Friends, Lovers, and Enemies

Posted on 31 Jul 2021 @ 10:59pm by Rogue Jaslyn & Rogue Cainan Sauvage

3,143 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Summerday La Fête
Location: Cainan's home / alienage
Timeline: Cloudreach 21st, morning

Jaslyn lay sprawled across Cainan's bed, naked, panting to regain her breath. "What was I saying before that last, uh… spectacular interruption? Oh yes." Jaslyn sat up in the bed and regarded her bedpartner with a mock-scowl. "Cainan, as much as I would enjoy spending another two days and nights naked with you in your apartment, I can't put off visiting the alienage any longer. Hahren Liriel will be expecting me. And I should think Julanna's family will be expecting both of us."

Cainan breathed deeply, wanting to preserve the post-coital moment for just a little longer, but he knew it was futile. She was right, of course - he had been putting it off, mainly because this wasn't something he was good at. Consoling someone, sincerity; these weren't his natural skills; he was gifted in only very narrow, mainly physical endeavours, and when presented with the need for these more empathetic pursuits, he apparently resorted to procrastination through what he was good at. But he had run out of interruptions and postponements - it was time.

He rolled over and snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"Yeah, I know," he sighed, his fingers caressing the small of her back. "I... am not good at it. You should know that ahead of time, I haven't the faintest idea of what to say. How do you tell someone that their daughter is dead?" he asked, sincerely hoping there was a simple answer.

Jaslyn barely resisted the lure of Cainan's embrace. The man was skilled, with nearly as much stamina as a Grey Warden. "You certainly are good at some things." She kissed him on the cheek in a way that would have been chaste if they were not both naked and only moments ago engaged in some very not-chaste activities, then wriggled off the bed. "Julanna's family already suspected she was dead. We are only giving them confirmation and closure. Just recognize there is nothing you can say that will ease their grief. The best you can do is share what you remember about her. Tell them how she made the lives of her shipmates better. Tell them how she influenced you."

Cainan listened to her speak, the soothing sound of her voice adding to his resolve. After bathing, Cainan found himself wearing his least flamboyant ensemble; there was no need to peacock about today.

When they were ready, they stepped outside into the sunshine; it was a far nicer day than it had any right to be, and the preparations for the Summerday festival didn't help to make the journey to the Alienage any more somber, as people scurried with decorations, ingredients and flowers, eager in anticipation of the week-long festivities. Cainan himself would normally be looking forward to it, as well, and maybe tomorrow he would; he particularly enjoyed the third day, where indulgence was not only tolerated but encouraged, and the streets were filled with drinking, eating, flirting and the inevitable steps before retiring with a stranger (or indeed, someone familiar) to indulge in some more carnal passions.

"Have you ever celebrated Summerday, Jaslyn?" he asked, making conversation for the first time since leaving the apartments.

"Since I came to Jader as a Grey Warden, yes," said Jaslyn as they made their way through the streets of Jader. "Summerday is celebrated in Val Royeaux of course, but I was a servant then, and for servants and most elves it is not a celebration. My favorite day of the festival was Fasting day, when our masters slept off their hangovers and left us alone to prepare the last day's feast. I enjoy the festivities now, in Jader, though I do keep a watchful eye for those not so lucky."

She stopped at a bakery cart and bought two of the seasonal sweet-bread rolls cleverly molded into phallic shapes and handed one to Cainan. She gave him a sly smile, then bit into the end of her breakfast. "Of course, I do expect to be drinking, partying, and indulging in a bit of debauchery. After all, we must take our Andrastian duties seriously. Have you made particular plans for any the days of the festival?"

Cainan pondered the ramifications of listing what he hoped to achieve with their trysts over the next few days; just how much he was planning to break the days of fasting and quiet contemplation, and focus only on the days of debauchery and excess... but decided on a more conservative approach. No need to pursue her doggedly when she was a willing participant, and it would be presumptuous to assume she did not have other plans.

"Oh, sexy hijinks, plenty of wine, and some good food, but nothing that one might call firm plans," he replied, vaguely.

Jaslyn chuckled appreciatively. "It seems unlikely, but should we both find ourselves desiring of - but lacking - a bedpartner, I propose that we agree to, uh… come… to each other's aid?"

Cainan smiled at that, and the possibilities therein. "Oh, I'd hate to think that the event would pass without being memorable... and if there's one thing I can say about our time together so far, it has been... memorable," he said, huskily. "If you somehow find yourself without the company you deserve, I will of course be available," he added, though in truth he hoped to be more than a backup plan.

"If you like we could make that a plan." Jaslyn looked up into his handsome face and smiled, then looked away. In many ways Cainan was the perfect for-now partner for her - a nobleman and a hedonist coming to terms with the realization he had a conscience. She needn't worry that their mutual entertainment would lead to him getting attached to someone like her, an elf and a Grey Warden guaranteed to die young and childless.

