Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Demon King... hah!" Varric says lazily- her male and dwarven accented voice coming from across the room. Prank spell my ass, you just need to be (me) clever enough to use it. "Bet you can't even drink that speck of a goblin under the table, much less impress that fine piece of ocean." Varric widens her eyes as if startled to be singled out, gaze darting around to find out who just tossed them under the dragon.

[GamesMaster]

"That's a bet you'll lose," he crows. "Bartender, if you will, a round of Flaming Dragons for myself, this lovely lady, and that goblin."

Room is quickly made at Garrett's table as the bartender prepares and brings over three tall, highly alcoholic drinks. At the table, he makes a show of lighting each one aflame just before serving. Garrett doesn't wait for his to stop burning; clearly he has some fire resistance, as it doesn't bother him one bit.

[Varric]

Varric plays up a bit of fear/fascination with the fire, as befitting a goblin, before eagery chugging the drink. As she does so, she tries to catch Isabela's eye to signal her to stay as sober as possible.

[Isabela]

Isabela winks as she takes a dainty sip. "I forfeit," she laughs. "You two have fun. I'm only adventurous in the bedroom."

Garrett smirks, leaning toward her. "Hello," he purrs, in such a startling imitation of Zevran Isabela nearly loses her smile.

[Varric]

"I'm done," Varric pipes up to redirect Garrett. "Does that mean I win?"

[GamesMaster]

"Hah! nice try, small stuff," he chides. "But it's about the quantity, not the speed. I have it on good authority girls prefer it slow, anyway." 

[Varric]

Varric shudders a little. "I prefer a good book," she says weakly, waving at the bartender.

[GamesMaster]

"Really?" he says, leaning forward. "You sure? Maybe you just haven't had the right cock yet, eh?" he asks, with a laugh. "If you want to join when I win over this lady, I'm always up for a threesome." That said, he throws back the rest of his drink and crows, "Another!"

Upstairs, Zevran and Helene finish checking the rooms. There were people in some of them: sleeping, fucking, and one doing some elaborate exercise routine. But no girls locked in, no gemstones, no huddling mess. Just people. Just an inn.

The final room they check is the largest: this must be the boss' room, as it's got a nicer, larger bed (with room for threesomes) and a large chest with a padlock on it for belongings. There's also some swords, which are poorly balanced to Zevran's practiced hand, but look really stylish and fancy.

[Tethras Clan]

Naturally enough, Zevran heads for the padlock to start picking it. "Look around, but be wary of any gems, red or otherwise. Or necklaces."

[GamesMaster]

He picks it without too much trouble. Inside are a lot of clothes: men's clothing and women's, oddly enough. At the very bottom are a journal -- very masculine, bound in leather -- and a choker with a broken red gemstone on it. The gemstone is inert, no longer glowing, but he recognizes it, of course: he was the one who shattered it.

[Tethras Clan]

"Can you... magic study this?" Zevran asks as he uses a pair of daggers to lift the necklace on the bed. I'll look over the journal while they do that.

[GamesMaster]

Helene gets to work, mostly casting the bones to be honest but also using what knowledge and understanding of spellwork they have to investigate.

As Zevran opens the journal, he sees in large print: "PROPERTY OF GARRETT THE DEMON KING, DO NOT READ!"

[Tethras Clan]

"...right, she's a teenager under all of this," Zevran reminds himself. He shakes his head with amusement, then continues to read.

[GamesMaster]

It's an engrossing tale: a diary, starting with an account of waking up and realizing his body wasn't under his control anymore, detailing breaking that possession, taking control back, and deciding fuck it, since I can't remember who I used to be, I'm going to be a badass bandit.

Unfortunately, as he starts the second entry and turns a page, he discovers there's real teeth to that whole 'do not read' thing: an imp leaps out of the pages at him, ambushing him as he and Helene fight for their lives.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Garrett shows no signs of flagging as he drinks alongside Varric. Apparently the kid's got a much higher tolerance than Marian used to; he's no dwarf, but he's clearly used to hard drinking. And song. And smashing things, apparently, as on a whim after one round he spiked his glass to the floor, to the laughter of his men. Oddly enough, after that one overture, he doesn't push the issue of sex on Varric -- nor does he grope or grab at Isabela, despite her leaning close several times. He just seems to be enjoying the evening, laughing with friends, winking at the pretty girl, and boasting of his prowess.

[Varric]

He's playing. This- all of this- boasts and brag. Like... like what an innocent teenager might dream of doing if they were a bandit out of a pulp novel. Sure, big talk of murder and pillaging, but... what he actually does is drink (hells, even the drinks are storybook wonder no-one actually drinks flaming drinks except tourists and teens), party and wench (or rather, brag about it) a bit. Watching intently, Varric lets Isabela handle the conversation and, ugh, flirting, while she focuses on making sure Garrett keeps drinking.