[OPEN] I can't get by pretending it's okay

[amygdalae]

WHO: Bruce Banner and Anybody Else
WHAT: Everything Is Fine And Nothing Is Wrong: a premier by Bruce
WHEN: Haring 16 onwards
WHERE: All over Skyhold
NOTES: Mostly open post through the rest of December - prompts and such are under the cut. I'm starting in brackets, but feel free to switch to prose and I will follow accordingly! Also warning for angst and Bruce being Bruce.

one. making the rounds. (courtyards, most of skyhold)

[Almost one week later, Bruce still can't quite shake off the entire incident from his mind. Or rather, he can't shake off the image of the dead mage in his head when he finally made it out of the garden, the poor soul gone for good after what Adelaide and the others had done.

He couldn't blame them, of course - they were only doing what was necessary, what was right - but all the same it still reminded Bruce of the reality of what he was and how people would perceive him if they ever knew the truth. The moment they knew... nothing would ever be quite the same, that he was certain of.

He tries not to dwell on it too much, but it continues to haunt him through the day as he does his daily rounds. Having denied himself the use of his magic save for that one time with Cole, Bruce is still healing from the injuries he suffered from the abomination. There're bandages around his head and arms and chest (although the last is hidden underneath his clothing) but Bruce doesn't let those get in his way, just as he doesn't let the occasional throb or ache of pain from his still healing ribs stop him from doing his work. Some of his more familiar patients do ask him about it, but Bruce is quick to brush them off and turn the attention back to themselves. They are all far more important than he will ever be, after all.]

two. fixing the garden. (the garden)

[With how things had been that night the abomination had more or less left a good part of the garden damaged. That, of course, included the herbs that had been growing, which was most likely going to cause some issues in the near future.

Still, at least its not like they're gone forever. Bruce drops by the garden whenever he can, helping to get the earth ready once more so that a new batch of herbs can be planted with the hope that they'll grow properly and without interruption this time around. It hard labor, yes, but at least the work helps Bruce to temporarily keep his mind off the more dangerous lines of thoughts that he knows he shouldn't dwell on. How long that works, though, is another thing entirely.]

three. midnight wanderings. (battlements and library)

[The thoughts never leave him, not really, and Bruce knows full well that he's going to have to deal with a good while of not being able to sleep properly. Sleepless nights are practically an old friend to him now.

That doesn't mean he will let himself waste his time - since he is awake he might as well make full use of what he has. On some nights he can be found on the battlements, brewing potions up there in the quiet that's only broken by the footsteps of the night patrol. On other nights he might in the library instead, perusing several books and if one manages to catch him at the right time, will see that it pertains to abominations and other such things related to them.]

wildcard.

[Feel free to throw in your own prompt or PM/contact me to plot out stuff!]

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

"I'm fairly well-traveled, personally. But I can't say I truly know how to pacify people who are afraid of mages. ...I can't say I truly understand." He didn't care about their fears. They didn't deserve to dwell in fear when that very dwelling lead to mages losing their lives. So be it if they don't want their burns healed or bones fixed, but they shouldn't enjoy the luxury of imprisoning others for that. It made him angry, but that was something he needed to keep careful control over.

He sighed to try to relieve some of that presure, reaching up to push a piece of his hair out of his face. It was getting longer again. He'd need to cut it, or risk pulling it back, soon.

"Once I'm official, I'll look into it. My lack of patience for that group will likely not go over well with them, and I've rarely had opportunity to see a surgeon work. Thank you." Anders held out a hand.

[amygdalae]

"People are always afraid of what they can't understand." And magic by nature had always been a mysterious, unknowable thing. No matter how much people studied them, researched into them and used them, there was always going to be something new that nobody had ever expected. Its not so hard to see why people would be so afraid of it, especially the ones who never experienced it for themselves.

But enough about that. Bruce nodded again to Detlef's words, managing a small smile at his thanks. "Don't mention it. Thank you for wanting to help out the people here." He reached out and grasped the man's hand in his and shook his hand, still smiling. "I truly appreciate it."

[justice_is_blond]

They are. It's a response that's healthy in, say, preyed upon animals like Halla, but humanity needs to outgrow it. All it does is hold people back. More exposure to mages could fix it, but people had to be willing to be exposed. Until that happens, fear will prevail, as will persecution.

They can work on that, here. Mages can mingle and the fearful who choose to leave behind ignorance can at last realize mages are people too. He will work on that. And Bruce is a good first connection to make, there. ...As well as a good person to meet. Not everything and everyone has to be defined in terms of what they can help accomplish.

"I appreciate what you're doing as well." Not villainizing mages, working as a go-between, all of it. Anders gave him a nod once the handshake was done.

"I'll see you around; I'm off to see what I can find out about a corner to lay my head in the future, preferably with some sort of cover overhead."

[amygdalae]

Bruce gives another nod in response to Detlef's words, drawing his hand back once their handshake was done. "I just hope I'm able to help out. I know a lot of mages here who aren't having an easy time." It wasn't much, perhaps, but it was the best he could do in these times.

That aside, he supposes he shouldn't keep the other occupied and so inclines his head in understanding. "I'll see you around, then. Hopefully with a proper place for you to rest." And of course, if the other intended to stick around. Bruce would understand if he didn't want to, but any kind of extra help would be appreciated.