[OPEN] I know dark clouds gonna gather 'round me

[mactears]

WHO: Loghain + OPEN
WHAT: A catch-all for Loghain for November.
WHEN: Throughout the month of November.
WHERE: The Gallows, Kirkwall, Sundermount.
NOTES: None yet, will update as needed. Starters for specific characters under the cut.

I. SUNDERMOUNT (OPEN + MORRIGAN)


The woodsman who had placed the cabin up for let likely hadn't expected for Loghain Mac Tir, the Traitor Teyrn of Gwaren and father to the Queen of Ferelden, to become his tenant, but there it was. He paid well for this private retreat in the wilderness, and with a promise to make some modest improvements to the property, one can scarcely suggest that the land owner himself is coming away at a loss.

There's a single-paddock stable attached to the cabin, which is where Sooty now rests eating from her feed back, while Loghain chops wood for the wood stove. Lying on the ground some distance away from him is a peculiar-looking dog--clearly part mabari, but with the unmistakeable ruff of a wolf around the face and hackles, too. Every so often, she rises up from where she rests in the grass observing Loghain's work with intelligent topaz eyes, and trots off into the undergrowth, only to come back sometime later to find another place in the sun to rest.

When he isn't in Kirkwall, this is where he spends a great deal of his time:  fixing up this run-down cabin, and trying to befriend the strange dog that now hangs out around the property.



II.  WARDEN OFFICES (ALISTAIR + NATHANIEL)


Alistair and Nathaniel Howe wish to speak with him.

In Loghain's experience, this can go one of two ways:  he's being ousted, or he's being murdered.

Nevertheless, at the appointed time he arrives outside the Wardens' office and knocks once to announce himself. "It's Loghain," he calls, then rests his hand on the latch without pressing it yet.



III. THE LIBRARY AT NIGHT (TEREN)


While much of the drama surrounding his initial appearance at the Gallows has died down during the intervening months, the easiest time for Loghain to conduct any research in the library is still after dark, when the rest of the researchers and students have long gone to bed and there's no one but himself present to peruse the shelves.

He'd laid out his old notes from Maric's initial disappearance across his chosen work station, along with maps of northern Tevinter and some other assorted reference books, and paces behind his desk, as is his wont, while considering them. The wolf-dog that rests beneath the table dozes, but every so often opens her lambent gold eyes, ears pricked and alert.



VI.  DARKTOWN (ANDERS)


It is some time after the company's return from Blackmarsh that Loghain makes his way into the streets of Darktown, dressed in a set of unremarkable brown and grey work clothes so that he won't be so easily noticed or identified. The dog isn't with him; she's well enough--and independent enough--to be left to her own devices on Sundermount during the daylight hours.

Reaching the clinic, he steps over the threshold and searches out Anders in a glance. Not wanting to disturb him from his patients, however, he hands back, patient.



V.  LOWTOWN (CARVER + OPEN)


Loghain isn't much of a drinker, but the only place to do that around Kirkwall appears to be the Hanged Man--which is where he is now, seated alone at a seat in front of the hearthfire, gaze alternating between resting on the fire and examining the occupants of the tavern. A few people have, over the past several months, identified him, and even given him some trouble, but generally not at this hour early in the evening, before the city has time to get drunk enough to make its worst decisions.

So here he sits with a tankard of ale, unwinding, and making himself available for conversation to whomever happens to come along.

Comments

VI

[justice_is_blond]

He sees Loghain come in, keeping an eye on the door is a habit that he's not about to stop, but it's several minutes before he's free to come over. Once two patients are treated Anders washes his hands and grabs a towel on his way to greet the man.

"What brings you down here? I'm glad to see you're upright and not dripping blood all over the place."

[mactears]

Any conversation is a pleasant change for him, a friendly face that reserves judgment, even if he doesn't withhold it entirely. Loghain's lips tug into a wry sort of smirk. "To deliver you this," he replies, and holds out a parcel wrapped in brown paper. "A belated Satinalia gift." A pause, before he frowns and adds, "I hope I didn't overstep."

[justice_is_blond]

He blinks in surprise before smiling and taking the package.

"Thank you. I trust the gloves found their way to you?" He'd included his name with it, something he'd not done with the socks he'd given out. After a moment, he's got the parcel open. The initials make his smile both widen and soften. A.H. He has a family name now, and it's on a very nice scabbard. "It's perfect, Loghain. You didn't overstep in the least. Thank you."

He glances down before shrugging and bending, pulling a dagger in a poor sheath out of his boot. "It'll make carrying this easier, too."

[mactears]

"I trust the gloves found their way to you?"

"They did," Loghain confirms with a slight nod, and watches with some restrained pleasure as Anders delights over the scabbard. It had been a simple gift to acquire and modify, and there are more than enough skilled leatherworkers in Kirkwall. Still, he had wanted the gift to have some significance; Anders is clearly not young enough to be his son, but it's difficult not to take a paternal interest in someone whose circumstances so closely reflect his own.

"I've been assured its of excellent quality," he adds. "I hope it will serve you well."

[justice_is_blond]

"I can see it serving very well." He often has need of a knife - gathering herbs in the field, cutting clothing away from wounds, making bandages, cutting meat - and not having to reach all the way down into his boot makes a difference.

"It's one of the things I've needed but not quite enough to part with coin for." Anders gestures at the Clinic. "Buying a belt sheathe for myself seemed a little bit much when the cold is here and there are people without socks. And I..." He trails off, smile turning a guarded, even though he's not actually afraid of what Loghain thinks or says. "It's nice to have the surname on it."

The family name. Because he has a family. That is altogether too sappy to say, though.

[mactears]

Sappy or not, it's a sentiment that Loghain understands. He recognizes, too, the reluctance to share feelings that might be altogether too personal to put on display in front of anyone, and so averts his eyes from Anders' face to take an interest in the runnings of the clinic around him. A good thing this place is here and operational, he thinks, especially considering the approaching winter.

"Well," he starts with a nod back towards the patients who are milling around the interior of the clinic, "I'll not keep you from your work. I did wish to deliver this in person, nevertheless." A pause, before he adds, "Give Nathaniel my best."

[justice_is_blond]

Anders dips his head, smiling warmly again.

"I appreciate it a great deal, and I will. Have a good rest of the day." He'd say Loghain's name there... except he figures the man would like to walk out unbothered and Anders can absolutely understand that.