I. So lost... [ Open ]

[friendofthedead]

WHO: Merrill, and whoever!
WHERE: Heropa
WHEN: October 10
WHAT: Merrill getting lost, nothing out of the ordinary!
WARNINGS: None!



[ Everything was so new so confusing, that it was almost a bit overwhelming. From the bustling town full of peculiar buildings, oddly dressed people, and the streets being full of... Well, she would like to assume they were steel wagons. They were so quick and dangerous, and Merrill was ever so thankful she didn't end up getting flattened by them. That aside, the news and the strange happening of her being here... That certainly was one of the top overwhelming things about this place. Though it certainly was fascinating in its own way! Especially the city she found herself in. Many things of course caught her interest, but the main thing that was on her mind was... Well, how utterly lost she was.
Wringing her hands together, she looks about in an owlish manner; attempting to figure out which way was what... And where she needed to go exactly. Yet the more she looked at the area, the more lost she found herself. Immediately, she begins pacing about; muttering to herself as she does so. ]

It's alright, Merrill. I can figure this out, even if you are in a new city, full of things you don't understand. It wouldn't be the first time...

[ Even her own words of encouragement gave no help, but her train of thought is abruptly ended the moment she feels something light and fuzzy scramble over the top of her foot. A startled gasp leaves her lips, and she nearly reels back. With wide-eyes, she peered in the direction of the assaulter.

Only to see a rather scrawny cat, booking it around the corner. Perking up just a little, she opts to follow it; rather than doing anything productive with her time. Hastily, she scrambles around the corner after it. She could hear the clattering of what she assumed was metal, and once she rounds the corner--She finds herself in an alley way that was littered with toppled trashcans, presumably from the cat. Minding her step, and totally disregarding the awful stench of a back alley; she approaches where the cat had cornered itself. Crouching down, she begins to speak to the animal, even if it didn't understand. ]

It's okay, it's okay! I'm not here to hurt you, little one. Oh, um..! You're probably hungry, here..

[ The woman pats herself, trying to find if she had anything to eat on her. Only for her search to come up empty. She furrows her brows, giving the cat an apologetic look. What a strange, strange woman. Lost, and in an alley way talking to a cat. ]

Comments

[buttonedup]

( They have never met in person.

Yet, Varric's descriptions in good Tale of the Champion had been more than enough time to allow Cassandra to identify the other woman, hunched over in a dirty alley as she may be.

Seeing what Merrill is doing, Cassandra similarly checks her various pockets and pouches for food; she still has some left over field rations on her person and her search uncovers some cheese and some salted beef.

With a solution to immediate concern in hand, Cassandra turns her attention to the blood mage elephant in the room. )

Your name is Merrill, is it not?

( She folds her arms over her chest as she regards her, still wearing the same set of armour that she had back in Thedas. Her weight shifts to rest more heavily on one foot as she awaits the elf's response. )

[friendofthedead]

[ The moment the feline lays eyes upon food, it slowly begins to emerge from its hiding spot; completely disregarding Merrill's outstretched hand as it does so. The woman watches this in a puzzled manner, before directing her attention to the other standing at the end of the alley.

Nothing about her rings any bells, but her attire makes Merrill relax ever so slightly. Unlike the oddly dressed people of this land, this woman dressed like people of home did. She perks up ever so slightly, and goes to recompose herself as she stands up straight.

When the woman speaks her name, Merrill's ears twitch ever so slightly as she gives the woman a puzzled expression. Instantly, she puts her hands together to wring them together. ]

Yes, that's my name. I'm sorry, who are you? I don't remember seeing you around before.

[buttonedup]

( Cassandra has never been fond of cats; has never been one for animals at all, generally, but still, she does not shy away when the little feline begins to sniff cautiously at the food she has left at her feet. Snubbing the cheese, it begins to gnaw upon the beef.

She forces herself to relax, despite how tense she feels all over. )

It's all right. We have never truly met, after all. My name is Cassandra Pentaghast; I read about your exploits in your associate Varric Tethras's Tale of the Champion.

[rideme]

Here, try this shit.

[It didn't occur to the hulking Qunari that this was anything other than some poor, lost human woman. Not until he got a little closer and saw the ears. He'd been all set to chat her up until... well...]

[Until she started chasing a cat. And, given the Iron Bull's current pet situation at home, he can't really argue against it.]

