Who: Robin & Leliana What: Robin's an eavesdropper, Leliana contemplates murder has a talk with her When: Before Captain Guyliner got maimed Where: Paris In a Cup, a little tea room Rating/Warnings: Low, mostly Status: Complete!
Paris In A Cup. It was an adorable name - a quaint tea lounge with various light eats and baked goods. All things Leliana, despite hands stained red forever, was fond of. Today’s visit was more of a leisurely sorts anyway - and she wasn’t alone. Rosa had come with her. A friend, someone who remained loyal, and the next person who’d take the reigns on the operations of the espionage network she nourished throughout the years.
It wasn’t as if she could dissolve herself from the situation immediately. Nightingale was still a title that many people considered active; it’d be a while before the name was reduced to only a rare whisper. But the transition from the job going from her hands to the next had been a seamless process thus far, and she knew her protege wouldn’t disappoint.
Except that sometimes, just sometimes, Rosa lacked discretion. We’ll have to work on that Leliana thought in exasperation. Multiple times throughout the visit her voice would raise to go on a rant about something that shouldn’t be openly spoken about, and during those multiple times she’d have to remind her that this was a public place, calm down, drink your tea, it’s soothing.
Much more soothing spiked at this rate. Dainty and calming places were not best suited for her boisterous friend here, were they? Professionalism was out the window.
Unfortunately the visit was called short - something urgent came to Rosa’s attention - and the two women said their goodbyes, kisses pecked on each other’s cheeks, and she left the redhead by her lonesome to finish the fruit-laced tea and the half-eaten eclair (eating habits of a bird, and this was technically her lunch). But it didn’t go terribly unnoticed that someone a table away from them had been casting curious glances over; her ears probably picked up some oddities, and her darling friend had a habit of being disruptive, so.
“She’s a bit animated,” she explained, teacup raised to her mouth, sapphires for eyes pinned to the woman raven hair. “Apologies for the disruption.” Apologies for the mentions of murder, if you’ve heard that.
Robin had been caught in the act and she was legitimately surprised by this. She had been honing her craft of listening without being noticed since she had been a young teenager and she liked to think she was good at it. Her glances towards her targets were always subtle and rarely – if ever – noticed. She had found ways to position herself closer to an intriguing conversation without being obvious. She thought she was a master. So when the red-haired beauty at the next table apologized for any disruption, Robin was taken quite off her guard.
However, given the sheer topic of the conversation, Robin really shouldn’t have been surprised. If what was being discussed had been true (and Robin had no reason to believe they weren’t), then she was in the presence of a true master of the clandestine.
Very impressive and Robin was intrigued.
“No need to apologize,” she said with a smile and a light dismissive wave of her hand. There was a moment’s hesitation as she debated whether or not to fess up to spying. Just a moment, though, barely enough time for a breath before she decided, well why not? Maybe she’d be lucky and hear more.
“I should be the one apologizing,” she went on in her light hard-to-place cadence. Her expression that of sheepish apology, “you caught me spying, which was terribly rude of me.”
Hmmm, so she was invested in the conversation. Probably heard a couple things she shouldn’t thanks to Rosa and her penchant for being inappropriately vocal at times (can’t take her anywhere unless it was somewhere rowdy with margaritas), and the lack of subtlety made her feel far from ‘master of the clandestine.’ It had her admittedly agitated, but right, tea. Soothing. Leliana sipped on hers.
But it was a cautious situation to assess, no doubt about that. The job taught her to suspect everyone - she could be a nosy stranger (which was preferred), or some person of interest for whatever possible reason. The woman was polite, she’d at least give her credit there. “Apology could be accepted, I suppose, if you take a seat with me. I’d like the name of the person who so graciously confesses in eavesdropping.”
No sweet-as-candy persona at the moment, even if she appeared the type to sob over roadkill (and she was) - there was a layer of frost and wariness, visible from narrowed blue eyes.
