justice_is_blond | Inbox for Fade Rift

[Given the reaction after the announcement was made, he can't really blame Anders for not wanting to be around Skyhold. There's a lot of people out for the man's blood. Even Jamie's not thrilled with him, although mostly because he feels like he's been tricked. That's always been a bit of a sore spot on his end, and it's hard to shake the feeling, even now, which shows in the set of his lips for a few seconds before he decides to just have out with what he's thinking.]

Don't know. Do you have anything that'll help someone who thought they'd made a friend, only to find out they'd been lied to the whole time?

[There's not as much heat behind the words as there once would've been, at least, but there's still some unhappiness there - and underneath, maybe a little bit of hurt as well. He'd liked Detlef. He doesn't know if he can like Anders, given what's happened, but the fact he's here in the first place means he might be willing to listen to what the man has to say.]

[He looks away from Jamie for a moment before shaking his head and looking back up at the guy.]

The only lie I told you was my name. It was a continuous lie, and you've every right to be upset by that.

[His hand glows green as he gestures for Jamie to come close enough for precise, accurate healing.]

I am sorry for lying, Jamie. But I was honest in everything else, and if I'd been fully honest I would be dead.

[His lips press together at the words 'continuous lie', but the last part of what Anders says is enough to get him to pause and give Anders a long look. It's a thoughtful look, though, and after that short hesitation he takes the few steps needed to close the gap between the two of them.]

Why? Because of what was said on that announcement?

[That would make some sense, but he's still not entirely sure of all the motives behind Anders coming here and using a false name, and even as he comes to a stop he takes a breath and looks Anders square in the eyes.]

Look, I'm not sure what all that means, but maybe you if you'd be willing to explain I'd be willing to listen.

[He takes a breath as well before nodding and starting to work on the wound.]

I'm willing to explain. I'm not sure where to start, but I'm willing.

[And where to start is really the big question here.]

Do you have specific questions? Somewhere, something that makes this more confusing?

[The blisters are a mess, but he's seen worse. Gently Anders begins easing the worst of them.]

[However strange magic is in some ways, it's useful as well. He can't exactly see what's happening, but he can feel it, and there's a part of him that almost wants to sigh in relief as the pain from the blisters starts to ease.

The rest of him, on the other hand, is still looking for answers, and while he's quiet for a moment while he thinks about what to ask, after that moment he's quick enough to pipe up again.]

Well, maybe you could explain about this Kirkwall Rebellion. That message that was sent said there was something about abuse of mages by a Knight-Commander Meredith? Is that what caused it?

Mm. That's central to it, yes.

[He frowns, looking more past the wounds than at them as he continues to work.]

Before you arrived, before the Circles were shattered during the events at the White Spire, mages were required, by law, to be held in various fortresses. Ostensibly it was for the protection of mages, and for people from mages, but that only works if you don't see mages as people. And if the people in charge aren't abusive. A few of the places, the Circles, were supposedly run civilly. The mages were still restricted, but there were no public beatings or assaults and no one was made Tranquil on a whim. My Circle was on the worse end, but none compared to Kirkwall's.

[There's a short beat as he evaluates the remaining wounds and continues to work, frown gone and eyes back on Jamie's neck.]

On a daily basis mages were dying or being made Tranquil. And the latter is by far the worst of the two. Meredith's power was becoming more and more absolute, backed up by Grand Cleric Elthina. And... I don't know what you know about abusers. I've seen their victims many times, as a healer, I know the signs of escalation. What was being done to the mages wasn't enough, the next step was coming. The Rite of Annulment. An entirely legal declaration that every mage under her control was actually out of control and needed to be put down like a rabid dog.

The day I acted, when I acted, Meredith was headed for Grand Cleric Elthina, and there was no doubt in my mind she would ask for permission to call for the Rite. I'd... I'd hoped the explosion would stop her. Would make her fall back, reconsider. Would end the escalation. It did not.

I've seen my share of abusers, aye.

[Even the mention of the word is enough to get his lips to press together in distaste. It could possibly be interpreted as pain from the wounds, but it's not. Some things are universal, it seems - although it does mean he's familiar enough with what happens that most of what Anders is saying makes perfect sense. It's not something he likes, either, and his expression continues to darken throughout the remainder of the explanation, the only thing easing that at all the faint bit of confusion over the one thing that was said that he's not familiar with.]

So she would've killed all the mages if given half a chance. What's...being made Tranquil, though?

[Anders' expression grows tired, despite how this work wasn't particularly taxing.]

Have you seen the people with sunburst brands on their foreheads? The ones who walk as if they're asleep, speak as if they're in a daze, and are used for mundane tasks around the place?

[He shakes his head.]

They were mages, once. Now, they are not. They have nothing left of who they were, either. No personality, no joy, nothing except simple existence as they wait for the next order. They are the Tranquil, and Templars can do that to any mage. Some believe that they should do it to all of us.

[The blisters are finally gone, and Anders' hands stop glowing. He reaches over to brush some of the dead skin away so he can confirm with his eyes what his ability is telling him.]

It's far worse than simply dying.

[His neck feels almost as though the blisters had never been there in the first place, and once Anders is done brushing the skin away to check his handiwork, he raises a hand to check for himself, a bit of wonder creeping into his expression for a second or two as he runs his fingers over the smooth, blister-free skin. But his natural inclinations there are quickly stifled by Anders's words, and any amazement he might be feeling is replaced with something more akin to horror, even though his fingers still rest lightly against his skin.]

Templars do that on purpose? And you've no say over that at all? Could you...no, wait, that's why you did what you did, wasn't it? You were trying to stop them before all the mages wound up having that happen to them.

