Keep the change, ya filthy animal!

[wolfehawke]

Who: Whoever's on planet and happens by; also one prompt closed to Anders
Broadcast: No
Action: Yes
When: Before, during, and after the attack on the cannibals
Warning: Use of dead bodies as "decor"


A. On the eve of battle

[The Tourist has had some repair work done to her in the weeks she's been stranded on the planet's surface. Whether she's space worthy is debatable, but she's certainly livable at least. Just lacking in defenses what with most of her crew off to fight for the freedom and survival of the Fleet. Hawke and Anders though, they're still not recovered quite enough to go fighting in the knock-down drag-out battle that's going to ensue which means they're left to stand guard over the silent hulk of the ship.

Even if they're injured though, they still need to defend their home, and with some discussion and careful planning, they're able to do just that.

If anyone passes by on their way to confront the Vizeri or otherwise, the Tourist is less inviting than usual. Fenris' handiwork in killing any cannibal that came within 100 yards of her has proven very helpful in Hawke and Anders' redecorating efforts. Bodies with fatal and nasty wounds are displayed all along the hull at irregular intervals, some with red smears underneath to show where they were dragged along the plating. The main hatch is shut, but before it are rows of sharpened wooden spikes, carved crudely but effectively and lashed together to form barriers. They're not difficult to navigate for a single person, but any group would be forced into single file to get at the entrance.

The hatch on the side of the ship is less formidable to look at. True, a corpse is pegged on either side like eerie sentinels, but at least there's no spikes? It's through this hatch that Wolfe can be seen moving in and out of the ship, lugging more sharp stakes out or wood in or walking around the ship using his magic to position fortifications and even summon walls of magical ice around other areas of the ship. Wolfe's face is set in a determined frown but there's a bit of a manic glint in his eyes, something that belays a mischief about this whole display.

Just be careful if you approach; there's more magic set up here than just what's used to build walls.]



B. Wet Bandits - Closed to Anders

[Twas a night on Hell Planet, and all through the ship
the consoles were quiet, without even a blip.
The corpses were hung on the hull plating with care
in the hopes that the cannibals would know to beware;
the mages were nestled and hidden in corners
biting their tongues lest their witty rejoinders
allow the trespassers in their humble abode
to find where the mages were secretly stowed.

The Vizeri were here and their boots made a clomp
giving away just right where they'd stomp
and so the two mages with spells at the ready
jumped from their places to cast spells like confetti!
Anders fried a handful with a huge burst of lightning
that the deafening sound was no short of frightening.
And Wolfe's spells hit the eyes of their cannibal foes
and a good number of warriors were were easily froze.

The two looked at each other and admired their work
but this job wasn't over so they couldn't shirk.
Further into the ship the two mages did skiff
the cannibals following, unaware of the glyph
that the healer and champion had arranged in the hall
so one by one their enemies would tumble and fall.
Paralysis, weakness, and runes to slow gait
the traps they had laid were really first rate.

The night is not over and the day is not won
there's a long way to go before work is done.
But Anders and Adalwolfe have experience in spades
of making their enemies regret running raids.]



C. "Because my staff is buried in his nervous system!"

[With so much effort put into their traps and fortifications and the battle that followed, Adalwolfe is exhausted, but happy. It all went rather well if you ask him. Neither he nor Anders ended up with any new injuries, neither passed out from using too much mana. All in all, a successful defense of their home.

There's a lot of cleanup to do, but after clearing the bodies from the halls of the ship, Wolfe is taking a snack break before starting a pyre. The bodies of dead cannibals may not be the most comfortable perch but Wolfe takes a great deal of satisfaction in getting back at the bastards who not only took several bites out of him some time ago but nearly killed his lover. He thinks he's earned his moment of vindication.

If anyone passes by on their way back from the Vizeri stronghold, he can be spotted sitting on a rock with his boot firmly planted on two bodies at his feet and another pile of at least six behind him. He waves with his free hand, the other casually stuffing a sandwich in his face like he's not sitting in the middle of the corpses of his enemies.]

Hey, how'd it go?

[Chill as you please.]

Comments

A

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris has been grimly preparing for battle. He feels better for having cleared the air with Anders- though thoughts of how to deal with Justice still plague him. Still, for now they have more important things to focus on. A real, decent battle for a change. He's been spending the day sharpening his sword, getting himself ready for the fight ahead.

