“What’s this?” She inquires, one eyebrow arching upwards as she looks me over.
“Just a sort of get-to-know-our-members deal. We have to have documents on who is who and their story and who they are.” I explain. The little elf gives a soft chuckle, catching the dagger she had been spinning on the table and looking me in the eye. She leans back in her chair, leather clad arm draped across the back.
“Oh, this ought to be good.”
“Name?” I start the interview.
“Samahlen, but I prefer Sam. Some people call me Red.”
“And how old are you?”
“Oooh, rather risky question to be asking a lady, wouldn’t you say?” She taunts. “Turned twenty-eight… Blight take me, the day before I showed up at this place. Heh, funny how you don’t pay much attention to those namedays as you get older.”
“And you’re obviously an elf.”
“Was it the ears that tipped you off?” As if for good measure, she flicks one to be sure.
“Where were you born?”
“Some forest in Antiva. That’s about as accurate as I can get.”
“And you, ah, seem to have a preference for daggers?” She gives the dagger on the table a flick of her wrist, sending it into a spin on the wood top.
“I just keep this around to look intimidating.” She winks as she responds.
“Any religion?”
“Are you allowed to ask that?” An eyebrow quirks back up, but she shrugs in response. “Depending on the day, I’d say maybe religious.”
“Is, uh, there anything else about you that defines…well, you?”
“I’m an ex-Dalish runaway who found a calling in the smuggling world and has been making bad jokes ever since.”
“And when did you join the Plainstriders?”
“25th of Drakonis.”
“You said you were a smuggler before you came here?”
“Did my arrival suddenly turn me into not a smuggler?” She jokes, a lopsided smirk on her face. “But to answer your question, yeah. Smuggler before I got here.”
“Why did you decide to join?”
“I had my reasons. Good job opportunity, for one. The others are for me to know, though.” Her tone is light, cheery but stern enough that I don’t press the issue further.
“Any fond memories before coming here? Anything you’re leaving behind?”
“Heh, there was this Qunari girl in Seleny--beautiful woman. Spent nearly a year whooing her and trying to win her over. Nearly did, too. But Maker, she was a bottle of chaos if I have ever met one. I got a nice stab wound from her, right in the ribs. Want to see?” She begins to go for the hem of her shirt, before I protest, waving my hands in an attempt to stop her. The gesture only makes her laugh. “Can’t say that is exactly a fond memory, but the scar is cute, I suppose.”
“Out of the four sects the council members run, where would you best identify?”
“You mean that Serpent stuff? Hm… Well, I helped Suledin with looting that manor. Good man, bit stiff, but he can lighten up when he wants to. Although, your spymaster has me doing quite a bit. Then again, I am here because of Garnus--hired me on for smuggling. But… my sister is Ambassador or whatever they call her.” She pauses, brows furrowed as she tries to pinpoint exactly where she falls. “Right, let’s just say I sort of go where I’m needed. I don’t like tying myself down anyways.”
“And, a bit redundant, but you do, in fact, favor the dagger?”
“Not just the dagger.” She unsheathes the other from her person, holding the identical blades up for me to see. “My daggers. Say hello to Falon and Nehn. Saved my arse more than I care to say.”
“Any sort of signature fighting style?”
“Avoid it if I can, use stealth and agility otherwise.”
“Stealing, killing, all that--does it justify the end goal?”
“The questions they’re having you ask--they’re oddly specific. I mean, it depends. Not everything is so black and white, y’know?”
“You mentioned stealth--I take it you’d rather use those tactics and win rather than be upfront and lose?”
“Listen, friend, I’m a smuggler. A criminal. The shadier I can handle a situation, the better it fits my lifestyle.” She winks--I think she is joking, but… I’m not entirely sure.
“Are you more the type to give orders, take orders, or do your own thing?”
“Are you kidding? I don’t take orders--I’m my own person, and that means making decisions on what I do or do not do.”
“If you were in an ambush--”
“Did Helena make you ask me that?” Sam interrupts, narrowing her gold eyes at me with a smirk. “Tell her I’d kill the guys. Simple as that.”
“I… okay.” I say, not entirely sure what that commentary was about. “And to a thief or a large threat?”
