exsilium | ａｕｄｉｏ + ａｃｔｉｏｎ.

[ she begins without preamble, speaking clearly and surely. ]

I have things to trade in the cafeteria. There's hams and cheeses, doughnuts, and juices. Socks too, and wet wipes, toys and jewelry. I've got books too for those who want them and markers in lots of colors. There's a lot more too. I'll be here all day or until it's all gone.

[ she took over a section of the cafeteria for her use. her direwolf lies beside her, guarding both her and the cart.

her wheeled cart ( commandeered from the clinic ) is full of items: the top has a tray of finger food from the promised cold hams and cheeses to oysters and shrimp packed in ice with sauces alongside, even cooked mini pizzas. below are assorted vending machine goods in their wrappers, sacks of ground coffee and hot chocolate, and a dozen fresh doughnuts. she has a pitcher of lemonade and a half-gallon of fruit punch.

in the drawers are assorted items such as wipes, hand sanitizers, socks and scarves, toys including a stuffed bear that moves and talks when you press its stomach, a few books and papers and markers.

hidden inside a bag at the girl's feet are a few cartons of cigarettes and small bottles of whiskey and wine for those who can pay a little extra. ]

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As you wish.

[There's a considerate pause] Perhaps you would wish to know the tale of the ancient Fog Warriors?

[ she leans forward. ]

What did they do?

They longed to be free from the rule they were raised into. They found themselves a jungle, and became freedom fighters. They bowed to no one, and lived by their strength.

Someone did not like that. [ she's guessing. ]

I doubt the rest of the qunari were enamoured, but they were largely left alone. Until a slaver ended up amongst them, getting into a great battle with them.

How did the slaver find them?

He had lost one of his slaves amongst the people. The slave lived there for months, learning their ways and the value of freedom. However, the master had magic, and means to track his slave. And so, by finding his slave, he found them.

[ she remembers some of what he had told her the day they met. ]

Was that you? Your former master?

[He falls silent for a moment, before his head dips slightly. Perhaps from shame, perhaps from sadness, perhaps a little of both]

Yes. It was.

You don't have to finish it if you don't want.

It is up to you. The tale happened a long time ago for me, the telling hurts less with each time.

I'd like to hear it. [ one new thing to learn. ]

[Fenris watches her a moment, before exhaling and continuing]

The Fog Warriors refused to let my master take me. They were decent, and noble, and believed in my right to be free. Unable to fight them himself, my master ordered me to kill them.

...So I did.

[ her jaw drops open. ]

What?! But--why?

[His eyes drop to the floor. This has always been a great shame for him, and it is never less so each time he thinks about it]

I was still used to following his orders. In the face of an opportunity to stand against him, I did not. Instead, I followed out his orders, then ran like a coward.

You--ran. [ she wants to be angry, but she's still too stunned. ] Are you still running?

I ran. For a very long time. Eventually, though, I had to stop, and face the tiger. My Master is dead now, not that it will ever make right what happened to the Fog Warriors. I have made myself unworthy to find any others such as themselves.

[There's a long pause] I do not think one ever truly stops running.

You stop running when you turn to fight.

[ anger coils tight. ]

You should have killed your master. You do not hurt those who do no ill.

I am aware of my cowardice. It took me far longer than that to truly remove the mentality of being a slave. It is a poor excuse, but the only one I have.

[He doubts he'll ever be really free of it. Why else hang on the every word of Hawke? Making his own decisions is forever difficult]

[ out of all the confessed killers she has known, he is the first to express remorse. he punishes himself. maybe he did only do it because of his condition as a slave.

and he did tell her a story which was the price she demanded. ]

Here. [ she palms a little bottle of whiskey for him. ] Take it.

[He blinks, surprised at the offering]

What do you want in exchange for it?

I already got my payment. [ his story. ] Go on. I don't think many will be pleased with me having these.

[He gives the briefest of smiles, inclining his head a little, taking the bottle carefully]

Then I thank you. This is very generous.

Don't finish it in a swallow. [ she knows how quick men like to get in their cups. ]

I wasn't planning to. A wine needs to be savoured, it's a rare treat.

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