He's been giving the ship largely a wide berth. The excess of magic makes his markings prickle, and only serves to make him feel more agitated than he would like to be. He needs focus, now more than ever. He does eventually return, to pick up his supplies, make sure the ship itself is sturdy. He glances up at the corpses and smiles- Fenris greatly approves. ]

I think a lot can be said for the deterring properties of slain foes.

[Do you want to know how many people attacked his mansion after he took it over and left dead people everywhere? ZERO, that's how many. ]

[wolfehawke]

Absolutely. I took a page from your book.

[The smile he gives Fenris is perhaps a little tight and guarded. Easily explained away by the situation though, or so Wolfe hopes. Now is absolutely not the time to confront Fenris about Marian, not when the elf is about to go off to battle.]

You won't have to worry about them going for the Tourist while you storm their keep. We'll be here to mind it, along with these fellows.

[He points a thumb back over his shoulder to the corpses guarding the door.]

I named them Meredith and Cullen.

[wolfuncaged]

And Aveline always said it was unsightly.

[See? See it CAN be useful, suck it Aveline! He doesn't notice the extra strain, thankfully. He even chuckles at the joke. ]

Good names. I think Cullen would be rather put out, what with his attempts to be better and all- but they are well suited all the same.

[wolfehawke]

Well she's not wrong, but that's the point. And Curly can deal with insults from non-people, I should think.

[He chuckles darkly, but then gives a shrug.]

I say that but he really has done better with the Inquisition. I think he's actually remorseful.

[People change. Not often, but it's actually very heartening to see.]

But that's hardly important here unless Atroma wants to add him to the Fleet.

[Wolfe takes a few moments to cast a low-level force spell to easily dig a hole for his spike and plants it in the ground.]

So you and Jim are taking Pavel with you into the fight?

[wolfuncaged]

He's been here before, you know. Cullen. I would not be surprised if they brought him back again.

[It's how he knows Cullen is less of an asshole in the first place. Fenris knows he is not the most pleasant towards mages (a drastic understatement,he can admit to himself) but Cullen brought his prejudice to a whole new level. It is...good he has learned to deal with it better. To come out of it a stronger man. ]

Hmm. I imagine if anyone can work on the technological parts, it is Pavel. But I'd rather Kirk and myself me there to make sure he doesn't...um die.

C

[brainiest]

[ Hermione is pushing herself to exhaustion again, but she doesn't mind. The battle is coming to an end and that means she has a little bit of time to herself to check in on other people and move around to make sure they're okay - and it also means that she can rush around like a headless chicken trying to find the people she cares about. One of those people is, of course, Adalwolfe, and she knows the way back to his ship from her own aimless wandering before he found her before.

It doesn't take her too long to find him, even if her nose wrinkles at the sight she sees when they finally cross paths. Watching for a moment, she decides that clearly he has this in hand and she really ought not to say anything. ]

We won? [ So, it seems, did he, and Hermione steps over and pretends her nose isn't wrinkling. ] Do you, um, need some help?

[wolfehawke]

No, I can handle it. Thanks though.

[He hops down from his rock, stepping on the corpses on his way to meet her. He's not going to make her drag dead bodies around, that would be rude.]

Hurrah for victory. Are you injured? We've got medical supplies and such. Also food, if you're hungry. Anders is here too; he's mopping up inside.

[Literally mopping. Its a mess.]

[brainiest]

[ She looks doubtful, but she trusts his judgement. This is his mess, she thinks, and clearly he has it in hand, even if it makes her want to step away and pretend it's not something she's seen. ]

You're welcome?

[ Her attention goes to Wolfe and nothing else, though, and that relaxes her, some of the tension fading from her limbs as she nods her head, smile gentle. It's hard not to reach for him so she moves closer, letting her fingers touch at the fabric of his sleeve gently. ]

I'm fine, thank you. The Interceptors sent me some first aid kids and potions, so we've been well supplied. Is he okay?

[wolfehawke]

Anders? He'll be alright. He's healing.

