driftfleet | (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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

[Groan.]

Another near disaster of a group? Maker, what is it with me and pooling together such bands?

You are gifted with that sort of charm, my dear lady.

Charm, or desperation? I'm thinking desperation.