#zarina: quill

[callofthxvoid]

WHO: Zarina Knightley and Quill Harker

SUMMARY: After his conversation with Karma, Quill talks to a different blonde from his past. AKA: Zarina has an entire conversation in Arabic with a former customer.

Speaking with Karma had overall gone about as well as could be expected. Though QUILL had spotted another blonde he had wanted to speak with. Taking a seat next to her, he set his hands in his lap idly drumming his thumbs against his own hands. "You know I never took you for the maternal type," he said in Arabic, it was a lot smoother than when they were in college, "I do have to thank you for the suggestion, we did in fact gain many clients from that side of the world over the years." While she'd been an easy access for party drugs for his friends, he'd also found her opinions and suggestions tended to almost always be correct. Errors were usually on the listening parties fault rather than on her judgement even. "To be frank I was more surprised to see you're still alive. Though I do feel a little foolish having underestimated you like that."

Just because ZARINA was busy holding baby Jasmine did not mean that she was not paying attention to her surroundings. She had clocked Quill coming to sit next to her long before he actually did. As usual, seeing someone from her past appear in Huntsville was wholly unwelcome, but it was simply another thing she would have to handle. "I'm not," she replied, also in Arabic. It was effortless, as if she had been speaking the language every single day; even though it had, in fact, been almost two years since she had used it regularly. She adjusted Jasmine in her arms before looking over at him. "Your Arabic has improved significantly. It has no effect on my life personally, but I can appreciate when someone makes the correct decision to take my advice." She glanced back down at the baby in her arms. "By that, I assume you are referencing the fate of my parents. I do not blame you for your conclusions. It means only that the staging worked as intended."

QUILL was looking at the baby in her arms, an image he still found a bit difficult to wrap his head around. Then again it been almost two years, and he was now stuck in a town that he couldn't leave, the world was a strange place. He hummed before nodding his head, "I wouldn't say I mourned you but I did think it was unfortunate to lose someone of your capabilities. You left quite the vacancy, I had to find about 4 different sources for what you provided. The quality left much to be desired." His eyes flickered to the baby again when she started babbling giving a small wave with his fingers when she looked at him. "Speaking of, your role as a pharmacist is purely above board here I take it?"

A small, nearly imperceptible smile tugged at ZARINA's lips in response, but she kept her eyes on the baby. "Unfortunately, not everyone can be me," she replied coolly, despite the protective instinct she immediately felt when Jasmine squawked happily and waved back at him. It was one thing to have a former customer and acquaintance approach her. It was an entirely different thing to get her godchildren involved. She looked back up at him. "And yes, my role as a pharmacist is purely above board. I am, as you likely already know, married to a doctor." She paused. "You are unlikely to find the selection and quality you are accustomed to here in town. However, it would be prudent of you to befriend the younger crowd at the commune. Any product worth having tends to make its way there eventually."

QUILL huffed a laugh and shook his head, "Unfortunately," he agreed. He didn't know the full details of the family she's been linked to, had never searched for them. It was better for both their sakes really, it made the relationship they had in college a more favorable one. He let out a sigh, "I assumed as much, now to find 4 new sources to replace you again," there was a half hearted grin at the quip. If he's honest marriage is less surprising, he'd consider it once for them considering a partnership would have had benefits for both of them, there would have been no real love between them but that was a luxury he highly doubted he'd have ever had to begin with. "He's handsome, not a bad choice for someone to link yourself with in this town," he mused out loud giving her a brief nod at the suggestion, making a mental note to do so after the event.

ZARINA gave him a brief nod back. She had offered him the suggestion to be helpful, just as she had offered him genuinely good advice in the past; and just like back then, she had her own reasons for doing it. Not everything that she said or did had ulterior motives. But when speaking to people like Quill? It was rare that it didn't. "He is handsome," she agreed, readjusting her hold on baby Jasmine. "He is also intelligent, capable, and efficient, but that is not why I married him. I married him out of love." She returned her gaze to Quill. "I am glad to see that the years have not dulled your conversational skills. This has, as always, been an enlightening exchange. But I am done speaking to you now."

