[open] With a weary heart...

[foodsofmypeople]

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

Wildcard! Whatever starter you like.

Comments

[foodsofmypeople]

[He didn't mean to make the dummy explode - it was actually rare he managed to get enough power behind his spells to make that much of a dent, but in retrospect, he supposed that it was just one fireball too many.

Like so many things in life. He watched the explosion with a dismayed glanced, then spotted just where the debris went.]

Oh, Andraste's tits, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that to happen. Are you hurt? [NOt that he could see, but you never knew.]

[amygdalae]

[It takes a moment for Bruce to register the question, mostly because he was still recovering from the blow, but once he hears it he turns towards the person who had asked him, shaking his head for the other to see.]

I--I'm alright. [Sort of, anyway. He probably has to sit down later just so the world won't keep spinning if he doesn't focus.]

[foodsofmypeople]

[Kaidan muttered under his breath. The one time a fireball actually does what it is supposed to...]

Come on, you should sit down for a moment, get your head back into place. [Shaking his head was possibly the worst thing to do.] Do you want me to get you a healer?

[Maker, this would happen to him...]

[amygdalae]

[Bruce almost shakes his head again, but this time it does sink that doing so wouldn't really help and so just raises a hand and waves it in a gesture that clearly says 'no'.]

I'm fine. Really. [Not exactly the first time he's been hit in the head.] I just need a moment.

[Or maybe several moments.]

[foodsofmypeople]

[Maybe he should just ignore him, and get him a healer anyway. But he seemed responsive enough, just where Kaidan nearly knocked him out.

Kaidan sat down beside him, pulling the water canteen he always carried off his belt and handing it to Bruce.]

Maybe try drinking some water? It might help.

[amygdalae]

[As much as Bruce kind of wants to turn down the offer, he supposes this one isn't so bad, and he doesn't want to cause any more worry with the other party.

He nods slightly and takes the canteen, opening it up and taking a mouthful of water. It helps a little, although he still probably has to sit down somewhere later just to be safe.]

[foodsofmypeople]

[Kaidan looked at him, watched him take the water, then nodded a little.]

Come on, sit down over here. [Where there was a nice wall behind them.] Are you sure you aren't injured?

[amygdalae]

[Bruce makes sure to take a good drink of water so that he doesn't worry the other person, then returns the canteen to him.]

Ah--sure. [Usually he rather wouldn't, but given circumstances and all that he can't exactly say no. Bruce goes over to settle down where the other has gestured, giving him a smile in hopeful reassurance.]

I'm alright, really. It wasn't a terrible hit.

[foodsofmypeople]

[Kaidan can act like a protective mother hen at times, and when it comes to people he hurts accidentally? Yeah, he takes it quite personally. He hates being responsible for hurting people.]

Yeah, normally my fireballs aren't that effective...

[amygdalae]

I suppose I must be pretty lucky, then.

[He doesn't mean to sound malicious, but he hopes the light joke can help ease the burden somewhat. This was all an accident and no lasting damages were done - that's the important thing.]

[foodsofmypeople]

[Luckily, Kaidan took it in the spirit that it was meant.]

Well, something like that. You didn't drop anything, did you?

[amygdalae]

I don;t think so.

[He'll check later, though, just in case.]

[foodsofmypeople]

Can I get you anything? And... what's you name?

[After all, Kaidan nearly knocked him out - it would be nice to know who he was talking to.]

[amygdalae]

I can get it myself. And it's Bruce.

[He manages a smile after saying that. Best to be polite, right? Even if he is hit on the head.]

[foodsofmypeople]

[Well. Kaidan just felt... awkward now.]

Kaidan. Nice to meet you... though I'd prefer not to have knocked you out.

[amygdalae]

It's fine, really. There are worse things than a knock on the head.

[foodsofmypeople]

Well... yeah. [He'd been stabbed enough times, after all.] But hopefully not in Skyhold.

[amygdalae]

Not in Skyhold, no.

[Except for that whole Abomination thing but... that's an exception.]

[foodsofmypeople]

[We'll ignore that whole Abomonation thing. If he were the kind to have nightmares he'd be a lot more worried about it.]

Where are you from? [That seemed to be a common question round here. So many people drawn together.]

[amygdalae]

[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.

[foodsofmypeople]

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.

[amygdalae]

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.]

[foodsofmypeople]

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.]

[amygdalae]

[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.]

[foodsofmypeople]

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.]