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[ Fenris you smooth operator. Merrill looks less than impressed at how quickly he gives Anders up, but she understands there's not as much reason to fear here. No Templars or Grey Wardens sniffing around for a certain fluffy mage. ]

What Fenris means to say is...that spirits can't manage what it is that Cole and Chris have without becoming demons. Abominations. At least, the closest sense to their case would be an abomination, but only close.

I don't think we need to fear full possession, if what they say is true, but that isn't to say they can't use blood magic to control mages in other ways. Which isn't good, but is at least reversible. Becoming an abomination is...

[ A thought that can actually terrify Merrill if she thinks too long on it. ]

[He listens, a frown on his face that says very much how confused he is. He's used to worlds having differences, but this was completely different from everything he knew about demons and spirits. Spirits repealed demons - maybe even more so than an angel could. That's why Ratatosk was the guardian to the demonic realm.]

[And a spirit of justice? That sounded ridiculous. Justice was nothing more than a mortal term- Summon spirits didn't give two shits about mortal concepts - as far as he could tell]

Wait, you guys...hung around a guy who was possessed by a demon that claimed to be the spirit of Justice? That's what you mean by Abomination, right? [That is...] Okay, maybe I'm not from Kirkwall, but...that seems like a terrible idea. I mean, possession's not really a common thing in Tethe'alla so maybe it's different, but when it happens? The answer is usually kill them as quick as possible. [NOT TAKE THEM OUT FOR DRINKS]

[Fenris folds his arms, almost letting out a growl.]

It was not by choice. Hawke was... [romancing] attached to him, and we remained by Hawke's side. Anders was an...unfortunate irritation we could not remove from our lives no matter how much we tried to convince Hawke otherwise.

I would have gladly killed him.

[Oh and lest we forget:]

Blood magic is unforgivable. Don't listen to her on the subject.

[ And therein leads to where Fenris would also gladly kill Merrill, if she ever ends up like Anders. More likely is that she would end up worse, but that isn't going to happen. She's not as delusional as Anders when it comes to understanding spirits, in that...one can't understand them, anymore than one can understand humans or elves.

She feels she ought to say something on his behalf, though, if only because he isn't here to do so himself (and she knows just how vocal he would be right now, first against Fenris, and then in agreement, because they are all one big dysfunctional murder family). ]

Anders' situation is actually rather unusual, you see. His relationship with Justice is not what— Well, rather, spirits are very adept at striking deals. I've made a deal with a spirit. Anders, however, never would have chosen to do so in normal circumstance. He hates blood magic just like Fenris.

[ Like most people. Whatever, moving on, she listens to this every day of her life lalala~ ]

Engaging in such unwilling conflict with a spirit over possession of oneself would normally turn a mage completely into an abomination. There are many different types, but they do not really retain sense of themselves; not as we would know them. Anders does, at least some of the time, and Justice is also quite cooperative and helpful when he wishes to be. He has saved our lives.

[ FENRIS. She speaks just a touch louder. ]

And blood magic has saved our lives, as well. What makes it dangerous is those who use it, just like with any instrument. It's important to remember that. Not all spirits want the same thing.

Edited 2015-01-24 01:28 (UTC)

[As he listens to the two of them with their clashing opinions, he's starting to get that nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe- he made a mistake in seeking them out because they were both from Exsilium]

....Okay, I'll take your word for it with Anders. [Whose word? Who knows. Both explanations sound crazy] Not like he's here to worry about anyway.

[He reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose. He doesn't know enough about blood magic to really comment one way or the other about it. So maybe he should steer them BACK on the subject]

We don't know if Cole and Chris use blood magic anyway. The worlds have different rules, we know that, so who knows what rules their world play by. [He certainly hasn't noticed any blood splatters on the ship since Cole arrived] Though whatever it is, it's probably pretty powerful- Cole told me he's come back from the dead twice now.

[It was a terrible choice on his part, to be honest. Fenris scoffs lightly, largely to express his disbelief in that opinion of Anders.]

The man is a lunatic, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, no matter who he treads on along the way. He would make the deal many times over, and do not forget it. The times he has saved us is only for his own benefit, ultimately. There is no true mercy there. If Hawke were not present, do you think he would truly help you or I of his own accord?

[Always got to get the last word in when it comes to Anders.]

That does not surprise me. Demons are powerful creatures, I doubt they ever truly die. It makes slaying them difficult. Back home, they would vanish into the Fade to...regrow. [He uses the term with a sneer, it's knowledge he's gained from watching the work of the Magisters, and he's not proud to know it.] Here? I am unsure what would happen. Is death even truly possible here?

[ UGH. Yes she lets him get the last word because...because no, she isn't sure. Anders is very...devoted to his causes, and Merrill and Fenris are not his cause. He is also not theirs. Enjoy this telling insight into the fucked up inner workings of Hawke's Eleven, Kaneis.

Arms folded, she'll scuff her foot against the ground in consideration of the original topic that she'd invited herself into. Well it does affect her, doesn't it? She'll no doubt be interacting with these demons. She wants to, even, as she's curious. ]

Regrow; they're not flowers, Fenris!

[ But that is a way to put it. That is a good question, though, and she looks to Kaneis for the answer. As he was in Exsilium, they don't even need to explain why this is a perfectly acceptable question that could actually contain an answer other than 'yes'. ]

[He looks between the two of them about that exchange about Anders. Fenris's confidence about Ander's lunacy and Merrill's complete inability to argue it.]