QUILL had felt someone's gaze on them and turned seeing the man in question, turning back to Zarina with raised brows, for a second he briefly wondered if she was making another joke. More than surprised by the sincerity of her tone, and making a vague noise of agreement. For most people finding out she was capable of something like that might have been reassuring, for him it just made him more hyperaware to be mindful of where their conversations went and what lines now existed compared to their prior lives. "Understood, enjoy the festivities, like you said this was enlightening," he agreed standing back up and not the least bit offended by being dismissed. It was something he'd always appreciated the directness, giving her a brief nod and waving once more to the small baby before taking his leave.

[bookwyrminspiration]

Hi Quill, I was curious if team Valient had to one vs one their councillor contacts as like a training exercise who do you think would win out of each trio?

Hi Nonsie!! I gotta hit up Shannon for extra council information with all the council related things I'm getting! So this would likely depend on what training they were doing (e.g., mental vs physical altercation with abilities), so I'll try to answer for both.

(I'm considering mental to be skills and physical to be abilities--with occasional thought to weapons--for this, just to make it easier)

Sophie, Bronte, and Oralie: Physically, Sophie has significantly more experience fighting (with weapons and abilities) than both of them and is immune to Bronte's inflicting, so she'd win that. Mentally, she's also got an unfair advantage, however ancient minds are more powerful so Bronte may stand a chance. But Sophie's still the likely victor, she's just too op

Biana, Darek, and Liora: Once again, Biana has a lot more experience in physical training and the advantage of vanishing, so even against two I'd be rooting for her, though Darek may present a challenge since he can phase through any attack. Mentally, depends on the skill. Darek won the splotching match between the councillors, so he may win again there. Liora's a toss up because I don't know what she's capable of, but I wouldn't be surprised if she wasn't familiar with many skills. So I don't think she'd win, and instead it's either Biana or Darek.

Dex, Noland, and Clarette: Physically, I'm unsure. Since I'm including abilities, it could really go any way. Noland's voice could incapacitate the other two, Clarette's animals could overwhelm the others, or Dex's gadgets could overpower them. If Noland could be silenced he's out, but Clarette vs Dex is a match that comes down to the situation, I couldn't say who'd win. Mentally I'm going Dex all the way. All the skills he's practiced because of his family? He's gotta have more experience than his contact points.

Stina, Zarina, Alina: Physically, either Zarina or Alina. Stina may be persistent, but she can't stand against electricity and beguiling. I think it would come down to whether Zarina electrocuted Alina first or Alina beguiled Zarina first, just a matter of time. Mentally, I think that persistence is gonna come back in Stina's favor, and she has more recent experience with mental things like skills because she attends Foxfire.

Wylie, Ramira, Velia: Physically, Wylie or Velia. Wylie has the experience and Velia's a guster, which is powerful enough to give her an advantage even without experience. Ramira's vanishing won't do much good in that situation since it'll still catch her. Mentally, I'm unsure. I think it might also be either Wylie or Velia. Ramira doesn't seem opinionated enough to have the strong push needed to win, but Velia might have the kind of strength needed. And Wylie didn't go to Exillium, so he doesn't have the experience some of the other kids have. It seems like a toss up.

Of course, further information about many of them could change this, but I'm just going off what I have access to at the moment! But this is kinda what I've reasoned together, so I hope that answers your question!

[zorkaya-moved]

@foliarlight

The presence of the Scribe in the same spot as her in the House of Daena was a rare occurrence, but it was the space where it was much easier to work with the big tables where several books could be open at the same time. Zarina concentrates on her research on human health and anatomy as of now, pushing the blood transfusion study on the back burner as it was already fully finished and was submitted, now waiting for the approval of improvements in the technology and storing of blood. But, of course, there was one more question…

“The only reason I do not wear the Akasha Terminal is that I consider it to be an insult to my intelligence,” she doesn’t stop writing as she speaks, quickly checking the book's contents. It’s important to keep up the small talk so other scholars won’t approach them, thinking they’re discussing complicated research. This [white lie] helped with intimidating and scaring off scholars who wanted to approach either of them, but did she think he would get up and leave whenever he wanted? Absolutely. Does she think her following words may make him just exit the building? Also, yes, but she also gives him the benefit of the doubt that he doesn’t give a single shit. “I do not say, however, that by using it, I consider anyone a lesser intelligent individual than I am. Just to ensure I did not hurt your ego, Scribe,” not that she thinks he cares, knowing what people say about him, but she has to say it… with a sly smile without stopping her writing. Indeed, she is just as blunt and sarcastic as they go.