“Of course,” Robin answered with a nod and a pleasant smile. “I’d be delighted.” She gathered her coffee and book (a sultry romance recently provided by Isabela, who always just knew what Robin enjoyed) and joined the red-haired woman at her table.
It was a risky move to make considering the things Robin had overheard. Murder was never a straightforward business. Robin had learned such things in her travels all of which had been reinforced by her own dream experiences. Those who partook in such business often did not appreciate outside parties learning of it. The red-haired beauty (Leliana, Robin thought the other woman had called her at least once) could easily have killed Robin to ensure her silence, yet somehow that only interested Robin more.
“Robin Nico,” Robin introduced herself with an extended hand. “I own an antique shop called Remember Yesterday.”
A flicker of recognition helped melt the ice in her eyes. Why did that sound so familiar - oh! “You frequent the network, don’t you,” Leliana said, more of a statement than question. Referring to ‘the network’ was self-explanatory when discussing it with the right person. It also created an unspoken connection of sorts, because only certain people really understood the oddities of this place.
Tea resting on the doily coaster (it accompanied all the tables, she wanted a set of her own), she occupied her fingers by tearing the leftover eclair into smaller pieces. For some light munching, if her stomach allowed the room for the remainder. “I’m Leliana - or perhaps you’ve come to that conclusion with my friend not exactly being the quietest. Either way, a pleasure to meet you.”
Robin raised a brow. She hadn’t expected Leliana to mention The Network - and there was only one that warranted any kind of mentioning. Not everyone in Orange County was on Valarnet, but more and more, Robin was finding she was coming across fellow members. With all the people who called the County home, Robin wondered how that could be.
She nodded her head with a smile, “yes, your friend did mention your name once or twice. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.” She tilted her head slightly in thought as she watched Leliana nibble on the tasty looking eclair. “I apologize, though, Leliana. You seem to have noticed me on the network, but I haven’t done the same. I’m usually much better at such things.”
“You posted an advertisement looking for employees once, if I recall.” Not that it was an uncommon thing, but Leliana had mainly remembered it because of it being an antique shop to begin with. Time restrains hadn’t allowed a chance to explore the shop, though now she had more time to spare these days. Another addition to her mental list. “Though like you, I like my gossip. I much prefer to lurk and read.”
Gossip wasn’t always truth, but she always thought it had a trace of it worth following. And people loved, loved to talk, whether it be amongst themselves in person or comments on the internet. Out of boredom she considered almost drawing out a chart of ‘who’s fucked who’ for amusement - it’d be an interesting project, no?
Her mouth curved into a ghost of a smile, refilling her teacup with what was left in the stainless steel pot. A couple cubes of sugar, a dash of lemon, and she stirred with the tiny spoon. “I’ll assume you’re not much of a stranger to the darker things in life, hm? Having a sense of awareness of what really goes on around these parts doesn’t give everyone the luxury of ignorance.”
Robin had done more than simply posted an ad for employees on the net, so she found it a bit odd that was the post Leliana chose to remember.
She wrapped her elegantly long fingers around her coffee cup - an actual cup, not a biodegradable cardboard cup to be used and tossed - and regarded Leliana pleasantly, but with a small amount of caution. “That would depend on the definition of ‘darker’,” she started, but then shook her head just slightly, “but no, in the context I’m assuming you mean - given the earlier conversation - I’m not a stranger at all. Since you’re on the network yourself, it’s safe for me to tell you that my dreams, while adventurous and exciting, debut me in a rather unpleasant light. At least to start. While I personally haven’t done quite the same sort of things this life,” nope, no attempts to overthrow a kingdom while attempting to uncover some hidden history in the waking world, “I’m not exactly a stranger to the underworld or black market dealings.”
