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

[justice_is_blond]

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!]

Comments

For Teren

[justice_is_blond]

It's on the second round of Juke Bach's song that he really starts to catch the words and a smile starts spreading on his face. The third time around he's actually certain. This is an opportunity he's not about to waste, and indeed he wastes no time in pulling out his crystal.

"Teren, could you come down to the Hanged Man? It's not an emergency, but I'd appreciate it if you were able to come down here without too much delay. ...And tell me what you'd like to drink, I'll have it ready."

Bribery is the only way this is going to go down without him getting stabbed.

[doneisdone]

"What. Fine. Whiskey." She probably has things to do, but if free drinks are involved, she'll be hard-pressed to turn them down.

For Nate

[justice_is_blond]

He doesn't often have to wait for Nate to get home. Normally, Anders brings his reading and their dinners to their room to find Nate there already, and he cuddles up as they close out their evening.

Today Nate isn't back yet. For a moment Anders worries about all the things that could have happened, from a Darkspawn attack to dragons swooping down to Templars deciding to attack him sideways yet again, before he pushes it back. Things are fine. He would have heard, otherwise. Nate's likely busy with something official, and so Anders gets busy. He feeds the animals, puffs up the pillows, starts the fire, sets the food on the table where he can see it and keep it warmed, and settles down on the couch with the current notes on the Blight he's going through. Soon enough Nate will come in, and Anders is proud of himself for not panicking like he might have just a few months ago.

[pinprick]

When the door opens, Nathaniel is tired.

He is so tired.

So tired, he doesn't notice how puffy the pillows are or how content the animals are or how lit the fire is. He sheds the outer layers of his clothing and his shoes, then sits beside Anders for a cuddle.

"We heard from Ansburg today," he mutters into Anders' hair. "So it was a lot of arranging and preparing and moving money around so some of us can travel there for a meeting."

For Kattrin

[justice_is_blond]

It's taken some time to get all the needed ingredients, but get them he has at last. A couple of days later he sends a crystal message to Kattrin telling her he has it all and asking her here, to one of the old teaching rooms in the Gallows, whenever she had a day free.

That day's arrived, and he busies himself checking to make sure all of the protections from the past were in place. The magic they're doing will be entirely familiar to Kattrin, of course, but it's unfamiliar to him. If he slips up, if the casting goes wrong, he wants things to be intact.

[theexile]

She wasn't familiar with the Gallows since she hadn't been there yet but she found her way easily enough. Though, she wasn't sure she liked it there. Even cleansed it felt as if she could still see the pain that had happened in these walls. Still, she ignored it and made her way to the teaching room, the little fennec at her ankles.

"Good day, Anders," she greeted politely as she took her pack off and looked around the room with curiosity.

5.

[samahl]

Cyril can't help but think that Purrelden's protests at trying to be tied down are hilarious. He isn't actually laughing though, instead he just smiles as he comes closer. He reaches out to see if Purrelden is up for some pats before looking up at Anders with that smile still on his face.

"You'd think that you stole all of her milk, the way she's acting. It's all very dramatic."

[justice_is_blond]

"Especially considering how I spoil her." He shakes his head, amused despite himself. "I think she thinks that if she stays there, she'll get her way and I'll take the leash off. But being stubborn hasn't worked for her before. I've no idea why she thinks it will now."

Purrelden gets a sigh as she pushes into Cyril's hand for attention, forgetting that her legs were all broken and entirely useless moments ago.

"Look at her. Absolutely spoiled." But it's clear from his voice that he loves her. Which is why he's trying to leash-train her. Sooner or later people are going to be recognizing him, and having his cat be loose could invite cruelty.

"You've not got a pet at all, do you. I'm not sure if that's wise or if you're lacking."

