[CLOSED] PLAYER PLOT: The Ashes Underneath His Nails

[amygdalae]

WHO: Jim Kirk, Hermione Granger, Adelaide Leblanc, Herian Amsel, Anders, Inessa Serra, Raylan Gibbs, Ciri
WHAT: The Inquisition sends a group of agents to uncover the truth behind a string of mysterious disappearances.
WHEN: Kingsway 1st - 8th
WHERE: Emprise du Lion
NOTES: Plotting post is here - feel free to post in there still for queries and concerns and further stuff where needed. Warnings for blood, violence, talks about death, experimentation horror, abomination-related stuff etc and eventual on-screen child death. ALSO no tag order - just respond when you feel like you should and I'll try to hit it back if it feels appropriate!!

QUICK JUMP LINKS TRAVELLING TO FROMAGE & FROMAGE GENERAL THREAD ROUTE INVESTIGATION SEEKRIT CAVE ENTRANCE INTO THE SEEKRIT CAVE CAVE INVESTIGATION - LEFT TEAM CAVE INVESTIGATION - RIGHT TEAM KID ABOMINATION THREAD BACK TO SKYHOLD

(—he remembers the chill of the frost and snow biting at bare skin, its usual pure white now tinged a horrid pink from the blood on his hands. He's far away from them now, the danger and the pain and everything else, but the blood will forever be on his hands no matter how much he tries to wash it away. His father had been right all along. He truly was a monster of the greatest kind.)

QUEST: THE ASHES UNDERNEATH HIS NAILS (PART I) The message had come swiftly, the letter itself hastily written with a shaky hand. The request itself was simple; a plea for help from a village at the outskirts of Emprise du Lion, whose people have been mysteriously disappearing over the last few weeks. Considering the ongoing civil unrest that's still transpiring in Orlais the Inquisition made its decision to send out a team of agents to look into this message and see exactly what was going on. The eight agents tasked with the mission were given enough time to prepare for the trip ahead. They would all meet up first at the Inquisition camp set within the Emprise and from there travel for about a day until they reached where their destination was - Fromage, a quaint little village that rested at the outskirts of the area. From that point on, it was up to the agents of the Inquisition to solve this ongoing mystery. The mission: to discover the truth behind these disappearances - and to stop it, if possible.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

Warp speed travel, phoenix, faster than light, a lot of things fly over his head. But that doesn't mean he's not following the basics. When they got into space, they did it in a way that got notice, and it got notice by people who thankfully didn't feel like conquering or killing.

"It's a good story," Anders says with a small smile. "I'm glad it worked out for you. For Earth. We..."

He exhales and gestures at Kirk. "We now have proof of other worlds. And some of us want to imprison you all, some think you're demons. I don't know what would be a wake-up call for us, but it would have to be so powerful to draw us out of the fear that so thoroughly permeates our culture."

Corypheus will be a temporary unification cause. Oppression and war will return as soon as the big threat is gone.

[universal_charm]

Kirk would have a thing or two to say if someone tried to imprison him. Most certainly he would fight it, and James T. Kirk did not give up easily. But that was not yet come and hopefully never would. So far, as much as he could tell, the Rifters had done nothing to provoke such an action. But he could easily see some certain people at Skyhold taking that action anyways.

"I wish I had a good answer for you. Ours - ours was violent, and nearly cost us everything. I would hope that this world could avoid that," he admitted. "If you would like my honest opinion - and it is opinion only - I think this world needs to pull away from religion. That was an issue on my world for a very long time, and I see the same things reflected here."

[justice_is_blond]

"I agree with the opinion. Some people need faith, need it to find the strength to go on. But both the Qun and the Chant of Light have become so abused as motive for hatred."

He frowns, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "You, I, no one will convince the Chantry to let go of their religion-based power, or the Qunari to let go of theirs. Not for a very long time. It's already a lot to hope we get freedom from harassment from the Chantry once the threat of Corypheus is over. After all, the Inquisition is a Chantry-based institution. This benefits the Chantry, shows they're protecting people. Once Corypheus is dead..."

Once he's dead, the Chantry might go back to old habits.

"Getting rid of the Chantry isn't going to happen any time soon. But it's possible if the right leader is chosen, it can start to recognize the personhood of mages, elves, and rifters."

[universal_charm]

"It was the same in my world. Religion became an excuse, a way to rationalize treating people poorly and committing atrocities. Religion is not gone from my world, but it doesn't hold the power it once did. And I would never tell anyone not to believe, if it brings them comfort. Just - I don't like it when they preach sweet words while stabbing you and expecting you to believe in their righteousness."

It was a tangled thing, and at times he thought he himself could almost believe - but not quite. The religion of logic he could understand, such as the Vulcan practiced, but the king relying on gods? That he could not wrap his head around. If the gods were so kind, so loving - why let all these bad things happen? Why encourage your people to maim, murder, kill, and let others starve? It made no sense to him.

