faderift | (no subject)

WHO: Carlos and OPEN.
WHAT: It's the annivesary of his mother's death, and Carlos doesn't know what to do really.
WHEN: Begining of Bloomingtide
WHERE: Gallows
NOTES: Mentions of corporal punishment and child abuse and nelect

Carlos isn't really sure what he is meant to do on the anniversary of his mother's execution. Is it a day meant to be celebrated? Mourned? Ignored? He never fully processes it, even though it's been so long since it happened. All it does is bring memories of her to his mind, which makes him feel small and young all over again.

The weather seems to want to agree with him as it's rainy and unpleasant. He spends most of the day inside because of that, studying and helping with the healers where he can. But then towards the middle of the afternoon being cooped up makes him feel trapped - almost like he's that little boy living in a small closet all over again.

So he finds his way outside. And he lets the rain pour down on him. He probably looks a bit mad, letting himself get soaked, but he feels almost as if it's cleansing him. He isn't even fully aware that anyone is around to judge him.

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A blush creeps into Carlos's face. He rubs his neck in an embarrassed sort of way. "Well, I was just a kid when we first met." He had been eleven and skinny from neglect.

"Yes, it's true ... but I have seen many scarred children in my time. Most have come out more fragile, closer to breaking. You are made of sterner stuff, Carolus. Every year, you get a little stronger, and you move a little further away from your past." James gave him a quiet smile. "It's good to see."

Carlos looked at him for a moment, uncertain how to respond to that other than to be embrassed.

"Thank you," he settled on eventually, though he was still blushing.

"You are welcome. Now eat your food. I do not want to meet that half-starved boy again, or the Inquisition and I will have words about what they are feeding mages." James stated firmly, as Interceptor begged for some scraps.

Carlos chuckles and then focuses on eating. It does feel much better to have food in his stomach. After he's eaten enough, he considers James carefully.

"I like that you still do that," he says. "Look out for mages, I mean. I hear all sorts of things about how some templars have been, and it helps me feel reassured to know that there are men like you, who really are just trying to look out for people.

How do we make sure all templars are like you?"

James lets out a snort, reaching under the table to give Interceptor some scritches across his broad head.

"Trust me, Carlos, we do not want to be making Templars the way that I was made. I think I'll just help train the next generation and be done with it."

"That's a start, isn't it?" Carlos asks, though he almost has to bite his tongue to ask for more details about how James was made. James is so kind and handsome, he doesn't like to think that anything terrible had happened to him in his past. He also doesn't want to pry, even as his body itches for answers.