Flying in here for dragony shenanigans o/

[bookish_lioness]

While Hermione had agreed that she'd like to hear more about high dragons and the Blight, the sign hanging outside the door Anders had directed her to gives her pause. It's clearly a warning, and since she knows precious little about what the Taint really is aside from the fact that it's what makes Darkspawn what they are, she hesitates for a few moments. But she's braved worse in the name of knowledge and research, and so she pokes her head into the room, entering with a knock when she satisfies herself that Anders is inside and she's in the correct place.

She takes a few steps inside before she makes out what the massive object on the table is. She'd never seen any of Thedas' dragons, though she's heard enough stories to decide that they aren't too dissimilar from the ones she's more familiar with. Even so, her experience with dragons has been relatively small, and she comes to a stop a considerable distance away, gaping at the creature in Anders' new workspace.

"Is that a-...?" It's a ridiculous question, as she knows very well what it is. "Is it de-...?" It's dead, clearly, or else Anders wouldn't have risked bringing it indoors. But there are so many questions flitting about in her mind, and one of them has to be viable, so she asks one that should also be obvious but never too obvious to ask to be sure. "Anders, is this safe?"

[justice_is_blond]

He turns to see who it is every time someone comes in. This is something he's got serious stakes in, and every person gets noted. Hermione, though, gets a smile as well.

"It is a, and it is dead." There's amusement behind those answers as he sets down the knife he's using.

"This isn't entirely safe, no. I needed a High Dragon because I'd found some notes that suggested they deal with the Blight differently, and I wanted to know how. Apparently," Anders gestures at a strange, sack-looking growth inside the chest cavity, "that's how."

He steps over to a wash basin and cleans his hands, gesturing for Hermione to come over. "The way we make sure you're on the safer side of things is one, making sure you've no cuts, two, you stepping back any time you want to talk so you're further away, and three, being very careful with how we cut into things. I want to remove that as intact as possible. ...But if there's some other system of the dragon you're curious about, we can work on that to be even more safe."

1.

[wontforgetyou]

"Och, if you think I'll make a wager on something that's as sure of a thing as that, you're daft."

Not that Jamie thinks Anders is daft, of course, but given how often the blonde's been falling over already, he is pretty sure taking Anders up on that bet is going to make him a copper poorer in short order. The "dancing" is a good distraction, though, he has to admit - and right at the moment, he could maybe do with a few of those. So rather than get up and take off again, he shifts slightly, settling into a more comfortable position before peering curiously between the "dancers" and the bar.

"The drinks that strong around here, though, or is yon bard really that persuasive? I'd not think anyone'd be willing do...well, whatever it is they're actually doing otherwise."

[justice_is_blond]

Jamie gets a wide smile. There's a reason he'd set the bet so low. It's a dumb one to take.

"Other than the one with the hole in the knee of his trousers, the 'dancers,'" he makes an air quotes gesture, "are regulars. By this time in the evening, they're always this drunk. I've no idea what they're drinking to get there. They've been bachelors here in Kirkwall since before I came here the first time, do their job, get drunk in the evening, and repeat. The one with the hole in the knee... He might just be persuaded by the bard. He's been making eyes at him half the evening."

The show is at least ridiculous and entertaining, and no one is getting hurt. Except maybe with bruises and sprains from the falls, but since the people keep getting back up, Anders is assuming they're all right. Worst case scenario, he knows where most of them live and he can make sure they're not hurt later.

5

[universal_charm]

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).

[justice_is_blond]

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.

4

[byblow]

As unhappy as Alistair is with the idea of putting any sort of official Warden seal on unrelated charity work—because he is unhappy about it, and presently not standing for it—he isn't at all opposed to that work being done. Done by Wardens. Who are welcome to say that they're Wardens, sure. Just not that it's an official Warden venture using Warden resources, beyond their own spare time.