Given the earlier conversation. Leliana caught her tongue between her teeth. It wasn’t Robin’s fault Rosa had been a bit passionate (putting it so very lightly) about their discussion, and the woman across from her didn’t strike her as anyone of threat - despite how looks were more often than not, deceiving - but she thought it best to keep prodding and come to that conclusion without doubts.
“Then I’m going to assume you picking up on our dialogue was mostly...what, curiosity?” Oh, she could discuss her clandestine experiences in Thedas, how she did the sinister work in the name of the largest religious institutions in that world so the Divine didn’t have to take up the burden. Any talk about what she had done here and what her involvements in what were? Hm, no. Those were guarded secrets. Confessing them over tea to someone she’d just met would be beyond an erroneous rookie mistake. It’d just be stupid. “I suppose I should simply be thankful for you not acting surprised or soiling yourself in your seat.”
It was the little things that were blessings.
“Hm, mostly curiosity,” Robin nodded and then sipped her coffee. It was starting to get cold, which was unfortunate. Coffee that was supposed to be warm somehow never tasted as good once it got cold. “And again, I apologize for eavesdropping.” This was one of the rare times Robin would ever admit that her People Watching, really was in truth, spying. “However, what I heard is probably the most interesting thing I’ve ever heard while in a tea shop. Once I started, I found I couldn’t stop.”
She tapped her index finger soundlessly against her cup and gave Leliana a warm smile. Anyone passing by their table (and not inclined to listen in as Robin had earlier) would have simply seen two women enjoying each other’s company over a warm (or lukewarm) beverage and a tasty looking treat. Robin had been People Watching for a long time, she was certainly aware enough to know when others were watching her and what faces to put on.
Not that the smile on her face wasn’t genuine. She rather liked Leliana so far. She hadn't threatened her with bodily harm and the accent in her voice was beguiling. It reminded Robin a little bit of Paris, although she wasn’t completely sure that was where the accent was from.
“I promise to keep it all to myself,” she went on. Not that she thought anyone would believe her. Her smile turned a little bit, more cautious than before. “Of course I can make all the promises in the world, I suppose. What happens next ultimately rests with you.”
Nightingale’s instincts had always been spot on. Instincts were sometimes everything, especially in more questionable circumstances where a split second was the deciding factor to how well or terrible things could end. Robin’s intentions were harmless, and perhaps that was why she had approached with such biting caution - because it was a rarity that such was ever truly the case.
“Oh, nothing happens next, darling, don’t worry,” Leliana eventually chuckled, taking a nibble of the leftover chunks of vanilla-filled eclair. Threats were unnecessary. She had manners, thank you, and aside from the part where the lovely lady had purposefully listened in on the conversation (which she apologized for), she’d done nothing wrong. “It’s an odd situation to meet someone in. I’m more accustomed to meeting other dreamers online, never in person on the chance of an accident. If you’re not so much of a stranger to that kind of nature, then maybe it wasn’t all chance.”
Robin chuckled faintly. “Is that right?” She asked. “I’ve actually met more fellow dreamers in person than I have on line. It’s kind of funny,” she said, tilting her head thoughtfully. “But it’s almost as if we’re drawn to one another. Fate or….whatever,” she said with a vague gesture of her hand. Robin wasn’t sure what she believed in these days. She wasn’t sure if the people of the network were all floating around accidental like and just happened to cross each other’s paths at random, or if there was a plan in the works for each and every one of them.
“Regardless of the reason,” Robin said, “it is a pleasure to meet you, Leliana.” She had said so earlier, but put a little more emphasis into the words so that they were not merely passing pleasantries.
Fate seemed like a reasonable explanation. More reasonable than continuing to assume everything was a perfectly timed coincidence - and considering the nature of this peculiar supernatural hotspot, fate wasn’t a farfetched concept. “I do my best to keep my in-person interactions controlled,” she remarked, mainly to avoid situations such as this. Leliana didn’t care for surprises. This one at least seemed preferable to any other possible alternative.
Less throat slitting, for one.
