[Semi-closed] A tisket, a tasket

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Anders, Teren, Kit, Julius, Thranduil, Fern, possibly others
WHAT: Various starters for the month
WHEN: Throughout the month
WHERE: All over Kirkwall
NOTES: Wanna plot something with Anders? Poke me on plurk!

[Cheerful dooting.]

Comments

[wheretheferngrows]

The cat is far too charming for Fern to resist, and so she reaches down to give her an affectionate stroke. Purrelden is at no risk in her company.

"Is there something keeping you from the training grounds? If it's an injury, I might be able to assist. If it's bullies, I also may be able to assist."

"I don't need any help," she mutters, both defensive and a bit embarrassed to think that the treatment she's received from the other Circle mages her age might have been witnessed by others--and by a Grey Warden too, of course, that's just her luck. She frowns and straightens her back, folding her arms over her chest. "And what would I do down at the training grounds anyway? I'm a mage, and it's just a bunch of Templars down there most of the time anyway."

[justice_is_blond]

He understands defensiveness more than she might know. To seem like a little less of a threat after that, he kneels himself and starts petting his cat, rubbing her cheek as he looks down at Purrelden.

"And Templars are far from good company a vast majority of the time," Anders agrees. "While I personally find the chance to learn how to fight them without magic a valuable one for what comes after the Inquisition's job is done, I can't blame anyone else who doesn't want to be around them. Were you looking for a Warden for something, or just noting what I am?"

[wheretheferngrows]

"Were you looking for a Warden for something, or just noting what I am?"

Her mouth goes dry--this is it, the moment she's been hoping for: an opportunity to tell one of the Wardens just what has dragged her all the way across the Free Marches to Kirkwall with almost nothing but the clothes on her back. (And one ill-tempered mule.) She draws herself up and lifts her chin, squaring her shoulders.

"I want to join you. The Wardens, I mean." She chews at her lower lip; her delivery really could have been better. "I want to join the Grey Wardens."

[justice_is_blond]

He wishes he had better news, but it's pretty clear she's not infected with the Blight. Anders looks down.

"We're a bit of a mess right now," he says quietly. "You can see if our leaders will make an exception for you but..." How to explain that Corypheus can currently control Wardens if they're close enough without outright saying that? It's a secret that they need to be kept somewhat for their own survival.

"Corypheus has infiltrated the order, which is part of why the Anderfels are currently in such a mess. If there's a need to join, you can make your case to Nathaniel Howe or Alistair Therin." Anders sighs. "I'm sorry. I wish I could say that the doors were open."

[wheretheferngrows]

Well that wasn't the answer she was expecting to hear.

She had braced herself for disappointment of course, of being lectured about why a girl her age shouldn't be seeking to throw her life away on some silly adventurer's dream, or why an elf shouldn't expect to rise so far above her station--but this? She startles, eyes widening a little, before confusion creases her eyebrows. Confusion, and a bit of low-key panic, because if she isn't going to do this, then what was the point of coming all this way, of putting herself in danger near that Fade rift, of catching a stupid shard in her stupid hand?

If she can't do this, then--then--

"Where are they?" she blurts out suddenly. She's doing an admirable job of trying to maintain her composure, to stave off her sudden fear, but she's doesn't have a hell of a lot of experience having to do that in the first place. "Alistair or Nathaniel--where can I find them?"

[justice_is_blond]

He feels instantly guilty, not just because her hasty question shows that this really matters to her. If the Wardens hadn't taken him in, either time, he'd be dead. How can they turn someone away? Yes, there are risks. But there are risks to everything.

Anders quickly gives directions to both offices. "I hope they can give you another answer. If they can't, though, and you need aid with something else, come find me again. I'll see what I can do for you."

[wheretheferngrows]

She has to ask him to repeat the directions twice before her anxiety-riddled brain is capable of making any sense of them; at the end of her tether, she blurts out another weak-sounding, "Thank you--" and then walks quickly out of the gardens, making a bee-line for wherever the Wardens are.