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(no subject)

Who: Anders
Broadcast: Video, fleetwide
Action: The Marsiva, if at all
When: Today

[The video turns on to see a bunch of fabric. A keen eye might notice it looks kind've like a skirt. A knowing eye would recognize it as mage's robes. The man holding the communicator isn't paying it any attention beyond having picked it up, he's too busy making kissing noises as he searches the too empty ship.]

Pounce! Ser-Pounce-a-lot! Here, kitty!

[The tone of voice he was using was higher and probably sounded a little ridiculous.]

Please don't have gotten into any trouble...

[But there was definite concern in his tone as the man searched for his missing kitten.
At least until his step staggers and then stops and there's a catch in his breathing that could nearly be called a gasp.]

Well...would you look at that...

[Not that anyone could with the screen still faced away, but Anders had no thought for the device or much of anything aside from his kitten and the large window displaying the vast emptiness of space before him.]

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[Hers was not a face he expected, but seeing her brought a smile to his face brighter and more honest than any he'd given so far.]

Ah! A familiar face, at last. With my luck, it would have been the dwarf or Velanna, but you are a welcome sight, Commander. Or, perhaps instead, Your Majesty.

[He offers as best a bow as he can offer over the communicator, but any effect it might have had was ruined by the teasing in his tone.

[A momentary panic crossed over her face. Her bring queen is something she's kept to herself with the exception of three people. So how...?

But then it registers that he also called her commander. And he knew her. And her confusion turns into a feeling best ascribed as "oh boy".]

...well then. Uh, Anders. Did you meet me in Thedas? Yes, a stupid sounding question but not as stupid as you might think.

[It feels a bit like someone took a chisel and started working at his insides slowly. Bit by bit, second by second, a small piece was chipped away threatening to hollow him out.

He didn't let it show. She hadn't specifically said she didn't know him...just implied it.]

Yeah, you know...rah Grey Wardens rah, darkspawn, The Architect, nightmare fuel for the rest of our lives? I could go on, but kind of hoping I don't have to.

[Oh this is SO awkward being on this end of it.]

...did I meet you in Amaranthine? The last thing I remember before being brought here is nearing Vigil's Keep. People who are brought to this fleet can come from different points in time. I'm... afraid I haven't met you yet. In Thedas. But this isn't the first time I've talked to you. Or... an Anders I should say.

[Those tiny chips turn into the whole damned thing and he feels like someone sucker-punched him in the gut. His best friend, probably the only one he'd ever had aside from Karl, and she didn't remember him. Didn't that just figure? She quite literally turned his life around and changed everything for him and she hadn't even been through it yet.

Life certainly could be cruel.

His smile wavers but doesn't fall.]

Vigil's Keep, yes. Don't worry, I won't spoil the ending for you, if you'd rather not know. I admit, hearing about this 'other Anders' is a little...worrisome. Was he as devastatingly handsome and charming as me? I can only imagine.

[SHE'S SORRY, ANDERS. Maker, it really sucks being on this end of it. Her brow creases in guilt, but she says nothing about it. Nothing she'd say would make it easier or better. She's been on his end of it; she knows.]

As long as I - and I guess everyone else - survive, I'd be pretty happy. Though I am a little curious.

I only talked to him a handful of times, but so far I'd say yes. He bought me a drink when I first came here a few months ago.

Well, seems he didn't start off too badly.

[He brings his hands together as though he's apologizing, but the smirk on his face says otherwise.]

Alright, I'll tell you: A Howe, a drunken dwarf, a talented mage and a lovely Warden-Commander walk into a darkspawn-infested bar. They say 'barkeep, I'd like your best bottle of blight' and toss it back. Fighting ensues, black blood gets all over their nice armor and robes and they win. Everyone leaves happy, the end. Oh, and also there's a kitten and the lovely Warden-Commander gives it to the talented mage as a gift, that's the most important part.

[She listens quietly, her expressions shifting between amusement, surprise and... displeasure. The latter because:]

A Howe? [What in Thedas compelled her to take a Howe in as a Grey Warden? Her disgust is evident in her tone.] I let a Howe serve under me?

[Will wonders never cease?]

And I gave you a kitten?

You did! His name is Ser-Pounce-A-Lot. He's a very good Gray Warden Kitten, takes swipes at Darkspawn and everything.

