faderift | OPEN

WHO: Nathaniel Howe and YOU
WHAT: Meandering open post
WHEN: Month of Kingsway/September
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Will edit with any warnings that come up.

I. CLOSED - Loghain

In the Gallows training yard, Nathaniel sinks another arrow deep into a target--an inevitability of a bow of its draw weight, not a result of his skill. The accuracy is good, but he would like it to be better. He can't even blame his rheumatism today--it's his pride that demands perfection.

While retrieving his arrows, he spots Loghain with his sword and shield. He considers the man for a moment. Loghain is no longer in his prime, but he could still knock over a golem if he had a good running start. Nathaniel isn't in his prime either, but he could be better, and Loghain is one of the best. If he challenges Loghain and is beaten, he could learn from one of the best. If he challenges Loghain and wins, he could have beaten one of the best. And if that person happens to have a face he wants to punch, all the better.

He chooses a sword from the rack and approaches. He practices with the sword often these days, for he can wield it on days when his rheumatism keeps him from drawing a longbow. And it was what his old master taught him. He gestures to get Loghain's attention and sinks into a fighting stance with only the sword and no shield.

"Are you fighting the air because it's easy on your joints, old man?"

II. OFFICE

Nathaniel is tired of writing letters. He's tired of sending news and tired of follow-up questions. The Hero of Ferelden has been dead for months. It shouldn't feel like he's been dying all this time. And he has a headache.

After some time, he glances surreptitiously down the hall, closes his door, sits back down, and pulls out a pair of reading spectacles to finish up this batch. They have always been a last resort, and he is out of resorts. Anyone bursting in without knocking is likely to see him with them for the first time in their lives.

III. HIGHTOWN/DOCKS/GALLOWS

The grizzled, broad-shouldered ranger emerges grimly from the new Hightown forest, scowling in a manly fashion and carrying a basket piled high with fresh fruit and wildflowers. He's heading for the docks to catch the ferry back to the Gallows.

Dare you to say anything.

IV. BETHANY

The grim warrior halts upon seeing Bethany Hawke Darton in the courtyard. He picks up one bunch of the flowers and approaches her with dark purpose. By the time he arrives in front of her, he has smiled and is holding out the flowers wordlessly.

V. PETRANA

Seeing Petra, the dark shadow and pinprick who carries the poison stops and gives her a bunch of late summer wildflowers and a beaming smile.

VI. CLOSED - Anders

By the time Anders returns from work, Nathaniel has lit the fire. He bought fresh, as in 'was swimming in the sea a few hours ago', mackerels and grilled them over the fire, toasted some day-old bread, and baked a bubbling berry pie. The last of the wildflowers are on the table when the door opens, and Nathaniel moves to collect dinner from where it has been kept warm near the fire.

"We are," he declares in a tone that will brook no argument, "eating dinner together tonight. I don't care what you have left to do, you have time to sit down and eat a meal with your husband."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The toast crunches as Nathaniel cuts out a bite with everything. The oils of the mackerel are soaking the bread nicely.

"Griffon's Wing Keep having issues with varghests again. I keep telling them they should just cook the damn things."

"Or they could let the griffons loose in there. They'd surely enjoy a chance to catch their own meals. ...granted, that could lead to other issues."

Nowhere really has places made for griffons anymore, so they're often at a lack of space no matter how they work with the buildings they have.

"But if there are extra varghest corpses that people aren't eating, there are always people who would be thankful for the extra meat in Darktown. Meat alternatives to rats are very welcome." His expression brightens after he takes another bite. "There may be someone donating chickens to the clinic soon. We'll have some learning ahead of us for proper chicken care, but then we can provide eggs." And possibly more from there, if some people in Darktown wanted to learn chicken care as well there's a rooster on loan offering too.

"Varghest jerky?" Nathaniel wonders aloud. The mackerel is so tender and oily that preserved rations are hard to bring to mind at the moment. "It's good about the chickens. How are you going to keep people from killing them for meat, though?"

