[Closed-ish] Empty but for their words

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Anders, Kas (possibly others?)
WHAT: Figuring out what's going on with Kas
WHEN: Around now
WHERE: Kirkwall Docks
NOTES: Talk of brainwashing likely.

He goes looking after his talk with Cole, worried as worried can be. Anders has more friends right now than he ever has before in his entire life, but they're each still important and precious to him. Hearing that Kas is struggling has him searching.

Finally, after what feels like ages, Anders spots the small qunari and makes his way over. There's concern in his eyes and voice when he speaks.

"Kas? May I borrow you for a few moments? There's a matter I'd like to discuss with you."

Comments

[issala]

"You're being really weird, Anders," Kas says, the frown deepening. "What is this about?"

Whatever it was, Issala had to deal with it. He didn't have any delusions that he could fight a bas-saarebas on his own, especially not someone like Anders - so he had to focus on his cover.

Kas had grown to trust people. He had gone from a standoffish, aggressive teen to a friend. People had worn down all his walls of bitterness and made him a family member... and that was compromising things, now.

If anything, the bas were utterly stubborn at making friends.

[justice_is_blond]

He would rub his temples if it wouldn't be a giveaway to how much stress he's feeling right now. Maybe he can still do something that isn't blatant blurting out about what's wrong.

"You're my friend, and you've been odd. Acting oddly, I mean. I thought that perhaps, if I knew more of your journey, I could find a better way to help you. You mean a great deal to me, Kas."

If that failed, well. He could try just blurting it out and throwing up a barrier and hoping Kas' first move isn't some attempt at slashing his throat.

[issala]

Ugh. This was getting problematic, but he had to work through it. He could not afford to let this get any worse.

"I'm not acting odd, okay? I'm just fucking stressed, Anders." Issala almost pouts, visibly put off by this 'questioning'. "Besides, it's a long story." He sighs and sinks down on a broken piece of wall. Looks like he was going to tell, anyway.

"I'm from Rivain. I was born there in a Tal-Vashoth kith and I was raised by my mom until I was around twelve. Then Ben-Hassrath attacked and killed a lot of the kith. I-including my mom." His voice wavers a bit at that, quite believably.

"I managed to run away and hide in a ship that was going to Ferelden. I lived a long time on the streets, running with other street kids. Stealing sometimes to survive. Nobody wanted to hire an ox, after all." The teen crosses his arms defensively.

"...I got into some bad trouble and left Denerim, and later I tried to rob one of the Inquisition scouts because I was on the verge of starving to death. He told me about the Inquisition and that it welcomed everyone, so here I am."

[justice_is_blond]

He can believe plenty of that. Without Cole, he'd even believe all of it. Kas is convincing, and Anders isn't great at telling a lie or spotting one. Due to Cole, though, he wonders if the gap is where Kas says he ran away.

"And when did they catch you?" His voice is quiet. "When did they teach you to be someone else? Please don't try denying it, Kas. They've gotten to you, sometime recently, and you've lost some of yourself. Or all. I'm not exactly certain how they work."