02 - action

[justiceis_hard]

[Since the phone had raised more questions than it actually answered, the mage has struck out on his own this fine morning. He found a long coat in his closet -- granted, it's a far cry from his usual feathery get-up, but it's a coat. And a yardstick in the garage will work for a staff of sorts. It's too short, and he can't possibly do any magic

Comments

[unasked_for]

[But it's not all sunshine and kittens in Mayfield, Anders. The fact that a certain elf is prowling down the street is proof enough of that.

Of course, he looks every bit as uncomfortable as you are in clothes that don't suit him, so that may be some comfort. And he's not actually an elf anymore, since the ears are gone. And the markings. Still no regains for him, unfortunately.

Fenris only glances briefly at Anders, not thinking much of him until he notices the yardstick being held like a talisman. That's unusual enough for a second look...at which point he actually takes note of the man's face. At that point, he stops dead.]

...so you're here now as well. [He doesn't sound particularly pleased at this revelation.]

[justiceis_hard]

[He'd heard the elf was here. But that hadn't really prepared him to hear that voice again. He grips his improvised staff a little more firmly, and braces himself to meet Fenris.]

I'm sorry, I can assure you it wasn't my intention to--

[The words die in his throat as he fully turns around. That... doesn't look like Fenris. Not really. The features and face are the same. But that's a human. Not an elf.]

... Who are you, and what have you done with the elf?

[unasked_for]

[Fenris folds his arms over his chest. That he doesn't look much of anything like himself anymore is a sore enough spot without Anders, of all people, poking at it.] Rest assured that it is me, mage. This place robs us of more than our possessions, it seems.

[Damned magic.]

[justiceis_hard]

[Considering that no one can ever spit 'mage' like a curse the way Fenris could... this has to be him.]

Lucky me... and here I was, worried I'd never be able to see your sour face again.

[Can you feel that sarcasm, Fenris?]

And so I've noticed. You aren't the only one to be... altered.

[unasked_for]

Clearly. [Fenris' gaze has dropped to Anders' yardstick. Really, Anders? At least a tree branch would be somewhat respectable just in terms of bludgeoning.]

I take it you have no magic here. [Does he sound the tiniest bit self-satisfied by this thought? Maybe.] What of Justice? [That, Fenris isn't entirely sure about.]

[justiceis_hard]

[It was the first thing he came across, he'll figure something better out later.]

How astute.

[His expression darkens, slightly.] That is none of your concern.

[unasked_for]

Merrill was here. Briefly. She seems to have been brainwashed since I last spoke to her, but... [He quirks a brow slightly.] She was under the impression that I would have no reason to hate her with her magic gone. It seems you have no such illusions.

[justiceis_hard]

Brainwashed? By... what?

[No one ever explained droning to him. Or they haven't yet anyway.]

Of course not. You seem the type to carry a grudge, regardless of whether or not I can heal a man with shiny lights.

[unasked_for]

It is your beliefs I begrudge, not your magic itself. Your refusal to acknowledge the threat that all mages, yourself included, pose to others...or to account for that in your grand plans for mage freedom. So it was with Merrill; she had no magic but she continued to cling to the belief that dealing with demons and using blood magic were good ideas that couldn't possibly hurt anyone or end badly.

Unless your beliefs have changed, then neither has my opinion of you.

[He pauses. Apparently Anders hasn't had droning explained to him. He doubts the man will like it - it's an awful lot like being made Tranquil, isn't it? There are certainly a lot of parallels. But despite his dislike for Anders, he ought to at least be informed.]

Those who flaunt the expectations of this place are occasionally brainwashed. Made to believe that this place is their home, and every bit the domestic paradise it feigns to be. Sometimes it seems to happen for no reason at all.

[justiceis_hard]

And it is your bigoted beliefs I begrudge. You're too biased to see past your prejudices. I see that hasn't been altered by this place.

[His expression remains sour -- but it's for a completely different reason after that explanation is given.]

... They're what? Just like that?

[Oh yes. That is quite a bit like being made Tranquil. And he just looks thrilled to hear it.]

[unasked_for]

Because blood mages and abominations only exist within my own head, of course.

...so I've been told. And I have seen the aftermath. Not the act itself, however.