[Bringing the pizza home will have to wait. So he'd paused in the alleyway, picked a bit of pepperoni off the pizza, and held it out.]

Little furballs at the house love it.

[friendofthedead]

[ Upon hearing a voice, her head immediately turns to face the stranger.

Only to be taken completely by surprise. Her eyes go round in an owlish fashion as she looks up to the man. She had met and seen many Qunari before, but she hadn't expected to see one here. He was almost a relieving sight to see, despite the fact the two of them were mere strangers.

Pushing herself up to her feet, she approaches the man--Gently taking the pepperoni from him. She peers at both him, and the box he was holding in curiosity. Until she realizes she should say something. ]

Oh, thank you!! I'm sure he'll love it, as you said.

[ She turns on her heel, and back to the toppled trash cans; where the cat had retreated further into. She holds out her hand again, this time offering the pepperoni. It worked like magic, the cat came closer to her as it went to cautiously take the meat. Merrill perks up, her eyes brightening as she does so. She refrains from getting too excited, so she instead looks to Iron Bull. ]

Thank you again. Even if it's a small piece, it worked.

[rideme]

[Well, shit. She's adorable. Like some kind of Dalish Owl. Because those tattoos mean Dalish -- if he's not wrong. Usually he isn't. Having a Dalish elf as your boss, and your "archer" tells you a lot about face tattoos.]

[He grins at her, the expression amused and friendly.] No problem. I've got a whole bunch of them on this thing. ... And I kind of like the little assholes.

[After, you know, adopting too many of them, whoops. But that's a story for another time.]

[His answer is a laugh, planting his free hand on his hip.] Don't worry. If you want more, I can always get another pizza. Pretty sure I've got frequent pizza buyer credit or some crap.

I'm the Iron Bull, by the way.

[timecapture]

[Max had, as per usual, been taking her standard gaggle of photos - mostly of things and people she'd found interesting, of course. But when she saw the woman who was speaking to a cat, she was drawn to the area.]

Aw, poor kitty.

[She doesn't have anything, but maybe she can get it some help.]

[friendofthedead]

[ Merrill spares the approaching girl a glance as she approaches, and gives her a nod of her head. ]

I feel bad for him. I don't think I can get him out with any food either.

[timecapture]

Maybe he's not hungry?

[Max looks around for a likely distraction. Fortunately, there's a stick on the ground, and it still has a few leaves on it. Max waves it around, gently trying to coax the poor thing out of hiding.]

Here, kitty...

[new_world_wotan]

[ A gravelly voice rumbles its way down the alley to where Merrill is crouched. ]

You ought to be careful, m'dear. You've chased a predator into a dead end.

[ There's something of the predator in this man's smile, a mirth that cuts, a grim enjoyment that gleams coldly in his eye. He's tall and grizzled, with a full beard that's silvered with age; he wears a storm-grey suit, the lapel of which bears a gleaming silver pin in the shape of a tree.

He looks human. He is not human. ]

And without a ready offering. [ He shakes his head, looming in the mouth of the alley.] A risky way to conduct yourself, when you're so far from home.

[friendofthedead]

[ The unfamiliar voice both spooks her, and the cat. The feline retreats, before scrambling away; leaving the woman behind. It wasn't a surprise, given its skittish nature. Though it certainly wasn't the only skittish thing about, either. The woman stands to her feet, turning to face the man that stood on the opposite end of the alley way.

Her brows knit together at his words, and she attempts not to wring her hands already. Instead she clasps them together tightly. ]

I was careful, I was just chasing a cat... He's gone now.

[ Her ears flatten some against her skull, as she eyes him in a bit of a wary manner. Briefly, she casts a glance over her shoulder to see what was behind her.

Only to see no way out.

Drawing in a breath, she attempts to reassure herself; muttering beneath her breath as she does so.

Something about this man made her uncomfortable, making her want to leave instantly. She felt trapped, and she partially begins to wonder if he was the predator rather than the cat she had chased.

This certainly wasn't what she particularly asked for. Especially with a strange old man looming at her.

His words struck her as odd, but she tries not to give them too much thought. Instead she walks forward, and attempts to walk around him. ]

I should really get going, actually.

[new_world_wotan]

[ He raises an arm to interdict her, his rough-palmed hand spread. It's only a moment's delay, easily sidestepped or even ducked under, unless he intends to grapple her, but it's enough time for him to interject- ]

You're- Merrill, yes? [ One hell of a guess, if he's guessing.

