justice_is_blond | Inbox for Fade Rift

[The comment gets a chuckle.]

That sounds lovely. I'll have the place ready.

[And sure enough, by the time he's opening the door up for Twisted Fate, the place is tidy. The pillows are back on the bed from where Purrelden has shoved them off, she's curled up with Lady at the foot of it, and there's an orange kitten laying on his back on the previously neat pile of papers on the table, looking for the world like there's no risk in rubbing his fluffy stomach.]

Come on in. You've met Purrelden and Lady, I believe. Lord Pawdric is the one on the table. If his tail is still, you're fine to pet him. If it's twitching, he's nearly ready to pounce. ...But it's not like he can do much harm when he's playful.

[When Twisted Fate arrives, he has a bottle in his hand; it's Antivan wine, which is still better than Ferelden brew and anything the Hanged Man could hope to serve. He steps inside as Anders holds the door open, then grins at the kitten exposing his soft-looking tummy.

Fate points at the cat.] More like you should call him Lord Trap, because I know what that is.

[Fate offers the bottle to Anders, speaking sincerely:] For you and Nathaniel, my friend. I hope the coming years are good to the both of you, truly.

[Grinning, Anders accepts the bottle.]

Thank you. I appreciate the good wishes very much.

[The expression fades a little momentarily as he remembers how little time they likely have, but he recovers. He'd never thought he'd even have this much. He's fine.

Anders tilts his head at the cat as he closes the door behind Fate.]

It could have been on the table, but I figured Nate should get to name this one since both were gifts from him. Apparently he'd an ancestor named Padric who was a Warden, but we couldn't just call him Ser Pawdric unless we wanted him horribly outranked by Purrelden and Lady.

Now. Have a seat, and I'll open the other wine and we can talk?

I suppose it's only fair he gets to name one of your precious feline children, hm?

[Right. The Talk. It's not something he looks forward to, though not for lack of trust. The amount of people he does trust could probably be counted on one hand, honestly, but he has no qualms including Anders there.

It's just. Easier to run away from his problems. That's something he's good at.]

Of course. I'm more fun with I drink, anyway.

[Fate takes his seat as offered, languidly crossing his legs -- but he does remove his wide-brimmed hat, running his fingers through his hair with a sigh.]

Nerva's dead.

[Might as well get to the point, right.]

[He pours two glasses as Fate settles in, bringing them over and blinking at the news.]

I'm sorry for your loss, Fate.

[Anders' voice is gentle. Fate knows full well that there's no love lost between Anders and Nerva, but he can still feel for what pain Fate must be feeling. The glasses get set down before he takes his own seat.]

Would you like to talk about it?

[He thinks the answer is more than likely no, but that doesn't mean he can't offer to listen.]

[He's aware. Nerva wasn't exactly largely popular with most of his companions, especially the mage ones, but he appreciates the kindness regardless.

Before Fate speaks again, he drinks the wine, swallowing with a sigh and rubbing his forehead.]

No, but I should. Because it's relevant. Because it's my fault.

[He's quiet for a moment. She'd been the cause of one of the more terrifying moments of Anders' life, but Fate has been the cause of many delightful ones. The respect and appreciation wins out easily, far more easily than it would have months ago.]

What happened? She'd seemed... rather formidable.

Not long after we escaped the Fade, we went on a mission. It was all well and good, and we were wrapping up a few months ago to finally go back to Kirkwall.

[Fate rubs the bridge of his nose.] I joined the Inquisition to hide from a few people. One of the more... pressing matters found us. We fought, but these days you can't stretch your arms without hitting someone from Tevinter. We were outnumbered.

She told me to run. So I did. She knew what it meant for me.

But Creators, I-- I wish I didn't.

[He squeezes his hands tight into fists, trying to convince himself to not tear up. He's cried plenty since then. He still does. He doesn't need to do it here, in front of someone else.]

Maker.

[He can't imagine the guilt Fate has to feel.]

She loved you.

[His voice is quiet. You don't do that otherwise, and she's gone up a notch in his estimation posthumously.]

It wouldn't have been better for you to die too. I know it likely feels like it would have been, but two losses aren't better than one, and her sacrifice has... value, for lack of a better word. It wasn't in vain.

[There's a small, sad chuckle that escapes him.]

I wouldn't have died, I don't think. Despite however much I've cost Priggs, he wouldn't make waste. Not now. Not... that the alternative would be any better.

I know you're right. I know, but I know all I've ever done is just run. I can't seem to do much else.

I know that feeling. Or I knew it. For a very, very long time.

[He sips his wine before shaking his head. Nate's the reason he'd been able to stop running, but saying that would be cruel.]

You're not alone, Fate. You've friends who would help you stand your ground if you want it, if you want to talk about what's coming for you. You could find safety here.

Why do you think I call myself Twisted Fate? Not for having good luck, that's for sure.

[He knows. He remembers Korrin telling him the same thing. Fate wants to believe them.

But no where really feels safe. He can't remember what that's even like.]

I don't know ... where or how he'll strike. Fortunately, Kirkwall's a big place, I suppose.

We could take the strike to him.

