( open ) once you step down

[bheidh]

Who: bheidh & OPEN
When: IC 6/16
Where: Shopping District + Pleasure District
What: A field trip of exploration ( getting lost ) and an evening of entertainment ( working )
Rating/Warning: None

---

( shopping district )

( She feels so lost - out of place, does Leliana. The bright lights, stores and tall buildings are quite a way away from Thedas, and they're as unfamiliar as they could be. Leliana's no stranger to shopping - from markets to the higher end shops of Orlais, but this is quite different. This doesn't feel the same as the shops that Leliana knows, especially not when she's had little opportunity to shop in more recent years.

Though Leliana can keep it from her expression there's something in the way she moves - her slower steps, her gaze around the streets - that shows how out of place Leliana feels. She's curious - occassionally stopping at a store window to see their wares, but for the most part she's walking along down the streets - just trying to figure it all out.

Modern technology had been mentioned to her in that last 'game' - in what Leliana had thought was the Fade. What the man had called virtual reality Leliana had thought was something else, but in the days since - and with nothing so familiar (or demon-y) happening Leliana's wondering just how right he may have been. As ridiculous as it all is. She doesn't want to let her guard down - to just accept it - but this is far from Leliana's dreams, and with so many here that she knows of, and with less fight to escape than she'd have thought-

It's partly why Leliana's exploring the area. Gathering her bearings is one thing, to know that if she needs to she knows where to go - to get supplies, to find somewhere secure, but also to gather information. She may be removed from Skyhold but tricks and training don't just leave you, and finding out everything that Leliana can would aid her greatly now. And those she knows )

( pleasure district )

( It's late evening when Leliana's at work, and surprisingly it's the most familiar thing about this whole experience. Though her 'uniform' isn't quite what Leliana knows from the Chantry it's closer than the outfit she'd arrived in (jeans, Cassandra had called them).

The work isn't quite the same - Leliana knows how to woo and to tease, to get close to people and enchant them, but she's never been a whore. It's what she has to do - no worse that killing a man, though Leliana is using it for her own means too. For those that pay extra - to take the Sister for a private show - she tries to ask what she can, to trade as many peeks for secrets as possible.

Her 'part' - or act, as her boss tells her, involves singing, and it is something of a relief - a comfort. It feels just as the game did at times - enchanting, singing, getting what you need. She pulls on the tales from Thedas, songs passed among the bards as Leliana moves around the room from patron to patron. For now she's still clothed, not that the uniform gives her much for clothing, trying to see who she can extract secrets from that night )

Comments

shopping district

[animated]

[ Charlie is trying to get his bearings as well, though he’s having much less of a hard time than Leliana. Some of the technology and architecture may be alien, but a shopping center is still a shopping center. A bookstore is still a bookstore, and he’s not sure what he did to get offered a job nearly identical to the one he had at home, but he’s glad he did it. There’s a sense of familiarity there that he’d be sorely missing otherwise.

The wizard is shelving books near the front window when Leliana happens by (and no, he’s not using magic. He’s using a step stool like a normal person). She pauses to look in, and Charlie realizes he recognizes her from the ViViD level from before- though he would greatly prefer not to remember that particular ViViD level. He sets the remaining books aside and pokes his head out the front door, offering her a smile. ]

Taking in the sights?

[bheidh]

( Thankfully bookstores are one of the most familiar of the stores that Leliana has seen that day, and it's perhaps why she's lingering near the doorway - looking around the shelves stacked high with books, and feeling some comfort at the sight.

At the voice Leliana turns, the sight of the man more recognisable than his voice. It's- after their first meeting Leliana hadn't been quite certain what to think, until she'd learned the truth of this place. That it wasn't the Fade, that in some ways it was real. He was a mage, Leliana knew that much about him, though she didn't remember if she'd gotten his name )

I've found there's much to see.

( So much that is new, or at least different looking than the shops of Thedas. Even the bookstore, as familiar as it looks, has something about it that looks different - feels different. Maybe it's the way they're stacked, or the bright colours used on some of the books )

It's an unusual world.

[animated]

[ He chuckles. ] “Unusual” might be an understatement.

[ And this coming from a guy who at least knows how to work a cell phone. He doesn’t have any idea what kind of world this woman comes from- it could be much more alien to her than it is to him.

Charlie steps back from the doorway, motioning her inside. ] You’re welcome to come in.

[bheidh]

( Unusual was an understatement. It was the little things that made it more so - the colours of the lights, things that Leliana couldn't explain by magic. The familiarity this place had had to the Fade initially was unnerving, and much seemed unnatural. The technology, the sounds - the smells.

At his invitation Leliana steps into the store, eyes this time focused only on him. Whatever this world was he seemed a little more comfortable in it than she did, or he was good at hiding it )

You've found work, then. Was it what you did before?

[animated]

[ Charlie does seem at ease in his surroundings, and he wonders if it was really that obvious how at home he is in a bookstore that she even thought to ask that. ]

More or less. I own a bookstore back home.

