exsilium | ☀ 001

[The video feed clicks on, showing a pretty young lady wearing blue and silver armor. One might notice dark circles under her eyes, making her look as though she hasn't had a good night's sleep in weeks. She doesn't acknowledge the netbook right away, instead staring down at the staff in her lap, eyebrows knitted together in thought.

After a moment, she finally looks up, addressing the camera, and rolls her eyes irritably.]

No one ever wants a mage around, I've noticed, unless they think we can be useful for something. And it's always something. First darkspawn, and now I'm fighting a blighted war for some strangers.

I think I'd rather the war, though, so I'll play along. Speaking of which - there are other Grey Wardens here. Or perhaps I still have to deal with darkspawn, but I'm trying to stay optimistic. So, if I may ask who's out there... Stroud? Anyone else from Vigil's Keep?

[She moves to reach for the 'off' button, but freezes. It wouldn't hurt to introduce herself to everyone else here, instead of being such an angry jerk all the time, she realizes. SIGH, her life is so hard. B(]

Ah, and - my name is Bethany Hawke. If I didn't just make it completely obvious, I'm one of your newest "transports." [She bows her head politely.] A pleasure, I'm sure.

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I've never heard of something like that.

[But, then again, every world is different.]

That must be a frightening thing for mages to face. I'm sorry.

[have a scowl]

Wardens aren't made Tranquil, for a start.

[okay scowlytime is suspended for the good news] Fortunately, the Rite of Tranquility seems unknown here. [oops the scowl is back] Unfortunately, so is most anything you'd recognize that you might actually have liked or wanted to keep. You're only in a completely different world to ours, stranded on some benighted island whose leaders have seen fit to conscript soldiers from all over, by methods they won't or can't explain.

You fled Ferelden in the Blight. The fight against darkspawn is your fight, in that. However little you may like the Wardens, at least the work you do for them can have some personal meaning. Here, you'll be a tool of people you can neither trust nor respect, fighting a faceless enemy in someone else's war.

I'd take Warden life over this mess in half a heartbeat.

There isn't a true one, but a few of us can show you around the more important buildings inside the Hold.

I didn't want this! Any of it! Not the magic, not the darkspawn, not some stranger's war...

[She trails off uncertainly and looks away, because damn, she just got told. And now she kind of feels like an asshole, thanks. It doesn't make her feel any less bitter, though - one scolding isn't going to change how miserable her life is.

After a moment, she sighs and continues, looking a little like a guilty puppy.]

I'm sorry, I-- You don't deserve that. It's... been a long day. [a beat] A long couple of years, really.

I don't have to worry as much about the Circle now, at least, being a Warden. It's a small perk.

[She raises her eyebrows curiously.] You are a mage as well? I've not met many others, myself, so this is... different.

No darkspawn so far.

Their cheese selection is also much better than Ferelden. Less drafty, too.

It... is very frightening, yes. I'm fortunate enough to have had a good teacher, though. [A small, sad smile.] I know enough to keep them at bay, defend myself, and avoid getting caught. It could definitely be worse, at least.

I could very well come to enjoy myself here, in that case.

[Pause. Squinting. Hey, aren't you--]

King Alistair?

Ah, that does sound rather helpful. I may have to do that, then.

From what I've heard from Anders, it's more than just a perk, but a blessing.

Yes, I've been a mage almost all my life. I couldn't imagine my life without magic.

Other than the time travel being a bit like what I imagine being swallowed by a dragon is like, it could be worse.

[Squinting back, yep.]

I don't know if that applies here, really, being as there isn't any Ferelden to rule over.

Away?

Ah, even so, that is.. a relief. I would hate for him to be taken to this place, too.

Once you find your apartment and get settled, don't hesitate to ask.

I'm not sure it's worth it, with everything else my position entails, but... [A shrug. She's a lot quieter about her feelings on mages than Anders (then again, who isn't?), and while she believes that they should be free, she wonders if joining the Circle would have been so bad.

Oh well. In a different life, perhaps.]

Almost all your life...? You chose to be a mage? [That is unfathomable, to her.]

Ah, thank you, serah. That's very kind of you to offer.

I am Teijirou Takegami.

[ No comment on that, it doesn't seem proper. ]

No, I didn't choose it. I was very young. In a fit of rage, I set my...father's [ No, the farmer wasn't his father, but it's much easier (and still right) to call him 'father' ] hay bales on fire. After that, I was expected to visit a Wizard from the Mages Guild for training.

[*sobs* Nathaniel never gets any respect.]

That's not saying a lot, though. Practically anywhere's better than the Deep Roads.

I certainly wouldn't have expected time traveling to be so... unpleasant. But if that's all there is, then it can't be that bad.

A fair point, but being from Ferelden, I feel I ought to show a little respect. [a bow] An honor to meet you.

Did you?

[She gives a faint smile, just briefly.]

That's good to hear. And no matter what others might tell you, this place doesn't seem to look down on mages. At least, not among those who are new arrivals. There seem to be a lot of us here.

[It's fairly obvious from the colour chasing up his neck that he isn't used to such respect just yet, but he manages a slightly goofy smile.]

The effort is appreciated. You're a Grey Warden, then? It's an honor to meet you in turn.

Yes, away. As opposed to making us fight in different lands, this initiative...[herp derp she doesn't even understand this logic and she's been sent back in time like, three times now or something] sends us off to fight in different times.

It's all very muddled and confusing, so honestly, you should be pleased your brother is not here.

[BUT LITTLE DO THEY KNOW that he'll show up eventually or something what it's not like i can predict the future.]

[Oh isn't that just adorable. c: But she doesn't comment on it, that would be rude.]

Indeed, I am. [The frown on her face and the way she says that implies that she's not proud of that fact like he is.] One of the newer recruits.

Yeah, I'm like the ninth marshmallow in Lucky Charms. Heart, stars, horse shoes, clovers and the moon, pots of golden rainbows, and soon we'll all be doomed.

Edited 2012-07-04 05:18 (UTC)

I... I see. I suppose that was wishful thinking, on my part, to hope that someone out there had a choice.

Something rather similar happened, when I was a child - but rather than send me off to the Circle, my father taught me all that he had learned. And my family swore to keep us safe, no matter the cost.

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