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Yeah. I mean, it's not that he's single-handedly caused the deaths of people I love, he was just. A dick. And only to me, apparently. But he's not even over my project, so I have some wiggle room.
Warden-Commander Fa-oh. Farele. Of course.
[Following the trail of someone who did manage to defeat Corypheus, if only for a short time. It makes sense. Anders gestures at the chair in front of Alistair before sitting, half-but-not-quite asking permission. Alistair is in charge, sure, but the man's never been one for formalities and Anders isn't either.]
Do we know what his errand was then, or if he was traveling alone or with a group? That could help us figure it out.
[Following the trail of someone who did manage to defeat Corypheus, if only for a short time. It makes sense. Anders gestures at the chair in front of Alistair before sitting, half-but-not-quite asking permission. Alistair is in charge, sure, but the man's never been one for formalities and Anders isn't either.]
Do we know what his errand was then, or if he was traveling alone or with a group? That could help us figure it out.
He was probably alone. It was after...
[ Sitting is fine. Obviously. The only indication that it's fine is the fact that he doesn't react at all, because of course Anders can sit—he is so far beyond formalities, as a general rule, that it doesn't occur to him that anyone at all might ever want or need his permission. He pushes some paper aside and finds one in particular to push toward Anders for review—the one from Stafes Nerrah. ]
He disappeared. He took something he wasn't meant to take and vanished, after spending far too much time with Corypheus, apparently.
[ Sitting is fine. Obviously. The only indication that it's fine is the fact that he doesn't react at all, because of course Anders can sit—he is so far beyond formalities, as a general rule, that it doesn't occur to him that anyone at all might ever want or need his permission. He pushes some paper aside and finds one in particular to push toward Anders for review—the one from Stafes Nerrah. ]
He disappeared. He took something he wasn't meant to take and vanished, after spending far too much time with Corypheus, apparently.
Well, that's good.
[ He hesitates. It is probably not cool of him to point out that it's been nearly a year, as far as he knows, since Thranduil was a jerk, when Alistair is still brooding over something that happened over a decade ago, even if the scale of the injury is vastly different. ]
He's always seemed all right to me, in a formal and unfairly tall intimidating sort of way. Not that he wasn't a dick, but everyone is a dick sometimes. And rifters, you know, they're... [ He makes a face. Several faces, actually, in a row, trying to think how not to be flippant or offensive. ] When I got stuck in the Chantry I made everyone around me miserable for years. I can't imagine being stuck in new world.
[ He hesitates. It is probably not cool of him to point out that it's been nearly a year, as far as he knows, since Thranduil was a jerk, when Alistair is still brooding over something that happened over a decade ago, even if the scale of the injury is vastly different. ]
He's always seemed all right to me, in a formal and unfairly tall intimidating sort of way. Not that he wasn't a dick, but everyone is a dick sometimes. And rifters, you know, they're... [ He makes a face. Several faces, actually, in a row, trying to think how not to be flippant or offensive. ] When I got stuck in the Chantry I made everyone around me miserable for years. I can't imagine being stuck in new world.
I know that. [The words are a touch sharp, but then she gives a sigh and it's softer.] In my head, I know that. But what happens when I act like it's all right for someone to treat me that way? I...
[Need to unpack. Need to say the things lost in the cloud. Need to take a good look at the monster before kicking it out. She closes her eyes.]
I'm not good at letting things go. Any time I'm hurt, it's like I soak it up and hold onto it so it'll protect me. And maybe that would've worked, if I'd become a Keeper, but it doesn't work here. But a Keeper is the only thing I actually know how to be. It's all I was taught. Nothing about dealing with peers outside of a clan, besides trade etiquette and so on. From my earliest memory, everything was put to me in the context of me being a Keeper one day. So I don't know what to do with Thranduil. I don't like people treating him like he could show us all how to be real elves, like we've not been doing it right. If he'd been clan and I was Keeper, he'd've been punished for it once and we'd've been over it a long time ago. But he's not, and I'm not, and I don't know how to know where we stand.
[Need to unpack. Need to say the things lost in the cloud. Need to take a good look at the monster before kicking it out. She closes her eyes.]
I'm not good at letting things go. Any time I'm hurt, it's like I soak it up and hold onto it so it'll protect me. And maybe that would've worked, if I'd become a Keeper, but it doesn't work here. But a Keeper is the only thing I actually know how to be. It's all I was taught. Nothing about dealing with peers outside of a clan, besides trade etiquette and so on. From my earliest memory, everything was put to me in the context of me being a Keeper one day. So I don't know what to do with Thranduil. I don't like people treating him like he could show us all how to be real elves, like we've not been doing it right. If he'd been clan and I was Keeper, he'd've been punished for it once and we'd've been over it a long time ago. But he's not, and I'm not, and I don't know how to know where we stand.
Edited 2017-10-13 16:28 (UTC)
[He spends some time reading it. It's short, but there's so much potential for things going wrong there... and also so few clues.]
