riverviewlogs | Always had a fear of being typical

who: Dorian + Iona (Closed) | Dorian + YOU
what: Some shopping (we gotta look GOOD for that Ball) + January Catch-All!
when: Throughout January
where: Various locations throughout the Quarantine | Library | OPEN
warnings: Nothing I can think of. If this changes, I'll update

Closed to Iona Lavellan | January 2nd | SHOPPING

If Dorian were honest, he was a little offended there was a formal ball in less than four days and he'd been given minimal time to prepare. That being said, December had given him something he'd learned not to expect and something for which he was very thankful: his closest and most dearest friend, Iona Lavellan. Though they hadn't spoken at length about the things she'd left behind, he suspected she was troubled about leaving Thedas to its own devices (and who wouldn't be?), but with the announcement of a formal ball at the end of this week, and the relative warming of the weather (thank the Maker), she needed a change in wardrobe (and so did he) as well as formal attire for a formal outing (because everyone had to look their level best)!

The communal beds were novel, but they also served to make retrieving your friends easy as he rapped on her bedpost while she sat at her desk. Still dressed for colder weather, but nothing as heavy as December's wardrobe, he smiles warmly when she turns.

"Ready for a day out on the town?"

January 9th - 14th (Early Evening) | Library | OPEN

Though Dorian has spent the better part of several months in the Quarantine, he's only recently become acclimated to the idea of staying. He's done his work at the Research Institute, he's spoken with others, he's gotten close to a few, but in the back of his mind, it had all been a hold over to returning to his own world, to delivering his people (quite a lofty goal) and generally just being in Thedas again.

Now, though, is a different story. Now, well, he's actually starting to grow fond of the place, which means knowing its history. He can be found in the early evenings, after work but before the library shuts down for the evening, sifting through titles in the history section, or browsing through tomes at a table near it. He looks up often, when someone's shadow touches the edge of his vision, as though he's rather used to being interrupted. He'll even nod invitingly if someone seems up for a chat. He can be personable like that.

ANYTIME JANUARY | ANYWHERE
Wildcard! Have a thread you'd like with Dorian? Drop me a PM here, or hit me up on

vikael and I can throw up a starter below!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Knowing that they wouldn’t be missed, that being a resident of the Quarantine didn’t mean that Corypheus would win, would be an immense relief to Iona. After Adamant, no matter knowing that they survived, that they won, it didn’t change the fact that they hadn’t yet. Not for her. And Adamant still weighed on her. Although being here made it easier to deal with. A little.

Didn’t stop the nightmares, though.

She took his hand with a soft, fond laugh. “Oh, it wasn’t that bad. At first. Although if this train is as marvellous as you claim I might wish it had such a thing.”

"Really? Did you miss all the Templars, rebel mages, demons, and bears vying for the first chance to rip your face off? I most certainly insist on the train."

He took her hand, guiding her to her feed. "Now then, it isn't quite like shopping in Orlais, but it suffices. What this city lacks in opulence it makes up for in variety."

“After a certain point I did get used to them,” she teased, looking amused. “It feels strange to not have to worry about that.” Creators, she didn’t know what to do with herself. The job helped, but it wasn’t quite the same. Perhaps she could find someone to spar with.

She smirked at him. “Well, given the reaction I would garner shopping in Orlais, I suspect I will probably find this an improvement.” Certainly less insulting, and lacking the usual sorts of assumptions aimed at her people.

"Yes, I suppose it did all become a bit mundane after a fashion." He shook his head as he turned toward the door. "But I will never acclimate to the cold. The southerners are welcome to it."

He chuckles at that, continuing toward the door. "Yes, well, things will be much different, I suspect, but you're curious enough. I think you'll like it."

“Oh look, someone is trying to kill me. Just another day with the Inquisition.” That it had become something normal for her was probably a bad thing. But it was their life. It was the Inquisition. Battling to save the world. “Believe me, I can do without the cold, too, thank you very much. I’ve had enough of that to last multiple lifetimes.”

She laughs softly. “Then I am in your hands.”

"Yes, it did all become a tad mundane after a while, didn't it?" And he's fairly certain that's nothing close to good, either. "And to think, until this whole mess with Corypheus, I thought my biggest problem was familial."

He laughs along with her. "Careful with that. I may get used to it and then where would you be?" He leads her to the hall and to the elevator. He really didn't mind living so far up. The view from the residential building was stunning if he were honest, and he was adjusting to this "modern" lifestyle more easily than most. It probably had something to do with his love of comfort.

"Tell me, how are you enjoying the Quarantine thus far?"

“Exhausting, is what it is,” Iona says softly. And honestly. Even though she’s been in the Quarantine for a little while now, it doesn’t make the memory of Adamant any less sharp. Doesn’t make it haunt her dreams any less. And here she is, somewhere relatively calm. And safe, to a degree. A vacation she doesn’t deserve.

“Impeccably dressed and in very good company,” she retorts with a lopsided grin, pushing aside her melancholy and trying as best she can to avoid dwelling, and thinking about certain things in general.

“It’s... certainly interesting. Different. But interesting.” There’s a considerable amount to learn. Which she appreciates. It gives her something to do when she’s avoiding sleep.

"Well, yes, that too." Dorian had to constantly remind himself that the memories of some of their more trying ordeals where far more fresh for her than him, and that some decisions were made she regretted, decisions he hadn't had to make. "But it was familiar. That means something." He paused and gave a bit of a laugh. "I don't know what, but something."

He laughed deeply at her jest, though, inclining his head in agreement. "Too right you would be, and shall be. We'd best be off."

He nodded at her description of the Quarantine as well. It was similar to his own impression of the place. "There is certainly a lot to learn."

It did take some getting used to. And Iona was doing her very best to get used to the idea of knowing that yes, they succeed. Before actually living through it herself. But it was difficult, with Adamant so fresh. The choice she had been forced to make. The life she had had to sacrifice. Because she couldn’t do it herself. She wasn’t expendable. Not with the Anchor on her hand. She’d made the choice. Sentenced someone to what was in all likelihood certain death.

And doing her best to hide all of that from Dorian. He’d already dealt with that. Dealt with her. He didn’t deserve that twice. She wasn’t sure how well she was managing that, though. Not with how closely their living arrangements were.

“Probably, yes,” she said with a smile. “Especially because I feel like this could take a very long time.” Teasing, just a little.

“Which I enjoy. It gives me something other than my job to fill the time.”

Dorian nodded as he headed toward the door. "Yes, five years is what I've been quoted, to find our world and return us to it. Plenty of time to fill, really." Though if he were honest, Dorian still didn't know whether he was anticipatory or apprehensive of the time they were to stay here, idle. He felt as though they should be doing something but there wasn't much one could do about, well, anything they were facing when they were in another reality.

"Ah, good! I'm glad I could provide a distraction, at the very least." His tone was playful as he opened the door for her. "Your Grace."

Always had a fear of being typical

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