Hazelnuts and plaid

[Wylde]

"Y-yes ma'am!" barks Wylde, scurrying off toward the back of the house.

"Varric! Helene! We have a new problem!" she shouts as she bursts into the room.

[Varric]

Varric swiftly moves to block Wylde; not a violent action, but instead a protective one. And a sensible one, given that Helene appears to be in mid divination. "Explain," he barks out, the warmth and tentative relaxation of the morning burned away.

[Wylde]

"Aveline got a note, a bird feather token, and freaked out on me. Stared at nothing for a bit then barked at me to go get you. I don't know what it says."

[Varric]

"Fucking slag and tortured--" The snarled ignan curses are swallowed painfully as the dwarf throttles his temper. "Alright. Alright." He takes a deep breath. "Beka, guard Helene," he orders as he strides from the room, gesturing for Wylde to follow. Arriving at Aveline's room, he allows himself a brief moment of relief at the crispness and clarity of thought in Aveline's eyes, a marked improvement over the glazed shock she'd been in directly following Hawke's disappearance. 

"What--" He breaks off when the letter is thrust at him, instead reading it.

As he does so, Aveline gestures for Wylde to approach. "Help me change," she asks, having already managed to remove her gardening smock, but it's clear she'll need help changing out of the trousers and tunic if it's going to happen in any appreciable speed.

[Wylde]

"Um." She looks about to duck her head and obey, but instead, she takes a deep breath, straightens her spine, and tilts her head. "No offense meant, but should I help you? Given your condition, you shouldn't be rushing off to rescue anyone."

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline's jaw clenches and she takes a deep breath. "Yes, thank you, Cpl. Lowell. I was unclear. Help me undress so I can put on my dress uniform, not my armour. I can't go charging into combat but I can browbeat the guard and Lights into taking some fucking action."

"Good idea but bad first step; wear your armour. Shield and sword too," Varric says oh so quietly. "Bring Beka. I'll ask Isabela if she's willing to go with as well." Zevran is sedated, dosed strongly enough that he'll be out for at least six hours or more, so she might agree to help elsewhere. "If they're trying to break the Clan, you're target number two right now."

[Wylde]

"Yes ma'am," says Wylde, saluting before kneeling to help Aveline out of her trousers. Before long, not only is she in her armor, but Wylde's gone into her own satchel and changed into her uniform as well, to match. She'd been treating this light duty like a day off, but no more -- seems she wants to do what she can to help Aveline. 

[Aveline Vallen]

"Thank you, Wylde," she says quietly, resting a hand on the other woman's forearm briefly. "I know this has... gotten to be a lot more than you bargained for when you enlisted."

[Wylde]

"Oh, no ma'am," she says, eyes wide. "This is still way better than my family situation. At least you're not pinning me down to bite my neck when you snap at me," she says, mouth opening in a silent laugh. 

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline's eyes narrow and the faint smile she'd been offering shifts to a snarl. "One day, one day soon after-- after this, I'm going to finally get some names out of you and have a good, long talk with that so-called family," the word is nearly spit, "of yours."

[Wylde]

"Begging your pardon but no ma'am, I like my kin alive and well and far away from me." Still, there's gratitude for the sentiment in her eyes, and her silent laugh continues. 

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline scowls a little more, though there's no small amount of warmth in her eyes. "I'll only bring a merciful sword," she counter bargains. 

[Wylde]

"We'll see. Maybe if you're a good girl and don't overtax yourself," Wylde replies. 

[Aveline Vallen]

"Tempting, but I don't date subordin--" Aveline cuts off, posture stiffening as her own words sink in. "Right then, let's talk to Isabela." Without looking, she moves off, hoping-- and knowing better-- that Wylde can't see her blushing.

[Wylde]

Wylde grins, tilting her head just a little. 'Tempting', huh? That's new. She trots after, her virtual tail wagging happily as she does.