faderift | [Open] But when we are apart I feel it too

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[Open] But when we are apart I feel it too

WHO: Anders and open
WHAT: General stuff around Kirkwall
WHEN: Through Bloomingtide
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Nothing as of yet!.

1. Making the Band

The crowd is the new mix of normals, people Anders is starting to learn by face though he's avoiding names. Most here do, which he's thankful for. What's not normal is that Juke Bachs has dropped by, and has been singing a new song about two or three times an hour. On top of that, he's been getting some of the more drunk patrons involved in some... Anders can only call it a dance because they're trying to move in time to the music. It involved weird patterns and flailing limbs, and he's deliberately sticking around to keep watching this.

He leans over when someone sits next to him, not quite looking at the person. "A copper on the blond one falling over in the next minute." It seems a safe bet. That guy's more coordinated than the really beardy guy, but he's already tripped over his feet enough that his palms are scraped and nose is bleeding.

Juke starts in on another round of what's apparently called Tearin' Up My Heart, and Anders takes a sip of his drink, very well pleased.

2. CSI: Thedas

He's taken a larger, unclaimed room for this, coating it in ice, using runes to make sure the ice doesn't melt, and he's also gathered as many tables as he can, lining them up together and creating a rather large, cold surface. On that surface is most of a corpse of a high dragon, many parts already cut open so he can get at the heart of the matter. So to speak.

There's a sign on the door warning about what he's working on, doing more research into the taint and the Blight, but that's all - the last thing he's going to do is barricade a door. He doesn't need to invite suspicion or fear any more than his breathing already does.

Those who might be scientifically inclined and he trusts to not take too many risks of exposure have been invited to join him in trying to see what they can learn from how High Dragons deal with the Blight.

3. Call the Anders

Most days, his hours in the medical rooms in the Gallows are regular. There's always more work that needs doing, after all, herbs to be chopped, processed, and mixed into potions, bandages to prepare, healing to do, and even housecalls to make from time to time. Purrelden knows not to be on the table while he works, which is exactly why she's on the table the moment he's turning to greet whatever patient or person has walked in the door.

[ooc: if you take this option and your character is injured/ill, please drop me an ooc note about what he'll find when going to heal them.]

4. Dr. Anders, Medicine Man

There are whispers in Darktown, spreading slowly, that their healer is back. Follow the lit lanterns, they say. Not every day are they lit, and there's no particular order to the days that they are, which is as deliberate as the moving of the clinic down there every time. ...Until today. Today, he's found a small building that two of the Darktown gangs have been fighting over for months. For equal healing for both of them, they're letting him use it. It's win-win for both. Neither is losing territory, and both gain a healer. It's a double win for him too, because it means that he has protection.

Today a new whisper joins the others - there are some tables and chairs, and between healing, he's offering reading and writing lessons. For free, no questions asked. He's also looking for assistants, if there's anyone out there willing to instruct down here or help heal or do prep work around the Clinic. There's a lot to do when setting up something that's going to stand for a while.

5. Anders Howe, Pet Detective.

Dogs and leashes are natural combinations. They take to it well and quickly. Cats and leashes... not so much. Purrelden's legs have apparently stopped working in the middle of the market and she's limp, giving him the saddest expression.

"You're fine," he tells her. "You can walk. This is to keep you safer, and to protect Merrill's twine. Please get up."

Pleading with a cat doesn't seem to ever work, and more than a few are staring at him, but at least they're staring at him for this and not other reasons. He looks up, meeting gazes and giving a slightly sheepish smile and shrug to anyone familiar.

"Cats," Anders says as explanation.

6. Wildcard me!

[ooc: Got something you want with Anders but it's not here? Toss up a header. If you're not sure about it, go ahead and poke me on Plurk at Nadat or on Discord at Nadat#4647 and we can chat!]

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Oh, he knows that tone anywhere. How many times has he had to use it on his own cats when they've decided they've had enough of whatever it is dad is doing at the moment. It happened a lot, especially now that they were adults rather than kittens, but it still felt like trying to reason with a toddler. At least there was no chance of a tantrum.

"Good to know my leashes are being put to work," Kirk said, coming up to him from the crowd, Leonard perched on his shoulder (in his own harness and leash, which is secured to Kirk's belt).

Leonard gets a glance that says Anders feels he's showing off and isn't really half as obedient as he's trying to seem, thank you very much. What a rude cat. ...Who Anders reaches up to rub the chin of, because cat.

"I've tried it here and there before, but apparently it's some horrific device that melts her legs and spine. Purrelden. Are you really going to continue this act in front of someone you know? Have you no shame?"