[He's clearly very proud of this fact.

As for the Howe, he seems more amused than anything, but it's not without sympathy. He'd been there during their conversations about the history between the Couslands and the Howes, he can only imagine how confusing the news must be out of context.]

As for Nathaniel...well, he really isn't so bad. I think that's why, because he wasn't like his father and you felt he could step out of that shadow and redeem himself. That's my impression, anyway.

I won't say he isn't a pain sometimes, but he does end up being a good friend and loyal follower.

A Grey Warden kitty. And a knighted one at that. Amaranthine sounds like it's going to be quite the party.

[It still seems unreal to her. Anders being a Grey Warden under her command, and Oghren too if she assumed correctly. And a Howe.]

Nathaniel. I recognize the name but I may have only met him in passing. But - I willingly recruited him? That seems bizarre. And a friend...

[Had she let go of her anger by then? It still simmers under her skin, and if faced with the possibility of bringing a Howe into her ranks, she couldn't imagine she would do it.]

Next you'll tell me we found a nest of griffons and made friends with the darkspawn.

Oh you could certainly call it that.

[Broodmothers were not a party. The Mother was not a party, it was pure nightmare fuel he'd have in his head for the rest of his life.

But he cared about her and that meant that part could wait. No warning from him would be good enough anyway.

But speaking of The Mother and making friends with Darkspawn...]

Welll...not a nest of Griffons, no. Now that would have been something.

[Why did he specifically deny that part and not the other?

...

Oh, Maker.]

...and the making friends with darkspawn would have been hilarious, too, right? Because I was completely joking about that as well. [NERVOUS CHUCKLE.]

[He looks away, a nervous laugh of his own coming out.]

Ah, yes, well...you see, it's...not quite that we made friends. Not really friends at all, in fact, but...it's- well, it's complicated.

What would you say if I told you we met a talking Darkspawn?

[.....

Dead. Pan. Look.]

I'd say you're likely out of your mind.

[But somehow she doubts he is. Fucking Maker, what can of worms has she just opened?]

[He can't help but laugh at that one.]

Yes, I'd expect you would say that and I wouldn't be able to blame you for it.

How about I simply leave that one for you to find out? I don't think you'd be able to believe it all if I told you anyway, I barely believed it while living it.

That's a sentiment I understand. I will await my return there with bated albeit very confused breath.

[A beat. She looks away.]

I truly am sorry I do not know you as I should. Believe me, I know what it's like. Never thought I'd ever be on this end of it.

[He gives her a kind smile, he still feels that hurt, but it's lessened. She's still Riona, still his Warden-Commander, even if she didn't remember just how much she'd affected him.

Just the fact she was here was better than he could have asked for. He could have been alone, instead.]

It hurts, I'll admit it. But it's hardly your fault. I still remember what we went through and you'll have the 'joy' of going through it yourself, so really it's not all that bad, is it?

Yes, me bumming with a Howe and making good with a talking darkspawn. I can't wait.

[what is her life]

At least console me in saying that the armor that was commissioned for me doesn't look as ridiculous on me as I suspect it does.

[Adventure, Riona. Excitement.]

Oh no, you look as ravishing as ever, I promise you.

[BROODMOTHERS, ANDERS.]

Now I know you're lying. Ravishing is not possible with that helmet I have.

[He doesn't want to talk or think or acknowledge they exist, Riona, let him live the denial.]

Well, no one looks good in a helmet or cowl, that's just the nature of them.

But you saw how ridiculous that thing was. I mean, it had a plume floofy thing on top! Entirely unnecessary! And worst yet, my husband commissioned that damn thing so he did it on purpose.

[Likely to get back at her for leaving him at the mercy of the court.]

[That makes him laugh.]

Oh, a man after my own heart, I understand why you chose him.

I'll grant you, that helmet was awful, but clearly he simply wanted you safe so you could come home, right? Well...maybe not the plume...but, still, it did make for a good distraction for Pounce, he loved that thing.

[True, that armor DID make her feel like a bulwark and that was probably the point.

But the helmet]

Well, as long as it served some purpose for one of my men, I suppose I can live with that.

[He laughs and it's full of affection.]

And that's why you're an amazing Commander. Truly, only someone like you could hold together the near-disaster that was our group.