exsiliumlogs | at the heart of the matter someone wove a secret spell;

Date & Time: 8/16, evening, shortly after this & this convo
Location: A bar of Khisanth's choosing.
Characters: Zevran Arainai (

bloodyantivan), Merrill (

yourdistraction) & Khisanth (

onblackwings)
Summary: Khisanth has concocted a spell that might return Zevran's sight... for a hefty price. Zevran wants an expert in magic to inspect the merchandise before accepting it.
Warnings: Elves and dragons all keeping their clothes on a disappointing amount.

[Zevran doesn't hold with magic much: he likes things with outcomes he can predict, with factors he can control. And while it might have been true eons ago that elves all had magic in their blood, he hasn't a touch of it now.

He'd prefer not to trust in an unknown spell. But while he has slowly adjusted to life without sight, and could live on... he's willing to take a risk to have it back again.

Thus, he picked up Merrill in the housing and traveled with her to the bar. She's a dear thing, and though he quite understands by the staff she carries and the clothes she wears that he does not require the help of an Antivan assassin, he somehow wants to look out for her. If only so she doesn't get lost.]

One more thing... if perhaps this thing should go sour, or not work out... Please do not tell Elissa about my deal with Dagger. She would only scold me for not involving her in this.

[Zevran loves Elissa, so much it aches in his breastbone, but she cannot fix every problem, no matter how she tries. He does not want to give her the option to kill herself trying.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's not much Zevran can do but listen to Merrill. On his end, he senses nothing extraordinary: no worrisome smell (which usually accompanies blood magic and lyrium), no particular sound. But he does hear what she says, though, and directs his question more to Dagger than to her:]

And what could be strange about it? Surely our friend would not be foolish enough to curse the item...

[ Her eyes narrow briefly at Merrill. Don't be dissin her magic, man. But then she looks to Zevran, not caring that he won't appreciate the change in glance, and flicks her hair back over one shoulder. ]

Obviously it feels strange to her, we're from different worlds. I'd be more surprised if she recognized it.

[ definitely isn't dragon magic, nosiree.

oh, right, also, slightly belatedly: ] And it isn't cursed.

[ Wondering if she may have offended the woman, Merrill blushes a bit. ]

I meant no disrespect! Of course, you're right... It should be unfamiliar. This is truly a work of art, if it works, I mean.

[ But she's still giving the woman somewhat of a side-eye look before cautiously handing it over to Zevran, blinking a bit once her vision stops being so layered. Better. She wouldn't hand it over if she thought it could be a trap, but this involves magic so she's still ready for anything to go wrong. ]

[Zevran distantly thinks that he really has no reason to trust Merrill, aside that for all his disappointment in what the Dalish truly were that they were honorable in ways most people didn't know how to be. She never once derided him or called him flat-ears and has definitely acted as a friend to him. So he believes she would warn him if there was a problem, if she knew it.

He also has to trust she would know a threat if there was one.

He takes the amulet from her and inhales. Not quite a gasp, but only his years of training give him that kind of control.

He can see. Not like he did before, but he can.

And were he some other kind of man, the thought of it might make him weep.]

...Ahh, I am so happy that I am able to see when I am in the company of two perfectly beautiful women. [Zevran smirks.]

So, Dagger. What do I need to know about this item that you have yet to tell me?

[ She lets the perceived slight from Merrill go, in favor of looking terribly pleased when Zevran takes the ring. She leans an elbow onto the bartop, curling black hair around one finger. ]

I'm sure I don't need to tell you that the magic is finite. It will only last for about two hours before it will need to be removed and allowed to recover its energy. But it should be able to replenish itself without any other influence, if left alone.

Um, I'm sorry, but...

[ Merrill hates to insult someone before, but that just sounds impossible! Then again, she's from another world. ]

How is that possible, without something or...someone to recharge it's power?

--Yes, does it require any sort of maintenance? Or is it going to feed off me while I sleep or something?

[Though at this point he's willing to take the risk.

It's glorious to see again, even if it's in a different way. Zevran pulls off his sunglasses, looking at the world with renewed admiration. His eyes are black, completely: even the sclera.]

Don't you think I'd have mentioned that, if it were?

[ She looks annoyed to have to explain it. ugh, plebeians!! ]

I planted the source in it myself. I doubt the recharging abilities will exhaust themselves any time soon, but if I'm wrong, you're welcome to bring it to my attention then.

Alright.

Your payment.

Pretty baubles are what you said you wanted, yes?

[It is an emerald pendant on a chain of gold. He present it without bravado, sans any sort of bag or box. He simply carried it in an inner pocket this whole time. It's not a gift, after all.]

Will this suffice?

[He doubts a precious gem and some gold will be enough, and he assumes he'll have to owe her a favor as well. But he's not about to offer that out.]

[ Seriously the sharp looks don't even seem to be registered, but then again she lives with Fenris, so--

Oooh! Merrill even makes an oooh! face, but says nothing. This is their transaction. Her part is done! Even if she still has more questions about such magic, she can save them for another time. If this trinket is as miraculous as she makes it sound, from the view of a fellow mage, it probably should be worth a whole trunk of those. But that she won't say, either. ]

[ There's immediately a greedy glint to her eye, but she forces herself to sit with her hands folded around her drink, and not grab for it like she wants to. ]

For the amount of work I put into it for you? [ She cocks a brow, looking mildly offended. ] Services must come very cheaply in your world. Mine are worth more than that.

You drive a hard bargain. I do, of course, have coin as well. Gold - you are free to count it, there are 107 pieces of gold, and several silver and copper bits. [Zevran smiles.] If that is not to your liking, I have also several potions, and poisons of my own manufacturing, that I have held onto since arriving here from my world, out of things that are not available here.

[ La la la you guys just keep talking, she's just trying not to smile like a doofus at 'Dagger'. ~~She will consume you and have your magic for herself. ]~~

at the heart of the matter someone wove a secret spell;

and then i was also late

naw y'all are good

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