"I don't think you can ever get rid of the Chantry, and I don't think that's the answer," he shook his head. "What we did was remove religion from the government. The government was secular, bowing to no religion's code, and judging based on laws that were made to be fair to all. No exceptions, religious or no."

It was a prettier picture than the historical reality, but it had become the truth, eventually.

"Though I admit I didn't realize I wasn't a person in their eyes. I probably should have see that coming though."

[justice_is_blond]

"In theory, some places have that. Kirkwall, for instance." Oh, how his voice is wry. "The authorities were the Viscount, the Grand Cleric of the Chantry, and the Templar Knight-Commander. The Viscount was not religious, while the other two were. And then the stronger Viscount was suddenly killed, and a far more flexible one put into place. And when the new, flexible one was killed, he wasn't replaced at all."

They have a long way to go before there's secular leadership that gets a chance to stand strong on its own, fully separate, with no Chantry influence.

"My own homeland, the Anderfels, are known for their heat... and for how fervently dedicated to the Chantry their people are. We'll see if that changes now that Clarel's gone power-crazed, but I doubt it will. A religion-free government is far off for us. For any of us."

And his voice shows how much he regrets that. "And as far as the topic that's far more personal to you, I think it's good how many Rifters have joined in Inquisition work. The more that your people do, the more difficult it will be to hide you away, to forget what you've done. I can't help but think the whispers of rifters being demons are from Chantry sources, but they can be cut off."

[universal_charm]

"Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely," he murmured, feeling a sting of sadness for this world. He wished they would not go through the trails his own did. He could slap down hundreds, even thousands of books detailing the cruelties of a world led by religion. That was not to say some good things had not happened, of course. But when you looked over the full tapestry of it all - well, the main color was red.

If he could, he would help this world be spared that, but he feared that it too might have the same growing pains Earth did.

"It would not surprise me if that were the source," he gave a little half shrug. "We're something new, outside their control and understanding. Better to start setting us up as something they can easily destroy if we prove not to be useful to them." Harsh, perhaps, but he did not think an incorrect assessment of that particular situation.

"Regardless of what the Chantry or anyone else thinks of me, I'll continue helping when and where I can." He leaned slightly, bumping Anders with his shoulder. "But it's good to know I have friends who think well of me."

[justice_is_blond]

He gives Kirk a small smile and an elbow nudge.

"Maker, but it feels good to have friends who think well of me also. I've more friends here than I've had in the entirety of my life." It wasn't safe to get too close in the Circle, he'd been abandoned by the Wardens as Templar numbers increased, his network had been slaughtered in Kirkwall, and so on.

"And more people willing to work with me, which is a miracle in and of itself." Feeling entirely safe is some time away yet, but Anders is slowly finding small reasons to hope even in the middle of things going so wrong. Thedas is damaged. Ill. But that just means it needs a healer.

[universal_charm]

"Why should I not think well of you? Or what to work with you?" He blinked. "You've always struck me as a good man, Anders. And even good men can make bad calls. That's part of being human, mage or otherwise."

He gave him a slight, softer nudge once more.

"Oh, by the way, those presents we talked about are ready," he smiled slyly.

[justice_is_blond]

The answer is in his reputation, and clearly Kirk's chosen to overlook it. Anders will never be able to express how thankful he is for the people who give him a chance despite what he's done.

Anders nudges Kirk back, just as gently.

"Thank you. To all of this. Now should we discuss what I owe you? Seeing as I can't really offer," he waggles his eyebrows teasingly, "favors." Coming out of the funk takes work and Anders isn't exactly clear of it, but he's starting to feel better and get there.

[universal_charm]

Kirk knew more than enough about being judged based on reputation. His was, admittedly, more favorable in most cases than Anders', but it gave him the experience to know that judging someone on reputation alone wasn't a good way to judge character. He hardly thought Anders the monster some rumors would make him out to be.

"I'm always amendable to deferred payments," he teased back with his own eyebrow waggle and a little laugh beneath his breath.

"But I hadn't actually thought about it in all honesty. I'm fine with a trade of skills or coin," he gave a shrug.

[justice_is_blond]

He chuckled. "I'm still working on setting up the first threesome; deferred payments like that might be quite some time off. But," and he sobered down a little, "how about I owe you, and you call it due sometime in the future? If you've no set price, we'll figure out what it's worth to you when you need something I can provide. ...Aside from healing. That stays free."

It was a gift. Magic, his ability, it was a gift, not a curse, and he would share it. One day Thedas would understand what mages were.

[universal_charm]

"Well, I shall be sure to keep my calling card open for when that's available," he chuckled. It would be fun (both Anders and Nate were attractive, and he did like Anders), but to be honest he thought it was more a running joke than a potential actuality. He considered the offer and nodded. He had done the leashes as more of a present for a friend than thinking about payment, so a favor worked for him.

