d&d scenes } { of betrayals and making choices

[iluvroadrunner6]

Donna: [she gives him some time to brood on his own, before making her way over and moving to sit next to him. She's not looking to be accusatory, but she knows that that was ... a lot, so she's just going to reach over and place a hand on his shoulder] You alright?

Ric: [sitting against a tree just at the edge of the fire's light. He stiffens a bit at the touch and looks up at her, then relaxes.] Not in the least.

Donna: I'm sorry. That shouldn't have come out that way.

Ric: How long has he been hacking my phone?

Donna: I don't know. He doesn't share those things with the rest of us unless he wants to.

Ric: [huffs and takes another drink from the wine skin] What else has he shared?

Donna: Nothing. That was the only thing he shared with us.

Ric: [nods] I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I just thought second chances came with some level of showing trust.

Donna: They do. But some of us are more paranoid than others, after all we've been through.

Ric: Seems they always forget that it was their little wish was what made me this way. Not to mention all this shit with the gods. [another drink] And they aren't a set of angels themselves. I was a good person before all of this.

Donna: If I remember correctly, you drew cards from the deck too. It wasn't all their doing.

Ric: Yeah, I drew three. I don't even remember much about the third one beyond feeling naked and isolated. I didn't anything with that curse while we were in our other reality. Everything I did was after the wish, so don't give me bullshit about that curse card, because there wasn't even time for me to undo it before it rewrote my entire life.

Donna: I'm not trying to "give you bullshit." I'm saying that you disappeared and we were trying to figure out how to find you. The cards would have given us a way to do that, and I believe the rest of the team was trying to kill as many birds as they could with that stone. I don't think they anticipated you being raised by a dead man. Or how drastically the world would change.

Ric: [sighs, shaking his head] Sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. Just... I'm trying. Whatever Salune did to me, it's still screwing with my head.

Donna: [she nods] I know. I'm sorry this happened to you. I'm sure it must be confusing.

Ric: Confusing? I don't even know who I am anymore. Everything I thought I was... everything that made me ME... it's a lie. And the old life? I barely recognize myself in those memories.

Donna: So don't worry about who you were then. Make choices about who you are now.

Ric: You make it sound so easy. [another sip, then he looks at it and holds it out to her in case she wants some]

Donna: [she shakes her head] It is easy. [she curls her fingers around the pendant of Avandra around her neck] The Changebringer encourages us to make our own choices - to choose our destiny, not give it up to anyone else, deity or no. You can't change the past, but you can control your future.

Ric: Donna... what if it's too late for me? What if Shar's too deep in me?

Donna: It's never too late. As I said - you choose. Your fate is your own to grasp.

Ric: [and he reaches back to rub at the tattoo on the back of his neck] I hope so.

Donna: Have a little faith in yourself. You clearly have strength of conviction to keep up with a goddess like Shar. Apply it to where you want to go next.

Ric: [nods, leaning back against the tree and just closing his eyes] Right now, I just want to be anyone but Ric Shaw for a night.

Donna: [smirks] Well. I'm fairly certain the nymphs will believe you're whoever you want to be.

Ric: Probably. [thinks and looks over at her] What about Donna?

Donna: [she shrugs] I'm not that good at pretending. I'd much rather believe that people can change than pretend they're someone else.

Ric: [he was trying to flirt, but he gets it] Hopefully I'll surprise you then.

Donna: [oh well, she totally missed that. she's in full supportive friend mode] I know you will.

Ric: [and he'll smile, nod, and pick himself up. His wine pouch needs refilling] I'll see you tomorrow?

Donna: [nods with a smile] See you then.

Ric: [and he's going to head off to drink, flirt, and forget himself for awhile]

Donna: [enjoy, Ric, enjoy]

Ric: [and after awhile, he'll go over to where Venestra is, bringing her a refill for her drink] Hi. Didn't get a chance to introduce myself. I'm Ric.

Verenestra: Hi. [and it's that total chin in hand, bright smile look] Thanks for the refill.

Ric: You're welcome. Can't let a beautiful woman go with an empty glass, after all.

Verenestra: That is too true. But it's funny, most people don't seem to get that.

Ric: I was taught manners. [chuckles] Seems people forget about those these days.

Verenestra: That or they're too drunk already.

Ric: I just drank an entire wineskin. Pretty sure I can do manners while drunk. [smirks]

Verenestra: Then you must be very coordinated.

Ric: Raised in a circus as an acrobat and aerialist. Got to have that when working without a net.

Verenestra: I do love someone that's bendy.

Ric: [leans in a bit, his smirk growing] I'm very bendy.

Verenestra: [grins as well, finger trailing against his chest] That is ... really good to know.

Ric: If you're up for it, I can give you a demonstration. [and yeah, he's going to savor the affection. He hasn't had that for awhile]

Verenestra: I would love one.

Ric: [and he will jump up to stand on the arm of her "throne", then bend himself over backwards, arching over her head, and resting his elbows on the other side, his head tilted back up so that he's looking at her] How's that?

Verenestra: [grinning so wide] Very impressive.

Ric: [and he will kick off and flip back onto his feet, doing a half twist so he faces her when he lands] And that's with my clothes on. [yup, he's inebriated and doesn't care what the rest of his team thinks.]

Verenestra: Are you offering a more extensive demonstration?

Ric: Perhaps, if you know someplace with a private stage.

Verenestra: I do, actually. [she lifts a hand for him to take]

Ric: [which he will, giving her a slight bow as he does so because it's only proper]

Verenestra: [what a good boy. she's going to be so disappointed when you don't give her what she wants. but off they go to have some fun in the trees]

Ric: [he never weighed in on that discussion, but he would have gone on the quest for her. But he's going to just enjoy his time with her, and hey, he'll even cuddle and stay the night if she wants.]

Verenestra: [eh, she's not that particular, but she won't kick him out of bed]

Ric: [and he just wants to be used, to make her very satisfied, and forget himself a bit. So he might be using her too in a way]

Verenestra: [win-win, really]

Ric: [and if she's lucky, she might get some nice morning sex before he goes off to find somewhere to take a swim and clean off]

Verenestra: [well, she certainly won't say no]

Ric: [and then any nymphs along the river will get to see some naked swimming]

Verenestra: [they will be very pleased]