Purrelden has no shame. She mews pitifully. Anders sighs.

"Lady loves her leash. Why is Purrelden so... This?" Puddlelump. That's what Purrelden is.

He is absolutely trying to show off. He is a cat, after all, and therefore superior, and that must be made known, usually through height. Thankfully, Kirk is six foot, so he is optimal for such things. And Anders is a good scratcher, so Leonard allows his touch and continued presence. He is a magnanimous cat lord, you see.

"Cats," is Kirk's helpful comment on that front, but he honestly didn't have a better explanation. He had never been a cat man before now anyway, so even a year on he was barely a cat novice. "Perhaps she is the sort to enjoy riding over walking?" he suggested, eyes flicking to the cat now hanging limp around his neck like a fur collar, tail twitching.

"She is," Anders confirms. "But she also likes exploring and I wanted to give her a safe means to explore."

He sighs before bending down and gathering his cat in his arms, nuzzling her cheek and petting her. In moments the spoiled thing is purring and acting like she'd never thrown a temper tantrum. Anders knows better.

"My lady doesn't like change, apparently. And I understand not wanting a leash, but I have to make sure I can keep her safe." Nate can protect himself. Purrelden, not so much. Anders sighs.

"We'll keep working on it. What brings you out here?"

"She has you wrapped around her pinky," Kirk said with a roll of his eyes as he watched the whole scene play out. But honestly, did he expect less of Anders? He was entirely sure it was possible to win a battle against Anders by distracting him with a cat. But for all of that, his words are laced with amusement, reaching up to scratch her gently, which only adds to the spoiling.

"Oh, just a bit of exploring. Job hunting," he shrugged his shoulders ever so slightly, Leonard making a kitty grunt of disapproval from his current perch functioning as Kirk's stole. "I don't think I can just get by on my laboring like I was back in our previous stronghold. I think I could get some work as a tutor, if I could prove myself to the right someone."

The smile at the pinky comment is proud, not abashed. Yes. He absolutely loves his cat and she's spoiled, acting as if the attention is her due as she pushes her head into Kirk's touch.

Moments later, Anders' smile turns knowing. "I may know someone who could use a few tutors who would find you reliable. Darktown has so many children that can't read or write, and you've learned how to read and write in Trade, right? Or there's teaching simple figures if you can't do letters."

He perked up at that. "The plan had been to try and get a tutoring job in maths or science for some of the upper class folk, and on my off days go into Darktown and offer up reading, writing, and math for free," he admitted. "Once I had a more stable income, that is." He didn't get a paycheck from the Inquisition since he didn't really feel he was a part of him. He offered his help, yes, and took money for tasks completed, but there was no salary. A tutoring job would be more consistent to say the least.

"But yes, I've learned to read and write in Trade," he nodded. "I'm learning some other languages, slowly, but Trade came quick, so I can teach it just fine, especially basics. And I've always been good at math."

"When you're ready for the free lessons, I've a place for them and students aplenty." It makes sense Kirk would want to earn an income first. Food, basic clothing, and housing were all very beneficial things to have, but disposable funds were invaluable. Especially when one had pets. Or lovers. Or both.

"And you'd even have your choice of students. It doesn't have to be children if you've not got the patience for it. Most adults down here can't read or write or figure either, and it's part of how they've been held down for so long. There are no opportunities to flourish. And magic lessons happening in the same place will hopefully acclimate people to mages being around."

It's all a part of the strategy. Build all of the underprivileged up together, and they can't be easily put back down.

"Anyone who would want to learn is welcome," Kirk nodded, thinking on it a moment. "I suppose I could start that sooner than not. It might be a little more haphazard a schedule while I work the odd jobs, but it could be done." He leaned his cheek against Leonard, who purred loudly as if in approval - of the attention or the idea, it was unclear.

"Trust me, my world went through the same period. Ignorance and lack of education are major factors when it comes to crime and poverty; and a major contributor to a country's failure to economically grow. An educated populace is better able to contribute to the overall prosperity of a nation. It's why education is mandatory and free in my world, all the way through university," he glanced up towards the richer side of town, letting out a sigh.

"I don't really much like the thought of working for one of them, but right now that's the best place to get good coin. And hey, maybe if I'm tutoring a kid, I can nudge them in a better direction of thinking on that subject."

"And an educated population is more difficult to oppress."

He doesn't have evidence to back up his statement, but it seems like it would make sense. Education means people are more likely to understand the whole picture and to feel empowered rather than vulnerable and constantly afraid. The Chantry preys on that fear.

