink again, expression starting to look a hint sheepish. ] .. And it's been months, but I still like the novelty of facial hair on human and dwarf men.