makingmyway | IC Inbox

[ Those words have Dorian’s brain stalling for a moment. ]

I… I’d heard Laudna had gone through a difficult time, but not… I never got all the details. We’ve been so busy, and…

[ And there had been a lot of what the group has been through that he didn’t know. But then, there had also been a lot he hadn’t told them either. ]

You might have to fill me in on everything.

Huh, I mean yeah makes sense. She...she and...actually it was a couple people. We were fighting that bitch with the weird shadow clone shit? Fuck....what was her name...doesn't matter. Point is like three of us went down and...and we had enough juice to bring two back but....but not her.

Fuck, Dorian she had just been talking to me about how her and Imogen were fighting, we'd been talking.

And then she was gone. We took her back to Whitestone thinking what the hell, it was her home right? De Rolo didn't like that.

[ Ashton has to explain things but...it might be better to let Orym tell Dorian about his death and not Ashton...unless Dorian asks. Then he'll have to tell the other, Ashton's not about to keep that from his friend. ]

[ There’s a ringing in Dorian’s ears as Ashton explains, but he forces himself to pay attention. He’d known they had gone through a lot, but he hadn’t realized it was that much. They’d been so busy that he hadn’t had a chance to ask.

He should have asked. ]

Otahan Thull?

[ He remembers Orym mentioning her as the one who had attacked his home, the one who had killed…

She’s the only one he can think of that they’d mentioned who could have been responsible for something like that too.

But Ashton mentioned that three people had died. ] Who… Who were the others? That had…

[ He doesn’t even want to say it. But he needs to know. He’s already gone this long without asking. ]

So what was the problem?

Yeah that was the bitch...

[ It may have been a while since they'd traveled together but Ashton isn't unfamiliar with the signs of someone who might be mildly freaking out. ]

Look...I'll....I'll tell you about that later. When we can both be sitting down. Talking about friends dying is hard...

[ But now they can continue with the rest of the more important part for now. ]

Do you know about Dalilah? The Briarwood bitch who killed all of the De Rolo's and took over Whitestone or some shit? Fucked up bitch...she was in...is? in Laudna. Like...she used to hear her in her head. She was what gave Laudna her powers or something...De Rolo didn't like that and didn't want to help us. We got lucky getting the help we did. Mostly thanks to his wife and their friend.

[ Dorian nods a little. As curious as he was, and wants to know, that isn’t what they’re talking about now. So he’ll wait.

But his expression darkens for just a moment at the mention of Delilah, though it quickly passes as he nods. ] Yes, I know about Delilah. We, uh… had a couple run-ins with her after I rejoined the group. But she’s been dealt with.

[ So there’s that at least.

But his frown deepens at the rest of it. ]

So he refused to help Laudna because Delilah was part of her?

Fucking bitch, at least she's gone but fun I knew she was still around.

[ They'd even threatened Pate thinking maybe he was actually Dalilah. ]

I mean at first, he ended up finally caving because Imogen mentioned why Laudna died back in Whitestone in the first place. Something about how she had been used as a threat to Vex'ahlia? Then the bitch has armed guards posted up with rifles and shit ready to take us out if anything happened.

Which I mean I get it, he's protective of his people and shit...still. Overkill much?

[ Dorian is quiet for a moment as he turns the words over in his head. At first, the idea of such a threat to Laudna does rankle him, that surge of anger and desire to protect her.

But then he thinks about what else Ashton had said. ]

…you said that the Briarwoods had killed all the de Rolo’s?

[ That… seems significant. ]

Yeah.

[ And they know where this is going. ]

And I get it, I do. What they went through, the shit that Whitestone went through...it was all awful. But he has the fucking nerve to pull the "what about all the others who died" card and I mean....they stayed dead. Laudna didn't. And Dalilah was still fucking with her before she died with us. They all thought they were free of the bitch but Laudna's been putting up with her for years.

But no that doesn't make her more important than literal corpses in the ground.

