Thieves Landing
He woke up in a tree again. But like his eyes were open so maybe he was just drunk. What the hell was in that old brandy that Varric dared him to drink... That little twig fairy didn't drug him- right? He hoped he didn't. Whatever it was- he couldn't really account for the night before. Sluggishly he looked about. He recognized Illya's house at once and for that he was relieved. The man hopped down and landed shakily on his feet. It took him a moment to steady himself- he pointed to the sky and the ground to situate himself. The world barrel rolled and his face met earth. A groan escaped him,
"I'll kill him."
He sat up again- yet despite all this he felt no hangover- only the pain from his fall. So he stood- clear headed now- and noticed something in a waste bin by Illya's front gate. It was a broken childs harp. The mans green eyes brightened- a mischievous idea taking root. Snagging this on his way past the gate he strummed it a few times- one of the five strings was broken and three were loose. He'd never played the instrument in his life- but that didn't stop him from plucking away an improvised tune as he walked up to the house.
Ezra stood right under Illya's bedroom window- he knew it was hers because he was a creep- plus he saw her sneaking into her house through there one night.
"Illya baby I may be no bard~" He twanged off key "but come on girl meet me out in the yard~ Yeah I know that I may be a mutt~ gods damn girl you got a nice butt~ Come on girl don't be so mean~ I came to blow off some steam~ Do you dream? Got plans? I could be your man~ Listen this time- we can like, do shit- fuck its hard to ryhme..."
Feeling lame he stopped strumming the harp, dropping it on the grass and absentmindedly kicking it across the yard. He stared up at her bedroom window for a bit- wondering at what moment a chair would be thrown from it. He imagined that- the spray of glass showering over him like synthetic stardust, only to get a wooden stool to the face.
"Shut up lad- she isn't home." Said a voice from a window on the other end of the house. He stepped back and craned his neck to see an older version of Illya glaring at him from the living room window.
"Goodday ma'am. Did I wake you?"
"And all 12 of the gods with that horrible singing voice of yours. I could've sworn someone was killing a goat out here."
Ezra smiled, he liked how refreshingly nasty she was, it made him feel like he was having a genuine conversation. None of that feigned interest that people are taught to have with one another.
"That's rude as hell Mrs.Vance."
"
MS. you little toad- I never married."
"I can't imagine why." He said, stepping closer. He'd never spoken to Illya's mother like this- or at all for that matter. He only ever saw the woman from affar when she happened to head down into town. But he often came by the womans home to serenade Illya or try and talk to her- all attempts thwarted. It must have finally started to ware on the woman. Or maybe it was the unreasonable hour? It was so hard for him to tell.
"Why must you be so nasty with someone who only wants to get to know your daughter?" He asked with forced innocence.
Marideth snorted,
"To get to know? Is that what you call it these days?" She shook her head, disappointed in the weak slang.
"Leave- before I lose my patience and start throwing knives again." Ezra's eyebrows shot up, remembering- hell he had a scar on his forearm that reminded him plenty of the last knife throwing incident.
"Sure- will do. Tell Illya I stopped by- that I think of her and all that." He said, beginning to backpedal his way out of there.
"No, I wont." said the mother, rolling her eyes.
"You're right- it does sound kinda desperate- I'll stop by later and do it myself. Have a nice day never-married-Vance."
"Trip and smash your pretty face." She spat, but Ezra was already out of the yard and headed back into town.