[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

[circleprodigy]

Inessa is likewise famished, realizing that when the scent of the food reawakens her appetite abruptly. So, she's content for a slower conversation between them as each gets a decent chance to combat that hunger. She finishes another bite or two before reaching for her mug of tea, raising an eyebrow.

"Do you wish to speak of it?" Her tone is casual, prepared to move on if he doesn't but giving him the opportunity at least.

[judgemewhole]

He eats another piece of chicken, cutting it into smaller pieces. He puts a few more down for Interceptor, before looking up at her again.

Then, a sigh. "You remember the fire? In the towers?"

[circleprodigy]

Garahel patiently waits for Inessa to likewise set aside more chicken for him, which she nods while doing so. "Yes, I do. It was in Thranduil's area, correct?"

She frowns in confusion, wondering how this connects, but patient enough to wait and let him do it at his own pace.

[judgemewhole]

"Yes ... well. Beleth was there and she ... had someone with her. I believe. I cannot be sure. I just know that she had a love bite on her neck and I was not the one to give it to her."

He moved the chicken around on his plate, sighing, "... it is not as if she was being unfaithful, we had made no promises. I just. I am jealous. And it is burning me up inside."

[circleprodigy]

Expression softening, Inessa pauses in her meal and reaches out, resting a small hand atop his. "I am sorry, James. I have been there before, and I'm quite familiar with that pain. Time will help, but that doesn't make the present any easier to wade through, I know." Garahel lets out a sympathetic whine, after he devours more chicken.

[judgemewhole]

"I ... no. And ..." He doesn't have to say it. Inessa knows, after all this time, that he trusts her more than most. So he just says what is on his mind, "I have no idea what to do, Inessa. Do I confront her? Do I let it go? Do I ... ask what this means for us?"

He sighed, picking at his chicken again, "If she even wants to be an us. I seem to keep running into the same bloody problem."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa sits back in her seat, thoughtful. She doesn't want to see James hurt, but it also isn't fair if she's not honest with him as well. Her bites her lip briefly, but meets his gaze. "You are an intense man, James, and you desire a deep, committed relationship. There is nothing wrong with this, of course. In fact, I find it admirable. But it may not be that your desires align.

I can only speculate, so please don't take this as fact, but...it may be that she has decided against anything serious. She is Dalish; if she intends to return to her clan, it cannot be with a human at her side. And an alternative to that life might be too much to ask of her. We are all united in a common cause, for now, but what happens when that ends?"

[judgemewhole]

"... that was my fear, as well. I thought, I should at least take a chance. So I have, and I feel like it is going to turn around and burn us both. Perhaps I never should have said anything at all... " He sighed heavily, rubbing one hand over his hair.

[circleprodigy]

She sets dow her mug after a sip, her gaze sympathetic. "You could not have known for certain, James. I don't know her well, so I can't say how committed she is to clan life; but it there was some spark between you two, she must have at least been considering it herself. All you can do is put yourself out there and see what happens, in the end."

Garahel looks from from the remains his chicken and lets out a soft, sympathetic whine.

[judgemewhole]

He took a few more bites of his chicken - more from necessity than any real desire to eat. Under the table, Interceptor had left his own chicken to put his head against his master's knee, giving him a soulful, comforting look.

"I believe we have had this conversation ... and yes, it is still the same now as it ever was."

[circleprodigy]

There's a sigh and a nod as she's unable to deny that. "I am sorry it didn't bear fruit. Perhaps it's time to play it safer and let yourself heal from all this? There will be other people, other chances. Of that I am quite certain."

Garahel huffs and wags his tail. He believes in you, James!

[judgemewhole]

Interceptor woofed as well, and James held up his hand, taking a moment to wipe sweat off his brow. "I do not want to jump away from this until I find out what she wants. I am ... tired of just being a gentleman and backing off from getting the hard answers I need to hear."

[circleprodigy]

Hearing that brings a small smile to her lips, for all that she worries about how that might end for him. Still, there's only one way to truly know what's in Beleth's heart. "That's brave of you...and if that brings you closure, I stand by it. You're welcome to message me afterward, if you feel the need."

[judgemewhole]

"I will. I shall need my solid wall of good advice, after all." He smiled as he scratched Interceptor behind the ears. "And of course, my full mabari cheering section."

[circleprodigy]

Garahel pants happily and nudges James with his head as well before Inessa gestures for him to lay down again. "They both deserve a little more for that, I think!" Here boys, have some more chicken.

[judgemewhole]

Interceptor licked his hands, and felt cheered as he got more chicken, giving a happy bark as he settled into it. James slipped them both more as well, before he looked over at Inessa seriously.

"I do not know what I did, to deserve making a friend like you. I am grateful though, knowing that you have my back, no matter what."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa's cheeks brighten at that, her pale skin unable to hide that reaction even if she wanted them to do so. "What can I say, I enjoy the company of those with good character. We have two mabari here who can attest to yours. And to be sure, I feel just as fortunate."

[judgemewhole]

He gives her a quiet smile, before he makes himself finish off his chicken. He has to eat, even though it seems like he's lost a lot of his appetite these past days.

"Then let us hope the luck stays with us, eh?"