"And exposure is the most powerful tool we have. If they let you into their house, you can teach their children that rifters are not demons, and tell them how mages and Dalish and elves aren't their enemies. I don't mind a haphazard schedule. Whatever you can give will be welcome, because whatever you can give will be needed."

"That is also true," he agreed with a soft nod. "If you can't read, you can't understand the news. You can't understand contracts you sign. They have to take what those who can read as gospel truth, and that truth can be so easily manipulated."

But that was a heavier discussion for another time. Not with kittens on their shoulders and what counted as a nice day.

"Well, what if we set out one certain day? That will be most helpful for the people we're trying to teach, and the other day can roam as needed and people come as they can, which will be helpful for those who can't come on the set day," he mused, scratching Leonard absently as if that might help spur ideas. "Perhaps we put up flyers? Would there be a way to graphically show there are lessons? Would the people be able to read basics like a day and a time and a place?"

It's a good thought, the scheduled day. Unfortunately...

"In Darktown you've work one day and not another, and there's no predicting which it will be beforehand. Maybe the fishing boat that hires you to help gut its catch comes in today, maybe it's tomorrow. Maybe the lady you clean clothes for has laundry today, maybe not for a week. You, specifically, not the general you I was using, can pick a day that you'll make sure to be there, but there won't be regular schedules that other people can keep. And if we tried to make them, we'd have people stop coming due to guilt for missing."

He can't blame Kirk. Kirk's world is so beyond this that it shouldn't occur to him that people might not have regular schedules.

"Having teachers available as often as possible is the best bet for creating a population that is informed."

He nodded softly, understanding, though sometimes it did slip his mind - that the day to day was not quite so reliable as it had been in his home world. Certainly not for everyone. Still...

"I didn't think to force them, I just meant that it would be a reliable day they could know I would be there, so if they had the extra time they could come - adult or child," he said. "The roaming day would just add an extra opportunity. If all the teachers do that, it would offer the maximum opportunity for the people and something they may not have that often - a choice."

That alone could be powerful. Being able to choose the direction of your life, to take charge of something.

"Then of course you can set a day."

It's rather nice for someone to hear his concerns and take them into consideration. Someone who can be ready to switch around plans. Kirk will be an asset if he chooses to join when he's ready, Anders is certain.

"And while I'm generally against keeping records on people, we can note who is where in their progress so that if someone could use extra tutoring or more focused time, we can take them on."

He has grand plans here, but that's what Thedas needs. Something grand and large to take the place of a corrupt and destructive system.

Anders knew this world, this town, far better than he did. It would be foolish to dismiss any of his ideas or concerns. And at the end of the day he just wanted to do what was good and right for these people.

"That's a basic standard in my world," he chuckled. "We keep them private in notebooks with ourselves and take them with us at the end of our teaching sessions to assure privacy. Not that they could damage anyone, I think, but we don't want anyone to be to embarrassed to come again, of course. It might not be bad idea to do assessments every six weeks or so - or at least try and meet with those who might be struggling."

He nods. Private notebooks for the instructors that people keep an eye on, responsibly, could be just the thing. The other...

"The latter option, I think. Assuming by assessment you mean test? I can't imagine someone who is unfamiliar with schooling or apprenticeships would take kindly to frequent tests. They'd probably get suspicious." Of what, he's not sure. But he knows a lot of people who have struggled in life and knows that part of their survival involves avoiding scrutiny. They've a challenge ahead of them, but it's one he feels is entirely worth it.

"I have to thank you for being willing to do this. There are plenty who wouldn't do it for people of their own world, and here you are, discussing putting them to shame."

"No, not a test. Just - things we notice during our teaching. Someone who might be struggling in the class, or having a harder time grasping the concepts," he shook his head. "Tests would be good just to benchmark people, but I can understand them being shy of them if they're not used to that sort of thing. It'll be up to the teachers to observe and just make sure to reach out a bit more to those who need the extra attention. You'd be surprised what people will admit when they're confronted with someone who genuinely wants to help."

Kirk rubbed the back of his head and laughed sheepishly.

"Ah, sorry about that. I didn't mean to suddenly take over your idea."

Anders gives him a smile.

"I asked for opinions. You're not attempting to seize control of it; you're fine. What I like, I'll add in. What I don't, I'll note for the future in case it becomes useful. Like tests for benchmarks. It could be useful further in, but beyond finding out what people know coming in, I think we'll hold off. I appreciate your point of view."

This is going to take a lot of work. The more minds that are working, the better their chance to succeed.

"When you're ready to assist, you'll be more than welcome, Kirk."

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[Open] But when we are apart I feel it too

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