[Closed]

[theladyofhighever]

Who: Mariane Cousland and The Dog
What: Two Hadrielites meet up for a talk
Where: The Range
When: Current
Warnings: None



[there were still very few people Mariane felt close to. she'd always had a difficult time letting people in due to her melancholy. the time of the Blight was different, being forced in such close quarters with others.

this place was different. it was possible to hide herself away with only Chance for company. deep down, she knew she shouldn't do that, that she should be trying to reach out to others more. but taking that first step was difficult.

so she went out with Chance to the range. she'd heard that the Dog frequented it and she'd genuinely enjoyed their earlier conversation. she was hoping to run into him there and hoping that their conversation would go as well as their earlier one had]

Comments

[standformyself]

[The Dog did have her own pillow, and it was where she happened to be that day, at least until her nose rose a little, recognizing a familiar smell. Mindful of anyone that was on the range, and having no desire to be shot at, she did set out at a trot, tail wagging.

Weaving through the range, she did intercept the two of them. There was a light in the Dog's eyes as her tail continued to wag hard enough to wiggle her butt back and forth. Her tongue, lolling at one side, was brought back in to her mouth.]

A pleasant surprise! Hello to you two.

[theladyofhighever]

[Mariane smiles shyly when the Dog joins them, enjoying the way he clearly seems glad to see them both. Chance, on the other hand, yips and wags his tail in an eager greeting]

I was hoping to find you here. Hello to you, too. How are you faring?

[standformyself]

[She does drop down on her front paws for a moment, butt still wiggling, as a greeting to Chance. The Dog hasn't actually had much involvement with other dogs back home, usually just Free Magic creatures, or Mogget, but she is very canine-ish in nature. Glancing up, tongue lolling out.]

Oh. Quite well. This place has many interesting sights to see. You?

[theladyofhighever]

[and Chance is far more than your average dog. he's a Mabari war dog, a veteran of the Blight, capable of understanding complex human speech and orders and carrying out orders perfectly, and he's deeply protective of Mariane]

I'm well enough, I suppose. I'm trying to become accustomed to this place, but it is . . . difficult.

[standformyself]

Oh? What is giving you the hardest problem?

[Perhaps the lack of familiar faces? The Dog does miss her mistress, although in death she knew that she had been able to watch her, even if she hadn't been there. Here she can't.]

[theladyofhighever]

[she looks down at the ground with an unhappy look on her face]

...the people. I'm having difficulties with making friends.

[Chance senses her distress and butts his head against the small of her back. she reaches around to give him a pat]

[standformyself]

Hmm. Well, getting pets likely won't work as well for you as for me.

[She tends to get them where ever she goes, but she does also appear like a dog, and people like to give dog pats.]

Well, what do you like to do? There is a bar, and if you like to drink or sing. Get in a competition with others at the range? Say hello? I find people tend to respond to that.

[theladyofhighever]

No, as I already have Chance.

[she considers her suggestions carefully]

I like to spend time with my fiance, but he's not here. I love to dance and sing, but I've never done it in front of anyone before. I'm not sure I'm any good at it. I'm good at the sword and dagger, but. . . it's hard to say that I enjoy it after so long of nothing but it. [a slight furrow forms between her brows] Simply. . . say hello?

[standformyself]

Why not?

[A hello is an opening, after all.]

Hello. How are you? That seems to be what some people do.

[theladyofhighever]

I--because how will I know if they want to be talked to?

[but what to do with that opening?]

You make it sound so easy.

[standformyself]

What's the worst that could happen?

[A little shrug of her shoulders as she takes a seated spot.]

They glare at you and walk away? Nothing gained and nothing lost.

[theladyofhighever]

["humiliation," she does not say.

a moment's hesitation, then she sits on the ground next to the Dog, Chance sitting on her other side]

Do most people react kindly to a stranger approaching them?

[standformyself]

Perhaps my wagging tail aids in matters.

[She seems to puzzle that over, rubbing a paw over her snout.]

Smile and nod first, and if they smile and nod back, introduce yourself?

[theladyofhighever]

Perhaps it does. People tend to be kindly inclined towards dogs, even those who can talk.

[that's her attempt at a joke. Alistair was always the funny one in their relationship]

Smile and nod . . . yes. That would be a good indication as to whether or not they're open to meeting someone new.

[standformyself]

So far they have. No one has tried to kick me or hit me.

[Even if she wouldn't allow herself to be, it wouldn't be nice.]

Although I also tend to poke my nose at everyone, so one never knows what the future will hold.

[theladyofhighever]

They'd best not. Such treatment is not to be bourne.

[Mariane doesn't know that. but she does know how cruel people can be in a crisis]

I don't think I could do such a thing. So many people! It's [she takes a breath] intimidating.

[standformyself]

The best way to start a task is to start off small. One step at a time.

[Holding her paw out and wiggling her toes.]

And before you know it, you've walked very far.

[theladyofhighever]

[Mariane listens to her words and smiles slightly as she wiggles her toes]

I--I suppose so. Looking at it that way, it's not too different than the way I approached ending the Blight. One step at a time.

[standformyself]

It tends to be a good way to go.

[Crawl, walk, run. Whatever pace one wants. Just keep always attempting to go forward, as sometimes a step or two may be taken backwards. Maybe not always a straight line, as least if the Dog has anything to say about it, but still forward.]

[theladyofhighever]

I suppose so.

[she didn't have much of a choice but to go at a fevered pace to end the Blight, but now it seems as though she has nothing but time]

So, how are you adjusting to life here?

[standformyself]

[Her ears give a little flicker. In all honesty, she isn't that perturbed about being here. She'd had no real game plan for some time back home, other than splashing around in death, and perhaps chasing some there.]

It's not too bad, really. There are things to chase around, and plenty of people to speak with.

[theladyofhighever]

[while Mariane desperately wants to go home. she has a fiance to marry and a crown to assume. she also wants to spend time with her elder brother, who she'd assumed died in the Wilds. the two of them are the only Couslands left]

The little rodent creatures? Chance likes to chase those around, though he reacted poorly when he tried to eat one. And are there any people in particular you'd recommend I talk to?

[standformyself]

[The Dog chases them, although eating them is not something that she actually does. More often than not they get away anyway, but it allows the Dog to dig after them. The chase, really, is what the Dog is after.

The question though does give her a moment of contemplation.]

Ones that look approach worthy?

[theladyofhighever]

[Chance tried digging after them, but lost interest after he realized that they weren't good to eat. he's all stomach. stomach and a fierce protectiveness towards his person

and she knots her hands together]

Yes. I would wish to . . . make more friends, but it seems as though Ferelden is so provincial compared to the worlds that others are from. So I worry about being judged harshly because of it.

[standformyself]

[Her ears flatten back a little.]

What makes everyone special and unique is their own world view. If they judge, then they aren't worth your time.