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Who: Adalwolfe, Allen, Anders, and Riona
Broadcast: n/a
Action: An empty room away from others, probably on the Iskaulit. Just in case.
When: Nowish/Soonish

[He was nervous. There were a hundred things to be nervous about, but he'd found an extra fifty to add to it on his way to the room they'd chosen. He'd found it on his way back from the greenhouse last week, not a huge space in the grand scheme of things, but secluded enough that should something happen with Justice...well, there would be time to stop them if they lost themselves.

He'd spent the day checking and double checking that everything was in order. The dog and cat were fine, the plants now in Hawke's old room would be fine, everything else would sort itself out...just in case. That seemed to be the strongest thought in his head right now. He couldn't think too hard on what if it didn't work or what if it went wrong for some reason Allen couldn't know about and Justice died or, Maker forbid, got worse.

Not for the first time, he wished he could talk to his friend again, they way they'd done years past. Anders missed him, missed the way they'd been. Even now, he supposed, they wouldn't have that chance. Maker willing, Justice would go back to the Fade where he never should have left and Anders would stay here. He just wished he could voice his concerns and fears and thoughts to someone who'd truly understand what the twist in his chest choking him meant, what those doubts on the edges of his mind might be whispering, what fears seeped into the thin hope he clung to. Maker, let this work. For Justice's sake, let him finally be free and saved.

Anders was even more quiet than usual on his way over with Hawke and when he saw Riona and Allen join them, he offered a smile that felt as thin as every other good feeling he was trying to muster.]

Good morning for a demonic cleansing, don't you think?

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[He holds that pose for a moment, before he smiles and looks at Riona, rotating the large blade around while still in Hawke. When he does that, it becomes clear that it's not actually causing any injury. Rather, it just seems to be phasing right through Hawke, not touching him at all. Hawke himself, shouldn't feel anything from it despite it looking like he has a sword in him]

Aha, don't worry! My sword can't actually hurt humans! See?

[....His sense of humor could probably still use some work.]

Edited 2016-10-24 22:22 (UTC)

[The sword hadn't panicked him when it had been intended for him, but the moment Allen raises it and stabs it through Hawke, there's a surge of blue light and the cracks spread and deepen as he steps closer, Justice's power sharp around him.

A moment, two, and the sight finally catches up to him and the energy dims again, fading along with the threat.]

What...?

[The sudden tension eases out of him and leaves only annoyance and a sigh.]

I understand you were making a point, but was that strictly necessary?

[Adalwolfe too has an immediate panic reaction of firing off several dagger-sized spears of ice as he swings his hands up to cover his face, most of the projectiles going wide and clattering off the walls but one or two may have grazed the fabric of Allen's clothes superficially. Where he saw Allen wielding a sword he saw too the Arishok swinging down to end his life, and Fenris with his expressionless vacant face as he thrusts with his enormous blade. He's sure he's dead, absolutely certain.

But he's not.

It doesn't even hurt, and Wolfe cracks open one eye as Anders talks, Vengeance's echo leaving his voice and an exasperated admonishment replacing it. He can see the sword still protruding from his chest, but he can't feel it at all. It's a weird sensation.]

You really need to work out a better way to show people that.

[How had she so grossly misread a person?

Anger and guilt and rage surge through her as Riona lunges towards Adalwolfe, a scream ready to tear out of her-

-until, like Anders, she realizes he's fine. She stumbles to a halt, trying to process what she's seeing. Allen's words help clear up her confusion. She huffs, clearly not amused.]

Maker help me, Allen Walker...

[She's got that "you are getting the scolding of your life later on" look as she forces a breath through her nose. As her heart rate goes back to normal, something crosses her mind about what Allen said.]

...you said it won't harm a human. What about a spirit?

[Jeez...tough crowd]

Sorry! I don't get a chance to make jokes much in my profession. [He pulls the sword fully out of Hawke, oddly sidestepping as to make sure the sword's blade doesn't strike him. Curious.] Besides, I thought explaining it with words alone would take much longer, and I can only hold this form for so long.

[Especially if he wanted to avoid passing out into another coma. He'd get in a lot of trouble if he did that.

But at that remark, he glances back at Riona, a frown on his face since man, you don't accuse him of wanting to harm souls and spirits.]

I already told you, Riona. The last thing I would do is hurt a spirit. [There's a slight bit of annoyance in his tone. He's not mad, but man how many times does he have to say it nngh]

Edited 2016-10-25 03:02 (UTC)

[Not funny. Well, no, it would have been funny had it been anyone but Hawke as Allen's test. He reaches to Wolfe and puts a hand on his shoulder, a silent encouragement to step back as he'd been before.

Our apologies...

[It was an attempt at an honest sentiment, but there was a strain to it. Justice wasn't known for his sense of humor, Anders could feel the spirit even more on edge than before. Plus, he couldn't imagine what the consequences for holding his form for too long would be, but he knew what scraping the bottom of your mana pool felt like and didn't want Allen to suffer something like that because of them.]

