Well it's time to celebrate your birthday, it happens every year

[pinprick]

WHO: Anders, Nathaniel, and invitees!
WHAT: Fancy birthday party in Camp Shady
WHEN: Harvestmere 27, evening
WHERE: Camp Shady
NOTES: Will update.

Since many Wardens moved into the Kestrel House, there is plenty of space in the camp for a big top tent. Finding enough candlesticks, tables, and chairs required a lot of time and a number of bribes to pull off. The tables are nicely draped with fabric lent by one of Anders' patients, and each is decorated with flowers. The tent is alight and smells like good food--more donations from grateful patients.

One of the Wardens is known for her fiddling, and she plays lively dances and crooning ballads. In the center table is an ice sculpture of a cat chasing a butterfly (you guessed it--donated by a mage patient). It glitters spectacularly in the candlelight.

On the menu is a slow-roasted pig, spiced hot cider, spectacular salads, jams, cakes, delectably seasoned vegetables, a lamb-flank, and your choice of wine. There is even a hard-won bottle of Antivan brandy Nathaniel had to win several card games to achieve.

Relax, enjoy, greet the birthday boy, and mingle. The nights will be cold soon, but under this tent, life glows.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

"But first?" Even as he asks, the being's hand is opening. He takes the charm and picks it up, turning it around in the light from the candles. It's exceedingly well-carved, clearly a cat.

"It's lovely, Outsider. It'll be perfect for when Purrelden is feeling contrary when I'm taking notes; she likes to bat the pages around sometimes." And this way she can't win. Theoretically. Though truth be told, all she really has to do is roll onto her back and look at him to distract him. "Where did you find it?" Because he can't say he's seen something like this in the markets he's been through.

[extramural]

"I imagine that is true of all cats." It makes him chuckle slightly, even to think about; cats are rather amusing, and almost always smarter than mortals think they are. They know exactly what they are doing with their little eyes.

"I made it." There's a slight gesture toward the charm. "I often go hunting to fill my time. Any meat I do not use is donated to the kitchens," and it is, sometimes, used to bait more animals, "the hide to any who wish it, and I use the bones and antlers myself. They tend to be carved in the form of runes and magical charms in my own world; they were carved in my honor, long ago. Here, with different magic, decorative carvings are a good way to pass the time."

[justice_is_blond]

It really is true of all cats, which means the Outsider gets a smirk of agreement before the cat is tucked carefully into a belt pouch.

"What would it have been enchanted with, if your magic worked properly here? ...And in honor of you? What for?" He's always been curious about the Outsider, but he never knows how to ask about someone when they might not want to talk about themselves. Especially considering his past.

[extramural]

There is a half shrug, the Outsider looking away for a moment as some of the dancers whirl closer than usual. He watches for a moment before returning his gaze to Anders, as if his attention had never been pulled away.

"It could have been a great many things. Some allow an individual with magic more power, more abilities. Others may make them harder to injure, or help them heal faster. There is one that makes white rats friendly to the person with the charm." That one is a bit of a favorite, if only because it's so oddly specific. "I am worshiped as a god, by some; a being of the Void, able to grant the forces that mortals call magic to others in my own world. How else do you honor what you worship than with prayers and offerings?"

[justice_is_blond]

"Help them heal faster." Rats are an odd one, he's not sure what that's about, but the healing factor and being harder to hurt are fascinating.

"Here, they tend to offer prayers as well, lighting candles, some give their lives and pledges of celibacy. Of course, the Maker doesn't hear any of the prayers, whereas you heard those of the people who looked to you?"

[extramural]

"Yes. Or even heal by drinking water." Sorry no runes enchanted by the Outsider work without his presence, Anders.

"Candles have been lit for me -- lanterns, as well. Lives have been offered, though not typically celibacy." He sounds horribly amused by the thought, actually. "I heard them. I did not always answer; they were not always things I was able to do anything about, and I tend to believe one should make their own impact." Which is probably why he finds so many people utterly boring. "The Void gives me glimpses of many things, past and future, in all time and space. It is- not always pleasant." To put it mildly. "But if it is at a shrine dedicated to me, I always know."

[justice_is_blond]

"Did you ask for them to worship you or pray to you?" If the Outsider hadn't, then not answering all of the prayers is excusable. The fact that he answers any at all is even hugely in his favor. Otherwise... Otherwise he has mixed feelings, but for once he's waiting before leaping to conclusions and judgment. The spirit is interesting and friendly. He deserves a chance.

"Though I can see how the setup wouldn't be always enjoyable." There's so much wrong with Thedas, and the Outsider hadn't sounded optimistic the few times he'd spoken of his world. Seeing more cruelty than what greets one's eyes would be painful.

[extramural]

"I asked for none of it."

His answer is quick, sharp; it is a crack of a whip across the festivities, even if it is only audible to the two of them. There is a faint twist of his features afterward; he is not prone to outbursts like that, does not favor them. Yet here one rests between them.

"I did not ask to be put through a ritual and murdered when I was nothing and no one." He is forced to take a breath, to be less like a shark savaging through prey, less like the waters of a storm. He is not human. He perceives things differently, even if it is different here than in his own world. He must remember that. "I did not ask for prayers. I ask for nothing but that people try to be interesting, and even then, I seldom ask it in person."

Unless they're already interesting, it's not worth his time.

[justice_is_blond]

All judgment leaves his mind. Murdered and forced into it. He'd not known that part, and the fact that the Outsider helps anyone at all after that is impressive. Anders doesn't know that he'd be that helpful.

"I'm sorry," he says after a pause. "I don't know why they think you owe them anything after that. But I hope I've at least proven a little interesting."

Considering the fact that the being is at his birthday party, Anders would tentatively wager that he has.

"Did you have any favorites, among the interesting people?"