They walked for another ten minutes, as the shops slowly but noticeably changed to reflect the poorer residents in this part of the city. Gone were the stores containing curiosities and artisanal crafts from around the world, having given way to the more pragmatic food sellers, and then again to the markets that sold meats that were still mysterious, but not because of the parts of Thedas they had once called home. As even these fell away, they found themselves at the boundary of the Jader Alienage. An old guard post was still erected, more of a hut by the main gate. The buildings around the alienage naturally formed a wall so there were set points of entry and exit; all the better to pen them in should an uprising or protest occur. But such things were becoming a thing of the past; at least, for the worst of it; the guard post was little more than a hut now, with no occupants; Empress Celene had made some substantial moves to improve the lot of Elves living in her cities, though it would still illicit humour or anger to use the word 'Equal' to describe the current situation. There was no mistake that Elves were still in need of their Alienage, if only because there was safety in numbers. But with that safety came the cost of isolation, and the promise that their status as second class citizens could only continue, if with less restrictions than before.

Cainan slowed as they came to the gate, and looked at Jaslyn, troubled. "I'm ashamed to say that from here... I do not know the way," he admitted, unsure of how that might reflect on him. He was not keen on highlighting the differences between them, though he was of course acutely aware that he had been born with tremendous privilege, even by Orlesian standards, and that she had once been a servant to the very same type of privilege. But she was not like other women as a direct result; noblewomen were boring, common women were fun, if often a bit dull; she was an experience he could not compare to much, and one he didn't want to push away.

Nobles all knew how to reach the Alienage, but only a few knew where they were going once inside, and most of those only for fairly nefarious reasons that he would likely cut a man for, given the opportunity; for while there was indeed safety in numbers for the elves, there was only so much, and there were always men of power willing to exert that privilege without challenge on those that couldn't expect the privilege to decline. While it was not something so brazenly handled since Celene's rise to power, Cainan could not pretend that he had not encountered those that spoke of such things, and could not be offended when some of the elves ushered their women or children into the safety of their homes at his approach.

Jaslyn paused for a moment, and faced him. "I'll lead the way, we'll be fine. You should know that an elf bedding a human is strongly frowned upon, so you and I should try not to advertise what we've been doing for the last two days." She winked playfully but continued in a serious tone. "You may be called shem. I may be insulted for being with you. If that happens, please allow me to defend my own honor."

Cainan nodded, as he uncosnciously stepped a bit farther from her so that a casual observer would not assume their carnal past time. In truth, he didn't care if anyone knew; he liked being scandalous, though he did not like the idea of Jaslyn being ostracized on his account; particularly when he had already been party to enough harm in her life.

"I will do my best to let you fight your own battles," he joked; it was funny to him, because he was fairly sure she could take him in a straight fight if she really wanted to. He'd seen her fight; he was good, but she was... something else. He supposed that was what set wardens apart from the rest of society; in truth, he was more than happy to watch her take some idiot apart if it came to that; him stepping in would be a mercy.

"We should visit Hahren Liriel first, to show proper respect. She'll either tell us where to find Julanna's family or invite them to meet us in her home." Jaslyn straightened and lifted her chin, ready to enter the alienage.

Cainan cleared his throat and did the same, supposing that Hahren Liriel must be what the elves he knew referred to an elder, though he actually didn't know what that meant beyond being old. He felt less than prepared; he was not the sort to go to the alienage and strut about to antagonise the elves, like some rich idiots, but now that he was here he couldn't help but feel like he was having the same effect on the people as they passed. He wondered if falling a step behind Jaslyn would show deference or respect, but supposed it might look more like he was following her. He opted to stay by her side, at a respectful distance; Maker, but he felt uncomfortable not being here for shallow purposes.

Jaslyn walked side-by-side with Cainan along the main path through the alienage. The nobleman's presence made her more aware than usual of her fellow elves' poverty, but she also found herself noticing the positives – they took care of the little they had. Children wore clothing worn and patched, and yet the children were clean and not too thin. Liriel was a strong and unifying force here.
Finally, they arrived at the Hahren's door, and Jaslyn looked to Cainan prepared to knock. "Ready?"

"Honestly?" he asked, a bit nervous; more so than if he was meeting any human. It wasn't concern for his own safety that bothered him; Cainan was scrappy, happy to throw down or draw blades as needed and for less than most men, but that was when he was in a tavern, or when dealing with a brigand on the streets - a predator. The difference was plain; there weren't any predators here, only victims. He desperately didn't want to get into a fight with people who were just clinging to survival, and rightly saw him as a representative of everything that made their lives miserable.

He nodded, to show he was ready, and watched her knock on the door.

There was a long pause before the door opened, wider than Cainan had expected. When the old woman saw who was at her door, she looked with distrust at Cainan to Jaslyn, with confusion. Cainan expected the best thing would be to let Jaslyn handle the introductions and go from there, so he inclined his head with what he hoped conveyed the respect he supposed someone of her position expected and deserved. Hells, he wouldn't know how to handle an honoured elder in his own society, let alone that of the alienage. In the world of diplomacy he was practically a stumbling imbecile.