Perhaps we ought to get this over with, then? With...fewer demonstrations this time.

[Adalwolfe exhales and calms himself because he has to be calm here. He has to show Anders - and Justice. Vengeance. Whatever. - that it's alright. That it will turn out okay. He might have already screwed the pooch there but he has to try to regain some semblance of being as put together as he would have people believe of him.

He feels Anders' hand on his shoulder and he lays his hand on top for a moment, flashing an encouraging smile.]

See? Nothing to worry about.

[He kisses Anders' knuckles and then steps back again, glancing up at the spirit and swallowing.

Nothing to worry about.]

[Following Wolfe's example, she tries to reign herself in. Her own doubt isn't going to help here, but she can't help but worry. She swore she'd look out for Justice, and Allen wielding that sword makes her nervous, even if she has no logical reason to be.

An apology will come when this is over. For now, the best Allen will get is a nod before she looks back at Justice.

She offers a smile, hoping this is not going to be the last image she will have of her friend.]

Right. [He shrugs off the apology. He wasn't mad, not really. Maybe a little exasperated about being questioned about how much he cares about spirits, but it's not like Riona knew his full life story.

But right, they should get on with it. The clock was ticking about how long he can hold this form. He takes a deep breath and walks forward, towards Anders. Towards Justice. He gives a glance - and a smile- at both of them, before he plunges his sword into Anders.

Like Allen said, there's a hot feeling- almost like Anders is standing too close to a fire. But it's not Anders himself that is burning, rather the corruption and taint that had been within him, purifying him in its wake. If they're watching the spirit, white light seems to consume Vengeance- burning away at the corruption and restoring him to Justice. At the same time, the chain that was tying him to Anders breaks apart, freeing him to move on, to go back where he belongs. ]

May you find your way to the Fade, Justice.

[From the looks of it? It won't be long until he moves on, if any last words wished to be exchanged]

[Everything was burning and hot, and despite the warning, Anders still gasped in surprise. It definitely didn't hurt, if anything, it felt right. Like the rightness was rushing in and wiping away everything wrong between them. Anders didn't dare look away as the heat melted away the angry red of corruption, restoring Justice to the way he'd once been. For one dazzling, brilliant, second, Anders could feel Justice. Justice the way he should have been, righteous good and pure and only the desire to protect and see the world better and brighter through a fair and just hand. And then it was gone. Something snapped and the light was gone, Justice was gone and the only way Anders even knew his friend still stood with them was the sight of him standing there. A sight that suddenly stung and blurred.

Justice looked to himself and then back up to Allen.]

I thank you, mortal.

[Perhaps there should be more, but Justice was not one to mince words when it wasn't necessary. He turned his helmed gaze to Riona and paused.]

Warden-Commander. There is too much I wish to say to you, were we in the Fade...but this will have to do. Thank you for everything. I did not know the beauty of your world before. I...did not know much before I met you. I can never repay you for the true life you gave me, nor for the priceless gift of your friendship. Little else meant more to me than that.

[He turned to her and saluted her, his fist coming up over his chest.]

If I am allowed to retain my memories, you will live forever in them.

[His gaze lingered on Hawke a moment and he nodded.]

You are a Just man, Hawke. Thank you for your support. Take care.

[And then his gaze was on Anders whose hand clutched to his chest over the scar left there on the day Justice had merged with him. Another time Justice had saved his life.

Justice was silent and Anders was silent, but their time was quickly running out. He couldn't say nothing, this was the first and last time they'd been able to talk to each other since merging. But how inadequate were 'Thank you' and 'I'm sorry' when they equally saved and ruined each other's lives? Justice had changed everything and shown Anders things he never would have even considered. What could he possibly say?]

There aren't pets in the Fade. You'll be terribly lonely and then you'll see I was right all along.

[Anders smiled and he liked to think that maybe, under that horrible helmet, his friend was smiling back.]

Farewell, my friend.

[And then he turned as though to walk away and simply vanished, leaving no trace of himself behind.]

[A Just man. High praise from a spirit of that very thing and Hawke isn't certain how to take it. A compliment, surely, but it ties a knot in his chest that he isn't sure how to unravel without taking a harder look at himself than he likes to do in company. But they're not there for him and Adalwolfe, though he nods in return to Justice and watches the seconds tick down, he does nothing else until the spirit is gone. Back to the Fade, or so they hope.

In the silence that follows, he's not sure what to do, watching Anders for some sort of cue.]

[Her breath hitches, fear and anticipation burning her lungs as she watches Allen separate her friends. Her eyes squint as the light consumes Justice, and for a fraction of a second, she's afraid it's gone wrong, that her friend is gone.

But he remains. And he's himself again. She gasps out a sigh of relief and joy. This is how she remembers him, and it's such a bittersweet moment. So much has changed and been lost in all these years her friends have lived and she has yet not. Finally something from her past is how it should be, though the moment will be short-lived.

