[Alex had been as surprised as the rest of his party to hear that they'd been in the tunnels for nearly a months' time when it had only felt like a few hours while they were walking around in them
( Read more... )
[A familiar voice and even though Alex can't see Anders, the man's voice brings a soft smile to his lips as he nods. His own voice is softly teasing as he replies, leaning against the counter to look right at his journal, hence, right at Anders.]
You noticed, surely? No public lashings for a month .. no one declaring their loathing of everything I am. Must have been a quiet month, honestly..
[A brief quirk of his lips and half a shrug.]
Yeah .. me, Hawke, Vie and Jack the pirate. A merry troop if ever there was one, I assure you.
[His smile fades a bit and he looks solemn.]
We didn't have any idea so much time had passed above ground, Anders ..
Video [Sealed]allthesame2meAugust 9 2011, 22:38:31 UTC
[Ahh, and there he is. Alex won't deny that actually seeing Anders is better than just speaking with him, because it would be a flat out lie. He likes the man and things have been undeniably .. awkward .. since their evening together.]
I've seen no other sign of your friend since his disappearance, and I'm sorry for it. Perhaps he'll still turn up though, you know? I know positive notions are a bit hard to come by around here, but he still might ..
[And then a bemused snort and his lips quirk a bit at the bit added toward the end.]
I've read about much the same, but this one at least looks fairly clean .. mostly.
[He won't question if Anders knows this from more personal reasons than word of mouth. His past affairs have nothing to do with Alex and Alex would be the absolute last person to judge someone for the past. After a moment, learning what he had from Nieta and sealing the entry, he speaks again.]
How have you been, Anders? You're like a ghost around here ..
Video [Sealed]3wayforjusticeAugust 10 2011, 03:00:43 UTC
[The awkwardness is entirely Justice's fault. Anders would have been perfectly fine with things... but the Spirit feels otherwise. And what Justice feels, so too does the mage.]
Which friend? Hawke? He's returned, as cavalier as ever. It's almost a relief to hear his smart comments again.
[He scoffs.]
So did Isabella. Until she waltzed into my clinic -- emphasis on waltzed -- looking for a quick cure.
[Sleep with Isabella? Not no way, not no how. He'd like to keep his manhood from rotting off.]
Video [Sealed]allthesame2meAugust 10 2011, 14:42:15 UTC
[Justice, why you gotta bring my man down? Alex is actually smiling a bit as Anders comments about Hawke, his lips quirked.]
Hawke .. the big fellow with the beard, right? Like's to give his opinion in the most smart assed manner possible? [He grins, amusement in his gaze.] He's certainly a good one to have at your back in a time of need, at any rate. [Indeed, the man had been quick of mind and foot when the crocodiles had made themselves known.
Then a laugh.]
Was Isabella one of your party, then? [Because he cannot possibly imagine this being the Isabella that the Keep has come to know and love. The angelic girl would faint at even the suggestion..
His expression softens a bit and his head tilts slightly to one side.]
Video [Sealed]allthesame2meAugust 11 2011, 03:54:43 UTC
[Alex grins and chuckles softly, shaking his head.] I'm fine with just one, thanks.
[He listens with a slight tilt of his head, expression softening as Anders speaks of Hawke. The fondness in his tone was undeniable, however much he might try to cover it.]
He was a big help down below .. things could've gotten hairy if he hadn't kept his head on straight.
[Alex can't help the bark of laughter at the description.]
Well, pants are a bit over-rated .. the laws of decency that make everyone tromp around in so many layers .. [He tssks softly and shakes his head, though he is clearly teasing.
He watches the other man look away, studying his profile as he's given the chance to. Oh Anders, you're breaking hearts and you don't even know it. He chuckles softly in response, although he is shaking his head.]
And he's with you all the time? Save for the respite you had at the festival?
Video [Sealed]3wayforjusticeAugust 11 2011, 04:04:44 UTC
He does have a sister, though. Quite a decent girl, when I knew her.
[Hawke was only a friend, though -- not that Anders can find any fault in having a friend. That would be stupid.]
The entire city of Kirkwall would agree with you.
[He just rolls his eyes.]
There is such a thing as tasteful nudity. A lengthy shirt and too-tall boots aren't that.
[This is just so awkward. He hadn't intended it to be -- but, here it is, a pile of awkward anyway.]
Justice... and I... are one person. I hear his thoughts, and I can't hardly tell if they're my own or not. But there are still some things I know are his.
He does not... approve... of any pursuit outside of our ultimate goal. Distractions are to be avoided.
Video [Sealed]allthesame2meAugust 11 2011, 20:36:01 UTC
[Alex listens as Anders speaks, falling silent as the other mans' tone becomes serious and unhappy. He watches the other man through the pages of the journal, leaning against the counter of the kitchen and giving the mage his full attention.
