faderift | [Open] You can take the Captain out of the Gaurd....

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[Open] You can take the Captain out of the Gaurd....

WHO: Character(s) Aveline + You!
WHAT: Aveline has been "promoted" to Emissary of Kirkwall.
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: It's a PR nightmare for Kirkwall's newest ambassador. Food shortages, cold weather, and people are turning blue.

It had been all of 48 hours since she had been told she would now be an Emissary of Kirkwall instead of Captain of the Guard. To say the news hadn’t been taken well was a understatement. She was well aware that she was probably the worst choice for this sort of thing, but the point was made that she was the only choice. It didn’t do well to inspire confidence, but, there was little left to argue about after that.

They required her to attend etiquette lessons with a pompous ass who delighted in teasing her about her un-femininity so much she ended up socking him in the jaw halfway through. But, she now knew the difference between a salad fork and a dinner fork, so she counted it as a success. She was given a frilly new uniform, which immediately refused to wear and a “compromise” was eventually reached after some heated words were exchanged. She would still wear her own armor, but she would also be swathed in a half cloak with the Kirkwall crest on it, to make her easily distinguishable.

This, of course, was before everything had gone to pot. Things were a mess before, but now things had become dire. The people of Kirkwall were desperate for food, for warmth, and especially for a glimmer of hope that things would turn around somehow. The guard were on round the clock posts to try and keep the populus calm, but they could only do so much. She would never ask her guard to do anything she would not do herself, so she had parked herself in the main entrance to lowtown, hoping to calm as many as she could. She had “requisitioned” (strong armed) two carts full of blankets, and several dozen loaves of bread to pass out to the citizens until she could approach the Inquistion for aid.

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Fenris had needed a change of scenery for a while now. He's been doing all that he can to deal with the strange reaction his brands have been giving him, but it's often only small reprieves for a short amount of time. By now, it's evident that whatever is affecting so many others is impacting him as well, albeit in a different way.

He is not pleased with this turn of events.

But he's been wallowing for a long time, or so it feels like... Staying in, drinking, slathering cremes and ointments on his skin to soothe the itching and redness as much as possible. He definitely needs to take his mind off things. So he's gotten himself all wrapped up and headed out, taking more care than usual to hide his brands, wearing a higher collar than usual so that only the ones on his chin are visible. Somehow he finds himself wandering rather aimlessly, ending up in the area of Lowtown, where he sees a familiar figure...

"Aveline? It's been a while." A long while, at that. He'd expected to find her on returning to Kirkwall, and was surprised not to cross paths until now.

She turned toward whoever called out to her, and once she made eye contact with him, she stopped everything she was doing. He was bundled up against the cold, making him far less spikey and more cuddly looking than she remembered him being. If she weren't so shocked, she would have laughed. Instead, she stared up at him.

She quickly walked over to him, and without a moments pause, she gathered him into a hug. She blinked away the tears that threatened to fall, and once they were under control, she pulled back.

"It's good to see you."

There's an audible pained sound as she hugs him, but Fenris isn't about to complain or offer any explanation right away. He's used to pain, it's a regular companion of his, but lately, it really has been worse with these strange effects he's been experiencing. He'd been avoiding contact purposefully, to minimize touching the brands. So there's a bit of stiffness on his part, before he gradually relaxes.

This... this is what friends do when they see one another after a long time, after all. Right? Sometimes he forgets these things, even these days.

"You as well." He winces for another moment, before adding, "I assume you've been keeping busy? And now you're back to maintain law and order in Kirkwall?" He'll have to see whether she can arrange to change those patrols around the mansion again... but one thing at a time.

She grimaced a little at his painful reaction. In her excitement, she forgot about how sensitive his brands were. She quickly pulled away, giving a silent apology. She was just so excited to see him. Out of all of their band, she felt like she could connect with Fenris most. They may not see eye to eye, but he had always supported her, pushed her, and made her laugh more than she would admit.

"I have been trying to, but it's been a challenge. I've been...reassigned to try and get help where it's needed." She tugged at the cape that she hadn't gotten used to, and rolled her eyes a little.