She walks up to Justice when he turns to her, and tears sting her eyes again. Normally she does not cry in front of her men, but she makes an exception. Luckily, they're happy tears, judging by her smile.]

The honor has been mine, Justice. You've taught me much as well, and even if you do not remember me, I will always remember you. Take care, my friend. Good-bye.

[She returns his salute, the gesture sincere as she watches him vanish. Her bottom lip quivers, sorrow and joy battling with each other as she stares at the spot where he was. She wishes their farewell could have been longer, but at least they got one, and on such good terms.]

[Allen listens to the goodbyes in silence. It wasn't really his place to speak, he wasn't really a part of this beyond a means to an end. He's glad though, they get a chance to say their goodbyes. Maybe it will help Riona and Anders find a bit more peace after all this is done.

As Justice fades away, Allen's eye returns to normal. He'll pull his sword out of Anders, stepping back. Once it's fully out, he deactivates it, and the Innocence returns to form his left arm once again. He feels...a bit wobbly, definitely a little drained, but he wasn't passing out- so a definite improvement. ]

It's all done now.

[Justice is gone and everything's...quiet. Too quiet. Too empty. Too alone. There's a gaping hole that guts and chokes him, clashing with every good emotion still trying to have it's moment in the sun. But the strongest feeling among them was a feeling of being...clean, fresh, like after being sick for so long. Something else off and he didn't dare look too closely right now.

Anders shoves it all down, locking it away before it can every threaten to touch the surface. Later, maybe never, but certainly not right now. He needed something else to focus on and Allen falls into focus.

Anders moves closer with a smile, slipping on his Healer's mantle for easy cover of everything else.]

Thank you so, so much. He's happier now, because of you. [That, at least, he could be perfectly honest about.]

Are you okay? I can't imagine that didn't take anything out of you.

[Wolfe is quiet in the aftermath too, not sure if there's anything to say. A bit of the tension eases from him when Anders smiles, but there will be conversations later, in private, he's certain.

Silently, he moves to Anders' side again, but says nothing just yet.]

[It takes Riona a second to regain herself and get her emotions under control. Maker, she's going to miss Justice, but at least it's with the assertion that he's all right.]

Thank you so much, Allen. I-

[Wiping away her tears, she turns to Allen and - yes, he does look winded. Worry creases her brow, cutting off whatever she was going to say next. Instead, she says:]

Allen, will you be all right? Should we get you back to the ship?

[Ah...Anders looked to be alright. That was a relief for Allen. Sure, he had predicted he would be, like Sorey had been, but he knew from other experiences how things could've gone wrong. Not today though, thank God]

It's ... think nothing of it, I'm just glad I could help.

[As for the questions of concern, he'll offer a smile as he tries to make sure to keep himself standing straight. Yeah. Definitely would be bad to fall right now or something]

Ah, I'll be alright! Really! I'm just...it takes a lot of energy, but it's nothing a nap and eating my weight in food won't cure!

[No really, it'll be about that much food]

[A lack of energy was probably the only thing he couldn't 'cure,' but he could help a little. The gentle blue glow of magic at his hands enveloped Allen with a sensation of warmth and comfort. Just a little boost of energy.]

It isn't much, but hopefully it'll keep you upright until you're back on your ship and ready to rest. It's the least I can do to help you.

[He knows Riona can help him from here, they're crewmates and headed the same way anyway, but Anders had to do something. It wasn't nearly as much gratitude as Allen deserved.

Quietly, Anders' hand found Hawke's and tangled their fingers together.]

[Allen's reassurances pull a bit of a smile from Adalwolfe. He's just as concerned as Riona and Anders, but he'd learned long ago to trust companions to know their limits. He'd learned that the hard way with Aveline early on when she'd snapped at him for suggesting she stay out of a bandit raid when she'd been injured the night before on patrol. She'd then proceeded to clean out the entire warehouse almost single-handedly, leaving Adalwolfe, Carver, and Isabela wondering why they'd been brought along at all.]

If there is anything you need though, soon or otherwise, I'm sure you have all three of us to call on. Truly, for anything.

[He clutches Anders' fingers tightly in his, a grip that won't be loosening anytime soon.]

[Riona walks over to Allen, gesturing for him to put his arm around her shoulders. She's helping him back to the ship whether he says he needs it or not, because she'd rather do it this way than having to drag him back.]

Come on. I'll put together some dino meat burgers for you. And scrounge up whatever else we have.

[When Anders casts the spell, Allen freezes for a second, almost in a half-flinch. But when he realizes the spell isn't painful, he relaxes again- smiling once more. When Riona approaches him, he'll follow suit and put his arm over her shoulder, nodding at the other two]

Thank you, Anders. And thank you Hawke.

[looking back at Riona, the mention of food gets his eyes to light up some more]

Burgers sound delicious.

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