So Alistair's spare time today is being spent down in Anders' clinic (and also in civvies, sleeves rolled up) to move some crates and furniture, and when that's done to move around the walls, stuffing holes with pebbles and cloth and occasionally nailing board over the larger ones, mainly to keep any rats from using them. It's probably a lost cause. Feels a bit like plugging holes into the Deep Roads with rocks, as if that will stop any of them. But it's something to do. He isn't actually very good at doing nothing—

—until, as things begin to wrap up for the day and most of the crowd has left, he slips trying to stand up and slides his hand down a rough scrap of wood in the process, earning at least a dozen splinters. Then he is suddenly very good at doing nothing but lying on the floor and staring at his palm in horror.

"Ow," he says, and, "ow ow ow ow ow."

Broken bones and concussed heads and gaping wounds are all fine, but this? This is probably going to kill him.

[justice_is_blond]

It's more encouraging than he has words for that people are showing up to help. This isn't anything official, they're not going to get pay for this or any other benefits, and yet some are here including Alistair and Anders may have shot the former Templar a few rather warm smiles.

At least until he's hearing Alistair sound like he's in pain.

As this is the man that didn't complain much when they'd been taken hostage and mistreated, Anders is across the Clinic in a flash, hands already glowing.

"What's wrong? What happened? Are you--" Splinters and a scrape. Anders fights a smile back (successfully for once) and kneels next to him while fishing tweezers out of his belt pouch. "Let's get these out." Magic can help, but magic is a little bit of overkill here.

4.

[killedwithlove]

Cole appears like usual, with no warning and no clear sense of how long he's actually been there. But he has a feral looking cat in his arms. It's missing an eye and an ear, long since healed over, and it as much scar as fur, but Cole still carries it like the most precious thing in the world, fingers gently stroking the breastbone.

"A dog bit his leg. Faith is strong, but cold, not arrogant but I can't tell the difference when it's in people. He went away, and only their words are left in him and their words are ugly and hard. That chair hurts, can we burn it?"

Kirkwall might be getting to him a bit.

[justice_is_blond]

He's drawn right away to the cat, reaching over to gently rub behind an ear as he listens to the flood of words.

"The chair..." Maker. Anders needs every bit of furniture they have, but Cole sounds like he's losing it. "Let me put the chair in the back, all right?"

He does so quickly, scooping it up and putting it away and hoping that helps. Burning it really isn't a path he wants to take, but if Cole needs it he's going to seriously consider it. And then mourn how hard it will be to find a new chair.

"Why don't we sit here, on the bench, all right? And you can take a breath and we can pet this poor cat and settle down."

4

[circleprodigy]

Though affairs at the Gallows take up much of her time and attention -especially as projects are getting underway- Inessa makes good on that promise to assist Anders with his endeavors in Darktown. Whenever there's a chunk of time to spare, she'll arrive below with some fresh healing supplies and a mabari ready to spread some cheer (and also play with his feline frend). What she lacks in extroversion, she tries to make up for with patience and a calming manner. First aid and magical healing are offered generously and though her expertise doesn't extend beyond that, Inessa will watch and listen, absorbing Anders' example as best she can. Even if her direct skill set doesn't apply, instructions can be followed well enough. When there's a busy stretch, she'll power through without complaint, and go to check on him once it's winding down.

"How are you faring, Anders? If you'd like some tea, I've been tempted to make some." It's not the most subtle hint that perhaps he's been on his feet too long, but it'll do.

[justice_is_blond]

Tea. Tea would sound excellent, though a moment after his face has brightened he realizes what she's probably saying. Anders' expression turns a little wry.

"I used to do so much more down here, working from before dawn until long after dark." On tiny meals that were basically what people could scrape together as payment. Then again, he had someone constantly pushing at him to do more, more, more.

"But yes, please. I'd like some tea. I've... not quite the stamina I used to have." Mercy gives him plenty, but having Justice inside him had been an even greater source of energy. And headaches, and fear, and chaos. It's not an arrangement he's going back to.

4

[sans_harmony]

Diwaniya doesn't have the luxury of distancing himself from all of these strange new people, no matter how he wishes he could. It's not merely a matter of having to earn his keep for the first time in his life, though that's part of it--it's that he doesn't have anything else to occupy his free time, when even something as basic as reading is cruelly denied him.