“I see thieves every day--if you mean one trying to steal from me, I might put a dagger through his hand and talk it out. I’d rather not kill men all willy nilly simply because they’re trying to make a living. As for a large threat… is using someone as a distraction an option? Because it is either that and attack when it isn’t looking or make a run for it.”
“Who would you say you’re closest with in the organization thus far?”
“My sister, of course. As close as we can be, y’know. And I suppose I can count Garnus as a friend. We’ve worked together in the past--funny little thing that he is. Helena and I get along well enough, same with Suledin and myself. Threw an apple at Tyvas, once. Met some cute little dark haired woman looting a mansion. And Giant… though, I’m not sure I’d consider us friends.”
“Any enemies?” This brings her to laughter again, amused by her own thoughts.
“Depending on the day, probably my sister again. We’re awfully stubborn girls.”
“How do you spend your time outside of the job?”
“Quiet evenings, mostly. I like having time to myself--not saying going out every now and then is bad, but I’m more of the sit-to-the-side-and-people-watch type of elf.”
“And, uh… I’m guessing you’d rather be having a quiet evening to yourself right now, wouldn’t you?” I prompt hesitantly. She flashes me a quick grin, twirling a dagger in her hand.
“You catch on quick.”
“Okay, so, uhm… Spend a lot of time at the Thirsty Royal?”
“The what?”
“The Thirsty Royal.”
“Is that… is that a whore house?”
“Maker, no! Just a pub.”
“Can’t say I’ve been there yet.” Her golden eyes shine with amusement at my discomfort of the topic. “Though, I have been kicked out of a bar in the city from when I first arrived--they didn’t enjoy my juggling knives routine. Maybe because the barkeep tried to grab one from me and got himself stabbed in the hand.”
“Any other skills like that?”
“What, odd talents and the like?” She leans her head back in thought. “I can sing the Tale of Two Crows backwards if I have had exactly two shots of whiskey and an ale.”
“Speaking of drinks and the like--favorite food? Drink? Music? Books?”
“This is the speed question part, I see. Strawberries and apples--and don’t even get me started on how wonderful apple cider is. No music preference. There was a lovely book on poetry I found once.”
“More speed questions.” She chuckles, nodding in approval at the attempt at a joke. “Favorite color? Clothing? Treasured possession?”
“Purple--hence the tattoos. And clothing, I’m wearing them.” She hesitates, pressing her lips together, struggling with an internal dilemma. “I have a red cloak.”
“Santinalia wishlist or any sort of hobbies?”
“I would love a lute. I’ve never learned to play, and can you imagine the ruckus I could make around here? It would either be beautiful music and torment for everyone. As for hobbies… I get bored and wander. I prefer to keep myself occupied. Which is why I need a lute.”
“Four words to describe yourself?”
“Mischievous, flighty, determined, and sarcastic.” Well, at least she is honest.
“Greatest flaw or weakness?” This question is followed by a long pause, her eyes on the ground for some time.
“I don’t take anything seriously.”
“If you were to be tempted by a demon, how would it get to you?” For the first time, she scowls at me, looking unamused by this question. I get no response.
“Uh, right. Onto more serious stuff. In the Mage and Templar conflict, which side do you favor?” I say, skipping over some questions.
“Every war has good and bad on each side. I’ve met some nice Templars and some real dicks. Same goes for mages. I’ll remain confidently neutral.”
“Circle or no?”
“Mages are people, too. They deserve a chance to find their own path in life.”
“And the Templars?”
“Need to rethink themselves a bit--too heavy on the Chantry stuff. An independent organization would be a lot less political. But hey, what do I know?”
“How about blood magic? Or spirits and demons?”
“Creepy in theory, but I have never met any myself. Consider me neutral.”
“Nobles or commoners?”
“Do I look like I enjoy the company of nobles?” She laughs again, shaking her head.
“Thoughts on the Dalish, Qun, and Chantry?”
“The Dalish…” A wicked grin covers her face as she folds her arm. “If you had more parchment, I could give you a novel about those bastards. The Qun doesn’t sit right with me, either. Assigning people roles…” She shudders. “And the Chantry is useful sometimes. A bit annoying others.”
“And the Hero of Ferelden and the Champion of Kirkwall: thoughts on them?”
“Heard the Warden was a dwarf--adorable race, if you ask me. He did well, though. Shame how he went. As for that Champion, I hear she had a lot going against her. You have to respect someone who comes out of that shit and is still shining.”