[...Yeah. That's pretty worrying. He's just gonna hope this Anders guy never shows up and let that part of the conversation die. Especially with Merrill looking at him for the answer. Which no, no he doesn't need an explanation in the slightest about those things.]

[Somedays, he really misses those days where he wasn't someone with actual authority on resurrection. Ugh]

...Probably not. There's a girl here. Said she had died back home, but now she was alive and well again. Just like how it was with the Initiative.

You know what I mean.

[If Anders ever shows up here, Fenris would bagsie tossing him into the airlock.]

I am not surprised. There may not be as many dangers here, but if it as they say, if others are watching us, then they would not wish to see their.. investments perish.

If that's true, then there's even less point in confronting the demons. You might not be able to kill them, Fenris.

[ Does that burn? It must burn. Kaneis has some water. ]

[He is disturbed by the implication of investment, even if it's accurate. But Merrill's words make him raise an eyebrow at her]

[Guuuurl.]

Even if we can't kill them, I don't think it's a good idea to sit by and hope they aren't lying when they say they're nice. We just...need another way to take care of them if they do act up.

[Since hell yeah he's not picking a fight with the forces of hell if he can evade it]

[That was completely and utterly called for, Merrill. Fenris gives her a LOOK, before turning to Kaneis.]

Precisely. We need a plan, if nothing else.

I never said we should sit by and hope! I said there's no point in confronting them.

[ Dumb boys thinking she is also dumb. Scrunchface! ]

I'm not certain how you expect to come up with a plan when you know so little about them. You were just standing here wondering about their blood rituals and mating! You don't even know how their magic works. We can't combat what we don't know.

They seemed very eager to share information. I'll bet one of them would talk to me about how demons use magic in their realm.

[Hey he's never sure with you cheerful friendly types. Always trying to assume the better in people ew]

I guess you have a point. We don't know...

[He is also...unsure about this idea here]

But I dunno...do you really think they'll tell you much? They might just get suspicious. [And manipulate you. And eat your face. Who knows in which order]

No.

It is too great a risk. I do not want to have to face the necessity of killing you because they've possessed or otherwise manipulated you. [Not that he cares or anything.] Just because they are willing to talk does not mean they will not turn on you. As Kaneis says, they could get suspicious, and you are vulnerable to them.

[ Merrill has an argument ready on the tip of her tongue (she expected that), but she's actually stricken silent in mild surprise by Fenris. Not that he'd kill her, but he doesn't want to face the necessity. She really had thought he'd be as eager to toss her into an airlock as Anders.

Clearing her throat, Merrill looks down, smiling to herself despite the topic. ]

But they already know it's something I'm interested in. I don't think they'd be suspicious, as I am genuinely curious! What if I promise not to make a deal?

[Why is she smiling in a talk about possession and not wanting to need to kill her if it happens? Like that's an actual surprising sentiment to have?? Kaneis does not understand any of this. Why are elves so weird??]

[But he can't deny they kind of need that info. So there's a long pause before he gives a sigh]

I guess I do need that info, so.....fine. No deals, no pacts, no bargains - and no meeting them in a place where you're alone with them. Okay?

[AND IF THEY ASK YOU TO CYBER, YOU GO AND FIND AN ADULT YOUNG LADY]

[Because these elves are fundamentally broken, Kaneis, that's why. Fenris frowns, seemingly having his own personal conflict. He's learned to give a shit about Merrill, thanks largely to the whole Initiative mess, but he's not sure if he trusts her. And this is a big thing.]

Take Varric with you. [For safety, and because Varric...well, he's a people person. If anyone can weedle their way in with those people, convince them to give something up to Merrill, well, it's Varric.

Plus he, y'know, trusts Varric.]

[ Merrill has no intention to keep Varric around like some kind of chaperone, but she's not against him being there, either. Deciding not to say anything out loud yea or nay, she just nods with a smile. ]

He might have some interesting tales about Chris!

[yes good. Bring the dwarf. Not that he knows much about the dwarf, but it seems preferable than bring Kaneis along]

Huh? Why would he have interesting tales about Chris?

[Perhaps if they were talking about anyone other than Varric, that would have sent alarm bells ringing in Fenris's head. As is, he heaves out a weary, albeit affectionate sigh.]

Because Varric has interesting tales about everyone.

[ Merrill nods along to this. It's just fact! Varric's stories, on the other hand... ]

He probably already has a story about Cole and Fenris, too, because of how we met. Does that mean I'll feature in it, I wonder? It will probably have a different ending. Certainly a battle. If Fenris keeps at it, it will be a saga!

[ Insert: Merrill's impression of Varric, which involves of course the most gravelly, grungy, cocksure tone she can fudge. Wild arm gestures included! ]

"—and that was when the demon took hold of Fenris, not realizing just what the impact could mean. We couldn't stop him in time! BAM!" [ Merrill claps. ] "—and suddenly the Fade sounded like a picnic day compared to the pile of shit we were in. That was when the lights went out."

Edited 2015-01-27 02:01 (UTC)

Oh, right. [That is the guy who writes tons of stories. He snorts a little at the impression. Even if he only knows Varric a little, it's amusing.]

Did you just...kill Fenris off?

[That is a Maker-awful attempt at Varric, but yeah, wait.]

...And that's you off my Wintersend list.

[It's funny because she's never been on his Wintersend list.]

[ Merrill snickers a bit as she straightens up, hands linking behind her back. ]

I'm not sure who would have been killed off. I can finish that story once I get some more information from them!

Do they eat food, I wonder? Should I bring them food? It's much easier to make friends when eating.