Had he his own way, he would have retreated to the nearest library and holed himself up without food or sleep until he'd researched everything about this world on his own terms, and come out at less of an unacceptable disadvantage. But he can't. The universe is mocking him. But it's that very inability to be antisocial with a stack of books that ensures that he hears about Anders' offer in the first place, and after some internal debate, he grabs the offered lifeline and finds his way to the clinic.

He has no way of knowing who this volunteer instructor is, and he stands awkwardly in a corner of the room, looking rather lost in his borrowed mage robes--they're old, patched, too big for him, but that's how he'd asked for them, the better to hide in them like a comfort blanket while pretending he isn't doing anything of the sort.

"Excuse me," he says, after a discreet moment to gather his bearings. "I was told to speak with an--Anders?" He doesn't immediately want to admit why, not where people can hear him.

[justice_is_blond]

The volunteer glances over at Anders but doesn't need to say anything; he heard the question and he's come over. This is possibly the only place where he's not afraid when someone is inquiring about him in Kirkwall.

"It's alright, Laren." Anders looks the other mage over, noting the robes that don't fit and the way the man stands, like he's not sure about being here. "I'm Anders. This is my Clinic. How can I help you?"

There's so many possible reasons for looking for him that he can't wager a guess. Especially not before he even has a name, because this mage's face is unfamiliar to him.

2.

[poleaxe]

Of course Ioane doesn't see the sign. She can't bloody well read it. Years ago, she stopped paying attention to the written word. There's no point in heeding it any mind. She's sweeping dust and twigs off the landing, off the cobblestones and away from open doorways, when she smells something downright fetid. She pokes her head in the door, expecting another fine bloody mess, and-

"Maker!"

She doesn't see Anders at first. She just sees the open maw of a toothy beast, and nearly falls backward in surprise. It takes a moment to notice the eyes are rolled back, the head is disconnected. She laughs at herself, because she has to. It's such a bloody stupid thing to do. When she sees Anders, her smile grows. She leans on her broom. "Damn fine mess you made."

[justice_is_blond]

Anders looks up as she enters, takes a step toward her at the startlement, and then returns the smile.

"She started it," he says with a jerk of his head toward the dead dragon. "You may want to be a little careful, by the by. Nothing dangerous has been cut into yet, but I've got this here to study what I can of how the Blight invades a high dragon's body. ...And you don't have to worry about cleaning this room. I'll attend to that."

There's no point in making more of a mess for the cleaning staff, and there's really no point in making more of a mess for a friend.

2, rolls in late with starbucks

[failedfirst]

Most of the Wardens, when considering the possibility of taint removal are likely thinking of themselves. Velanna isn't particularly bothered by the shortened life span, the way she sees it the Wardens gave her years she likely wouldn't have had if she'd stayed where she was before joining them. But researching ways to remove the taint could very well translate to reversing the effects of the Blight on non-Warden living things.

For Velanna, this was important, though she keeps that hope to herself. She has had other things to keep her occupied since coming to Kirkwall, but she isn't too busy to drop in on Anders and see how things are going with him.

"Have you solved the mysteries of tainted blood yet?" She asks as she walks into the cold room, foregoing formal greetings as she so often does.

[justice_is_blond]

He looks up from his work to give her a half smile. She knows the answer, because it's not going to be an easy thing. If it is ever even possible. Anders has four years to figure it out and Maker, does he feel the pressure.

"Of course. I finished that before breakfast. Now I'm looking to solve the all-important mystery of how one becomes a dragon."

The knife gets set down before he moves to the side to clean his hands. "It's fascinating, what the dragon does, but I don't know how and that's the big question. And I'm not going to go try figure out a dragon that's still alive because I'm rather fond of not being ashes."

After a breath, the smile becomes full. "Have you come to give a hand? Or is there something else?" He knows why she's so interested. She still believes her sister to be alive, and if she is, then she'd need a cure.