[ action | OPEN ] I'm a ghost, you're an angel... one and the same, just remains of an age...

[black_black_heart]

Who: Tannusen and/or whoever!
Where: Genessia City - Velvet Lust (Please read that link if you're gonna tag in!)
What: A general Velvet Lust catch-all post for May. Back-tagging in the future, and back-dating now or later are both fine.
Warnings: Will add as/if needed.

🌟 OTAs, and closed threads between people who aren't Tannusen are also welcome!
(Please note it in your subject line, so I don't barge in!)
There are rules! And there are enforcers. Characters (or NPCs!) who step out of line will be removed from the premises.

A. [OPEN - anyone who is ICly an adult, kids simply aren't allowed inside]

It was night-time, and Velvet Lust was open for business. Tannusen could be found either at the bar downstairs, sitting on one of the stools instead of helping pour drinks, or upstairs at that bar trading commentary with the snarky bartender on duty. Either way, he was drinking tea.

B. [OPEN - anyone ICly under-age, or who just wants to]

Day or night, if anyone lingered for long enough just outside of the bar, it was going to eventually draw someone's attention.

C. [LOCKED - Velvet Lust staffers]

Before the bar opened for the night, Tannusen could be found on either floor of the establishment. Stocking things, fixing something, or... even lounging around as a tiger. Staff were always allowed to come and go for several hours before opening time.

D. [LOCKED - Private to Dorian Pavus]

[ The text comes without warning, of course. Mid-day at some point, long before the bar's open for whatever day this thread takes place in. ]

you wanted warning

it will be soon

Comments

[tevinteraltus]

"I did, very much so." He continues to smile and takes a sip from his wine before continuing.

"How long have you been performing?"

[sonicosuper]

Sonico smiled brightly, bowing her head in thanks and too bashful to say anything more about the compliment.

"Let's see... I'd been performing for three years before I arrived here but - well, only one of those was uh...more professional. And I've played the odd concert since I arrived here."

[tevinteraltus]

"More professional?" He raised an eyebrow before lifting his glass to take another drink. "What precisely were you doing? Were you employed by some duke or some such?"

[sonicosuper]

Sonico nodded at first, then paused with her glass halfway to her lips with that last question. She did her best not to look too bewildered, "A duke...?:

[tevinteraltus]

He nodded as though he hasn't asked anything strange. In his world, it wasn't at all.

"Yes, or a tavern, like this one? Or perhaps you were a traveling minstrel?"

[sonicosuper]

Sonico smiled when it dawned on her what he was talking about, and she nodded and tiltes her head slightly as she thought about it. "I suppose you could say more of a...travelling minstrel. Though our travel distance wasn't too far... But yes, I suppose that suits things more."

[tevinteraltus]

He nods, glad to see he'd been accurate in his assessment. "And you do well for yourself I assume? You've talent enough."

[sonicosuper]

"I do...Since arriving here, at least. I've been enough in demand that I've been able to make most of my living from singing and playing guitar." Sonico pauses and looks down at her glass again before looking up shyly. "Although, in truth, back home, most of my time and income was related to modelling."

[tevinteraltus]

"Modelling?" He looked thoughtful for a moment as he took another sip of his wine. "For artists?"

[sonicosuper]

"Hmm... Maybe?" Sonico exchanged her empty water glass for a glass of white wine. It was embarrassing to talk about her modelling with someone who might not quite understand, so the wine might help. "I have photographs taken. The pictures are used to help adveetise products or are put in magazines...for men." She blushed at that last bit, not sure if he'd understand.

[tevinteraltus]

He'd been around long enough to know what a photograph was, and he raked his olive green gaze over her form for a moment, a slight smirk touching his lips. "Well, if the point is to make customers dream of looking as soon in their products as you do, I can see the appeal."

As for the rest, while images weren't popular, fiction certain was across Thedas and he laughs. "Oh, I can certainly see that as well. You're quite beautiful, after all."

[sonicosuper]

She nodded her head, more in agreement that he did understand the idea of her advertising different products. Or, at least, sometimes, modelling products that men might then choose to buy for their partners.

Sonico blinked at his laughter, blushing bashfully at his reaction, "Oh. Well, thank you. I know that I'm not everyone's type but... some seem to like those magazine shoots and that's - well, at home, that's what pays for tuition so that is a positive."

