[Open] Like a sickness

[judgemewhole]

WHO: James Norrington + You
WHAT: Phase One
WHEN: The next 7 to 10 days
WHERE: The Gallows, Kirkwall.
NOTES: Warning for religious devotion.

The First Few Days

The first few days, James just worked in a way that most would read as him having something on his mind. Pel had left, Beleth had been walking around with a mark from someone else's mouth on her neck, so naturally he would be working harder. It showed, too. The armory was in pristine shape, and new weapons and armory were starting to appear with a distinctive leather finery that had not been there before.

The templars were set in shining and perfect order - and the Inquisitions soldiers were put through their paces. He also helped the Chantry sisters clean up the altar of Andraste. Lighting the candles, he could often be found in prayer, and reading the Chant with perfect and passionate voice to whomever wanted to speak of the love of Andraste.

The middle days

It wasn't as much noticeable, as he would suddenly spend all day working on one task until it was done, and then do it all over again. One day it was training the troops. Another day would be spent completely in prayer. The next, all the paperwork. After that, he put everything together in the armory so it was bright, perfect and beautiful.

The last few days.

For the last few days of his illness, James is not found in his office. He is not found in the armory, and he is not found in the courtyard. He is found, almost prostrate, in front of the statue of Andraste, a fever keeping him awake and his body tinged blue, as he softly muttered the Chant, as his Lady's feet.

Comments

last few days

[unshadowing]

Carver takes note of the man in front of the statue as he walks on by. He doesn't pay much heed to it, honestly.

What he does pay mind to, however, is when he passes by that same statue about five hours later and finds the guy still there, still praying. Now he pauses, brow furrowed as he diverts from his path and slowly walks towards him. He approaches from the side. When he draws near, he sees the blue tinge to the man's skin, and the bloodshot eyes. Something is very not right here. Normally he doesn't butt in, but this looks serious, and he's heard about something going around affecting the Inquisition people.

"Prayers aren't going to help you. You need to get to the infirmary, man."

Re: last few days

[judgemewhole]

"No ... no, the Lady will save me." James muttered, swaying slight and forth on his knees. He looked up at her peaceful and beautiful face, and smiled, lifting his arms up to her.

"She loves us all, and She will save us from all our sins."

[unshadowing]

Oh boy. This guy's off his rocker and then some. The illness going around at work, no doubt. But that's all the more reason to get this guy to a healer.

"Andraste doesn't work like that. It's not a snap of her fingers and poof, you're fine. She, ah..." Maker he's not the religious sort, this is Bethany's cup of tea. "She'd want you to help yourself and go see a healer. Or take a sleeping potion."

[judgemewhole]

James looked at him, frowning deeply, green eyes narrowed as he pointed a wavering finger in Carver's direction, "YOU ... do not know the will and the power of the Lady! She is on High on the Maker's Side! She could heal me with a BREEZE - a BREEZE - I - "

He put one hand to his forehead, and knelt again, "... so tired. I am. So very tired." He looks up suddenly, "Where is my dog?"

[unshadowing]

Carver is very seriously considering hitting the man over the back of the head and dragging him to the infirmary.

"I haven't seen a dog around here." While he's not sure he should let him focus on the dog, it's at least better than him harping on about Andraste. "You've been here an awfully long time. I can help you look." If that's what it takes to get him away from the statue.

[judgemewhole]

".... his name is Interceptor." James struggled to his feet. "I thought I left him in my rooms but he could have gotten out and now he could be anywhere. He might be escaping to get me help. I'm ... not at my best right now."

Clearly.

[unshadowing]

That's the most sensible thing James has said this entire time. "He might still be there. We'll try there first." Carver reaches out to steady him and get him on his feet. "Lead on, or at least just, point."

[judgemewhole]

"I. Ah. That ... that way." He points to the tower where the Templars stay, stumbling a little as he got to his feet. "Thank you, stranger. Warden." A quiet snicker, "A Strange Warden. Seems to be your lot in life."

[unshadowing]

....still tempted to knock him over the head, but now for additional reasons. Mostly being spared from that joke.

"Aren't you a funny man," he says drolly as he helps him along towards the tower. "Templar, right? A funny templar. Now there's a paradox." Look he can be funny too!

[judgemewhole]

"I'm actually not." James muttered as he wobbled on the stairs, "Now I know I must be dying. People think I am trying to be humorous."

[unshadowing]

"And yet you laughed at your own attempt at a joke, or whatever it was," he points out as he tightens his grip on the templar, trying to steady him and help him up the stairs. "But if you've got to go, might as well make an impression before you do." Wow, Carver. Wow.

[judgemewhole]

"Well, let me be honest about this ... I am clearly a dead man walking." He huffed out a breath, before he wavered in the other man's grip. He put a hand to his forehead, wiping away faint blueness. "...so yes. I will make an excellent impression. Apparently, in blue."

[unshadowing]

Carver's not much of the optimistic sort, but he at least has enough tact to not agree with him out loud. Maybe the silence says that enough, but at least it's not tacit. Besides, he's a bit more focused on the blue sweat the templar wipes away from his face. Carver frowns. "I heard skin was turning a tinge of blue, but not that you were excreting the bloody color."

[judgemewhole]

"... well apparently we've got this now." He sighed deeply, and tipped his head to the side. "Do you hear that? I think I hear a dog. Interceptor! INTERCEPTOR!"

[unshadowing]

Well, there goes Carver's eardrum. Thanks bud. "Ow. And no, I don't hear a dog. Not that I'm hearing anything out of that ear anytime soon."

[judgemewhole]

"...are all Wardens so very sensitive to sound? I know Inessa is not." He eyed Carver, "How long have you been a Warden anyways?"

[unshadowing]

"And are all templars so ill-humored and annoying?" He pauses, then adds, "Oh wait, I already know the answer to that." Isn't he so delightful? "Over a decade. What's it matter to you?"

[judgemewhole]

"...Only the really good ones." He stated with equal amounts of snark. Bring it on, Hawke. So delightful in turn. "Just curious if you were one of the good ones or the bad ones."

[unshadowing]

"Of course. The longer you're one, the more of a prig you become." This is the start of a beautiful friendship, clearly.

But what humor Carver had - however sarcastic and barbed - disappears. "What's that supposed to mean? You mean one of the ones who helped Clarel or the First Warden with his damned coup?" Oh that just pisses him off. He's very tempted to just shove James off and leave him be. "I wouldn't bloody be here if I was mad enough to join up with that lot."