“It’s more of an experiment. How far can one go without using what an Archon provides? Seems like far enough,” finally, the quill stops as she looks over the written contents. “But you remaining in Scribe’s position makes me wonder if there is a reason for that. No doubt, you could climb the ladder of Akademiya’s titles in record time. I’m sure if you showed more enthusiasm, you’d be recommended for the position of Haravatat’s Sage.” As I’m being pestered by Naphis. “Well, actually, with your personality… No, you’d fit right in.”

[quickthinkingharkertwins]

Quill gave a vague hum, eyes flickering to her hand briefly but otherwise made no move to stop her. "We're drinking now, I'm not putting anything past Quincey and Nixon, their shared braincell just as likely to get tossed in the lake as they are to toss each other," he replied, he'd almost shrugged but hadn't wanted to jostle her hand off. Watching he scoffed, closing his eyes and tilting his face up to enjoy the sun. "You becoming a spinster is as likely as Fleur going sober," he quipped, before he hummed. The talk of spinsters reminding him of his conversation with Zarina and he managed to keep the grimace off his face. "Nothing's stopping you from doing both, hell I might even indulge," he mused out loud, at the very least the stress relief would clear his head from wherever his own thoughts had almost drifted to.

"Who said there was a catch? I just said I wasn't going to tell you all the reasons." She drummed her fingers across his shoulder for a moment. "Don't go fishing, Quill. It's not a very attractive quality for anyone to have." Cosima paused to look at the lake, not shocked at all that none of her friends were actually in it. "We're all too busy drinking to go in. Besides, I don't trust it." She took a sip of her drink, observing Quill quietly for a moment. "I don't have any plans to leave the lake with anyone. No one has really caught my attention since being here. I'm turning in to a spinster already, I can feel it," dramatically throwing her arm across her face. "I came here to get shitfaced, not to find a quick lay."

[artists-plight]

💕 alright how does it feel to be closer to ya crush

Carmina playfully smirks, twirling a quill in her fingers. Being increasingly connected to many survivors is great, but spending this precious time to admire all the beautiful women is the best part. She'll take protection hits for Zarina any day. Oh, and she always makes sure to be the one to heal Yun-Jin's wounds just so she can feel the coziness of the fluffy white coat. It's so soft! Just like her! Getting lifted off a hook by a muscular Jill or Yui is a dreamy experience. All the pain floods out from her body, refilling with giddiness. She hasn't even gone into detail about Mikaela gifting her any items found in opened chests. They're all so kindhearted. She appreciates each and every one of them.

[vivalaegghead]

Elfebruary Day 12 - Contract

The scroll fell from her hands and clattered on the tile floor where it unfurled in front of her. A tight lipped Josephine had delivered the document to the princess as Merrill worked to tame her curls into tightly formed braids. The scroll fell heavily into her jeweled hand, the words written on the page weighed more than the actual roll of paper. A soft hand fell on Zarina’s shoulder, and she turned in her seat to face a grim looking Merrill, her eyes knowing. They all knew what the document contained, Zarina was sure that her friends had discussed it in whispers, but none dared to share their thoughts with the princess. With a wave of the hand, Zarina dismissed the elf, the Antivan, and the Tevinter who sat on the edge of the sofa.

The door clicked behind them. Zarina unsheathed the knife that she kept strapped to her thigh, a precaution that Josephine insisted she practice, and she cut the wax seal that belonged to her parents. The head of her great white wolf settled in her lap, his blue eyes watched her somber movements. Elgar’s tail thumped on the floor, he could sense the unease that beat against the lining of her stomach.

It is with the best intentions for our people and for the people of Orlais that we declare our daughter, Zarina Lavellan, be wed to Prince Sebastian Vael, next in line for the throne of Orlais. May any individual who wishes to interfere in this union be met with swift justice at the hands of the Orlesian Court.

