faderift | [open] With a weary heart...

WHO: Kaidan Alenko and you
WHAT: Kaidan is feeling old. Or weary. Or something
WHEN: The day after this takes place
WHERE: All over Skyhold
NOTES: Grumpy Wardens...

A

The view from the battlements was incredible, but did nothing to ease the turmoil in his mind. Frankly Kaidan just felt old. Fifteen years as a Warden, he knew there wouldn't be all that many more, but he was fine with that - or it would be if the incessant singing would stop. Felix's Joining had affected him more than he thought it would. Were they truly so desperate that they would take someone so close to death from the Blight? Apparently so. He just needed to do something. Find out what was going on with his brothers and sisters. Stop them from doing something so ridiculous that it would get them all killed. But instead, he was stuck here, finding out just what the Inquisition was about. They were doing good things, yes, but would it help in the long run?

Who knew?

B

He knew he shouldn't push it, but the occasional fireball that was thrown towards the training dummy? He couldn't help it. Sometimes hitting things just wasn't enough, and he just needed to blow off steam, ignoring the inevitable headache that would most likely cripple him for the rest of the day. And if the training dummy exploded... whoops?

C

Later, he was to be found in the tavern. At least for a little while, the noise and company could drown out the singing, and he could feel human again. Or as human as a Warden ever was going to. He might not be the best company, sat in a corner as he was, but there was the occasional smile there at least, and he wasn't going to turn any company away.

D

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[A brief blink of surprise from Bruce. It's a common question, yes, but Bruce doesn't really get it all that often, surprisingly. Then again he doesn't interact with people that much, so perhaps its not as surprising.]

Ferelden, originally. I've been travelling for the last several years though.

So many Fereldens here... [His questions were mostly trying to see if Bruce was reacting as he should, and no permanent damage was done. He wasn't a doctor, but he'd acted as the only person who knew basic medicine more often than not.] I suppose I should expect it, though.

Not a fan of Ferelden?

[You can say it out loud. Bruce won't judge you. Everyone is entitled to what they like and don't like.]

I don't think I've ever been here when it hasn't snowed.

[Kaidan didn't mind the snow, but Ferelden sometimes took it to extremes.]

[A small, wry smile appears on Bruce's face here.]

The winters can be rather harsh, yes.

[But its helped Bruce in a way. Kind of.]

I don't mind them as such... just some variation would be nice.

[The cold of the south was a welcome change after being in places like Antiva and Rivani, but honestly, Ferelden sometimes took it to extremes.]

Winter doesn't give much for variation, unfortunately. The other seasons are much better though - or at least I think so.

Well, hopefully I'll stick around long enough to see those. [He shouldn't, but he couldn't see a way forward for the wardens at the moment.]

[The words do confuse Bruce for a bit, since he does assume that the other is sticking around. A part of him wonders about it, but he's far too polite to pry.]

I'm sure you will. [Is what he says instead.]

[Well, enough Wardens and they might get fed up enough to actually go out and do something about the situation.]

Who knows where our paths lead?

Isn't that the reason why everyone tries to look forward to tomorrow?

[To cross that unknown and discover what's waiting for them.]

[Saying that to a Warden who is hearing the Calling, even though it's false... Yeah, it gets you a sad smile, Bruce.]

I suppose it is.

[Bruce sees the smile and of course backpedals a bit in his head - he isn't sure exactly what it is that has the other man reacting like that, but its certainly not good. Making people sad is the last thing that Bruce wants.]

But the present is just as important too. [He tries a smile here, hoping that helps somehow.] Just as many people cherish the things they have now.

[One day soon, all the news about the Wardens will come out, and everyone will know. Life will be easier then, Kaidan tells himself.

But the smile now is a little more genuine.] That is always worth remembering, and the easiest thing to forget.

Can't disagree with you there.

[It is very true, after all.]

[He just gave a small grunt.]

Are you feeling any better?

[Bruce takes a moment to mentally access himself. The talk had helped him quite a bit, and he does indeed feel better.

He gives a small nod, and then responds.] Yeah, quite a fair bit. [Tiny smile.] Thanks.

[open] With a weary heart...

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