It's fascinating in it's own way, as much as it is frustrating.]
Do all the mages of your world have the same connection to Justice that you do, or is it yours alone?
[See that Anders? Alex is neither shocked nor appalled as he tries to learn more about you and this connection you have to Justice. He actually chuckles softly at the last, not taking it personally that Justice feels that way.]
Well if his intent is to make you stronger through your focus to him and his goals, it isn't terribly surprising that he would wish you to keep focused on said goals.
[Of all the things he's learned of Anders in their time here, he can tell the mage isn't thrilled about some of the arrangement he shares with his entity.]
Video [Sealed]allthesame2meAugust 12 2011, 19:43:55 UTC
[Alex notes that Anders seems determined to look everyed except at him. He listens as the mage explains his singular connection to Justice, finding it both fascinating and sad at the same time. That Anders was forced to surrender anything he might want in life save the things that Justice deemed worthy .. well .. sucked. It sucked a whole damn lot.]
Anders .. sweetheart, look at me.
[And he'll wait until the man does before continuing, even if it means a stretch of several minutes. He's a cat in many ways, Anders .. he can out wait you. There is no judgment in his blue-green gaze as he looks upon the mage.]
Your fight is a good one, and a worthy one. Mages of your world do deserve freedom and equal rights. Believe me, I understand that more than most. [He was, after all, facing quite the similar problem of equal rights for supernaturals on his own world.]
But that you have to wait until the Keep removes your abilities before you can actually breathe and be just a man .. That's a test that only the strongest of men could manage.
( ... )
Video [Sealed]3wayforjusticeAugust 12 2011, 22:26:20 UTC
[It does take several minutes for him to work up courage to do so.]
How can you say that? You barely know anything about me... you don't know what you'd be getting into. Other mages may not be dangerous -- but I... with Justice in my head, I'm not safe.
There are so many better options -- so many better men.
I'm an apostate with no future and an angry spirit living in his body. One who's bound to end up dead if he returns home again.
Video [Sealed]allthesame2meAugust 13 2011, 01:44:36 UTC
[Alex's smile is soft and there is a wisdom in those eyes that is well older than his twenty years.]
Anders, you've not only seen, but experienced first hand what I'm capable of. And that's not a once in a lifetime thing .. it's every month. Every single month I put others at risk with my shifting. [His head tilts slightly.] And yet you still helped me. As dangerous as I am, you still went out of your own way to heal me and make sure I was alright.
Even after I hurt you.
[He shakes his head slightly, but that half smile seems ever present on his lips.]
You don't get to choose if there are better options, Anders. If you don't see yourself in the same light I see you, then it's going to be my job to get you to; my job to show you that you're a wonderful option.
If the spirit chose you or you chose the spirit .. I don't really give a damn. You can have any future you want, but it might mean working a bit harder for it. There are no definites, no decisions already made for us; not anymore. [He gestures around, as if to include the
( ... )
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You noticed, surely? No public lashings for a month .. no one declaring their loathing of everything I am. Must have been a quiet month, honestly..
[A brief quirk of his lips and half a shrug.]
Yeah .. me, Hawke, Vie and Jack the pirate. A merry troop if ever there was one, I assure you.
[His smile fades a bit and he looks solemn.]
We didn't have any idea so much time had passed above ground, Anders ..
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It was concerning, honestly. First the elf vanishes, then Hawke, and... well, you. It was a disturbing trend.
[He makes a face.]
Oh, good. Another pirate. I look forward to the copious treatments for bed-borne disease.
[He shrugs, and drops his gaze.]
So I've heard.
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I've seen no other sign of your friend since his disappearance, and I'm sorry for it. Perhaps he'll still turn up though, you know? I know positive notions are a bit hard to come by around here, but he still might ..
[And then a bemused snort and his lips quirk a bit at the bit added toward the end.]
I've read about much the same, but this one at least looks fairly clean .. mostly.
[He won't question if Anders knows this from more personal reasons than word of mouth. His past affairs have nothing to do with Alex and Alex would be the absolute last person to judge someone for the past. After a moment, learning what he had from Nieta and sealing the entry, he speaks again.]
How have you been, Anders? You're like a ghost around here ..
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Which friend? Hawke? He's returned, as cavalier as ever. It's almost a relief to hear his smart comments again.
[He scoffs.]
So did Isabella. Until she waltzed into my clinic -- emphasis on waltzed -- looking for a quick cure.
[Sleep with Isabella? Not no way, not no how. He'd like to keep his manhood from rotting off.]
Ah... hah. Funny you should put it that way.
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Hawke .. the big fellow with the beard, right? Like's to give his opinion in the most smart assed manner possible? [He grins, amusement in his gaze.] He's certainly a good one to have at your back in a time of need, at any rate. [Indeed, the man had been quick of mind and foot when the crocodiles had made themselves known.
