(no subject)

[hearher]

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.

Comments

Anders

[hearher]

If he's honest, he should have done this a while ago. Right after his conversation with James, in fact, but there had been such a weird and intense level of fear and shame that he had put it off. And then the mages had gone on strike and he and Mal had been busy doing other errands.

Now though, he realizes he needs to confront this fear, and face the shame that comes with it. Whatever else he has done, Anders is a person and he deserves to be treated as one.

So Carlos finds himself seeking out Anders one afternoon when things seem mostly quiet. When he finds Anders he seems anxious and pale - almost like he feels sick to his stomach. "Uh, Anders, ser? Do-do you think I could have a moment of your time?"

[aceso]

It's several hours past lunch and Christine doesn't relish being outside in this rain, but she had to deliver more cleansing runes to the armory. There'd been no point in delaying, and now she takes long strides back towards the tower with her hood held firmly in place between her fingers. Seeing Carlos out here isn't so much a surprise, but it's the fact that he's standing still in it that worries her. Surely he could be waiting for someone inside? Why isn't he hurrying about his business like the rest of them?

"Carlos! You are soaked through! Whatever possessed you to stand out here like this?" Not waiting for an answer, she beckons to him to come with her up the stairs. "We must get inside and get you some dry clothes."

[unshadowing]

Carver almost doesn't recognize him at first, given that he just initially sees some rain-soaked kid standing out in the middle of a downpour. But a second glance has him pausing and reassessing. Then it kicks in.

"You're going to get yourself damn sick doing that."

Around Lunch

[judgemewhole]

There is a plate that suddenly appears at Carlos's elbow, like magic, around lunchtime. It is perched on a stack of books, and in front of him is placed a warm mug of tea. Across from him, James drops down into a seat with his own mug of tea.

Under the table, there is the snuffling of a mabari, who is looking for pets.

James doesn't look at Carlos, just comments to the ceiling, "We thought you might forget to eat today."

[mal_adjusted]

The day starts with Mal gone, but on Carlos's dresser is one of the sweet rolls that he likes, and a cup of warm green tea.

Mid-day, when Carlos is off doing something, he'll return to a sketch of himself playing with the Inquisition's dogs, a laugh in his eyes and on his face.

Then with the rain, when Carlos finds himself outside once more, a tarp floats over to keep the rain off his head. Off on the side, Mal leans against the doorway, her green eyes distant and a mock scowl on her face.

"Hey! Moron! Aren't you a healer? Shouldn't you know standing out in the freezing rain is going to give you a damned chill?"