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"Kaffas!!"
The curse ripped out of his mouth in a full-bodied panic as something very large, very Qunari, and very unexpectedly airborne dropped out of nowhere.
Thwump!
There was a beat of silence.
“Well. Shit,” Reist wheezed. “That’s gonna bruise.”
He pushed himself upright with a groan, knees popping loudly in protest, while a sharp sting blossomed along his side.
“…I hate rooftops,” he added, as if this was somehow the roof’s fault.
How did she make it look so damned easy?
It wasn't until he heard the deliberate clearing of a throat that he bothered to look around. His gaze swept the shadows of the alley before settling on a vaguely familiar silhouette. A few steps closer, and recognition dawned.
Silver eyes widened.
"Arojan. I remember you. You were at that bar with Senka." He flashed an easy grin. "How is she, by the way? Haven't seen her around lately. Heard she might be off on some contract or something..."
Arojan turned back toward Dock Town without acknowledging he'd been addressed. Why would he discuss the Crow’s whereabouts with this man?
A contract.
He hadn't known she was gone.
The realization settled without so much as a flicker crossing his face. If Senka was away on a contract, this was the first he'd heard of it.
"Ah, still being stubborn, I see. Wait, hold on! Hold on!"
Reist darted into Arojan's path, holding out a hand to stop him.
"I want to ask you something."
Arojan narrowed his eyes, glanced down at the hand hovering inches from his chest, then stepped around it.
"No. And don't bother telling me what you were doing."
"Oh-ho! But that's just it! I am absolutely going to, regardless of your preference. I'd appreciate some critique, and unfortunately, you're the best candidate to offer it. And by best, I mean the only person in sight. I need to know just how they do it!"
Reist shook his head and muttered under his breath.
"Stupid Crows and all their ridiculous acrobatics."
That single word caught Arojan's attention.
Crows.
He had only met Reist once, but once had been enough. He still remembered the taunt about Senka inevitably being snatched up by someone else.
An idiot.
And not one worth responding to.
"So, before my stylish descent," he continued, "I was trying to do that thing Crows do; running across rooftops. Seemed simple enough. Gives you a good vantage point. I get why they do it. The how is a little less certain."
Reist rubbed at his side with a grimace.
"Look, I was doing... decently until I lost my footing and fell. Little Bird makes it look effortless. Graceful. Sneaky. You know, without the whole plummeting-to-the-ground bit. If she can do it, I can, right?"
He rolled his shoulders, stretching sore muscles subtly.
"Did she ever tell you any tips or tricks?"
"No."
Reist scoffed.
"Really? Nothing? No ‘Hey, Arojan, here’s how to escape a bad situation’ conversations?"
Arojan remained silent, expression blank.
Reist threw up his hands with a groan.
"It's like talking to a wall with you. How does Senka stand being around you for any length of time?"
Arojan’s expression shifted as the faintest twitch tugged at the corners of his lips. Not quite a smile, but close enough to irritate Reist.
“Charm.”
"Yes, because you simply ooze it," the warrior snarked, rolling his eyes. "Forget it. I'll figure it out. Just do me a favor, will you? Next time you see Little Bird, mention you ran into me."
"No."
Reist exhaled through his nose.
"One sentence. That’s all I’m asking."
Arojan’s gaze drifted past him toward the docks.
"It’s unnecessary."
"Unnecessary?" Reist scoffed. "It’s strategic. It’s networking. It’s…"
"It’s you inserting yourself into her life."
The air between them tightened.
Reist recovered quickly, rocking back on his heels with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Fine. If you want to be dramatic about it. Just a simple: 'Saw Reist today.' That's it. Harmless."
"No."
The grin thinned as Arojan finally looked at him.
"Why not?"
"I won't influence her opinion of you."
"Why not?"
"Because then it wouldn't be hers."
Reist let out a short, incredulous laugh.
"That sounded suspiciously profound."
"It wasn't."
"No?"
"It was obvious."
Reist stared at him a moment longer before jabbing a finger in his direction.
"You know, for someone who barely speaks, you're remarkably annoying."
But Arojan had already turned away.
He didn't answer and as Reist's voice faded behind him, his thoughts drifted.
Where had Senka gone?