Then a laugh.]
Was Isabella one of your party, then? [Because he cannot possibly imagine this being the Isabella that the Keep has come to know and love. The angelic girl would faint at even the suggestion..
His expression softens a bit and his head tilts slightly to one side.]
Does Justice allow you to drink, Anders?
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[He glances down.]
He's one of the few friends I'd had in Kirkwall. No matter what happened, you could count on Hawke to see it through to the end.
[Which makes him wonder how his friend would have handled the explosion in his own time. Hawke hadn't heard of it, here, until Anders had told him.]
[He nods.]
An... interesting woman. A pirate or sorts. Who seemed to disdain the wearing of pants for all she tried to get into them.
[And he's examining the far wall, as if it has the mystery of life engraved on it or something.]
Hah! Not in the slightest. It's as if he knows that vast amounts of alcohol could drown him out for a while.
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[He listens with a slight tilt of his head, expression softening as Anders speaks of Hawke. The fondness in his tone was undeniable, however much he might try to cover it.]
He was a big help down below .. things could've gotten hairy if he hadn't kept his head on straight.
[Alex can't help the bark of laughter at the description.]
Well, pants are a bit over-rated .. the laws of decency that make everyone tromp around in so many layers .. [He tssks softly and shakes his head, though he is clearly teasing.
He watches the other man look away, studying his profile as he's given the chance to. Oh Anders, you're breaking hearts and you don't even know it. He chuckles softly in response, although he is shaking his head.]
And he's with you all the time? Save for the respite you had at the festival?
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[Hawke was only a friend, though -- not that Anders can find any fault in having a friend. That would be stupid.]
The entire city of Kirkwall would agree with you.
[He just rolls his eyes.]
There is such a thing as tasteful nudity. A lengthy shirt and too-tall boots aren't that.
[This is just so awkward. He hadn't intended it to be -- but, here it is, a pile of awkward anyway.]
Justice... and I... are one person. I hear his thoughts, and I can't hardly tell if they're my own or not. But there are still some things I know are his.
He does not... approve... of any pursuit outside of our ultimate goal. Distractions are to be avoided.
[He doesn't sound happy about that, though.]
Reply
It's fascinating in it's own way, as much as it is frustrating.]
Do all the mages of your world have the same connection to Justice that you do, or is it yours alone?
[See that Anders? Alex is neither shocked nor appalled as he tries to learn more about you and this connection you have to Justice. He actually chuckles softly at the last, not taking it personally that Justice feels that way.]
Well if his intent is to make you stronger through your focus to him and his goals, it isn't terribly surprising that he would wish you to keep focused on said goals.
[Of all the things he's learned of Anders in their time here, he can tell the mage isn't thrilled about some of the arrangement he shares with his entity.]
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[He'd have to actually be looking at the video feed to notice that. As it stands, he simply keeps looking at the wall. It's easier that way.]
I want nothing more than the freedom and equal rights of mages... but... I'm only a man. There are other things I want... as well.
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Anders .. sweetheart, look at me.
[And he'll wait until the man does before continuing, even if it means a stretch of several minutes. He's a cat in many ways, Anders .. he can out wait you. There is no judgment in his blue-green gaze as he looks upon the mage.]
Your fight is a good one, and a worthy one. Mages of your world do deserve freedom and equal rights. Believe me, I understand that more than most. [He was, after all, facing quite the similar problem of equal rights for supernaturals on his own world.]
But that you have to wait until the Keep removes your abilities before you can actually breathe and be just a man .. That's a test that only the strongest of men could manage. ( ... )
Reply
How can you say that? You barely know anything about me... you don't know what you'd be getting into. Other mages may not be dangerous -- but I... with Justice in my head, I'm not safe.
There are so many better options -- so many better men.
I'm an apostate with no future and an angry spirit living in his body. One who's bound to end up dead if he returns home again.
Reply
Anders, you've not only seen, but experienced first hand what I'm capable of. And that's not a once in a lifetime thing .. it's every month. Every single month I put others at risk with my shifting. [His head tilts slightly.] And yet you still helped me. As dangerous as I am, you still went out of your own way to heal me and make sure I was alright.
Even after I hurt you.
[He shakes his head slightly, but that half smile seems ever present on his lips.]
You don't get to choose if there are better options, Anders. If you don't see yourself in the same light I see you, then it's going to be my job to get you to; my job to show you that you're a wonderful option.
If the spirit chose you or you chose the spirit .. I don't really give a damn. You can have any future you want, but it might mean working a bit harder for it. There are no definites, no decisions already made for us; not anymore. [He gestures around, as if to include the ( ... )
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There was no justice in what they were doing --
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