Open Catch-All | If my life is for rent and I don't learn to buy

[keenly]

WHO: Colin & you
WHAT: Catch-all for March/Drakonis
WHEN: Entire month
WHERE: Kirkwall, Val Royeaux
NOTES: Content warnings, OOC notes, links to other relevant posts, etc.

Sidony and Alexandrie

Since the Veil tore in this tower, Colin has had his hands full with melancholia patients. Some just need a little care and nurturing; others require alcohol infused with senna and any number of herbal teas for anxiety. He is in the process of stuffing leaves into a bottle when the door opens. He does not look up.

"Can I help you?" he asks distractedly, coming out of the haze of thought he always falls into when performing menial tasks.

Anders

There's a knock on Anders' door, and it is followed by Colin's muted smile as he holds up a bottle of wine.

"I'm, um. It's stupid, but I'm moving out. Officially. Just got permission this morning. Celebratory drink, for another mage getting out of the Gallows?"

Bartimaeus

To say it's a shock to see Bartimaeus casually in the hallway would be both correct and misleading, as if he would merely freeze in place instead of swearing and starting backwards, dropping everything he was holding. Also, he's not near any doors, which is. Fun. But it has occurred to him that this may simply be a weird rifter and not a demon, especially given the shard on his hand. Doesn't make him want to be in this hallway, but it does make him look embarrassed at his alarm as he gives a sheepish wave.

"Sorry," he says even though it was his own crap he dropped, which he stoops to pick up. "Hello, um. Again. How are you?"

Because their last encounter totally ended well.

Wildcard

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

That seems... overly easy. Anders studies Colin for a moment before slowly nodding. Maybe he shouldn't scrutinize a gift too closely and risk pushing the young man away.

"I'm glad. Think of a few of them, people you'd like to have remembered, and write down what details you have. We'll flesh out the stories and make sure you're safe."

[keenly]

“Thank you.” A somewhat empty smile. “I know you mean it. I’m sorry if I’m...seeming like I don’t trust you. It’s the world I don’t trust.”

[justice_is_blond]

The hair on the back of Anders' neck stands up. No, something is very wrong here.

"Colin. Talk to me." His voice is firm. That's the look of someone ready to give up and Anders is not about to permit that. "If this is too much, then we can find other mages. There are countless ones who have been lost over the years."

[keenly]

“It’s not too much,” Colin laughs. “It would be good to give them the little justice I can. They won’t get it anywhere else.”

[justice_is_blond]

The laughter is a lie and Anders doesn't know how to move past it. He can't. Not if Colin won't let him. There's no barging through this wall, only getting it lowered and he doesn't know the key to that right now.

"I'm here," he finally says, gaze on Colin's. "Know that. I'm here for you."

[keenly]

Now Colin looks puzzled.

“I really am fine.” This is what calm looks like. Don’t people want him to be calm? “What’s wrong?”

[justice_is_blond]

Your eyes are empty, he thinks but doesn't say. You smile like one who has given up and thinks he can fool others, and can, if they've never been there themselves. If they've never lost people to it before.

Not a single word of that would help.

"I worry." It's true, and hopefully it won't push Colin away. "Now, more than ever. With the elections looming and Nate not here I see reason to worry everywhere, maybe even where it's not warranted." Colin is not his child, but he cares for him as if he was. He fears for him as if he was.

[keenly]

He knows. Anders knows.

Something of Colin comes back to his eyes, and it is a bright, raw terror. Not of Anders, but of himself. He sees what he might do to himself and desperately, madly craves someone to save him. All it would take is a few words. Tell Anders he should be worried, he should do something because Colin is trapped with no voice. His lips part, he wants to tell him about this half-formed plan. He should tell him what he bought and hid, hoping he would forget where it is (he hasn’t). He should tell him what he means by I don’t want to die.

“I’m fine,” he croaks.

[justice_is_blond]

He's not. But what can Anders do? Keep watch, be around, hope that Colin comes to him, and that's it, really. It's a wonder Anders' hands aren't shaking as he sits here with Colin.

"You know how to find me if something isn't fine," he finally says. "If matters ever change." A beat, then he tries to lighten the mood. "Obviously, as you've come over. But my door is always open to you."

[keenly]

After a frozen moment, Colin softens, leaning down to touch his head gently to Anders’ shoulder.

[justice_is_blond]

He rests a hand just as gently on the young man's shoulder. It's entirely in Colin's hands now, though he already knows that he'll be spending a portion of this evening in prayer to a deity he doesn't think gives a care. Anything is worth a try, at this point.

"Will you need help with the move?" His voice is gentle as he seeks a topic that could bring Colin back some hope. That Colin won't be living alone is especially good, considering.