"You're looking at the new Emissary of Kirkwall." She put her hand out, and continued. "And before you say anything, yes, I am aware that I am probably the worst choice for this sort of thing, but the point was made that I'm the only choice."

Fenris is still grimacing a little, looking more annoyed than usual... he backs away slightly, trying to pull himself together. That new burning sensation on his brands gets pretty hard to ignore. He really doesn't want to seem unhappy to see her, after all, because she really is a much-needed source of sanity right now.

"I was wondering about the new uniform. Someone in Kirkwall is playing quite the unfortunate joke on you..." He couldn't imagine being forced into a diplomatic sort of role like that, especially for someone who's more of a fighter, and accustomed to running the Guard. "Who knows, when it comes to the Inquisition? Still, they must have seen some reason in choosing you for the position. You know this city better than most."

He was broody as ever, but there was a moment of fear that perhaps Fenris wasn't keen on her company. But, that thought was pushed away. Fenris wasn't one for minced words. If he wanted her to keep her distance, she would know.

"Yes," she harumphed. "Unfortunately, it's the bloody Viscount who's having a go at me, so there's shit all I can do about it. But, I've heard mostly good things about the Inquisition. Hopefully they aren't all unreasonable." She shrugged. "If not, I'm not above knocking some heads together to make things happen. Although I have been encouraged not to, officially."

Fenris makes an uncomfortable expression as he feels some more of that burning sensation from the brands. This really has gone too far. He's used to the background pain, but this is too much. But he tries hard to change his expression to something more neutral as he listens to Aveline explaining things.

"If they were too unreasonable, I wouldn't be here." Sometimes, he still does question what he's doing with this organization. He also still has to remind himself that he could leave at any time he wants. They don't own him. "Perhaps the Viscount could learn a thing or two from their leadership... but if you're fine going along with this idea of his..."

"As begrudging as I am, I accepted because it was something that was indeed needed. There are a good many men and women in the guard, but I can do more for Kirkwall in this way than I can staying Guard-Captain..." She trailed off as little warning bells went off in her mind.

She looked at him, observing the way he shifted, the slight grimaces of pain as he did so, and she knew something was wrong.

"Fenris....are you alright? Has someone hurt you?"

Edited 2018-02-05 04:05 (UTC)

Fenris nods to what she's saying... If there were anyone suited to this role, oddly, it really does seems like she'd fit. The Inquisition needs more reliable people, and now that they've shifted to Kirkwall... well, it makes a certain sense. He's glad they have her, all things considered.

"It's no cause for much alarm..." How to explain it, though? He sighs, as he works that out. At least with her he doesn't have to go through a lot of uncomfortable explanations, as she knows it all already. "There have been some... mysterious effects going around. It seems I caught some of it as well... It's just my luck."

Her brow furrowed, and she looked at him confused.

"Mysterious effects?" Her eyes flashed once she connected the dots, and she closed the gap she made earlier, but did not touch him. "Maker, Fenris are you alright? What is happening?"

She looked at him with worry etched across her face. Sickness effecting people she didn't know was disheartening, but thinking about it taking someone she cared deeply for? That was terrifying. She desperately wanted to check his temperature, but she also knew it would probably make him uncomfortable. His body was his own, and as much as she wanted to help, she would not do so without his permission.

"Can I see if you have a fever?"

"I'm fine," he says quickly to try and assure her, not wanting to worry her too much. He sighs after that. "Well, it could be worse. I've been through much worse, though this has gone on for too long..." He frowns, as he considers things. He doesn't even fully know what's going on, and not too many others have been able to offer much explanation. "It's probably best that you don't touch me right now... There's no fever, but it comes with some... odd symptoms. I'm not the only one affected, either, though it afflicts everyone in a different way. Only specific groups of individuals are being affected, as well..."

He looked far from fine. She crossed her arms, and gave him a look but didn't press farther.

"I've heard about this strange illness, but I didn't know it could effect you as well. I heard it was localized to Templars and the Inquisitions Rifters. Have you seen a healer? Do you have a save place to stay?"