[ Ouch. Okay that sounds harsh even to their ears and it makes them deflate more. ]

That's...fuck that's not what I meant I just...I'm angry and this is all fucking stupid. Worst part is, all of that isn't even what I'm mad about.

[ Dorian nods in understanding. ] I know. And I get it, Ashton, believe me. I would do anything for Laudna too.

But having fought against Delilah… I also understand why he would have been worried about her coming back.

And don’t forget, some of those people who did stay dead at the Briarwoods’ hands… are his family.

[ He shakes his head a little. ] It’s not an excuse. It’s just… I think I can understand.

[ Thinking of how he’d lost Cyrus, how angry he’d been and how much he’d wanted revenge at first. He had some idea how Lord de Rolo might have felt. ]

So what are you mad about?

[ And logically Ashton knows that Dorian is right, Dorian is also one of the few people who gets to point out when Ashton is wrong and not get glared at or fought with.

At least for right now. Mostly because Dorian asked the right follow up question. ]

Because the guy thinks that just because he's some rich fuck he can be condescending to someone who went to him and politely [ For Ashton. ] asked a favor for a mutual friend.

Guy has the fucking balls to call me a "Good Boy" and,

[ They pull themself up to their full height and mockingly mimic the stuffy accent that Percy has. ]

'Maybe someday you might even manage to do more tricks then fetch.' Fuck off.

[ Dorian hums, his frown deepening. ] That is pretty bad. And nothing before the conversation led up to that attitude?

It started because the fucker asked me if all I needed anymore presents made or if I was just that friendless. So yeah, I got pissed and said fuck you, nothing more than normal fuckin me.

Told him I had plenty of friends and that this was just for someone more-don't give me that look.

[ You got them on a roll Dorian. ]

Said that Barcus must see something in me that he didn't, told him I'd get him the fuckin materials and that's when he said that shit to me. So I don't know I feel like I have a right to be pissed off. I don't do that shit, I don't just bite the bullet and deal with assholes like him because I feel like it.

[ And the sparking has picked up again. Hands clench into fists and it's taking more than they want to admit not to just turn and bunch the side of a building right now.

The building that would be the tavern...where they were going for drinks. ]

[ Honestly, yeah, Dorian is on Ashton’s side about this. ]

Yeah, that does seem pretty uncalled for. Even if you two hadn’t gotten along before all this, that’s no reason to say those things.

[ He isn’t sure if anything had happened before all this, but it still was really rude.

Fortunately they arrive at the tavern, and Dorian quickly ushers his friend inside and orders them some drinks, if only to stave off any collateral damage. ]

Thank you!

[ Hand fly into the air as Ashton drops into a seat, their voice loud and very exasperated. When their drinks come Ashton is quick to down a good portion of their own before letting out a deep sigh. ]

I can't stand people who treat others like that, it just...it's infuriating.

[ Dorian opts not to answer in favor of drinking from his own mug. He’s certainly known people like that back home, and he didn’t care much for them either. ]

Did anything happen after that?

[ This is where Ashton sort of shrinks in just slightly because as they think about what they are about to say....they realize they might have been in the wrong. ]

I might have mentioned how I liked the older version of him better and kind of compared him...to himself.

I got really fuckin angry and shit just came out then he started talking about the shit he'd gone through and I just wanted to make a point that trauma isn't an excuse but I'm fuckin bad with words.

[ Dorian doesn't answer right away, as he takes another draw of his beer. Honestly, he isn't one to judge, he's certainly said the wrong thing in the heat of the moment. Plus it's clear that Ashton feels bad about it, so pointing it out wouldn't really do much. ]

Words can be pretty difficult. [ Even as a bard, and someone who's had to study and practice public speaking, Dorian often finds himself struggling with the right thing to say when it counts. If he has the time to consider what he wants to say, he can manage it, but it's much more difficult coming up with things on the cuff. ]

Honestly, I'm not here to lecture you, Ashton. You both said things, you lost your temper, it happens. And I'm sure you know what you eventually need to do. I don't have to tell you all that.

