faderift | Open

WHO: Carver and whoever wants to bug him
WHAT: Junior's back in Kirkwall
WHEN: Today through the rest of the month
WHERE: Various locations through the city
NOTES: He's got an old mabari in tow

[Kirkwall never really became home for Carver. Not in the way it had for his oldest sibling, who made her name here. Rather, it was a brief phase of his life before fate took him elsewhere, far away from the city that he had only visited a handful of times since then.

Still, despite his outward scowl, there's a part of him that's relieved to still see the city standing and, apparently, recovering well enough. A long mission near the Anderfels kept him completely out of the loop for months. Coming back to the surface, and to reality, left him feeling adrift briefly until he finally decided to say "screw you" to Weisshaupt and do what the cool Wardens are doing and up and went to join the Inquisition in some sort of capacity. Imagine his surprise when he learned the Inquisition moved to Kirkwall.

Of course, coming back here was for more than just to join up. He hadn't spoken to either of his sisters for months, and when he heard the oldest was still missing, he knew he needed to find Bethany and see what needed to be done. (And yes, he's worried about big sis. A lot. Where does she get off on disappearing without a word anyway?) So, despite his checkered history with Kirkwall, he knew he'd be coming back to stay for awhile.

When he arrives, he's not sure where to start. Inquisition people pointed him to the Gallows, but the thought made his skin crawl. He can't imagine Beth - or any of the others - staying there anyway, not after what happened. So, he takes off into the city, in search of those he knows.

In Hightown, he sticks out like a sore thumb, in his very dirty Warden armor and equally dirty mabari. Dog's older now, gray around the muzzle and slower than he used to be, but he keeps up well enough as Carver looks around. They stop outside the old Amell estate. Locked and boarded up, as they discover. There's something close to regret in the way Carver looks up at it.

In Lowtown, he feels strangely more comfortable. Still out of place but at least not so inconspicuous. Here he's more prone to browse the stalls, taking in the sights he's more familiar with, though they seem a distant memory now. In fact, one might even be lucky enough to find him in the Hanged Man, getting a drink for old times' sake.

And he can be found nearly anywhere else save the Gallows and Darktown. He might even visit that new magic tree that's sprung up oh so mysteriously, although it'll be mostly to side-eye the hell out of it.]

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[No, not at all. It's so practical that Carver almost has to laugh. With Bethany, he almost expected something super romantic and out of a story book.]

Wouldn't call it that, no.

[Okay, now onto slightly more uncomfortable questions because this is Carver and what is tact]

She said you're a Seeker. She's a Warden, and a mage at that. And you're okay with that? Knowing that that means, what's going to happen?

[Swear to the Maker, Carver, if you are turning this into 'being a mage is what defines Bethany' discourse like Anders? Aleron is leaving this room and not looking back.

Still, he looks Carver straight on with unshakeable intensity. He might be a private man, but he is also a truthful one.]

Even knowing what's to happen.

I squandered the precious little time I was afforded with Mirielle, convinced that we had years. Duty over devotion. I do not mean to make that mistake again.

Mage, Warden? These matter not to me. There is more to your sister than labels. They do not define her. She is good and kind and compassionate. She has been a light that led me out of a prison of grief. Nothing in this world would convince me to forsake her.

And I intend to cherish every moment the Maker sees fit to allow us.

[Even knowing that eventually she'll be stolen away from him.]

[Carver isn't quite like that, no. But being a mage did heavily color Bethany's childhood - and his - and there's no running away from being a Warden - even though people like Anders have tried. In the end, the taint always catches up. The last thing he wants to see happen is for Bethany to have her Calling come and to not have support. So few really understand what it's like to be a Warden, and all that comes with it. The stories don't tell most of it.

The mention of another woman makes something in Carver's stomach turn. This is... not what he was expecting.] You were married before? [It's not said in an accusatory tone. In fact, it's almost a little sad.

[The light in Aleron's eyes dim, clouded by a haunted expression. The same one that always comes when he looks into his past. The same one which always draws Bethany to slip her hand into his and remind him that he's not alone. Not anymore.]

I was, for but one year. I lost her in childbed. The babe was born sleeping.

[He blinks to clear his thoughts and attend to the matter at present.]

Bethany didn't speak of it, I gather.

[Oh. Oh, that's... actually really sad. Carver sort of hoped that she just had had enough and up and left. Not that that would have been great, but it sure would have beat... that.]

No, she didn't. Probably didn't feel it was her place to. [It's not something one casually brings up, and he can understand her wanting to step around that subject.] I'm sorry for your losses.

[There's a singular nod and a murmured word of thanks in reply. Aleron is a brother himself and knows that were the situations reversed, he would have grave misgivings of a match making a consolation prize of his sisters.]

Please believe me, I do not consider Bethany a replacement for my late wife. Rather, she is a fresh spring of happiness and warmth I had not thought I should know again. She is everything to me.

[He's glad he said that, because yes, that was his next concern, but even Carver has enough tact to know flat out asking him that would have been shitty, at best. The last thing he wants is to stomp on that grief, even if it's for the sake of looking out for his sister.]

Varric calls her "Sunshine" for a reason. She has that effect on people.

[Carver never could match Bethany in kindness, or Marian in wit or humor. He gave up a long time ago. A lot of the bitterness is gone, and he's accepted it for what it is. Bethany never really was built for the Warden life, though she certainly did the best she could and made do. It's probably the one thing Carver's better than her at. It worries him, her having a marriage and family might mean while being a Warden, but if anyone can do it, it's her. All he can do is support her and try to protect her where he can.]

Your wedding was not long ago, right? Did she have a lot of friends in attendance? What does your family think of her?

Aye, four months ago. We even managed to smuggle Anders in with the guests, at her request.

[Anders is something of a sore spot for Aleron who disapproves of possessed mages who attempt to get uppity about morality. But he is important to Bethany and Nathaniel so he has held his peace. Held it, but he's ever watchful around the man.]

Mother and my sisters adore her. Though I am ashamed to admit I believe some of Ravonild's doting is the connection to the Hawke name. She claims it makes her even more popular in her social circles.

[He shudders because ugh society partymaking blah.]

My mother is persistent in wishing us to join her in Orlais to take over the running of her estate. I'm not wholly convinced it's out of affection for us and not some maneuver of hers to show off her celebrity daughter-in-law. However, she sends gifts to Bethany hand over fist and well beyond her means and continues to berate me for not spoiling her sufficiently myself. Make of that what you will.

[Of COURSE she did.]

Why am I not surprised? She's got too much of a soft spot for him.

[He won't go into his own personal feelings about Anders. They're complicated, at best.]

Sound like typical Orlesians to me. Hard not to like Bethany, but the name she has and her nature make her a reoccurring target for people who'd like to ride on the coattails of Marian's fame. [Though Beth can handle herself, so it doesn't worry Carver TOO much.] All the same, are you considering her offer?

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