datv-banter

[datv-banter]

Emmrich: Do you hail from Ferelden, Harding?

Harding: Born and raised near Redcliffe.

Harding: Just a regular place. Nothing fancy, like where you’re from.

Emmrich: Ferelden’s a storied kingdom! Its heroes have shaped the path of our age.

Harding: That’s the nicest thing anyone up here has said about Ferelden!

Harding: Most people talk about how Ferelden’s just dogs and mud.

Emmrich: Terrible. You mustn’t pay them any mind.

[datv-banter]

Emmrich: I’m pleased to travel with you, Scout Harding.

Harding: Just call me Harding.

Harding: Should I call you Professor Volkarin?

Emmrich: Oh, no. Emmrich will do.

Emmrich: This doesn’t seem a group to insist on formality.

Harding: I’m surprised some of us still wear pants.

[datv-banter]

Davrin: How does someone become a Veil Jumper?

Bellara: Simple: you survive Arlathan Forest.

Davrin: That’s it?

Bellara: The energies in Arlathan are…wrong. Like reality got scrambled. It’s dangerous. Not everyone can stand it.

Davrin: So if you can, then you’ve got what it takes. Sounds a lot like Grey Wardens.

Bellara: Except for the Archdemons. And griffons! Wish we had a few of those.

[datv-banter]

Davrin: What do Veil Jumpers usually eat?

Bellara: Whatever Arlathan Forest provides, pretty much.

Davrin: So a lot of grilled halla, then?

Bellara: Bite your tongue.

Davrin: I’m kidding.

Bellara: It’s mostly plants. Lots and lots of plants. With the occasional salad on the side.

[datv-banter]

Neve: Davrin, look... I get why you're worried about Lucanis.

Neve: But you're the one who kills Archdemons and he takes out the gods.

Neve: We need both sides of the coin to have a shot at this.

Davrin: Problem is, you left out Spite. He could take us all out.

[datv-banter]

Neve: I heard you and Lucanis arguing.

Davrin: Had a difference of opinion.

Neve: Is that all? Sounded like you were ready to kill each other.

Davrin: If Spite starts trouble, it might come to that.

Neve: A bit early to jump there.

Davrin: We’re talking about a demon.

[datv-banter]

Taash: You don’t get it. About the Qunari stuff. That’s my mother’s crap!

Emmrich: But you know so much more than you give yourself credit for!

Taash: But never as much as her!

Emmrich: Ah.

Taash: Don’t “Ah” me. She’s the expert!

Emmrich: Of course she is. She has decades of experience.

Emmrich: But a proper teacher never makes a student feel inadequate.

Taash: (Snorts) Maybe in Nevarra.

[datv-banter]

Emmrich: You know, Taash, I discovered a large jar inlaid with a golden flame pattern at that Qunari burial site I examined.

Emmrich: I presume it was for storing specific organs after death?

Taash: No. The issalatar doesn’t hold anything. It stays empty. Like the body is empty now that the spirit is gone.

Emmrich: Ah. It seems you know something about ancient Qunari customs, after all.

Taash: What? No. That’s…everybody knows that!

[datv-banter]

Lucanis: You don’t sleep much, do you?

Neve: More than you, but little enough.

Neve: Still looking over everything on Aelia.

Lucanis: If you need fresh eyes, I’m awake anyway.

Neve: Maybe. If you don’t mind the company. It comes with wisps.

Lucanis: Wisps are nothing. Besides, you're better company than Spite.

Neve: Really? Rumor has it I’m a pain in the ass. But that’s if you ask Tarquin.

[datv-banter]

Lucanis: You’re keeping an eye on me. Is it the demon or the mage-killer name?

Neve: Maybe I want the secrets of your coffee supplier.

Lucanis: I…uh…that's not…

Neve: Don’t flatter yourself too much. I don’t trust anyone on first meeting and I keep an eye on everything.

Lucanis: Well, if you do want coffee, let me know.

[datv-banter]

Emmrich: Bellara, do you own a bronze candleholder shaped like a fennec?

Bellara: I do! Did you see it?

Emmrich: I found it in the library. I don’t believe it was there when I went to bed.

Bellara: Oh, I just looked something up. Before sleeping. It got a little late.

Emmrich: If you’re finding it difficult to rest in the Lighthouse...

Bellara: Thanks, Professor, But I’m— (Yawns) I’m fine!

[datv-banter]

Bellara: Thanks again for those books, Professor. I’ll be careful with them!

Emmrich: Are you interested in alchemy, then, Bellara? It's a fine hobby for any young mage!

Bellara: Not really. I just need something that can dissolve copper.

Bellara: Oh, um, but I’m sure alchemy’s fun!

Emmrich: Ah, those happy hours testing acids in the mortuary chambers.

[datv-banter]

Emmrich: I promise there’s great beauty in the Fade, Davrin.

Davrin: The light show’s pretty, I guess.

Emmrich: Its virtues go so much further.

Emmrich: Trickles of magic suddenly revealing great oceanic patterns. Hidden pools of lost memory.

Emmrich: And moments where we may break the bonds of time.

Davrin: (Laughs) I don’t doubt you, Emmrich, but…

Emmrich: But?

Davrin: It’s a good thing you’re on our side.

[datv-banter]

Emmrich: I assure you, the Fade is real, Davrin. It’s the foundation for everything we experience.

Davrin: You know what’s real? A Rot Claw terrorizing a village. Eating their chickens. Then their goats. Then their children.

Davrin: So when the villagers hire someone like me to kill it, we all agree on the problem.

Davrin: But your Fade? Put a dozen Emmrichs in the same room, you’d get a dozen different opinions.

Emmrich: But that’s its glory!

Emmrich: Realities splintered across impossible lines, new discoveries each time we scry them.

Davrin: Enjoy your nightmare.

[datv-banter]

Bellara: How do you know literally everyone?

Harding: I don’t know literally everyone!

Bellara: Almost! Every time we meet someone, you already know them. Morrigan, the Crows, the Wardens, and the Chantry lady with the big hat.

Bellara: Not to mention the Dread Wolf himself…

Harding: How is that everyone? You didn’t even list ten people!

Bellara: It feels like a lot of people!

[datv-banter]

Bellara: Did I hear you right? You’ve been to Halamshiral? The Winter Palace?

Harding: Only for one night! And I saw mostly the gardens and the stables.

Bellara: Oh, that must’ve been grand.

Harding: Gardens, yes. Stables? Ehhh. Fancy stables don’t smell better.

[datv-banter]

Taash: What do you do when your mother pushes on something?

Harding: Pushes?

Taash: Like chores. Or studying. Stuff like that.

Harding: Oh, you know. I might complain, but I know she’s just looking out for me.

Taash: Huh.

Harding: If we really disagree though, we talk about it.

Harding: Why? Is there something you want to talk to your mom about?

Taash: (Scoffs) No.