➶ three (video)

[heroica]

-land's influence on you. [ Good morning from the tired and faintly exasperated countenance of Robyn, who hastily replaces a wayward braid behind her ear before actually attending to the broadcast. She smiles wearily, clearing her throat before addressing the mansion. ]

Hello, Wonderland. In case we've yet to meet, my name is Robyn Cousland of the Gr- [ She cuts off momentarily to glance away, frowning, and speaks to someone or something off-camera. ] Stop. Sit.

[ There's a low whine, but she returns to the device with a satisfied, short sigh. ]

When I arrived, I... found, if it can be called that, a mabari - a Ferelden hound - in the wardrobe of my room. He isn't nearly as well-behaved as my own, unfortunately; he seems much younger, though I've just been thinking it might be because of the way that this place seems to affect us all. Though, luckily, we haven't all been taking little things from other people and hiding them away.

[ TALKING ABOUT YOU, OREN THE DOG. ]

Which... brings me to my point, which is that the dog has apparently been taking things that don't belong to him. Some of them have names written in them, some books, but most of these things have been difficult to return. I know for a fact that he confiscated possessions of an Emily Bennett, Evelyn O'Connell, and Cullen Rutherford. Also... [ At this, the Warden sifts through the pile as she speaks: ] Several boots, gloves, and gauntlets, mostly leather. A... necklace, I think, made of bone, a clay flower pot, some kind of- [ Maker's breath. She looks momentarily pained and spots of pink rise into the apples of her cheeks. ] Something... called Busty Asian Beauties, and several other things I've yet to identify.

[ The picture on the cover of that particular piece of reading material is overwhelmingly embarrassing and she hastens to end the broadcast. ]

Andraste's grace. Please stop by room thirty on the first floor if you've been missing something, or just tell me what you've lost and I will return it once I've made some sense of this mess.

Comments

[ivehadbetter]

[Isabela can't help but laugh when she mentions Cullen's cloak.] Oh I bet Commander 'no fun' Cullen loved that. Was he very cross? Did the vein above his eye start throbbing?

[She had nothing against Cullen, he was just the most fun to rile up and watch explode.]

[heroica]

Does he have something like that? [ She laughs, biting at her lower lip to keep from looking too pleased. ] He... wasn't as angry as I'd thought, actually. He and the dog are fond of each other.

[ Oren seems to know of whom they're speaking and whines pitifully. ]

[ivehadbetter]

Oh yes, you just need to get him angry enough. [ She grins at Robyn's pleased expression, she won't tell. ] Well he is Fereldan, you all seem unnaturally attracted to dogs.

[ All of them. The place is going to be over run by Mabari soon. ]

[heroica]

And you've done that? [ Shh, so has Robyn. ] I think he'd be frightening when he's angry.

[ At the Ferelden comment, she wrinkles her nose, though she isn't all that indignant, not with Isabela. ]

Not dogs: mabari! You know that, you traveled with the Hawkes!

[ At least... one of them, right? ]

If you spent some time with them, you would understand. They're smart, and sweet, and good in battle. What more could you ask for from an animal? And they're loyal, which is more than you can say about some people!

[ivehadbetter]

Not recently. I think he avoids me. Which is really a pity because he is rather nice to look at, even when he's scowling.

[ There's a lot of muscles under that fur cloak. ]

Yes, yes, Mabari. [ She gives Oren a gentle pat on the head. ] Fereldons and their mabari, tale as old as time. You're born loving them I think.

Very smart, smart enough to steal people's possession to try and make friends. Isn't that right you lovely little mongrel.

[heroica]

He's all right. [ Robyn says, a little aloof, but more so for effect than anything. She and Cullen aren't close, but they aren't as bad as they were at the beginning, and... either way, he isn't her type. ]

I think so, too. [ The Warden continues to beam fondly at Oren, who begins to lick at Isabela's fingers. ] Smart and friendly.

[ And bred for war, but that isn't relevant at the moment. The dog stops licking to sniff at Isabela's boots. ]

You've already got some of them, you fiend!