Templars do that on purpose, yes. If a mage is terrified of a test where they pit you with barely any training against a demon, if a mage is too willful, if they feel like making an excuse it's entirely legal.

[His gaze is mostly on Jamie's neck, and how there's no flinching when the man touches his own skin. Good. There's nothing lingering. That focus keeps him from going off on too much of a rant, though the possibility is almost always lurking.]

It was happening on a daily basis when I did what I did, but no. I did it because they were about to slaughter all of the mages. Also legally. I couldn't simply stand by and do nothing, after trying peaceful methods for nearly seven years.

Seven years?

[No wonder he'd felt the need to take some sort of action. Granted, he still thinks that what happened was a step too far, but he also knows that his own patience for something like that wouldn't have lasted nearly as long - and he's a little impressed despite himself. And, well...as much as he also still doesn't like being tricked, things make a bit more sense now, something that gets him to nod as he lets his hand drop back to his side.]

Aye. I think I see what you mean now. That's not the sort of thing where you can stand by and do nothing. Not if you're going to save folk.

Seven years, the murder of my entire underground network, the loss of so many who... Who, to the majority of Thedas, don't matter because they were mages or helping mages.

[He's trying to stay calm, but there's an edge to his voice.]

Enough had paid. Enough had been lost due to inaction, for hopes of keeping the peace, and too many more were going to follow.

[It's hard to miss that edge to his voice, but it's understandable that it's there, even now. Without having been there to see it for himself, Jamie may never know what exactly the situation had been like, but from what he's being told a few things sound pretty clear to him. Enough so that he's willing to meet Anders's gaze again, the hesitation from earlier gone as though it'd never been there.]

Look, I know it's likely not much of a help, coming from someone who's not from this world, but it sounds to me that if you'd not done anything at all, more people would've died. I'm not so sure that the people who're calling for your head are thinking about that part of things. For what it's worth, I'm not one of them. I'd not have been even if I'd known who you were from the start.

Edited (icon edit) 2016-04-14 17:55 (UTC)

[He's silent for a moment, meeting Jamie's gaze, and then his expression softens as he looks down. The story being told to the Rifters is incredibly one-sided, and incredibly loud. And yet Jamie's taken the time to ask about it, see more of the shades of grey, and Anders is grateful beyond words.]

Thank you.

[It's quiet.]

It is a help. To know that you've not seen the way things were, you don't have the context for all that was going wrong, and yet you've listened and heard, and you're not... You're not rejecting me. It means a great deal.

Aye, well, I'll admit I'm not always good at it, but...

[His shoulders lift in a shrug, but it comes along with a small, slightly wry smile.]

If we're going to be friends, listening to your side of things is part of that, I'd say. Besides, it's not as though as I've not done things to try and change bad situations myself.

I appreciate when someone still wants to be friends with me.

[It's not the majority opinion. That as many have it as do is a very welcome surprise. Anders holds out a hand with a raised eyebrow.]

To friendship? Or at least working on it again?

[There's no hesitation on his end. He clasps the offered hand, a much warmer smile replacing that wry one. And at the same time, he brings over his other hand to clap Anders on the shoulder.]

To friendship. And thank you...Anders. I'll admit it'll take me a wee bit to get used to calling you that, but I'm glad I'm getting the chance to know you like this.

If you slip up I'll not be bothered.

[His voice and expression are both relieved.]

It's not like Anders is my given name; I simply don't recall what my given name was and Anders is how I'm known. And I'm glad I get the chance to continue getting to know you.

"Oh, aye, I see."

It does make sense - and put that way he supposes using 'Detlef' would be more or less the same thing, if Anders doesn't know what his real name is. Still, he thinks he'll at least make a go of trying to use Anders, even if he might not always remember it

"Well, it's not as though mine's actually 'Jamie'," he offers. "It's James. But my friends call me Jamie, so..." He breaks off and shrugs, but after a second there's a smile to go along with it. "You're welcome to do that, if you like. Thank you for helping me with the blisters, though. I appreciate it. Is there anything else that I'll need to do with them?"

The flash of smile Jamie gets in return is wryly amused. James and Jamie are close enough to be interchangeable, but he gets the man's point.

"I'd like. And my advice is to not get set on fire again. That'll hinder the healing process." Now it's a faint smirk on his lips. "You should be fine. If it winds up hurting there could be deeper nerve damage and you should seek me out, but I don't anticipate there being anything left. I am very good at what I do. Get some rest, let your body adjust to the damage being dealt with, and you should be fine."

"Fair enough. I'll try and avoid those rage-y demons if I can."

Having that mark in his hand means he's fairly certain there'll be fights where they turn up again, but if it's possible to hit those from a distance and take them out before they can close, he'll certainly not complain. And if not, well...he's not afraid of those beasties, risk of burns or no. He'll do what he needs to do to take them down.

For right now, though, he's happy that the pain is gone, and even though he's been given that warning about the nerve damage, he's not going to worry about it. Instead, he nods - and when that also doesn't cause any lingering pain, he grins and heads towards the tent flap.

"Don't think there'll be any problem, either, but if there is I'll let you know. Suppose I can have a go at that resting thing in the meantime, even if I'll not promise I'll not keep doing that if there's any other trouble. Thank you, though. I'm glad we got to talk, Anders."

"I'm glad as well, Jamie." The man gets a nod as he departs, and Anders feels a great deal of relief as well as surprise. Somehow he still has friends, he still has people who care. It's a wonder. He's not going to think about it too hard, though, because he knows how quickly doubts rise up. One day at a time. One person at a time. He can do this.

Inbox for Fade Rift

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject