Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one will go up with Zevran," says the blue-scaled snake man, after a moment. "If we find the target, this one will come fetch Varric."

[Tethras Clan]

"Sounds like a plan, mon amie," Zevran says with a wink and a flourished hand. "Shall we?"

[Varric]

Varric shakes her head, vaguely amused by the... kobold's antics. "Any context you can provide?" he murmurs to Isabela.

[Isabela]

"Hopefully not," says Isabela, watching them go. "Hopefully he's wrong."

They split up, then, with Varric and Isabela beginning to circulate through the room. Isabela, Varric quickly discerns, is made for this kind of work: she flirts and teases with everyone, eking out little bits and pieces of information as she does.

Firstly, she finds out that yes, this is a bandit company. The next tidbit? That they revere their boss highly. "He's a great guy," one suggests. "You should give him a lap dance," another teases with a wink.

"I just might. Which one's he?"

And so they are led to a rakish-looking young human man: broad, tall, and lean, with the beginnings of a goatee and blood-red eyes that hint at infernal heritage. "Well now, what have we here?" he asks, as Isabela sways her way over to him.

"Isabela," she says gaily, sliding right into his lap. "And you are?"

"Garrett Hawke, the demon king," he says merrily. "Very nice to meet you."

[Varric]

Garrett. Of course. Hiding in all sorts of ways here, aren't you (ugh, I do not need to see this). Varric on the other hand, handicapped by her current race, was going for more listening in and spying than gossiping. But... Hmmm. Come to think of it, this might not be Marian (or whatever the central identify ends up calling themself). Could be the representation of the demon.

[Isabela]

"Likewise, cutie," she grins, running a finger down his cheek. "How does one get to be a demon king, anyway?"

Garrett laughs. "Well, one begins by being a demon," he jokes. "Or at the very least, a merikos tiefling with ambitions."

"Aw, I'm disappointed. I hoped for more from a demon king," she pouts.

"Well they say I'm a demon in the bedroom," he purrs, his voice lowering. "If that suffices?"

[Varric]

Yes, clearly the representation of the demon (have to kill it). Needs to die. Moving carefully, Varric gets herself in a position where she has a clear fire lane to the little shit's head. 

[Tethras Clan]

Slipping upstairs with Helene as the other two begin to circulate the tavern, Zevran heads for the biggest or most secure door he can find.

[GamesMaster]

Weirdly enough, all the rooms seem... bland. The doors are ajar on most of them, and none seem to have a padlock or any sort of security. It's just... an inn. A boring inn. 

Well, less boring once Helene gets up the courage to push open one of the shut doors and they surprise two rough-and-ready men in the buff. But mundane, at least.

[Isabela]

Isabela, on the other hand, plants a kiss on his lips, then pulls back with a smirk. "I've had better."

"Better?" Garret pulls himself upright, frowning. "Lady, I'm the Demon King."

"Merikos-tiefling-with-ambitions king just doesn't have the same ring to it," she needles. 

[Tethras Clan]

Frowning, Zevran gestures for Helene to stay behind him a bit as he carefully, quietly, checks out all of the rooms.

[Varric]

Alright, I can wait a little bit to watch Isabela cut his ego down a bit first (clothes come off and I'm taking the shot).

[Isabela]

"So, what, you want me to prove that I'm bad?" asks Garrett, and there's an eager, hungry look in his eyes, something familiar to Varric -- not a hunger to consume, but a hunger to prove himself.

"Sure," she laughs. "Go wild."

Garrett pushes her off him, getting to his feet. "First of all, I need another drink. You can't have fun properly without being smashed. You in?"

[Varric]

Did I hear my cue? I think I did. Carefully move towards the bar, Varric lets out a very audible snort of derision. 

[Isabela]

Garrett scowls, looking around. "Who was that? Everyone in this room knows me -- I'm the Demon King, with my band of rough riders. We've been cutting a swath across the landscape, burning, raping, pillaging."

"Sure, luv," says Isabela, sitting in Garrett's chair and leaning back casually. "Which is why I never heard of you, right?"