heorte: (22)

special delivery / pre dream.

[personal profile] heorte 2021-01-09 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
Left on Bastien's desk, a book of Marcher folk tales following the adventures of a mischievous traveling musician. Each new story is prefaced with a boldly-sketched illustration. A folded piece of parchment set inside the front cover, bearing an unsigned, scribbly note.
This book came into my possession, and I thought you might enjoy it.
Edited 2021-01-09 07:05 (UTC)
heorte: (08)

[personal profile] heorte 2021-01-11 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
The silent gratitude is acknowledged, but Ellis doesn't opt to join him at the fireside. There is no expectation for anything more than the small confirmation that his instinct had been correct and the stories are at least an enjoyable diversion.

Some days later, a pamphlet appears wedged between writing implements on Bastien's desk. It's slightly crinkled, but presentable, imparting a brief, light comedy about a trio of Fereldan fisherman towed to Llomerryn by a Cetus in their little fishing boat and the subsequent haggle to get themselves passage back via pirate ship. In the margin—
In case you've finished with the book already.
heorte: (139)

[personal profile] heorte 2021-02-10 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
A beat of stillness, Ellis' eyebrows raising at the appearance of Bastien. He'd folded scrambled eggs into a piece of toast, but now seems to hesitate over raising it to his mouth.

"I do," he answers. The toast hovers, and then returns to his plate, before Ellis continues, "Did you like the pamphlet?"
heorte: (08)

[personal profile] heorte 2021-02-11 06:30 am (UTC)(link)
There's some commonality between Bastien's approach here and the way Wysteria enters a conversation that Ellis will find a little funny after the fact. And, mispronunciations aside, Ellis is quietly pleased that Bastien enjoyed the story. The book had felt like a gamble, and so had the pamphlet. It had been difficult to tell if Bastien cared very much for books at all.

"It's new to me," Ellis answers, turning his plate to silently offer the second, untouched piece of toast to Bastien. Possibly also cooled by now, but potentially less objectionable than cool porridge. "I haven't spent enough time in Fereldan towns to know exactly what's being recited these days."

The urge to ask isn't there someone else you'd rather eat breakfast with? hasn't fully passed, but it strikes Ellis as rude enough that he refrains from asking.

Instead, diplomatically: "How does it compare to the stories that come out of Orlais?"
heorte: (100)

[personal profile] heorte 2021-02-11 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
A minor delay in Ellis' answer, as he did not time his two bites of toast properly. This is more or less the scenario he was trying to avoid, even without a real grasp on whether or not Bastien cares very much about etiquette during a meal.

"If you ever come across a good example of it, I'd like to read it," is the reply Ellis offers up after chewing and swallowing. It's not much of an answer, but the interest is sincere, even if Ellis follows it with—

"You don't need to feel obligated to do this. Spend your breakfast with me."

Just in case Bastien feels somehow beholden.
heorte: (94)

[personal profile] heorte 2021-02-12 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
"No," is truthful, even amidst lingering, prickling anxiety. This conversation is a little like trying to navigate in the dark, but Ellis hasn't felt the need to escape it. Though that might not carry as much weight as it should, considering Ellis' near infinite patience.

"This is better than a candleholder. I wouldn't know what to do with one."

A small quirk of Ellis' mouth, almost a smile. Some unspoken joke about Ferelden is lingering in the space at the end of that sentence.

"I'd like to read something you enjoyed. If you have a favorite."
heorte: (157)

[personal profile] heorte 2021-03-04 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
Even the slight twitch of confusion doesn't delay Ellis' choice in number.

"Three."

Whatever that shakes out to mean.