the third punishment

[faceofjustice]

An hour past dark, any door Tsia, Anders or Logan try to open will lead to the same blackened corridor. Inside, the Headsman waits, ever-sharp axe slung over his shoulder as he beckons them forward. Any attempt to fight or flee will be quickly silenced by the Headsman and the blunt side of his axe

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[iwannabeadragon]

Hawke doesn't particularly care for these public punishments, but he won't just leave Anders to deal with this himself, even if Hawke can't get any closer than this fence allows. At least it's not as bad as he thought it might be. They don't seem to be using boiling oil anyway. Well, that or Anders' tolerance for pain has skyrocketed from all his stupid decisions. The kitty fur is a nice touch though. No doubt Hawke will be hearing about that for months.

His eyes move to the woman screaming and flailing the entire time. Normally Hawke would help, but he's seen what happens when people try. It would just be an exercise in futility and he's had enough of those. There's nothing Hawke can do for any of them now but watch.

[gotyourwallet]

Events like this one were far too close to home for comfort, but over the years she'd built up a certain resistance to what would come. It wasn't the first time Vie had seen a friend punished.

Quietly, she took her place at Hawke's side and folded her arms. "The woman is only making it worse for herself."

[iwannabeadragon]

She may be used to this but it's the first time that Hawke has seen something like this and not been able to do something about it. Despite his best efforts it's having a visible effect on him.

When Vie speaks his eyes move back to the woman. "It reminds me of someone trying to bathe a cat." Always the one way to say something completely appropriate when needed to.

[gotyourwallet]

"I can only imagine."

Her attention leaves the punishment at hand and turns to Hawke. She knows him well enough to know when something is up, and right now he's really not trying to hide it. Anders might be getting off lighter than she'd first thought, but punishment was still not something to be taken at ease.

"Would it be foolish of me to ask if you're alright, Garrett?"

[iwannabeadragon]

He grins. As always he's trying to play it off, despite how close they'be gotten. "Since when has the risk of being foolish ever stopped one of us before?" That time they were rolling around on the bar floor comes to mind.

Hawke can't seem to bring his eyes away from Anders though. There's nothing more he hates than being useless and right now that's all he is.

[gotyourwallet]

She knows him and how he uses humor to hide things. Rather than reply, Vie simply slips her hand into his and gives it a squeeze. After a pause, she speaks.

"It could be much worse. He'll be alright. This seems more humiliation than physical punishment."

[iwannabeadragon]

His hand grips hers and brings her a certain amount of comfort. Lately he's done fuck all to keep his friends safe but at least he's kept her out of harms way.

"He's done pretty well at humiliating himself. They didn't need to help with that."

[gotyourwallet]

"One such as Deior wouldn't dare stand without his theatrics."

Her gaze fixes on Anders. What a mess this all is.

"Even so, this is better than my homeland would ever give. I'll be thankful for that."