justice_is_blond | Inbox for Fade Rift

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.

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