The fortress would have records of what was...
[Anders trails off. The fortress that Corypheus' forces now held would have records of what was taken likely at Corypheus' behest.]
On one hand, it's frustrating that he's always a step ahead. Or two steps ahead. On the other, at least he's got hundreds of years of experience on us so we've some excuse for why we haven't defeated him yet? It's a shame I don't think we've anyone who could safely, keeping themselves safe, I mean, infiltrate Weisshaupt.
The fortress would have records of what was...
[Anders trails off. The fortress that Corypheus' forces now held would have records of what was taken likely at Corypheus' behest.]
On one hand, it's frustrating that he's always a step ahead. Or two steps ahead. On the other, at least he's got hundreds of years of experience on us so we've some excuse for why we haven't defeated him yet? It's a shame I don't think we've anyone who could safely, keeping themselves safe, I mean, infiltrate Weisshaupt.
[Anders snorts.]
Just between us Maker-forsaken mages, would you mind sharing what you had Warden-Commander Farele retrieve for you? It would be ever so kind.
[His voice is dry as he leans back in the chair.]
With all of these cheerful thoughts, shall I add another? Corypheus was sloppy and got caught, but the Architect stayed hidden for quite some time until he chose to reveal himself. The rest could still be out there somewhere.
Just between us Maker-forsaken mages, would you mind sharing what you had Warden-Commander Farele retrieve for you? It would be ever so kind.
[His voice is dry as he leans back in the chair.]
With all of these cheerful thoughts, shall I add another? Corypheus was sloppy and got caught, but the Architect stayed hidden for quite some time until he chose to reveal himself. The rest could still be out there somewhere.
That's me. The Warden optimist. I've many such thoughts on our world and the future of my people, but maybe that's enough optimism for one day.
[A beat.]
Alternately, we could consider that one, whatever Farele took was at least initially figured out, and two, the Architect might consider the other magisters rivals and could aid us in taking them out if we tracked him down. Granted, the first point might require blood mages and that's not exactly a recommendation I'd like to make.
[A beat.]
Alternately, we could consider that one, whatever Farele took was at least initially figured out, and two, the Architect might consider the other magisters rivals and could aid us in taking them out if we tracked him down. Granted, the first point might require blood mages and that's not exactly a recommendation I'd like to make.
[Which includes a wheel of very fine Orlesian cheese, a small bottle of Riviani brandy, and an elven styled belt, made by a craftsman in the alienage.]
Serah Alistair,
Thanks for not letting Madame von Skraedder slit me open or twist my hand off. You're all right.
Double thanks for sending me to Scout Master Ashara. You saved my life.
A. Agassi
Serah Alistair,
Thanks for not letting Madame von Skraedder slit me open or twist my hand off. You're all right.
Double thanks for sending me to Scout Master Ashara. You saved my life.
A. Agassi
[And delivered back is the cheese. If he doesn't want the belt then Adasse will gladly keep it.]
Well at least keep some food in your belly before you take a snuff. That's the real deal there.
- Adasse
Well at least keep some food in your belly before you take a snuff. That's the real deal there.
- Adasse
[Out of all the Satinalia gifts he's received (and he's received so many this year, comparatively! improvement??), the one that affects Cade the most deeply is the box from Alistair. He turns it over in his hands, clearly appreciative, and when he looks up at Alistair his expression is uncertain.]
I... didn't know you still took it.
I... didn't know you still took it.
[ Alistair looks uncertain back, except his version of uncertain comes with a crooked grin and preparation to totally turn this into a joke if necessary. ]
I didn't actually start taking it until I left. Darkspawn use magic, too, you know, and I have to be good for something if I want them to keep me around.
[ That's not totally turning it into a joke. That's only halfway turning it into a joke. ]
I didn't actually start taking it until I left. Darkspawn use magic, too, you know, and I have to be good for something if I want them to keep me around.
[ That's not totally turning it into a joke. That's only halfway turning it into a joke. ]
Edited 2017-11-03 05:35 (UTC)
Well...
[ Of course, he'd like to say, but apparently it's not that obvious. He coughs instead. ]
Sure. There are the darkspawn, there are demons—not even abominations, there are demons running around all over Thedas now, and no one's debating whether or not that should be allowed. It doesn't have to be about mages. Or the Chantry. If you don't want it to be. [ He pauses. ] Who is it you're reporting to now, exactly?
[ Of course, he'd like to say, but apparently it's not that obvious. He coughs instead. ]
Sure. There are the darkspawn, there are demons—not even abominations, there are demons running around all over Thedas now, and no one's debating whether or not that should be allowed. It doesn't have to be about mages. Or the Chantry. If you don't want it to be. [ He pauses. ] Who is it you're reporting to now, exactly?
[Cade nods as he listens. He does want it to be about mages and the Chantry, but possibly only because it's always been. He's considered that before, but it's a hard thought to let himself have. It undermines a lot of things.]
Um... Ser Coupe. [Kind of. If anyone.] ...I'll be working as a scribe for Myrobalan. Soon.