"A favor then," he agreed. "Speaking of - do you know someone good with metal work? Delicate stuff - like for a medallion or a ring?"

[justice_is_blond]

It's for Sam. It has to be for Sam, because otherwise Kirk would be asking Sam about it. Anders frowns before tilting his head.

"There's a new smith who seems fairly skilled. A... Luthor? On the scrawny side, but his work seems respectable anyway. I'd speak with him."

[universal_charm]

Yes, it was. He had been thinking about it, since Sam got him his bracelet, and in all honesty, it would be a nice thing wouldn't it? To give Sam something, for the day he eventually went home. Or would it be cruel?

"Oh, I think I've met him," he murmured. "I'll see about him then. I don't want anything to expensive, but I want to get a certain symbol carved into the metal."

[justice_is_blond]

If he's one to judge, having a tokens of Rifters one cared for would be a kindness. He's lost a lot of people, and has very little to remember them by.

"He should be able to do that without a problem. May I ask what symbol?"

[universal_charm]

Kirk thought for a moment, trying to think how he might explain it, and there wasn't any paper around for him to draw it. So, considering that they were somewhat private and he was not overly shy, he turned his side towards Anders and hiked up his shirt to show the tattoo running down his rib cage.

"The symbol in the middle," he said, dropping his shirt when he was sure Anders had gotten a good look. "It's the symbol of the organization I work for - Star Fleet."

[justice_is_blond]

He leans in and studies it, not touching despite the temptation. It comes with being used to examining bodies, he's fairly certain, and not simply because Anders is a very tactile person.

"You believe in it that much that you put it on your body, or is it required to bear the organization's mark?" It's pretty, though. He'll give them that.

[universal_charm]

"I believe in it," he said softly. "There was a time that I didn't, but to tell the honest truth I joined it on a dare from an old man. And it - it's more home to me than my own planet. My ship is my home and my crew is my family, and really they're all I need to make me happy in life. Just being with them and exploring stars."

He touched his side as he said it, his eyes far away and his smile soft and loving.

"Some days I'm amazed it's my actual job - exploring the unknown."

[justice_is_blond]

A dare from an old man. Now that's a story Anders is going to have to ask about later. Right now, he's listening to Kirk and watching the man and discovering a side to the man that he hadn't seen before. A family, exploring. Kirk has to miss them terribly.

"There was... There was a time I believed in being a Warden and had a family." Anders' voice is quiet. When he reaches up, though, he reaches up to touch the center of his chest, where a scar Kirk's seen before is. "It was nice, while it lasted. It was nice to believe."

[universal_charm]

It was a good story. Kirk liked telling it, when people wanted to hear. It made him smile to think of Pike, of the life he had thanks to that man and his ridiculous dare, that ridiculous promise he had made him all those years ago.

"Don't lose faith," Kirk murmured, watching Anders. "If there's one thing I've learned, family isn't always about blood. It's about the people around us, who care about us. That's family." His mouth twitched into a little smile. "I would say we're cousins, wouldn't you?"

[justice_is_blond]

"Cousins." He repeats the word, and gives Kirk a small smile. "I've never had a cousin before. As far as I know. I'd like that. And I'm, I'm working on the faith thing. On having it back."

Anders shrugs. "It's not easy. They... But I am working on it."

[universal_charm]

"It's hard," he agreed, giving his shoulder another squeeze. "And if you ever want to talk about it, we can. Cousins are good for that, you know."

[justice_is_blond]

He nods his head. "Thank you. Not... Not right now. But another time, I may take you up on that offer."

They have enough resting on their shoulders right now. "No one wants someone else's sorrows when they've more than enough hanging over the group already. I appreciate it, though." Every person who has given him a chance he appreciates, and the list is longer than he'd expected, even if it wasn't always as long as he'd wish.

[universal_charm]

"I always have room to help shoulder the ones of my friends, and especially my family," he assured him. "When you're ready, come talk to me. There's no reason you need to carry it all yourself, after all."

He couldn't help falling into something of his captain mode. It came naturally by now, the desire to help those around him deal with the hard burdens, keep their heads up. He was used to being strong, so that others did not have to be - ship or no ship, now was not an exception.

"Hopefully we reach Skyhold soon, though. I desperately need a dip in the springs."

[justice_is_blond]

Family is new yet. He's only had people willing to call themselves that for a couple of months - little sister, daughter - and after years of feeling alone it still takes him by surprise when someone's wanting to join it. Takes him by surprise... and fills him with gratitude.

"The hot springs sound magnificent, sinking into the steam and forgetting the world for a few moments. Nate's meeting us a little outside Skyhold; you could always call Sam and see if he'd do the same for you." A beat, and then he gives Kirk the smallest mischievous smile ever. "Or just ask him to bring your cat, whom you miss horribly."