driftfleet | Video | Do you remember when you were young?

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Video | Do you remember when you were young?

Who: Anders (And a message from Adalwolfe)
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Three Twins, if you feel so inclined
When: Now

[A boy seems to have gotten his hands on a communicator. The way he holds it is a little awkward at first, the camera too close to his bright amber eyes, offering a clear view of the minefield of freckles splattered across his cheeks and nose.]

I don't think I'm doing this right...

[His voice is as light as his bright eyes and bright gold hair, but with that occasional crackle that betrays puberty is lying in wait for the pre-teen. A hand can very briefly be seen reaching for the device, but a nauseating burst of movement changes the view as a now-young Anders dances away from his would-be help.]

No, no! I can figure it out!

[The camera rights itself and a very brief flash of Adalwolfe Hawke can be caught in the background as the camera is finally righted, displaying the boy's big toothy grin as he seems to settle in to wait for the magical people who might be about to talk to him.]

So I just wait here, right? And there's people who can hear and see me and I can hear and see them?? Andraste! This is so neat!

[He's clearly very excited and eager to see what sort of magic this weird device has.

But the broadcast is briefly interrupted, unbeknownst to the original poster.]

--Filtered, hacked off of Anders' signal--

[Once Anders is finished, there’s static for a second while Adalwolfe hijacks the channel, making sure to lock Anders out of seeing this part of the message. He looks around surreptitiously before getting quite close to the camera, looking quite a bit more anxious than he did after the bandit attack.]

Alright, look, Aiden here is Anders, and I don’t mean from the Anderfels, I mean the healer Anders. Only he doesn’t know he’s a mage yet at this age and if any of you tell him he’s going to grow up to be one, I will personally come to your cabin when you’re asleep and freeze you solidly to your bunk.

[He starts to tick things off on his fingers.]

Other ground rules include not telling him basically anything about the more grisly parts of his future. Mentions of the Kinloch, the Broodmother, Justice, Kirkwall, or any of that are off limits. Though I guess you can say he’s going to be a Warden in a vague sort of way. He might like that part. Just leave out what it entails if you would.

[That part is aimed mostly at Riona because she’s probably the only person who that would come up with, being a Warden and Anders’ Commander, but it’s a good rule of thumb generally.]

Calling him Anders - because frankly it’s a bit rude to call him by nationality when he hasn’t adopted it as a name yet and he’s going to think you’re an ass. That one’s not really imperative, just a general warning.

[He puts up another finger.]

Mentioning that he has a panacea aura on because, as I said, he doesn’t know he’s a mage yet and frankly that is a panic reaction he doesn’t need to have after already having had to live that nightmare once.

[He very much doesn’t want to elaborate on that.]

If anyone breaks these ground rules, or if any harm comes to him when he’s vulnerable like this, there will be… consequences.

[Much worse than freezing people to bunks, he can assure you. He’s nowhere in the vicinity of fucking around.]

If you have any questions then contact me privately, but just know that in this case I am his keeper and I will keep him safe from harm and distress, make no mistake. You’ve all been warned.

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[As if this past week or so hasn't been strange enough, with the hallucinations and whatnot. Now it seems Anders has been struck by the odd trick of Atroma that makes a person young again. Riona debated what to do or say, until Wolfe hijacked the feed and rattled off his restrictions. It certainly narrowed down her choice of topics. She wonders if she should just maybe avoid him, but it seems cruel. That, and she wants a chance to get to know this part of Anders, before the magic and the Circle happened.]

Yes, Aiden, we can see and hear you quite well. You can see me, I hope?

[His eyes go wide, but he's clearly delighted by this result.]

You know my name! This place really is amazing.

Are you actually that small or does it just seem that way?

Oh-ah and, sorry, My lady. [His face flushed red from his ears to his neck. He'd gone and forgotten his manners in all his excitement; his mother would surely have his hide if she'd heard.]

Since you know my name, may I have yours?

[Oh Anders. Bitty you is just too cute.]

No, I promise, I am much taller. [She still can't help but smile.] The screen - the little box you're looking into - is small and so I look small.

[So Aiden is his real name. She'd never have guessed. Once he's his proper age again, she'll have to ask him about it. In the meantime, she'll play along. She doesn't want to overwhelm him, and she can tell Wolfe's threats are quite serious.]

My name is Riona. How do you do, Aiden?

[He nods, his expression one of someone focusing very hard on whatever they're learning.]

I understand. [Mostly. But now's his chance to turn on that Charm that had most of the village in the palm of his hand. It was his favorite tool when talking to strangers.]

It's nice to meet you, Miss Riona. I'm okay, still figuring out what's going on, but Wolfe's been helpful.