"That's... definitely something I don't quite have an answer for yet," he says with a shake of his head. "I'm hoping that people will realize the long-term gain of eggs and a steady increase in chicken numbers is better than the short-term, but there's a risk of losing them."

Guards are a thought he's had, but asking people to guard chickens might push their pride to the point of breaking.

"Or you might build them a coop. Won't stop the really determined foxes, but it'll make it harder to accomplish without them being caught."

"Mm." Another bite of dinner, delicious, filling dinner, gets chewed as he considers that before nodding. "I'll find someone who knows how to make one. I'm certain there will be a refugee who would like to do that as a day job. And it's not like the Clinic goes unguarded at night as I've so many herbs and potions there, as well as what furniture we've gathered and are using for it."

Nate gets a smile. "The coop's a good idea. Thank you. I'm sorry that I don't have any suggestion for the varghests, unless you want me to see if a few kids would like to chase them. The griffons might not approve."

Nathaniel considers. "Kain, Inessa, and Ciri? Might be a good exercise for them. Varghests are at least as intelligent as your average recruit. They'd have to come up with a plan and follow each other."

Anders snickers before grabbing a sip of water.

"I might even pay to watch that. But yes, I think they'd be good choices, and the griffons are used to them. It gives them something to do that's a little more like regular work, which is something we're often short of here. Warden work, I mean."

He's never short of work as a healer.

"You're right. It would be exciting for them, but not very dangerous. A perfect learning opportunity. And they'd get to ride their griffons to 'battle.'"

"There we go. Problems solved over dinner, and the world is better for it."

There's a little joking in his voice, but this is something new and something he likes, being able to share a meal with his partner and work things out as they do so. Though that does bring one thing to mind.

"It's not a big deal, but a former fling of mine had joined the Inquisition. It was a one-night stand, no feelings on either of our parts, but he's something of a friend. Or was. We're... He's always been for the Circles, so we're feeling things out there. I just wanted you to know that he was here and he's no threat to you."

It's definitely something that as a surprise could go poorly.

Nathaniel looks a bit solemn suddenly, but not for the reason Anders might think. He stares at his food, trying to come up with a reply for a moment.

He studies Nate's face, feeling a little concerned. Most of the time he enjoys Nate's jealous streak being a mile wide, but right now Anders wonders what the silence means.

"I'd... I'd really like to rekindle the friendship, as much as I can. I don't have a lot of friends left from before, back when I was just me. Or a lot of mage friends in general. It... It would be nice."

Really nice. Especially since they'd always been able to discuss politics before without hating each other. Balance is hard for him anymore.

"You're not..." Nathaniel winces and would squirm if he were twenty years younger. "You're right. You should have friends. I just...am I that bad, when I get jealous? You're not asking my leave, are you?"

He shrugs, looking a little off to the side.

"You're not that bad, love. I am asking a little, though. Not completely, because I think this is something I truly need to do, but I don't want to cause issues with us and I'm walking on uncertain ground."

Nathaniel has a false start with a response and it takes him a moment. They've argued, sure, but this isn't something they really disagree on.

"Thank you. Thank you for your concern. But please, if I ever argue against you being friends with someone who makes me jealous, argue back."

Anders reaches over to take one of Nate's hands in his.

"All right. I'll remember that. But don't think I'm upset or bothered by your usual jealousy. Honestly, it's flattering most of the time. Not a lot of people in my life have wanted to keep me with them."

After a squeeze he releases Nate's hand. "Dinner is delicious, by the way. Thank you."

A melting smile. "Thank you. You are the handsomest man I know. Why wouldn't I be possessive?" He leans in for a quick kiss. "We should do this more often. Getting away from the world we have to fix might aid in our perspective."

He smiles after the kiss, though it's not the most confident expression. Nate loves him. He's not going to want to be done with Anders suddenly because of that, not because of looks that will fade in time.

Anders leans against Nate. "I'd like that. There's... sometimes there's so much going on that it seems impossible to get away from it. Every time I think maybe things will get better, they have a way of doing the opposite. Except when I'm with you."

OPEN

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