Her mother and father’s signature adorned the bottom of the document. Something that she used to cherish when she received letters from her parents, now signaled the end of her freedom with the flick of a quill. The last line settled uncomfortably at the pit of Zarina’s stomach for it housed a poised threat directed at her tutor. Zarina had confessed to them that her heart had wavered, what was once destined for Sebastian now sailed to the comforts that she had found with Solas. Merrill had delivered the confessional letters to her parents, begging for them to free her from the contract they were to sign that would forever bind the elf and the prince together. Despite her written pleas, deep down she knew what their answer would be, and knew that they would do anything to protect their alliance with the Vael family, even if it meant exposing Zarina and Solas’ relationship. Elgar nudged Zarina’s hand, and the scroll fell from her lap, causing the wolf to skitter away.

So this is how her fate would be sealed, with a decree and a signature from her parents. How dare they force her compass to an ending that she did not desire. She stood, kicking the scroll across the room before rushing to her armoire. She didn’t need much, a cloak to cover her noticeable hair and lack of eyebrows, the jewelry on her hand could be easily pawned to the right person who knew better than to ask questions. She hurried to the balcony, Elgar following her to the railing where he paced nervously. Zarina swung a leg over and started to shimmy down the railing until she came face to face with the wolf, his blue eyes pierced hers.

“Dareth shiral, ma falon.” She whispered before scratching his chin. She released her grip from the bars and tumbled to the ground, above her Elgar started to whine. Zarina gathered the cloak around her shoulders. The tower that Solas resided in was across the garden, yet the sickly moon above was concealed by clouds and it would not be difficult to blend into the shadows. She hugged the wall around the perimeter, the window at the top of the tower had a single candle burning, as if he was signaling her. All her life she sought to appease her parents, to advocate for her people. She endured piercing gazes and spiteful words from the shems as they mocked her for the point of her ears. Now, a contract had been drawn that sealed her fate to endure the frightful demise that was the game of court. Solas was one of the few who protected her, who taught her the history of the land and pushed for her to follow her heart. For once, she realized that she had the freedom to do so all along.

“I’m coming for you, Vhenan.”

[callofthxvoid]

WHERE: Lake Party WHO: Tobias Knightley ( @doctorknightley )

Like with Quill, Zarina knew that her husband was approaching her before he did. Unlike with Quill, it wasn't because she was vigilant of her surroundings—it was solely because she could feel his presence without having to look. "It is starting to get a little tedious having to handle people from our pasts appearing in town," she mused when Tobias was close enough to her. She glanced down at baby Jasmine in her arms. "Quill is relatively harmless, though. Not because he isn't capable of being mercenary, but because it is usually not in his best interest to be. Still, we should keep an eye on him. He does know more about who I used to be than I am strictly comfortable with."

[callofthxvoid]

Zarina considered what he said and then nodded. "That is true, we could certainly both have encountered worse people from our pasts," she mused, looking up from where baby Jasmine was playing with his fingers in order to catch his eye instead. She was intrigued as to where Karma fit into Quill's life, since she could not recall meeting her before herself—and she would definitely have remembered someone like Karma. But that was a conversation for another day. "Fair enough. I will speak to him about it when I bring Jasmine back. He will very likely want to take all of them home if he learns that Karma is upset." That relationship was another one that she had formed opinions on in recent months, but since it was neither her nature nor her place to meddle, the only person she had shared those thoughts with was Tobias. And speaking of... "By the way, I spoke to Olivia earlier today. About Evan. It went about as well as can be expected."

Knightley had already hazard several theories to who the man she'd been speaking with was, nodding as he moved the now vacant chair closer to her before taking a seat. Pressing a kiss to the side of her head before he was fully seated, he set his hand for Jasmine to play with letting her grab at his fingers. "Well they all can't be as positive an experience as Jaiden was," he mused, "Considering our previous entanglements we've faired fairly well overall." Catching her gaze he nodded again at her explanation, "Noted, I did see him speaking with Karma, it might not be a bad idea to send Xander her way. He was still nervous to about attending, leaving early may be best for both of them." He'd seen Karma's body language, and the way she had rushed for Neptune, making a mental note to give Finch a heads up as well knowing he was close to both.