[From just how close a call she doesn't need to know, nor does he want to talk or think about right now. No, right now he wants to gather Hermione up in his arms with that look on her face and that tentative touch to his sleeve. So he does, unceremoniously dragging her into a tight hug.]

It's alright if you're not fine.

[brainiest]

That doesn't fill me with confidence.

[ But as long as Anders is alright - that's what matters. Hermione breathes out, a short, sharp noise, and is about to speak when Wolfe tugs her into his arms. It's warm and he's there, tight and sure, giving her something to grip onto. ]

It's - I'm just tired of fighting.

C

[bryces_pup]

[Ahhh, that's where the stench was coming from. Well, okay, it wasn't that bad or anything, but Riona did think she smelled something a little off in this general direction, and lo and behold, Wolfe's using a pile of bodies as a footrest.

Classy.]

All in all, successful. We trashed their base and their stuff. I was wondering where you and Anders were, but I think I see the answer to my question.

[wolfehawke]

[Look, if you've ever been to Darktown, this is akin to a sweet spring breeze.]

Someone had to watch the ship. We just got her put back together.

[He stands up and goes to meet her, clomping across the pile of bodies without much of a care.]

Think with your victory we can get off this shithole soon?

[Even as he talks, he's taking a moment to glance her over, making sure she's not too terribly injured or anything. If she is, Anders is just inside.]

[bryces_pup]

[Sadly, she's never been. They wouldn't let her go to Kirkwall. Alistair went instead. Boo.]

Ah. Defenders of the mighty Tourist. I'm sure Kirk and Fenris will be glad you kept the ship safe while they were out.

[Along with the rest of the ship, of course, but given they're the captain and first mate, they needed to take the entire ship and crew's safety into account.]

I think so. Once all the ships are repaired and the Vieziri fleet are taken care of, I think we should be good to go.

[wolfehawke]

I'm sure.

["Kirk and Fenris." He's not sure how to take that knowing they're an "and" in an official capacity. He's been sitting on that for now.]

Good. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't wait to get back into space.

[bryces_pup]

[There's a tonal undercurrent to his words that almost make Riona pause. Or maybe she's just imagining it, or projecting her own feelings about Fenris and Kirk. She says nothing, chalking it up as overanalyzing it.]

You and me both. Who'd have thought that the boring, cold stretch of space would be a welcome sight?

B

[apurrstate]

[All the wards and traps and glyphs were in place and the lights were still on emergency power, leaving the halls a ghoulish orange of dim lighting. It was perfect. He'd left a few glyphs piled up at the back hatch where any invaders would have to file in one by one, leaving the area no better than a fly trap for them to clean up later.

No, the front would surely need to be their main concern and Anders had that more than a few spells readied for that as well.

With some of the stock of 'lyrium' potions and elfroot potions on them each, they were more than ready for any invaders. Considering how much more active they'd been recently on top of what everyone else was setting out to do even now, there was little doubt they'd have their own fight to handle.

But handle it they would, they were more than ready. Anders settled in against a dark corner of the ship in the hall where the entrance was and caught sight of Wolfe who he shot a smirk that held the healer's excited anticipation. He couldn't deny that laying a magical trap for enemies was a fun pastime.]

[wolfehawke]

[Adalwolfe smirks back, his makeshift staff resting across his knees as he crouches in his place a few feet up from Anders and behind a console. He has a good vantage towards the door and while Anders has laid the magical traps that will keep them covered from the rear, Adalwolfe has his evocations at the ready. Ice and lightning, the latter made so much stronger just by watching Anders for years, learning through observation and feel and honed to a finesse that may not rival his boyfriend's but can certainly toast the enemy just as well.

A heavy slam on the hatch turns Wolfe's attention back to the door and a jolt of excitement runs down his spine. He prefers this sort of thing to all the interpersonal problems and existential crises that he has to deal with. This is simple. Bad guys at the door, magic crackling on his finger tips, and his love at his back.

Another slam, and Hawke grins wolfishly, sparks and frozen crystals flickering around his fingers.]

[apurrstate]

[At the first slam, Anders' smirk flashes wider for just a moment, but then his attention shifts to the door. Well, if they wanted to try and board the ship anyway, it'd be their funeral.

On the third bang, there was a crashing noise as they finally busted in, the first handful froze in their tracks as a bright green light illuminated under their feet. The glyphs froze as many as they could, but a tentative push from the group allowed the rest through.