Right now, as your friend, I just want to make sure you're okay.

[ Really, the only reason he had been asking about all this in the first place was because it seemed that Ashton needed to get it all off their chest. ]

[ Listening to Dorian, Ashton can't help but be glad that it was the bard that Ashton reached out to. He knew Orym would be just as good but they feel like they knew what Orym would do or say. Maybe not, the guy was always surprising Ashton, but still. It's nice to have a different view even if it's not too different really.

Of course him mentioning how he was sure Ashton knew what needed to be done does make the genasi deflate further, slumping forward on the bar.

Apologize. He had to apologize to Percy.

Fuck. ]

Yeah yeah I know...I will.

[ Then there's a deep breath as they mentally pick themself back up and take a drink from their beer. ]

Yeah I'll be fine...just needed to vent and...you know...not break things. I actually like that house.

[ Dorian nods, certain that Ashton would apologize eventually. He trusted the barbarian, and he wasn’t worried. He also didn’t want to push them into it, since pressure would just make them more resistant, more aggravated.

They needed to do it when they felt ready. He was just there to support them.

With a small smile, Dorian takes a drink from his mug. ] Honestly, I like it too. It would be nice to keep it intact.

We can have a few drinks, however long it takes for you to calm down.

[ They’ve got time. ]

[ Dorian over here gentle parenting his barbarian friend...and it works.

Damn.

Granted it helps that Dorian understands them better than they really realize. ]

Sounds good to me.

It is though, right? Nice I mean. Having a place that's ours. Haven't exactly had a minute to just sit and take it all in.

[ Dorian nods in understanding as he takes a drink from his tankard. ] I know. Even when I joined with you guys again, we hadn't had much chance to settle in any one place for too long. And from my understanding, that hadn't changed much from before I reunited with you all.

[ Even if Ashton wasn't quite caught up with all that, he doesn't think he's spoiling too much by saying so. ]

Being able to just take things a little easier... I think we've all needed it.

[ Just as long as things were still okay back home when they went back. ]

Yeah? I mean that makes sense...seems like any time we settle in for a bit something gets fucked up or someone starts attacking...

It's also been nice...meeting people and it not being tied to whatever else is going on? Like...like meeting Bor-Dor, Deni$e, and Prism was fine...just wish it wasn't because we were tossed across the ocean.

[ Even if he still doesn't know about that end for Bor'Dor yet. It's fine.

It's fine. ]

And uh...speaking of new friends... [ They clear their throat, running a hand over the back of their neck. ] .....you were right...

I know what you mean. Even with the people we met back home, it would have been nice to be able to get to know them without the looming threat.

[ Dorian blinks when Ashton trails off, and he thinks he hears something but it’s difficult to tell. ]

Sorry, what was that?

You were right.

[ Ashton speaks up with a groan. ]

About Barcus...and me...and....whatever we are. After we got the eggs I...I went to see about getting my hair cut because he does gem cutting so I thought he'd be the best for it.

I made a dumb joke about him getting me in his bed and he was...I mean he was sweet.

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You were right.

[ Ashton speaks up with a groan. ]

About Barcus...and me...and....whatever we are. After we got the eggs I...I went to see about getting my hair cut because he does gem cutting so I thought he'd be the best for it.

I made a dumb joke about him getting me in his bed and he was...I mean he was sweet. <small<[ The last bit is said with a weird disbelieving tone, like Ashton can't believe he likes someone so nice and normal and sweet. Because really, this is Ashton we're talking about. ]

We...kinda..kissed.

[ And no he is not going more into detail about that.

Right now. ]

[ Dorian blinks a little; while he is a bit surprised, it’s only because he hadn’t expected anything to happen so soon. He could see how close Ashton and Barcus were, the playful flirting and the soft expressions, and honestly he was really happy for the both of them.

Still. ]

Wait, you both kissed already?

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