I’m sorry, I don’t think I ever introduced myself. I’m Charlie. [ He offers her a hand. ]

[bheidh]

Leliana.

( There's a moment before Leliana shakes his hand, and only briefly so, her hand dropping back down to her side )

Perhaps these people know much of us before we wake, to place us so fittingly.

( Because how far a stretch was a stripper nun from a bard turned lay sister? )

pleasure district

[hairysituations]

[ Varric's been busy on the hunt for secrets of his own. Secrets, and a good place to hang out in. He doesn't expect to find a place that feels as much like home as the Hanged Man (that would be too improbable, and he isn't going to get his hopes up) but someplace where the people are good and the serving girls are cute might be moderately acceptable. Given the circumstances.

Which is exactly what leads him into Leliana's bar that night. When he realizes that it's her wearing that little outfit, he can't even make himself be all that surprised. He's learned that she's likely to be just about anywhere (good at her job, that one), and given the fact that he'd heard 'GET AN EYEFUL OF SOME NAUGHTY SISTERS' while passing by, he can't say that this is the last place he'd expect to find her.

So when they finally meet gazes (which, let's be real, is probably mere minutes after he's walked in, she's sharp) he raises his newly procured glass at her. Cheers! ]

[bheidh]

( Though Varric had caught Leliana's attention early on she waited until finishing her song before she approached him. Leliana doubted that he'd known she worked there - or at least that he'd gone there specifically because of her, but knowing Varric's penchant for the Hanged Man she hadn't doubted he'd wander in one day )

Does it live up to expectations?

( Whether she's asking about the show, the bar, the drink- who knows. She'd rather know what he answers on )

[hairysituations]

[ come on, now. he's not that easy. ]

Depends what you're asking about. There's a lot going on.

[ there's also the fact that he didn't know what to expect. finding her here? happy accident. not that he'll admit that much. ]

Been thinking we should have a talk, at some point.

[bheidh]

Indeed there is.

( Never mind their 'jobs' but the fact that they're here at all - that this is all apparently just a game. Never mind how many of them have been sucked up )

So, what should we talk about?

( Had he planned on having it right now? He can now. At least until she gets called back - unless Varric wants to pay extra to keep her there. He's right at least - that they should talk. Between some of them being there for some time and some apparent irregularities in their memories? They need to talk )

[hairysituations]

I think you know.

[ he's not super keen on doing it here—not that he really expects anyone to be listening or honestly care what they're going to be talking about. he probably could be more careless, between the men being distracted by nuns and the amount of people he suspects came from thedas other than them (0), but it's just not in his nature. ]

But I don't want to keep you from richer patrons for too long. I'm lucky I've got two coins to rub together right now.

... There're some things I'd like to compare, at any rate.

[bheidh]

But there's more than just riches.

( And she knows that he knows that - that money isn't the only currency. Though what they have to talk about isn't really secrets to trade perhaps something can be arranged in any case )

Come. There's somewhere- quieter.

( The room in the back where the privater affairs take place. Plus, she'd rather spend a moment talking to Varric than another patron )

shopping district

[rampion]

[ For a girl whose world was once made of walls and windows, Cerealia's shopping district is a galaxy of endlessly new and interesting things to explore. Though work tends to put Rapunzel in unusual places, she's hardly lost the situational innocence she arrived with; just a few weeks ago she was posing as a 50s waitress, modeling the uniform and pretending to be surprised when her friends were at the shitty diner she'd had to do it in.

The difference between a hole-in-the-wall on the rougher side of town and an upscale joint with coasters on every table is still beyond her.

Far from nonchalant after so many weeks, Rapunzel's appreciation and amazement have only grown with time. One thing she isn't used to, however, is seeing someone else with the same tentative, slightly startled approach to exploration as her. It's partly why she slows to a leisurely walk as she's crossing the street: Leliana's mannerisms are bizarrely familiar.

Too bad about stopping dead in the middle of traffic to watch. ]

shopping district

[nostatus]

[ .. Shinpachi is pretty sure that's not the first time he's seen the other pass by in his lunch break.

Working in the shopping district has its upsides - there's always a lot of people around, and he actually sort of likes watching them pass by while he's not in the middle of working in the car shop. Which means he gets to sit out front while he's shovelling food into his face, and just watch people pass by, listen in on their conversations.. it helps for figuring out what he missed ever since he was dumped back into this place too.

But Leliana.. well, she looks kind of lost. Or at least not like she has a specific goal or place she's talking to, so when Shinpachi spots her walking past for the second time, he quickly swallows his mouthful of food (look, he can be polite sometimes! .. he tries!) and speaks up. ]

Hey! Lookin' for something?