Um... Ser Coupe. [Kind of. If anyone.] ...I'll be working as a scribe for Myrobalan. Soon.
Nnno, [ Alistair answers, with equal uncertainty. He is rarely sure what it is Cade wants from him. Not that he’d give it to him if he did know, but it would be nice to know where he stood, in the scheme of giving or not giving the expected thing. ] I don’t know what to say, that’s all.
Oh.
[And here they are again. Somehow it always ends up this way, with awkward shuffling and no idea how to proceed, as though they're strangers. And maybe they are. Maybe it's been too long, and they should give up on that brief connection they had.
But then, Alistair did think to give him a gift.]
...I really like it. [Cade turns the box over in his hands.] It... it'll help.
[And here they are again. Somehow it always ends up this way, with awkward shuffling and no idea how to proceed, as though they're strangers. And maybe they are. Maybe it's been too long, and they should give up on that brief connection they had.
But then, Alistair did think to give him a gift.]
...I really like it. [Cade turns the box over in his hands.] It... it'll help.
Alistair-
Hail, from the sunny Western Approach! What a beautiful place this is. We got sand, sand, more sand, the ground turning black from the Maker-damned Blight, and also darkspawn. I'd say the only thing missing is some terrifying creature or another, but knowing my luck, the damn thing would materialize the moment I put it down in ink.
Sand and darkspawn aside, I'm actually enjoying myself. The newbie Wardens are all so little. I know that the both of us Joined when we were pretty young, but I swear, I feel like I have to take breaks to burp these infants and change their nappies.
Despite the shit I give them, I've been surprised to find out that I rather like working with them. I didn't think I'd like spending my days whipping these pansy asses into shape, but they've got this spark, a light in their eyes, that reminds me of myself, when I first Joined. If what I do here helps them keep that light going a little longer, than I'll know I accomplished something truly worthwhile.
Maybe it wouldn't be too bad, if I spent my twilight years doing this? Of course, with the Calling, my twilight years are probably gonna be here before I hit 40, ha ha! (Don't frown, I know you're frowning)
Jokes (that you didn't laugh at) aside, Griffin Wing Keep is truly amazing. I know you scouted it out, but have you ever gone inside of it? At least, when it's not covered with the corpses of our fallen brothers. It's...something else, to walk these halls that our forebearers did. I wonder if they had their own darkness that they had to fight against? Did they stand on this same rampart, and wonder if they were going to be the last generation of Wardens?
And then I think about nicer things, like beer and kittens. Not together though, that shit's bad for them.
I'll probably be heading back to Kirkwall pretty soon, unless one of these green idiots manage to accidentally skewer me while trying to block. Pray for me. Or, you know, get someone else to, if you're not into that. Hopefully, I'll see you within a few weeks, and I'll be looking tan and ripped and amazing while you look like a pale-ass creeper because you've been hanging out in Spooky Corpse City (really, Alistair????).
Maker be with you,
Kaisa
P.S. Tell Boots I said 'hi'.
Hail, from the sunny Western Approach! What a beautiful place this is. We got sand, sand, more sand, the ground turning black from the Maker-damned Blight, and also darkspawn. I'd say the only thing missing is some terrifying creature or another, but knowing my luck, the damn thing would materialize the moment I put it down in ink.
Sand and darkspawn aside, I'm actually enjoying myself. The newbie Wardens are all so little. I know that the both of us Joined when we were pretty young, but I swear, I feel like I have to take breaks to burp these infants and change their nappies.
Despite the shit I give them, I've been surprised to find out that I rather like working with them. I didn't think I'd like spending my days whipping these pansy asses into shape, but they've got this spark, a light in their eyes, that reminds me of myself, when I first Joined. If what I do here helps them keep that light going a little longer, than I'll know I accomplished something truly worthwhile.
Maybe it wouldn't be too bad, if I spent my twilight years doing this? Of course, with the Calling, my twilight years are probably gonna be here before I hit 40, ha ha! (Don't frown, I know you're frowning)
Jokes (that you didn't laugh at) aside, Griffin Wing Keep is truly amazing. I know you scouted it out, but have you ever gone inside of it? At least, when it's not covered with the corpses of our fallen brothers. It's...something else, to walk these halls that our forebearers did. I wonder if they had their own darkness that they had to fight against? Did they stand on this same rampart, and wonder if they were going to be the last generation of Wardens?
And then I think about nicer things, like beer and kittens. Not together though, that shit's bad for them.
I'll probably be heading back to Kirkwall pretty soon, unless one of these green idiots manage to accidentally skewer me while trying to block. Pray for me. Or, you know, get someone else to, if you're not into that. Hopefully, I'll see you within a few weeks, and I'll be looking tan and ripped and amazing while you look like a pale-ass creeper because you've been hanging out in Spooky Corpse City (really, Alistair????).
Maker be with you,
Kaisa
P.S. Tell Boots I said 'hi'.
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