She hated being useless, but in this type of situation she could offer nothing. She was no healer, and his pained face just drove home how helpless she was. She would have to get to the bottom of this and fast. She would never forgive herself if anything happened to him. She would not loose another person who was dear to her.

“It’s apparently more complicated than that… I’m in neither of those categories, but, the lyrium…” He gets a darker look when he says that word, as if it’s something terrible, a poison. It’s not as if it hasn’t been very useful, all these years. In fact, it’s saved him and his comrades on many an occasion in the midst of battle. It’s not as if he’s even truly known life without the brands. But even so… even so, it’s to blame in this case.

“This is beyond the healers, I’m afraid, though I’ve been given some ointments and salves in the meantime while they research its cause… it helps.” Not nearly as much as it ought to, but it can take the edge off. And alcohol, that too takes the edge off, when he especially needs it. Nothing quite gets rid of it, though, unfortunately.

His answer didn't really quell the worry she had, but if it was beyond healers, it was beyond her a thousand times over. She despised being useless, especially when one of her friends was in need.

"I-I'm sorry, Fenris. You looked pained. More so than I remember anyway.Can I do anything? Is there anything that could make things more comfortable for you? Please tell me you aren't staying in that run down mansion still."

She made a mental note to talk to Donnic about lightening patrols around the mansion if that were the case. She had made him Guard Captain for the time being, until she could return to them.

"I don't know what can be done at the moment, but..." He looks at her, managing to be grateful despite everything. Aveline can always be trusted, counted on. "...thank you, anyway."

Pain is something he's used to, something he can just live with and push out of mind. Usually. But this... it's different. It's constant, and it keeps changing over time, worsening in a way. He's definitely more aggravated than usual as a result, too. He shrugs.

"And what's wrong with the mansion? It'll just lay around uninhabited otherwise, after all..." But he knows, it's not the first time someone has remarked on the cobwebs. "Actually, I had to chase another magister out of there, when I returned to Kirkwall."

She looked at him, a hurt look on her face. "You chased out another magister, and you didn't think to invite me? You cut deeply, Fenris."

She crossed her arms and struggled to keep a smile from poking through.

"And, the list of things wrong with your mansion is pretty extensive from my reckoning. But, since I have some free time on my hands, if you need help making it habitable, I'd be happy to help. Bring a broom, even."

This would also give her a chance to check up on him in a few days or so. He told her twice now that there was naught to be done, so she wouldn't push, but it didn't mean she was done worrying about him. But, perhaps distractions would prove to be helpful. If he declined, she'd probably still stop by just in case. She didn't like the idea of him being alone in that giant mansion. Unless perhaps he wasn't so alone. It had been a while since they last saw each other, and Fenris was wonderful, brooding and all. Of course there were others who could see that in him as well. She let her eyebrow quirk up as she looked at him.

"Unless there is a special someone who has already helped in that department."

“I’ll be sure to send you a personal, engraved invitation next time,” he says with the usual sarcasm, though there’s no malice to it when he’s talking to someone he genuinely likes. “It was an emergency, though, at the time, and had to be dealt with swiftly. There was no time to waste. We also ended up with a rift erupting as well, and demons to fight. That was… thrilling.” He scowls about that, still uneasy that such a thing had happened. Even now, he fully avoids the area where the rift had appeared.

“What is it with everyone insisting on that sort of thing?” He at least doesn’t outright refuse, knowing he probably can’t stop her from occasionally dropping by regardless. He doesn’t mind… too much. “I’ve even had offers for new curtains if you can believe it.” He shakes his head about that thought. But, of course, after all the battling that happened, extensive repairs had been kind of essential. “But I did give in to have someone assist me with repairing the roof. Things got… very out of hand, to put it mildly. No one special, though, I’m afraid.”

Oh, how he misses Isabela, though he’s at least had another casual encounter… thing. Still, it’s not anything he wants to consider a true commitment.

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[Open] You can take the Captain out of the Gaurd....

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