[Aiden leans a bit closer to the communicator and lowers his voice.]

And kind of a stick-in-the-mud. Is he always like that?

[He was acting sort of like he was Aiden's father and ever since the boy had woken up on the ship, the urge to tell Wolfe off about how Aiden's already got a dad had been growing.]

[Riona bursts out laughing, though partly for reasons poor young Aiden won't understand. And she'll leave him in the dark of those reasons; besides, it'd be awkward to tell this kid that the man watching over him is his lover. Or will be. Whatever.]

I'm afraid so. Terrible affliction of it. Try and try as we did, that stick would not budge.

[Might as well have a bit of fun with this.]

[Her laugh is pretty. It's a brief thought, but it colors his cheeks a touch and reminds him of when he'd seen the prettiest woman ever as she and the Templars with her passed through their small town. They hadn't talked, she'd only smiled a bit at him and gone on, but he imagined, had she laughed, she would have sounded like that.]

That's horrible, I hear some people can never be cured, it may be permanent. Yes, I'm afraid he's a lost cause, then.

[Wolfe was going to get her for this, she just knows it. Still, she can't help but keep egging this on. Anders seems to be having fun with it at any rate. ]

Utterly hopeless indeed. Perhaps the most tragic case to date. I've seen many a woman and man swoon at the sight of that stick.

[Aiden's face clearly betrays his confusion and, ultimately, disbelief.]

You...have?

[The underlying meaning is blaring: why?]

He's okay I guess, but he hardly seems swooning material.

[Hopefully poor Wolfe isn't within earshot to hear his now-young boyfriend basically call him unattractive.]

Ah, not quite that kind of swoon. It can also mean just being overwhelmed or fainting in general. That stick is just that impressively awful.

[Though she finds it funny that he took it that way.]

Oh... [He guessed he'd heard it used like that before, just not very often.]

Well, since he's such a lost cause... [He got quieter, just in case he was being listened to.]

Think I can ditch him and find someone more interested in exploring?

[Riona finds herself at a crossroads. On the one hand, she knows Wolfe will be PISSED if she encourages Anders to do this. But on the other, it'd be funny and he'd be with her, so he wouldn't be in any danger.]

You just might. What did you want to explore?

[You're both terrible at keeping your voices down. And Riona, why? Why would you promote such insurrection on top of the blow to his ego about his looks? It's enough to make him want to curl in the corner with Drools and brood.]

[You go ahead and brood while Riona and Aiden have a fun adventure together! Somewhere scary. And maybe dangerous. But fun. And definitely somewhere that will give you heart palpitations.]

[There's a spark in his expression now, one completely made of mischief.]

I was told there's all sorts of stuff on this one big ship to explore. There's libraries and gardens and I bet there's a lot more too! I want to explore that place.

Ah, that would be the Iskaulit. There are all those things, plus two bars - er, taverns of sorts - and many more rooms.

[Wolfe is so gonna kill her for this.]

But that requires taking a shuttle over. Now, I can pick you up, but you'd have to somehow sneak past your guardian there.

[He nods.]

Leave it to me.

[Somehow. Maybe just the old fashioned technique of taking small steps closer and closer to the door until you're just close enough to slip out.]

I can hear you and see you.

[ There's a warm, soft spot in her heart for Anders - the one she knew, at least - and there's a big part of her that wants to keep him safe. If that means she needs to play along then... That's fine too. ]

My name's Hermione. It's nice to meet you.

[He's at least had the device explained to him a little better now, so he greats Hermione with a smile that practically glows.]

It's nice to meet you too, Miss Hermione! I'm Aiden. [Manners, manners, his mother's voice practically echoed in his head.]

Are you on one of these ships too? I really want to go explore them!

Are you from Thedas too or are you from Space? [Because, clearly, those are the only two options. At least there's a break in his curiosity-driven questioning.]

Edited 2017-02-19 17:46 (UTC)

[ He's so... Happy and Hermione is so completely and utterly charmed that all she can do is offer him a soft, gentle smile in response, trying not to ride on the high of his giddiness. ]

I'm on a ship called the Vanquish, yes. I don't see why you can't explore if you want to - we could wander around together, if that's something you'd really like. There's a number of ships that hold passengers like us and one ship that has lots of different things - cafes, gardens, a library, that sort of thing.

[ But, ah - ]

I'm not from either, I'm afraid. I'm from a place called the Drabwurld. It's not here or in Thedas.

[There's a look of shock and wonder on Anders' face at her description and his imagination runs wild with all of the different options set out in front of him. A library? He'd only ever heard of them. A garden? Not as exciting, but what if it grew things more interesting than his family's farm? And what was a cafe? It sounded orlesian...but he really wanted to know.]