“Likewise, though. Now I’ve got more of a reason to visit your shop, no?” Former clandestine hobbies aside, she did like antiquing. Scribble that under ‘anything tiny and cute and fluffy’ when it came to the list of things she favored.
“Oh, of course!” Robin beamed delighted. “I’d love to show you around my shop. I have all sorts of interesting odds and ends. Mostly from the Victorian era as that seems to be the time period most people are interested in these days.” With growing interest in the Steampunk subculture, many of Robin’s newer clients seemed to crave items from the late 1800’s. Not an era Robin had spent a lot of time studying while in school. She was more fascinated with older history, but she had a business to run and therefore a demand to supply for.
“But if you ever are interested in something specific, I of course can see if I can locate it for you.” It was her way of making up for getting caught eavesdropping on the poor woman.
“Interesting odds and ends, you’re practically speaking my language,” giggled the redhead, a soft sound of vocals - like windchimes caught in a breeze, light blues glinting. Well, she did recently settle on a house with Gale. Something on the beach with land for the four-legged monsters to run amuck, gave the ravens some space to stretch their wings (and enough room for their cages). They’d been working on making it more theirs. He’d gotten the tiny plants in teacups which had nearly killed her with how precious they were, she ought to get something for him too.
Antique shops didn’t exactly scream Gale, but there could always be a treasure hidden among the wares. “I’ll have to see. I have a house that could benefit from a couple of gems - old weaponry, perhaps, if you’ve got any. We’re an ‘archery and knives’ household.”
It always bemused Robin a little when people claimed to not like antiques. As if it were a genre one could visit in a book store. History had something for everyone and Robin was more than happy to help people find just a little something they could identify with from days gone by.
She looked thoughtful for a moment, although she already knew something Leliana might like. “Well, I have a pair of daggers with mother of pearl hilts you might enjoy.” Deceivingly delicate looking, beautiful and very deadly, Robin thought the daggers would fit her new companion quite nicely.
She then sat back in her chair and tapped her finger against her chin. Archery was a little more difficult. As far as weapons went, guns and knives flooded the market, however finding anything having to do with projectiles required a lot more digging. Oh, but Robin enjoyed that. It was treasure hunting and Robin loved a good treasure hunt!
“I don’t have anything at the moment.” She admitted a little apologetically, “but I can certainly find something for you.”
That piqued her interest, the daggers. Leliana had some ‘vintage’ ones of her own, primarily the two that carried over from Thedas. Fine craftsmanship with distinctive Orlesian traits. Lethal, beautiful things. It was their staple. “I don’t have anything too specific in mind,” she hummed, leaning back contemplatively. “If you find something, I’d no doubt be interested in at least seeing. But I would want to see those blades. They sound both decorative and functional.”
Things she’d prefer her weapons to have. Keep them in plain sight in case of emergencies, but to also add something aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Gale could appreciate that kind of decor.
Oh, Robin was delighted to hear Leliana say she wanted to see the daggers. They may not have been quite as fancy as the blades Leliana had received from her Dreams - not that Robin had any clue what Thedas even was - of course, but they were certainly stunning for this world.
“The blades themselves may need a sharpening,” Robin said. “I doubt they’ve seen any true action in many, many years. “But it wouldn’t take much to fix that, I’m sure. If you’d like I can put them on hold for you to come and see them.”
Robin reached for her purse and pulled out a card to hand to Leliana. “If you’d like, you can come to my shop next week and I’ll show them to you. We can have some more tea.”
An offer she couldn’t refuse, now could she? Leliana’s teacup was drained now, the bits and bobs of leftover eclair remaining untouched. That’d been her lunch. Her appetite was awfully small, it was satisfying enough. “Hm, I cannot say no to that invitation,” she smiled. A genuine one without secrets, and took the card between her fingers. “Next week it is then, Miss Nico.”
Not a terrible accident by chance. Rosa, though. Leliana needed words with that one.