[open] peel the scars from off my back

[onlyhymns]

WHO: Cade and you!
WHAT: Just hangin' around, livin' life, bein' weird
WHEN: Cloudreach
WHERE: The Gallows and Lowtown, mostly
NOTES: All the usual warnings that come with Cade. If you'd like a specific prompt, hit me up or just throw one in the comments.

I. Out and about in the Gallows (recommended for our new Templar friends)

Cade has not been to collect his lyrium dosage since before all the Templars were ravaged by their mysterious illness, but he still arrives every morning looking fit as a fiddle (comparatively) to start his workday with Enchanter Shivana. Being that he's a reclusive and fairly off-putting person by virtue of his... well, him-ness, Cade has never been part of any group that hasn't had its share of rumors about what he's about. But lately he's become more of a cautionary tale, a there-but-by-the-grace-of-the-Maker-go-I when he slinks by any on-duty Templar and avoids their gaze.
Despite being kicked out of the Templars, and not collecting his lyrium, he's not having withdrawals. He also works under at least one elf (two if Beleth counts), practices archery on the regular, and almost, if you squint, seems to be starting to live a normal life.
That bastard's hiding something.

II. Lowtown

Now that the weather has gotten warmer, Cade stays out later in his little hiding places where he reads or writes or just watches the sea. He can often be found in the evening with his back to a wall and his gaze beyond the people walking by, finding solitude where there's really none to be found.

Periodically someone tries to mug him and comes away disappointed, or gets a coin or two. It's an occupational hazard of living by the docks.

III. The Chantry Garden

Regardless of weather, every day at dawn Cade can be found at the newly-carved Andraste shine in the center of what remains of the forest, saying his morning prayers before he continues uptown to the Gallows. It's not nice to disturb him, but inevitably someone does on occasion.

IV. Misc!

Choose Your Own Adventure

Comments

[onlyhymns]

"I'm-- yes." Another halting reply, but he manages a small, reassuring smile this time. A soldier, but clearly not a Templar, or he'd call himself that. Small blessings.
"I've... lived in Kirkwall most of my life," he admits, "just not this part of it."

[mousquetaire]

Ah, well then. Perhaps that explains a few things. D'Artagnan nods, offering him a slightly more knowing smile.

"The nicer part, I wonder?" He suggests, thinking about the ease with which the thief had taken him unawares. No one who was used to the poorer quarters would get caught like that.

"In places like this it is wise to watch your back, Monsieur - not to mention your purse. I could accompany you, if you like? That ought to make them think again."

[onlyhymns]

"Um. The Gallows." Cade clears his throat, and seems content to leave it at that. "...I'm... I'm fine, thank you. Really." He glances around. "It's just the barracks down by the docks. It's not far." The real question is whether he didn't notice the thief, or didn't have the wherewithal to stop him.

[mousquetaire]

Well, that's more than a little surprising. D'Artagnan raises his eyebrows, caught a little short.

"That's where I'm quartered," he says. In all his wondering of where this man had come from, he hadn't imagined they might be colleagues. Still, he checks those assumptions. Not everyone in the Inquisition's company is necessarily a soldier.

Even if they've lived their most of their lives, so aren't a rifter from another world. Interesting.

"You're with the Inquisition? Perhaps I had no need to interfere."

[onlyhymns]

It's that look of surprise that seizes Cade's heart in his chest, and he feels his face going red despite his best efforts. If only this stranger had just let the mugger go, they wouldn't have to have this discussion.

"...yes," he answers, with a strangled quality to the word. Yes, and that's all anyone needs to know.

[mousquetaire]

...All right, there's absolutely more to this story than d'Artagnan is getting. Everything about Cade's words tells him that he doesn't want to talk. His face is telling a story all its own, though. He folds his arms across his chest.

"Yes, what? Yes, you're with the Inquisition, or yes, I had no need to interfere? With the man who stole from you, who you weren't stopping otherwise."

He watches Cade closely, his brow having resorted to a frown. He'll get to the bottom of this somehow.

[onlyhymns]

Oh no, and now there's that look, and he's on the spot, and Cade's mind starts to race. This is why talking to people is always a mistake!

"Yes, I'm-- I'm with the Inquisition," he stammers out, glancing away in hopes of spotting an opening, "I... I thanked you for. Interfering." He's bright red, and wants to die.

[mousquetaire]

"Which is why I'm confused," d'Artagnan says, not letting up quite yet. He doesn't know if he's reading more into the man's obvious nervousness than he should, but he knows something here is strange. Trying a different tactic, he presses his lips together.

"All right. Which Division of the Inquisition are you with?"

[onlyhymns]

This is terrible. Cade can feel himself disintegrating-- but then at least the man asks a question, and he shoots him a strange look. "Forces," he says quietly, "I'm a scribe for Myrobalan Shivana." Technically he does some Research things as well, but he's officially part of Forces and hasn't had the heart to change it.

[mousquetaire]

"You're a scribe," he says, and rolls his eyes while he smiles. He backs off a little, too.

"All right. My apologies. You know that in Forces, there are times when you might be expected to fight? Or, at least...handle yourself, in places like this."

[onlyhymns]

D'Artagnan did something kind and helpful, and for that Cade is grateful. But the pushing is getting to him, and especially now, Cade feels his hackles raise; he just wants to go home, he didn't come here to be patronized.
"I can fight," he snaps, his face reddening a little from the sudden burst, "....thank you." Rather than lean into the temper, he turns and quickly makes his way away, hoping the man won't follow him.