Drabwurld? [He didn't know what that was, but it sounded cool. Cooler than that? She was from Somewhere Else. Now he really wanted to explore new places with the woman from another planet. There was only one catch...]

You'd show me around? I'd love that! Let me just see if I can shake my 'armed guard' first.

[He a hundred percent means Hawke.

He didn't know how he was going to get to her or this other ship, but he'd figure that out later.]

[ It's... Definitely getting more endearing. It reminds her of the purity of when she and Nico first started to get to know each other, how everything was wide eyed and amazing. It was refreshing, too, when she was so used to people being disillusioned and broken by the world - seeing someone excited by it made something feel softer in her chest. ]

It's... A little like Thedas, from what I know of the place. Swords, fighting, that sort of thing. [ Carefully avoiding the entire topic of magic, she thinks, it seems safer and far more logical. ]

Of course I'll show you around. If, um, if they want to come too that's fine. I don't mind - and I do know most people here, so it's not like it would be a problem for me.

[ Who else could he mean? And maybe Hawke would be okay with it, if it was her. ]

Ask.

[There is such a put-upon look, how could she possibly ask this of him?

He goes anyway, the communicator left behind as Aiden goes to his out-pf-frame 'guardian.' He's back a moment later, not looking disappointed, but not looking thrilled either.]

He said "In a bit." Which, for adults, sometimes actually means 'in a bit' and sometimes means 'never.'

I was wondering: I've never been...well, anywhere, what do you do on a ship like this?

[ She stands to the 'you should get over it and get on with it' foundation of thought and she watches as he goes, happy to sit around as she waits out his answer.

It doesn't shock her, when it comes, but she thinks she can wheedle her way into making sure that it works. Anders would be safe in her company, of course, and she's sure that Wolfe is aware of it. ]

I'm sure he'll come around, I wouldn't worry about it.

[ She hums, thoughtful. ]

Well, there are games and things. There's movies and books on our devices, and there are other people to talk to as well. Then there's the labs and other areas...

[There's so many words in there he doesn't recognize...but he can't find it in him to ask in case it sounds like a dumb question. But he does ask one thing...]

There's books around? We hardly have any back home, they're expensive and don't serve a lot of purpose, [At least, that's what his father had said.] but...I still kind of like them. This older woman in our town has a whole bunch of books and she lets me read them whenever I want.

There are lots of books on the library, we can stop there so you can have a look around. [ He's definitely tugging at her heartstrings now. ] There might be some on our devices, too. I'll have to look into it.

[Well, now you're just making his day.]

Really? That'd be great!

Honestly, I'm...not sure I'd be able to find the books if there were any on this thing anyway, it's kind of confusing.

[Too much tech for the medieval child.]

Of course, I don't mind at all. I love the library. [ And Anders appears to be a kindred spirit in that regard. ] I can try and show you how things work, too, if you'd like.

I would! If..ah, if it wouldn't be too much of a burden.

[Mind your manners, Aiden. The soft-spoken Ferelden voice that still held an edge of firm finality to it ran through his head and sobered his excitement a moment.]

I understand if you've got other things to do first.

[He shoots Wolfe a pleading look off-frame, like maybe the man he knows just keeps listening in will maybe change his mind about them going out to the other ships if he pleads enough about it. Quietly, of course, pleading loudly would get you nohing but a cuff for being so annoying.]

Edited 2017-03-07 16:37 (UTC)

[Anyone else - save maybe Riona - and Wolfe would insist on accompanying or even say no, but it's Hermione and Wolfe trusts her. That, and the damned face Anders gives him is just entirely too precious. Who can say no to those big brown eyes?]

Go on, then.

[He leans into the video, addressing Hermione.]

Have him back before supper, would you? Or at least send me a message if you'll be late.

[ That just makes Hermione laugh and she huffs a noise, shaking her head. ]

I'll come and pick him up. I'll have him before before dinner, don't worry, Wolfe.

[Adalwolfe waits patiently off to the side, trying not to fidgit too much. As it is he's already scared off the cat with too much petting - he's got three hairline scratches in his hand to show for it - and is slowly working on Drools' nerves as he massages the hound's ears anxiously. Eventually Drools gives a deep 'wuff' and plops his face in Adalwolfe's lap, pointedly on top of one of his hands.]

Sorry, boy.

[Wolfe laughs softly, knowing he's being ridiculous. His fears are likely baseless. Few people in the Fleet even know Anders' history and the most that will come out of this is some confusion, but it doesn't stop him from being terrified he'll say or do something wrong, or not be able to protect Anders - Aiden - from... anything. Everything.