[tevinteraltus]

He scoffs, still slightly amused, but there's a sort of weight to it, as though he may have an idea of what she may be referring to.

"Any port in a storm, as they say. Careful with that, Sonico. That reckoning has gotten me into a fair bit of trouble." But his expression turned reassuring. "Still, schooling is a noble pursuit. What is it you're trying to learn?"

[sonicosuper]

She suddenly looks a bit more solemn at mention of being careful, and she nods her head slowly. At least he isn't being too mean to her about it, and she appreciated that. Her smile returns when she begins to talk about her studies, "Marine biology. I've been trying to keep on top of my studies while I've been here too."

[tevinteraltus]

Yes, they need not talk about whatever her experiences were that darkened her expression like that, or his own misadventures that lead to his being kidnapped and later disowned by his own family. No, no. There are much better topics of conversation that that.

Which is just as well, as something she just mentioned means nothing to him. "Marine biology? Is that...something to do with fish? You study fish?"

[sonicosuper]

"That's right!" Turning the conversation to marine biology seemed to be a very good idea, because at once Sonico is sitting up more, her expression brighter, her movements more animated. "I study all the life of the sea. How life cycles work, and what we can do to protect marine life too."

[tevinteraltus]

"Protect it?" Conservation wasn't high on Thedas' priority list in this Age, and the idea seems slightly foreign to Dorian. He smiles, partially because she seemed to have brightened considerably at his question, and partially because the idea seemed so silly to him.

"Protect it from what, precisely? The wanton desires of fishmongers?"

[sonicosuper]

"Yes, that's it exactly! The wanton desires of fishmongers, and holiday makers, and the pollution from all across the globe that is gradually destroying the seas and the myriad of beings that live there. There are species being killed needlessly, probably species we have never even discovered going extinct all the time." Sonico sounds very sure in all that she's saying, and there's a surety in her eyes that suggests that the topic is indeed very serious, despite his smile. Of course, it's not his fault if he can't understand what this is like based on his own world, so he's gentle with him.

"Isn't that so sad?"

[tevinteraltus]

Dorian didn't respond immediately. He didn't mean to belittle her plight, or that of her...fish, but all those problems seemed to pale in comparison to the desperation Thedas faced at least once a generation.

"Your world's biggest problem...is the loss of fish?"

[sonicosuper]

Why...isn't he outraged? Or at least frowning deeply in concern? That doesn't make sense to Sonico, still sitting there pouting about it. At his question, it makes sense, and she lowers her eyes and shakes her head, "Well...no. There are many other terrible things but..this one is important to me...

[tevinteraltus]

He nodded, frowning slightly in apology. He almost wished he could understand. "Where I come from, there is a...pestilence. No one has a cure, though that hasn't stopped many of us from trying. It...decays the mind and the body. Once contracted, it is, in all instances, fatal. Our faith tells us it is an affliction we've been stricken with because of the hubris of my ancestors, but...whether or not that is completely truth has little bearing on the present. The Darkspawn, as well call them, are very real, number...countless really, and occasionally they infect an Old God, a dragon god, and their armies try to conquer the world. It happens at least once in a generation. It happened four years ago. A dear friend of mine was stricken with the blight and died two years ago. My mentor, his father, and I did our best to find a cure, but it was for naught, so I can understand fighting a fruitless battle because you believe in it."

[sonicosuper]

As he described this disease, or trauma, or whatever it is, Sonico nodded slowly, understanding how something like that must take much more of one's efforts and courage than wondering about the sealife. "I - I am really very sorry to hear that. For your troubles, and your loses." Ever one to try to help, Sonico looked back up at him with a hopeful gaze, "Perhaps there might be scientists or doctors here that can help. Maybe, with all of this technology, you can find a way."

[tevinteraltus]

He chuckled, but nodded his appreciation at her effort. "It isn't an affliction of the body so much as the spirit. It...erodes. It isn't something mundane. If it were, our healing magics, hell our poultices would do something."

[sonicosuper]

That only causes Sonico to frown all the more in concern, "I'm so sorry... That sounds..." It sounds even worse. It sounds terrifying, but she feels it would be rude to say so to much. "...very difficult. Still...perhaps there is still some hope of some help or some comfort out there somewhere..."

[tevinteraltus]

He chuckles, finally, shaking his head and waving a hand as though to shoo away her concern.

"Well, it's a small comfort they don't tarry long. A few years, and death is inevitable."