[It's not something he'd say to many. He has a reason to live now, and he's careful about keeping any more... aggressive tendencies in check.]

Priggs. It sounds, mm. I don't know. Stuck up. What is he? Orlesian? Is there a reason he might be a threat to the Inquisition?

Tevinter, actually. [It's admitted with a wince.]

Magister Aregor Priggs. Stuck up and arrogant for certain, but I wish those were only Orlesian traits.

There's no love between the Inquisition and Tevinter. If there's a reason he'd be an enemy to them...

[They could even possibly get a sanctioned strike. Otherwise, there's always going off for a short trip. He's helped a few with those now.]

If there was a way to prove that, or prove he had ties to the Venatori, I'd agree. But I'm afraid he's not that sloppy.

Though I suppose I need to... seriously consider that this needs to be dealt with.

So much for an easy option. But few important things are easy.

[He leans back in his chair, considering.]

What can you tell me? Rather, what do you want to tell me?

[Fate's always been closed off about his past. Anders can understand that, but if it's coming back to get his friend opening up might help.]

I'd rather not tell you a thing. It's easier to not have people disappointed in me regarding something that actually bothers me, you know.

[He sighs.] But I should tell you. Though it's a lot to say, if you care to hear it.

[Anders shakes his head.]

I blew up the Chantry, Fate. I don't think I'm going to be disappointed in you. Talk, and I will listen.

All right, I really can't beat that.

[That does warn a wry smile, but he shakes his head and drinks a bit more of the wine.]

Around the time the Fifth Blight was happening, I wasn't alone. I had a partner and other friends. Malsaam is-- was an important friend to me. I thought for the longest time there'd be no one else who'd really understand me. We worked together.

Of course, with the blight and all, we didn't stay in Denerim long, of course; so we headed north.

With the blight happening, it also opened opportunities for us. Malsaam wanted a big score, though. He was targeting a Tevinter magister -- Aregor Priggs. I told him it was too risky, but the stubborn idiot said it'd be fine so long as we stuck together. We'll be rich as kings, he'd like to say, as if he was the first moron to ever declare that before getting his ass kicked.

The job went badly. I kept telling him we had to back out, but he was a prideful idiot looking for a fight and told us to stick with it. I made the call and told our crew to pull out. Unfortunately that... left him behind. Priggs captured him. Priggs has this place he's put slaves to work in, calls it the Locker. That's where he sent Malsaam. I rallied the crew and tried to break him out. That only managed to get everyone killed. Everyone but me, obviously.

[Twisted Fate pauses a moment to finish off his wine.]

So I approached Priggs, to cut him a deal. I said I'd do whatever he wanted to make sure that he'd release Malsaam. The price was steep, and I was branded his property, but I was willing to live with it if it meant my friend would be released.

Unfortunately, we all underestimated Malsaam: he found a way to break out on his own, only he was under the impression that I'd betrayed him to Priggs and wanted payback. And, well, I wasn't very willing to keep my end of the bargain if Malsaam freed himself anyway, so I ran.

[He scratches his neck.] So I have an angry ex-partner who wants me dead, and a magister whose pride is at stake. I don't have a good record of keeping friends so far, you see.

[He listens quietly, nodding at the pauses where it seems appropriate. There's some silence when Fate ends as Anders processes all of it.]

I take it Malsaam has no desire to stop and listen to an explanation.

[It's deliberately not a question since the answer already seems pretty clear. That it's almost definitely a qunari name strengthens that impression - qunari seem to come to an opinion and stick with it no matter what.]

He, Priggs, I mean, won't attack here. There's too much risk to sending Tevinter forces to Kirkwall in the current political climate, I believe. But he'll likely have people watching and he'll wait for you to be sent off... Do you think he'd come personally? Do you think he could be baited?

[The statement does earn a wry chuckle from Fate.]

Ah, I couldn't think of anyone more stubborn than Mal. [His voice is fond, but also full of regret.] I'd have to chain him down to a wall to make him hear me out, and even then I don't know if he'd believe me.

No, you're... you're right about Priggs. He wouldn't come here to attack, not directly. But he could be convinced to come personally. He isn't stupid, but he is immensely prideful.

Killing Priggs might send a message to your former friend. Or it might not. We can perhaps hope he doesn't hate you so much he follows you here and focus on Priggs? If Priggs thinks you're happy or comfortable here, would that be enough?

[There may be a solution in here somewhere. He can hope, at least.]

I think the only message Mal would get would that I have no problem backstabbing someone else. Or whatever kind of excuse he'd like to make. It's hard to say, but maybe he'll figure it out.

[He lets out a sigh and sits back, folding his arms as he considers.] Maybe it might be enough. Then again, he certainly had no problem trying to corner me a few months ago. I doubt it occurred to him that I was close to Nerva, or he probably would have used her as bait.

So... if it seemed like I was having a merry time without a care in the world, it might be enough to make him come out if ever get around to leaving Kirkwall.

We could see if we can't get word to spread of you having a place here where you're welcomed and belong, and then we plan a publicized trip with surprise members on it.

[It's a fairly simplistic plan, but it's a start.]

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