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[armd]

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[notathreat]

[Ellie's breath hisses out, because she already knows she's telling the truth. It's why she came into this hot. She had believed things were settled between them, at least in terms of violence. Even if she can't say she knows Abby, she feels that she understands her.

It sucks so much more that she does.]

... okay.

I haven't found anybody who fights like a Tevinter mage. But the asshole has a dragon, too. Don't be surprised if you see me on a dragon hunt if it comes up.

[Fair warning. Almost for politeness' sake.]

[armd]

(... that's good to know. abby files it away for later, and- well, it certainly explains a couple of reactions she's had to that message. why nobody could tell her directly instead of beating about the bush is something she doesn't have an answer for; how the fuck was she supposed to have known that? this is still so new for her.

sucks enough that ellie's already got a head start.)

Got it.

(and then, for rudeness' sake:) And you can go ahead and let your guard dog know that you were the one to message me first, thanks.

[notathreat]

... my what?

[It's sharp and annoyed, and then... Ellie pushes out a breath, sharper and more annoyed. Because Abby wouldn't lie about this, but she knows who would.

And he told her that he wouldn't save her. She'd really thought he'd fucking stay out of it.]

Astarion?

[armd]

(who else.)

Just to stop him from telling whoever'll listen that I made you cry in some- goddamn public square for no reason.

[notathreat]

I'm sorry, he fucking what?

[WHY IS EVERYONE SO INSULTING.]

[armd]

Go ask him yourself, I'm not going to rob him of the chance to run his mouth about it.

(why is this conversation so disarmingly normal, topic aside.) And while you're at it, tell him to leave me the fuck alone.

[notathreat]

Jesus fucking christ.

[Ellie mutters under her breath, and just- fuck. All of this is a special sort of insane, but especially the fact that she's talking to Abby, having a conversation with Abby, and the second she thinks it she can feel a horrible tightness in her chest, and she clenches her teeth.]

Anybody else sticking their nose in?

[armd]

(it isn't great for her either, though admittedly, dobbing in astarion does come with its own set of grim pleasures.)

Nope. (because derrica was never dickish about it,) We good?

[notathreat]

No, but we're done.

[At least Derrica hasn't meddled, apparently. Or if she has, she hasn't stirred the pot. Ellie gives a sigh, and ends the communication.]

[heirring]

Oh, hardly private. Unless I suppose someone had developed such abilities and chosen not to use them or to share the knowledge with anyone. But they are difficult skills to hide in the field. Let me see, [has the thoughtful air of a person flicking through their mental files.]

There is Madame Baudin, as mentioned. My own anchor is similar. Mister Stark's has displayed some unique properties which you might consult him on— There must be others. None of the new Rifters that I can recall...

[armd]

Oh, okay. (well in that case.

disappointingly, it doesn't sound like it's very common, which is a shame, because abby would love to have a little extra oomph on her side considering she's lacking entirely in the magic department.)

I– might talk to them, yeah. What does yours do?

[heirring]

Mine? Oh, I suppose it is nearly equivalent to Madame Baudin's. I have closed a rift on my own and have fended off a few demons using a sort of...concussive pulse, I suppose. But I'll confess that I've yet to rigorously test the thing.

[She's busy. Or whatever.]

[armd]

... I closed a rift on my own, (she offers, after a moment's consideration.) The first one that I came through.

[heirring]

[Here, a first spark of what seems like real interest. It throws the rest of her recent recitations into a somewhat new light; evidently Wysteria has discussed these particular points more than once. But this? This is evidently of interest.]

Oh! Did you really? That's surprising. Have you done so a second time? I wonder whether it had to do with the increased levels of Fadiation which are prescient to the arrival of a rifter....

[armd]

... Yes? (okay, now she's... not so sure. honestly, it was a frantic blur of confusion. abby remembers the demon more than the rift itself; closing it was unpleasant, but it wasn't the worst part of the whole situation.)

Laura and I were the only two people there, (she explains,) And she–

Did you just say Fadiation?

crystal.

[heorte]

Will you help me test a shield? When you've the time for it.

[armd]

Yeah. Is it new?

[heorte]

Aye. It's one of the experiments the Provost asked to be used in the field. But I'd rather take a turn around the training yard before relying on it elsewhere.

[armd]

Count me in.

It do anything extra on the side?

[heorte]

As the Provost explained it to me, it absorbs the force of the blow and uses it to knock my attacker back. Or off their feet, depending on how hard they hit.

[ so you know. fun times. ]

[armd]

(her reply is closer to a laugh than anything.)

Is is bad that I kinda want to hit it as hard as I can?

[heorte]

I think the Provost would be delighted if you did.

[ just saying. ]

[armd]

I'll do it. (she doesn't take much persuading,) But you should tell me what 'Provost' means first.

[heorte]

It's Tony Stark's title, as head of the Research Division.

[armd]

Fancy.

Where do you wanna do this.