The air crackled, tense with electricity as Anders summoned the mana needed for a little chain lightning. The bolt arched from person to person, shocking just enough to make muscles tense and freeze, paralyzed in place.]

[wolfehawke]

[Lightning arcs from surface to victim to victim and Adalwolfe can't help but admire the control Anders exhibits with his magic. Not only does the electricity only do enough to disable, but it doesn't touch any of the myriad of metal surfaces in the ship's interior either. Anders can direct lightning like a conductor directs an orchestra and Wolfe tries not to get too far down that mental rabbit hole and into a place with very specific appreciations of Anders' talent with electricity. He can't afford to be that distracted right now.

With their enemies temporarily frozen in place, Wolfe steps out and swings his broomstick in a wide arc, ice forming and cascading in front of him along its path in large spikes. The closest cannibals freeze solid, too close to the sub-zero heart of the spell to resist. Those closer to the door are not so lucky, if turning into a human icicle is lucky. Several are impaled on spikes of ice, sharper than any spear, while others get a painful spray of shards, freezing and cutting at any exposed flesh. The ground too becomes slippery and difficult to maneuver, sending one severely unfortunate target sliding into a spike and joining his fellow in a grisly impression of a meat skewer.

Exhaling a cloud of frost and forcing himself not to stumble on his bad leg after that great expenditure of magic, Wolfe steps back with his makeshift weapon at the ready, summoning up the will to cast another spell and end this quickly.]

[apurrstate]

[Anders watches in pure appreciation as Wolfe works his magic. Ice was deadly, cold, destructive and beautiful in a way that could steal your breath. Hawke made it dance like the element was made to bend to his will. Anders knew Hawke was a little sore on the subject of how impercise his magic could be, he was trained for attack and defense for survival alone, there wasn't the delicate and careful finesse of Circle-teachings. But there was a grace that came from Hawke alone, grace and skill born from sheer power.

Anders loved it.

The energy of the dying siphoned from their bodies and into Anders to replenish his mana, enough that it practically restored as he cast. He took the destructive energy and turned it into Creation, burning it through into Panacea and Heroic Aura to boost Hawke's offense and defense for the final push.]

C

[whatisright]

[Yeah, Justice has relatively loose standards when it comes to desecration of the dead, though they may seem perfectly standard for a Thedosian. As long as one doesn't possess a body without consideration for who it used to belong to, maliciously mutilate the corpse unnecessarily, and one doesn't prevent them from being burned and given rites at some point, he's fine.

So when he comes across Anders' boyfriend next to a pile of corpses and burning them, Justice just nods in approval. Yes, good, they're getting properly handled.]

We were victorious. The camps were captured and the Vieziri have been routed, with the few survivors driven into the forest. I expect that the innocent residents of this planet will see little trouble from them anymore.

[Justice sounds about as stern and blunt as he always does, but believe it or not, he's actually trying to be nice. He's letting bygones be bygones for Anders' sake.]

[wolfehawke]

Good. Hopefully that's the end of it and we can leave soon.

[Subdued isn't the half of what Wolfe is at seeing Justice again for the first time since he'd pulled the spirit's energy to heal Anders. They hadn't talked and Wolfe kept going back and forth on if they even needed to. Justice doesn't seem to care at all, but the whole thing sits strangely with Wolfe. It's an unhappy strangeness, tinged with a good deal of protectiveness and something else the mage can't really describe. Understanding. Kinship. It may not be entirely welcome but its there.

He deliberately takes another bite of his sandwich to stall for what to say.]

Anders is... doing better. We fought off this attack together. I thought you should know.

[Awkward...]

[whatisright]

[Justice assumed that Anders was doing okay. He figured that if Anders wasn't, then he'd sense a lot more distress coming from his boyfriend. Justice stops himself from saying that, though, because being reminded that he can sense these things seems to be unsettling for the man and Justice is trying to avoid being any more unsettling than he has to be.]

Thank you for telling me. I will be pleased to see him.

