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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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.]

[ 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.

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.

Just because it wasn't a choice doesn't mean it is bad. Magic is the same as any other weapon—a tool, neither good or bad.

Your father sounds like a good man. I...can't say the same for mine.

That's what Father tried to teach me. I... still would have liked the option, though.

He was a good man, yes. If only everyone could be so lucky.

Because of how mages are treated in Thedas.

[ Ugh, let's not think of Uriel VII for now. ]

Yes, but... that's simply the way things are. I doubt they'll change anytime soon.

You're not in Thedas anymore.

[She allows herself a small, weak smile at that.] That's one silver lining... even so, it's still my home. I'll miss it, as long as I'm here.

I know that feeling too well. [ Tamriel. ] But Exsilium isn't so bad. [ If you don't mind war. ] There's many from your world here.

It seems... all right, so far. And yes, I noticed - I suppose that ought keep me from getting too homesick.

Whenever you feel homesick, focus on them. It's...a good way to stave off loneliness.

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