The elder elven woman who met them at the door would not have stood out in a crowd. Her white hair was swept up into a neat bun, and she wore no jewelry, save for a simple gold ring and a leather cord around her neck supporting a pendant hidden beneath her simple tunic. She was wrapped in the regal robes of grace born of maintaining and protecting her community in the face of adversity. In many ways she was the very personification of elvhenan persistence in a world ruled by humans.

Liriel took both of Jaslyn's hands in hers briefly in greeting, then stepped back from the door. "Come in, children. You took your time coming to see me, Jaslyn." Liriel's gaze settled disapprovingly on Cainan, as though the hahren knew what had been occupying Jaslyn's time.

Jaslyn winced at being called children with Cainan, rather than da'len – an unsubtle reminder that he was shemlin. Considering Liriel's network of spies, she probably did know what Jaslyn and Cainan had been up to, just as she would have known the moment she and Cainan entered the alienage.

Inside, the room was larger than one might expect in an alienage, with chairs stacked to one side, a table, and a chalkboard on the wall suggested this was either a classroom, a meeting place, or both. Liriel led them through a curtained doorway to a smaller, cozy room with one plush chair, a desk, a full-to-bursting bookcase and three stackable chairs like the ones in the larger room. Another door led to the rest of Liriel's personal quarters.
Liriel sat in the plush chair and gestured impatiently. "Well, go on then, Jaslyn. Introduce me to your ara'alas friend." [OOC: ara'alas = dirty desire]

Heat rose up Jaslyn's neck and flushed her cheeks, but she sat on one of the chairs with unflustered dignity and indicated to Cainan that he should do the same. "Hahren Liriel, may I present Monsieur Cainan Sauvage. He played a critical role in my investigation into Julanna's disappearance. He was a friend - falon - to her aboard the Cassabianca."

Cainan bowed his head respectfully to the elder, but clenched his jaw a bit at her comment. Cainan didn’t speak elvish – he knew a couple of the words used by elves to swear at humans, and perhaps a few used by elven women mid-coitus, but otherwise he was ignorant of the language. But Cainan was Orlesian, and all Orlesian’s were well versed in subtext, and veiled insults. It was in the shift of the woman’s eyes, the creeping blush in Jaslyn’s neck, and the way she addressed him and Jaslyn as if they were equals; he had expected the cool reception for himself, but it bothered him that it had been extended to her.

But he held himself in check; this was her domain - he was an interloper; and any action he took would reflect on Jaslyn. So he sat, as he was directed, and said simply, “Thank you for your hospitality.”

Liriel settled into her own chair, elbows on the armrests and her fingers steepled together. The hahren's wrinkled and blue-veined hands, though still strong, were far more revealing of her age than her face. Liriel's gaze settled heavily on Cainan, eyes narrowed, as though waiting for him to say more.
Her impatience barely contained, Jaslyn waited for Liriel's response. Bringing Cainan with her to speak with Julanna's family was the right thing to do, she knew it. And despite Liriel's disapproval of Jaslyn's choice of bed partner, the hahren knew well enough that Jaslyn had the best interests of the alienage's residents at heart.

Cainan wondered if he should have stayed away, but it was too late for second thoughts now. Jaslyn had said it was important for him to be here, so he was. And Julanna deserved… Something from him. He wasn’t sure exactly what, but she deserved better than she had gotten.

Cainan let Jaslyn continue without further interruption.

Jaslyn continued, despite Liriel's failure to acknowledge Cainan's introduction. "Hahren, it is with deep sadness that we must inform you that Julanna is dead."

"I've heard." Liriel waved her hands dismissively, then dropped them to her armrests and leaned toward Cainan. "Julanna had a pet name for you, I believe. What was it?"

Cainan looked at the old woman, unsure how much she knew of him already. Julanna had used a pet name for him; ‘my Wolf’. He hadn’t told anyone that, so she could only have heard it from Julanna herself, or through Julanna’s family. He was somewhat ashamed to think she had spoken of him to her family to the extent that he was known by his pet name to those he had never met, but he had never told his of any of the Cassabianca’s crew. Then again, he knew she would understand; he and his family had a different dynamic than she did with hers, and she had been well aware of his borderline disdain for the opinion of his parents.

“She called me ‘mon Loup’,” he replied, softly, though he did not break eye contact. He remembered the name fondly.

Hahren Liriel leaned back in her chair. The corners of her mouth stretched into a smile that reached her eyes and both accentuated her wrinkles and made her look younger. "Monsieur Cainan Sauvage is a stranger, but le Loup du Val Royeaux is a welcome friend to Julanna's family. I shall send for her brother."

-----

 

RSS Feed