[bheidh]

( She'd seen him sat there but had taken little about him into her 'adventure'. Though people could be quite helpful - they could provide much information about unknown situations, but - for the start - Leliana was trying to see what she could find alone, so that she didn't feel completely lost in conversation. Although that was a lot simpler when you weren't surrounded by unfamiliar things - such as the shop this man was at )

No. ( Though what Leliana's looking at now she wouldn't know what to call it ) I'm finding my way around.

( How successfully that is is up for debate. She hasn't gotten lost physically, but she's a lot more confused now than when she started )

[nostatus]

Ah.. [ He nods slowly as he takes her answer in. He can sort of get - if he hadn't been in this place before, he would have been pretty confused by its layout too now he's come back. Hell, he's still confused from time to time. ]

It's a pretty big place, isn't it? [ He encouragingly grins at her. ] Easy to get lost.

[bheidh]

It's more than the size.

( Big places were nothing new to Leliana - she'd been raised in large places, but a big and unfamiliar place made getting lost easier. Especially when things were as unfamiliar of the place )

But it could be easy. Have you remembered your way?

[nostatus]

[ Usually it'd be kind of embarrassing to admit - especially in front of a lady! - but the fact that she's still trying to get used to it too makes it easier to admit. He even smiles easily, like he's not too worried about it. ]

Kinda. I can get to the places I need to get to, that's good enough, right? [ As long as he can find his apartment, the place he works at and some bar, then that's already good for him. ] There's some places around here that aren't really worth memorizing unless you come there a lot.

[ He laughs, like he isn't too serious about the next possibility he brings up. ]

Unless you think they've hidden a secret exit to this place 'round here somewhere, of course!

[bheidh]

A secret exit would be an interesting find.

( And it made her voice light up a little for those few seconds )

What places need I not learn of?

pleasure district - here i am 48935983895 years later p.s. why did i do this option

[sortileges]

[ Usually he tends to avoid this district, simply because of what the area implies. It is, however, the area where the place where he works as a poker dealer is. A shady place with a track record for being difficult but having a huge pay off if you manage to win. It's shady as well, but that's partly why he's kept at it. The people who go there probably deserve their credits being taken.

It's when he's walking back to the train station that he hears singing coming from inside somewhere. It's hard to say if he recognises the voice or not, but there's a feeling like he does which is why he peeks his head inside--only to choke and almost fall through when he sees Leliana is the one singing.

This probably isn't what she expected their second meeting to ever be but... things never go as planned, do they?

It takes him a minute to collect himself, and someone probably shoves him inside while yelling about him being in the way, otherwise he would never have properly entered a place like this but it's all in good timing as she finishes her song up. ]

...You work here?!

[ Could that be any louder...? Apparently not. ]

bc it is the best option you love it

[bheidh]

( If Leliana were not Leliana she would probably look surprised, if not by the outburst than the person that it came from. Her first impression of Merlin was that he was not someone that would have been likely to visit a place such as this, though clearly given his appearance there maybe she was wrong. It has happened before.

Though he seems more shocked by her being there than Leliana does of him. Maybe he accidentally came there, or got the wrong impression of her. Still, given his appearance she can't help herself - and she does need a new customer.

Stepping over, almost gliding with her ease in the place, Leliana ushers Merlin a little more into the room - more away from the door )

Is that so surprising?

( Her voice has retained a little of the melodic tone from when she'd been singing, teasing Merlin a little )

i'm crying into my hands

[sortileges]

[ Well it's a little surprising in the sense that now a lot of drunken and sober yet perverted (probably) aliens and people alike are probably glaring in his direction for ruining the peace and seeming like he was judging the establishment (he is).

He bites into his lip and makes sure that he doesn't look anywhere he shouldn't (this is not a place for pure people that is for Sure) then sighs. ]

I just thought I recognised the voice so I... [ He cants his head a little. ] It's a little surprising.

it's so beautiful

[bheidh]

( Leliana can't help but smile - enjoying his embarrassment, the way he really doesn't know where to look. No, Leliana had been right. He didn't come to places like this )

Then we'll have to take care of that.

( She's still moving him along ever so slightly, drawing Merlin further into the room - away from some of those gazes, though some follow their walk wondering perhaps why her attention is on him. She's not looking at them, her attention solely on him and the direction she's taking him. Leliana's good at ignoring glances )

Did you come for the song?

beautifully embarrassing

[sortileges]

[ Considering he almost forgot to walk out of the elevator once when meeting his not!girlfriend, it isn't surprising. This is definitely worse, but still.

He's pulled along simply because he doesn't know what else to do in a situation like this. There are a few men growling in his direction for being so judgmental then wandering off with her but ... he just ignores that too. ]

You can sing really well. Though... what are we taking care of exactly?

[ Weirdest day of his life tbh ]

the best kind

[bheidh]

I was a bard.

( Was, still is. But that's also not exactly what you say to a compliment, Leliana. Still she's leading him further through the room until they get to a door, which Leliana opens, leading them into a smaller, very private room )

You're surprised here. Perhaps we should make you comfortable.