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[thewhitepawn]

[The unpleasant whispers have been nursing his worry all afternoon. They had been quiet enough at first; relatively easy to put aside while he worked but now, in the quiet of his apartment, the vicious words and the shadows that danced just outside of his immediate vision were starting to wear on him. When he reaches for the tablet and flicks on the video function, it's with a degree of unease.]

Seems like others see them too, then.

[His manner is guarded, face set in an unhappy, worried expression. He eyes the tablet, skimming through what he can, swallowing lightly. To be strong one must put their faith in the Light, and he reaffirms this with a pale shimmering aura about himself before saying anything else. The shield will help protect him, of that he's certain, but the unease continues to grow.]

Tell me, does anyone have any idea where they've come from? Are they only affecting us around here or ...can those outside of the city itself see them - hear as well?

[He gently presses the button that sends it to audio. The whispers have begun again and he would rather not lose his careful composure. Meditating doesn't seem like the correct path, not right at this moment. Still, he hesitates for a moment, and one might hear the slight inhalation before he simply says-]

Please be safe, everyone.

Comments

video;

[obliterating]

Anduin? What's going on?

video;

[thewhitepawn]

Thassarian.

[Are you a sight for sore eyes. Anduin leans forward, studying him.]

Shadows. Some sort of ...it's difficult to describe, but they seem malevolent even if they have yet to harm - from what I know at least.

[The things they whisper harm well enough in and of itself, but he doesn't say as much.]

video;

[obliterating]

Hmm.

[His expression is grim for a moment. Shadows? What could be the cause?]

I haven't seen any, myself, but that doesn't mean they're not out here. Even still, if there's something going on in the city, might be best if you came out here for a few days.

video;

[thewhitepawn]

...I'm inclined to agree, if you do not mind. There is ...something about the whispers, Thassarian.

video;

[obliterating]

What about them?

video;

[thewhitepawn]

[His eyes dart away for a moment as if listening. Thassarian might notice the faint wince before his eyes settle on his friend once more.]

They say things. Cruel, hissing whispers.

video;

[obliterating]

Try to ignore them as best you can.

Tell Med'an, too, I want you both out here where I can keep an eye on you until we figure this out.

video;

[thewhitepawn]

I am. Meditation has helped, somewhat.

We'll be on our way as quickly as possible, then.

video;

[obliterating]

Send me a message if you need me to come out and meet you. Pack yourselves some food and water, too.

video;

[thewhitepawn]

I think we can make it, but I'll let you know if anything changes.

[A quick grin and a faint salute.]

Count on us to be careful.

[breakin_ur_lore]

...did you notice that they have faces?

[thewhitepawn]

...I did.

[breakin_ur_lore]

Well, at least that makes me not the only one. [This is not actually a good consolation prize.]

I tried...I tried consecrating the room, but it didn't do much.

[thewhitepawn]

My shields only work for short amounts of time, but it keeps them at bay. They creep in the corners of my sight more than in the open, it seems like.

[breakin_ur_lore]

It's not the apartment, is it? It wasn't like this before...and nothing's changed about it since we moved in, really. Unless we brought something haunted in by mistake.

audio;

[biwinning]

What are you even talking about?

audio;

[thewhitepawn]

Strange shadows that I keep seeing, that it seems some others have seen as well. They whisper things - but I'm not sure of where they've come from.

[A curious pause.]

You've seen nothing of them?

audio;

[biwinning]

Nope. What do they say?

audio;

[thewhitepawn]

Cruel things, mostly. Little hissed whispers.

audio;

[biwinning]

...

No. Haven't heard it.

audio;

[thewhitepawn]

I'm glad for that.

audio;

[biwinning]

I hear that kind of shit already, tho I'm probably immune or something.

audio;

[thewhitepawn]

Do you hear them often? Did they start upon arrival here or from ...your home?

audio;

[biwinning]

I've always heard them, since I wath hatched.

video 4eva;

[yourdistraction]

I haven't heard useful information from anybody yet, and whenever I try to communicate with them I'm unsuccessful. They aren't saying very nice things, though.

I think it's an interesting idea to check outside of the city.

video 4eva;

[thewhitepawn]

I receive no response from them either, though I'm glad to hear someone else has made an attempt at communicating with them. What they are saying is... quite unpleasant, yes.

I will let you know if you wish, should anyone from outside of the city reply with a confirmation or denial.

[yourdistraction]

Unpleasant, but I haven't seen any violence yet, so I don't want to act too rashly.

Oh, that's very kind of you! Should I give you my name? I suppose I should! It's Merrill, by the way.

[thewhitepawn]

Same. Attempts at exorcizing them haven't worked though, I'm afraid.

[He tips his head forward politely.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Merril. My name is Anduin.

[yourdistraction]

Yes! You as well! In a manner of speaking, I suppose it's meeting.

Exorcising? You mean trying to send them back to their homes?

[thewhitepawn]

Perhaps not the best way to meet but this device works rather well, doesn't it?

Yes, though there has been no change. They simply ...don't respond like most undead or shade creatures I'm used to.

[yourdistraction]

It sounds like you're used to dealing with similar creatures as me, but I'm not finding any luck, either. Maybe they'll go away on their own.

[thewhitepawn]

I certainly hope so. Or we'll find some way to deal with them.

[yourdistraction]

How is it that you normally communicate with such beings? Is it all right to ask that? You don't have to answer!

[thewhitepawn]

It's alright, there's no harm in a question like that.

[A small smile, shaking his head.]

Some spirits - shades, spectres, and the like - they can talk. Sometimes it manifests more as an emotion they feel so keenly that you're able to feel it yourself. But these ...they don't seem like that. I'm not sure where they come from.

[yourdistraction]

[ That sounds...incredibly simple, his world must be nice. She decides to keep her own attempts at blood magic to communicate with them hush-hush, just in case. ]

They aren't like any I've seen in my world, either. Surely someone must know something.

[thewhitepawn]

That's what I'm hoping as well, miss Merrill.

[yourdistraction]

Oh, just Merrill, really that's fine.

[thewhitepawn]

Just Merrill, then. Sometimes I'm not sure how courtly manners really apply in a place like this. It can make things a bit awkward.

[yourdistraction]

Courtly? You live at a court? Oooh, you don't happen to be an exiled prince too? That would be quite a coincidence! What about a king? Oh, but a lot of type of people live at a court, right? I wouldn't even know.

[thewhitepawn]

Prince - though not exiled unless you count arriving here some months back. This place certainly seems to have its fair share of everyone and everything imaginable though.

[His grin softens.]

The only other I knew was my father - but he was returned home a couple of months back and I've heard nothing in regards to him since. As for court it's...

[A pause, trying to find the correct wording.]

You can find any sorts at a court - nobility, religious clergy, courtiers and soldiers. I liked the adventurers and mercenaries most of all, as far as speaking to people, at least.

[yourdistraction]

I'm sorry, you must miss him very much, Anduin. Or is it Your Majesty? I always forget.

What counts as an adventurer, do you think?

[thewhitepawn]

Just Anduin, please. Titles really don't matter here.

[He takes the time to think on that question, frowning thoughtfully before replying.]

It's a broad question with equally broad choices to answer with, I think. It could be anyone who goes out into the world, be it to explore or hunt for glory or treasure, and anything that can fall between. Exploring, learning ...it's fascinating.

[yourdistraction]

Oh, well if learning counts, then that means I count! But I'm not really an adventurer, not like Isabela or Hawke. If they were here, you'd get quite some interesting stories! Oh, but Varric tells the best stories.

Do you like adventuring?