[Justice says it in such a flat, formal tone of voice that it'd be easy to hear it as a perfunctory acknowledgement, no more and no less. But Justice doesn't say anything without utter sincerity. He is thankful that the man told him, and he will be happy to see Anders doing better after this whole mess. The latter is simply because he likes to spend time with his friend and reassuring himself that Anders is okay, and the former is because he recognizes that the other man is trying to be cordial as well. Justice appreciates the effort.

There is an elephant in the room though, so to speak. The incident of sharing power wasn't as momentous to Justice as it was to Wolfe, but it was still troubling in its own way, and worth discussing, so he'll get to the point.]

I wanted to say that if you wish to use spirits to augment your power again, I can offer advice.

[Once again, it's an abrupt and formal tone, and it could be taken as challenging or even condescending, but this is Justice's sincere olive branch, an offer of help intended only to help. He recognizes the dangers inherent in an inexperienced mage fumbling with the forces of the Fade. Sure, the man has Anders, but the perspective of a spirit can't hurt, especially a spirit that has magically assisted mages before and has seen the mistakes Anders' boyfriend made in his first desperate attempt at the magic.

But if the man doesn't want to pursue the school of magic, then Justice won't press him on it.]

[wolfehawke]

[Justice doesn't know just how that offer digs at Adalwolfe. If he could call on any other spirit while here in the Fleet, he probably wouldn't get twisted in knots over it as much as he does. Justice can't know that Wolfe has spoken with Anders about this very thing and how he feels obligated to learn for the safety of others - the safety of Anders - is far more important than his own misgivings, even when the foundation those misgivings are built on is solid and braced with experience.

The ability is rare enough to only touch a small pool of mages, but what typically makes Spirit Healers rare in practice is the likelihood for possession. Anders' words echo around in his head, rattling as they've done since they were spoken. He knows what Anders meant was the novice healer may not know a demon from a spirit willing to help and make a mistake in allies, but isn't this still what happened to Anders? A benevolent spirit, a spirit of Justice merging with him to right the wrongs he can't alone, to heal not just the sick and injured but cure the problem at his gnarled roots. And... it was a mistake. Born of love and hope and every good intention and it was a mistake.

Maybe.

Because what did come of it? Suffering and pain for the both of them, certainly, but also the start of something greater, the spark that caught and carried and while it rages still in the time that Anders and Wolfe are from, the future brings actual legitimate change. Change for every mage.

So was it truly a mistake?

And even if it was, does that make this a mistake as well? He knows the difference, he knows through experience and his own upbringing even if he was never harrowed formally. He knows himself enough to know if something is trying to make him do what he wouldn't. Or at least, he thinks he does. Hubris, maybe, but can he really afford not to learn when--

Sutures on skin that should never have been pierced. Fingers bloody and slipping, trying to keep everything together, trying to keep his love together and here and alive...

Hawke exhales steadily, outwardly calm despite the raging internal storm.]

What's your advice?

[whatisright]

When you opened yourself up to me, it was not directed and there was no warning. You opened yourself to the world and I was pulled in suddenly. It did not end badly that time because there were no demons present and I trusted that we had common cause and you would not harm me. But if I had not known who you were, I would have struggled and fled, and any nearby demons would have seized the opportunity to enter your mind.

[Justice doesn't move or blink, gaze fixed only on Anders' boyfriend. It doesn't occur to him to shift his body language to try to make himself look more relaxed. He still hasn't quite worked out non-verbal cues that would make him seem less stern and hard any time he speaks.]

You must understand that spirits are usually just as cautious about binding as mages are about possession. If you reach out to a spirit, you must give it time to decide that assisting you is worth the risk that you may turn on it. This becomes easier as you build trust with spirits that regularly help you, but in the meantime, you must be careful not to open yourself up until a spirit has accepted your invitation. Demons will not hesitate as spirits do.

[Plus, the extra time will give the mage time to gauge whether he's really communicating with a spirit and not a demon in disguise, but Justice is sure that he doesn't need to say that. In his experience, southern mages are very conscious of the risk of demonic trickery.]

Trust and loyalty will come in time, but you can earn them more easily by remaining conscious of and responsive to the spirit you are working with. Many will be entirely uncommunicative, but we can tell if a mage cares to listen.

[Basically, treat spirits like people and they'll like you more. You'd think this would be obvious, but it's a common enough mistake that Justice feels the need to mention it anyway.]