misconceived | ( drift fleet inbox. )

What? What happened?

[ Hear those sounds? Those are the sounds of Chris preparing to not stay inside. ]

Where are you?

One of my friends from home attacked one of the other passengers. He had a good reason, but people are still freaking out. Obviously.

[CHRIS...]

I'm on my way out of the waystation. I had to talk to some people first. Stay on the ship. I'm coming, all right?

Which? Who? Wait. That guy?!

[ Chris is sounding more frustrated by the minute at the orders. ]

No way. In case you forgot, I can shimmer. Where are you? Call for me. I'll come get you.

Yes, the broody elf. It's a long story. But he's not going after people, so you and your dad are safe.

[He really hates the magical dwarf tossing. He considers just ignoring it, but clearly talking to Chris face to face is the only way to assuage his fears, so here he goes.]

Prickly? [A pause. He's just standing in the waystation, near a terminal.] Don't tell me I have to use your real name. That's boring.

Then why are we hiding in the ship in the first place?

[ The more you do it, the less freaky it gets so clearly this means Varric should suck it up and go shimmering with Chris more often. There's a beat of silence on the other side as he tries to listen in on the Prickly call. ]

Yeah, no, real name. That's how the magic works. Come on, Doc.

Because even non-passenger people are panicking and I'm not sure how Robin or his friends are going to react. If it helps, I've got my gun.

[Well, he tried.]

Fine. Chris?

[ There it is. Chris homes in on it quick as he can and then he's off. Hi, Varric. ]

You said Robin. Wasn't he one of the other captains?

[Varric jumps and gives Chris a glare. He's never getting used to that.]

Ah, shit. This just gets better and better. [He would definitely be pissed if someone murdered Chris. Maybe even go after someone's friend. He edges closer and reaches out to grab Chris' arm.]

Let's-- let's go. I don't want to stick around here any longer than I have to.

[ Chris gives him a simple brow raise, then he shimmers off again so they're on the bridge of the Huntress. ]

Okay, seriously. What happened?

[Varric takes a moment to make sure his feet are beneath him again. He ends up just sinking into a chair. Before saying anything, he doublechecks the consoles to make sure they're not broadcasting to the fleet.]

I'm going to preface this by saying that elves have really shitty luck on my world. If they aren't roaming the woods in clans, they're stuck in the shittiest parts of town. And if they're unlucky enough, they'll get sold into slavery and taken up to the Tevinter Imperium. My elf friend, he's from Tevinter.

I shouldn't have to give you gritty details about what they do to slaves, Prickly. I saw one girl lose her entire family-- sacrificed in a frantic blood ritual. They never did anything wrong. It was just the way it worked.

There's another kid that the broody elf was talking to. He found out the kid's a slave. Found out that the person who owns him is on the fleet. And... that would be Robin.

[ Chris has to sit down himself after hearing that. He takes the captain's chair not because of his position in the fleet, but just because it was closest, and kind of flops into it. He looks almost like he can't believe that, or as if he needs a moment to process what all he was just told. ]

He saved someone. That kid?

[Varric looks down at his hands.]

Yeah.

He seemed pretty sure that Robin would come back. And... uh... I couldn't find a body? So wherever he went, he has some explaining to do.

[ Chris shakes his head. ]

If he comes back... well, I'll help if you need it. But right now we should focus on that kid. Is he safe? I could probably whip up a protection spell, but I don't have any ingredients for potions or anything here. No crystals... no anything. [ He feels kind of like a sitting duck without any supplies. It sucks. ]

I don't know where the kid is. He probably went back to his ship, whichever one that is. [He scratches the back of his head.] I guess I'll check the network.

I don't really know what to say to him. Nel. I've spoken to him, what, twice? He's a good kid, but he's probably scared shitless. If he's been depending on Robin all this time, he probably has no idea about anything.

Nel? I think I spoke to him, too. [ Beat, head tilts a bit guiltily but it's nothing he's going to talk about. Druggie acting useless on the network. Still what he is, but it's kinda shitty in hindsight. ] So... what, we just try to let him handle himself while we wait for Robin to come back?

No, I think someone should check up on him. The broody elf might, but that could upset him more. Maybe his friends on his ship? If he's made them.

[UGH WHAT IS HIS LIFE.]

I'll talk to him, but... I'm not very good at this kind of thing.

Neither am I. Sympathy isn't exactly my thing, especially... [ When it's such an uncomfortable subject. He doesn't know how to do uncomfortable when it's not him. ] Well, I'm better at taking action than sitting around and talking.

A man of action. I'm not really surprised.

[He manages a slight smile, then gets up.]

If you hear anything, let me know. I need to... do some reading. [SOME SNOOPING, YOU MEAN.] Make a few calls.

Sure. But hey, return the favor? Anything else happens, give me a shout.

[ Which has a much more literal meaning where Chris is concerned.

but yeah once Varric is gone Cole will show up and then Chris is off to the Wonderduck gdi dad stoppit ]

( drift fleet inbox. )

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