Maker, what is he going to do?]

[For his part, the boy was more than happy to just talk with the amazing people on the device, they all seemed really nice so far. He spent a good while doing that, he very nearly forgot about Hawke there with him. Almost.

He smiled sweetly.]

You don't have to stay here, you know. I'm sure you've got a lot of important things to do, adults always have something. No one would fuss if you went and did them.

[Charm charm charm. Kill them with kindness and charm and they'll eat it up; he'd learned that early.]

Not really. Honestly babysitting is what I do most of the time.

[He flashes an equally charming smile.]

Granted you are much more well behaved than my charges usually were back home. Still, this place is a lot different from Thedas and I want to make sure you have someone reliable to explain it to you.

[That's not weird at all, right?]

[Well...that didn't work as well as it usually did. He scoffed lightly and turned off the communicator like he was shown how to earlier.]

Reliable? That's what you claim, but for all I know, you could just be some vagrant from...Denerim! You could have been kicked out of the Capitol for offenses to the crown and wondered off to live as a swamp man in the Wilds and just didn't get there before showing up here. You could just be a very good liar.

[That bright earnestness that had been in his face before became tinted with a brush of mischief.]

Besides, I'll be twelve soon, I'm nearly an adult.

[Or at least adult enough to start a man's work and help his father with the chores and farming.]

A swamp man? What about me makes me look like a swamp man?!

[He looks so aghast at the very idea that it's comical. Really he just has no idea where the child pulled that yarn from.]

I'll have you know I'm painfully honest and diligent. Ask anyone.

[Or don't because they'll probably just laugh that he made that claim.]

And I'll grant you that twelve is nearly an adult. But only nearly. Thirteen is really when things start going downhill.

People get weird when they turn thirteen. I had a friend who turned thirteen last year and she's not been the same since.

[He wasn't really looking forward to that one, at least, but twelve was sure to be good.

But, in the meantime, he sighs dramatically at the fact Wolfe clearly wasn't listening to him.]

I said you hadn't gotten there yet, you have to live in the Wilds to look like a swamp man! But your hair's white, that's strange enough to start.

Well when a person gets older, they--

[No nevermind he's not having that conversation with pint-sized Anders. Aiden.]

Alright, then why would I have been kicked out of Denerim? What could I have done to King Ca--

[No wait that was the wrong time. When they were children it would have been...]

King Maric?

Well...

[Now you've done it. Aiden's hand comes up to his chin as he considers and concocts Wolfe's adventure. He lights up as it comes to him and delivers the verdict with perfect conviction.]

You snuck into the castle and wooed the queen! You then tried to hire an assassin to poison the King's food, but you were caught and you led the guard on a harrowing chase through the city's streets which ended in a one-on-one battle with the Guard-Captain.

You barely escaped! And yet you still sent a letter to her Majesty wishing for her to run away with you, which she turned down because why would she chose a swamp man over a king? Really? But now you're wanted throought the northern towns and villages, even Amaranthine isn't safe, so you need to go on the run. [He shrugs. Makes sense to him.]

[He could point out any number of things wrong with Aiden's story. Queen Rowen being dead, how he could send a letter if he was the most wanted man in Northern Ferelden, how he'd sneak into the castle in the first place. Mostly the first one. But instead he strokes his beard thoughtfully with a small grin.]

You think I'm handsome enough to woo the queen?

[Riona's misunderstood words come back to him then and he gives Hawke a clearly appraising look. Finally, he shrugs.]

Maybe a noble lady, I guess you're right, not really queen-material. It's the nose.

[He says it with such definiteness it clearly can't be argued.] I suppose that might not be the case, but I'm still right that you've just decided yourself my caretaker.

What?

[But you said you like my nose!]

I- but..

[Give him a moment to sputter. Ok, ok, no, he's got this.]

I was assigned. Someone has got to look after you, after all, and I'm already an older brother twice over so it does make sense.

[Except his sister is dead and his brother is back home on another world so really its the worst argument and now he feels entirely awkward as opposed to only mostly.]

Look I'm not here to stomp all over your fun. In fact, I'd rather you have as much fun as possible. I just want to make sure you don't get hurt, that's all.

[Aiden seems to actually pause and consider that.]

You're not?

[He clearly doesn't believe it....but he wants to.]

Then come with me. Adventures are better had with others than by oneself anyway.

You're alright adventuring with a 'swamp man'?

[He smirks a bit. That one he is never living down.]

We could go lob snowballs down the hallways of the Iska-- the large ship in the middle of the fleet. How does that sound?

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