His arm descends, no longer contesting her passage. ]

A moment of your time, only. I promise, m'dear- I don't bite.

[whathawksdo]

[ The cat isn't going to be entirely pleased with what's about to happen, that's very sure, as Hawke is unfortunately gifted with an uncontrollable bonus of dogs following her around nearly everywhere. Today, in Heropa, it's no different. A few new dogs, ones she's never seen before, strolling along as she's off about her own business, up until she swears she spots something familiar.

Dalish have a certain style to them and it isn't one she's ever seen mimicked in this world. Not yet, in any case. Though who's wearing it, she can't tell off the bat. They're there one second, then turning own an alley the next, while she's still lingering a block away. ]

Maybe the Inquisitor? [ Hawke asks aloud, looking down to the handful of dogs at her side. They have no answer, naturally, other than to sneeze or wag a tail. ] Hmm. Useful as ever, I see.

[ So it's onward, picking up her pace slightly until she reaches the mouth of the alley. Hawke herself, well, she's so much less out of place in the city, after over a year stuck here. She's long since swapped out her armor and other clothes from home for what's more comfortable in the Florida heat: jeans, a red tank top, modern clothing for a modern world. That's who comes stepping into the alley after Merrill and the cat, along with the dogs, and that's who immediately freezes at realizing just why she'd found the alley skulker so familiar. ]

That's-- [ Merrill? Hawke puts a hand against one wall of the alley, not so much as to steady herself as to keep herself from running up to the woman. The confusion from Mahanon and the rest of the Inquisition is still fresh in her mind, where they've never, ever heard of a Marian Hawke. What are the odds? They've always seemed against her, so, no. She won't rush over. She'll be cautious, hang back, though it doesn't stop her from offering a friendly smile. ] You shouldn't go chasing cats without something to offer, you know. They'll only take offense. I think I have a few dog treats on me, though.

[friendofthedead]

[ Indeed it wasn't. The moment the feline laid eyes upon the group of dogs, it scrunches backwards; baring its fangs at it lets out a hiss. Merrill instinctively withdraws her hands, her eyes becoming a bit round at the cat's sudden fear. Though her puzzled demeanor doesn't last too long, for she picks up the sound of many paws padding against the concrete.

Then a voice reaches her, one that rang familiar. One that was absolutely unmistakable. Her ears flick, and immediately she turns her head in the woman's direction. Once more, her eyes grow round... This time out of a pleasant shock, and not to mention happiness. Standing herself up to her feet, she couldn't help but beam widely at Hawke. There's no hesitation between Merrill's actions and words, for soon enough she exclaims; ]

Hawke...!! It's good to see you here, I admit I thought I would be alone out here. This place is so strange, I would imagine it would be difficult to find another here. Though I am certainly thankful you found me.

[ Her gaze flickers down to the crowd of dogs Marian had with her, appearing even more so delighted with the amount of them. She had half the mind to begin petting them all, but she remembers the cat. ]

I..I thought I had something with me, admittedly. Are you sure dog treats will work? He's a cat, after all.

[whathawksdo]

[ She recognizes her? She recognizes her! The grin that splits across Hawke's face is one of absolute joy and while the urge to go over, pick the elf up, and swing her around is there, she still won't. It would only invite all the dogs straight into the alley, ultimately ruining that cat's day even further. Still, the excitement is apparent. She'll make no attempt to hide that much. ]

You...! [ Merrill knows who she is! It's both such a bizarre thought and one she can't really stop being glad over. She's asked about dog treats, though, so Hawke stops there and looks down, automatically searching her pockets. ] Let me see. They should be in, oh, no, hey! Down! Stay! Come on, you lot, these aren't for you!

[ The crowd of dogs, being dogs, naturally assume she's pulling treats out for them. ]

Go on! Go sit, off you go! [ Oh, they'll sit alright, but still clustered around the mage. In the end, Hawke sighs at them. ] Brats. Well, dog treat has just about as much meat in it, so, yes, a cat won't mind. [ She's stuck in the midst of dogs, but she'll hold out the handful of treats for Merrill to take. ] You have no idea how good it is to see you, Merrill. There's a few others from Thedas scattered about, but no one else from Kirkwall.

[ There's a brief pause after she says that, stopping to reconsider, then she'll amend, ]

Except Cullen. I suppose he does count.