And Let Us Gather 'Round [ Video + Action ]

[universal_charm]

Who: Kirk and The Fine People of the Fleet
Broadcast: Yes
Action: On the Iskaulit, Specifically at the Melting Pot - Note: After the Broadcast
When: After they start heading away from the system

Video
<sub>[ Kirk appears on the screen, and probably like many people he looks tired and a bit beaten up. Scratches not yet healed on his face, one even covered with a bandage on his cheek, that sort of drawn look around his eyes after all the sleepless nights and the battles and general horridness. A little to pale, perhaps.

Even so, he gives as warm a smile as he can as he begins to speak. ]</sub>

For those of you who might not know, I come from a world called Earth - or at least, one of the versions represented here. On my world, in the country I hail from, we celebrate something known as Thanksgiving roughly around this time of year if I've done my calculations correct. Some people call it Friendsgiving, but it's all the same really.

Essentially, it's a time to a give thanks for the good things in your life, your friends, and your family. In the spirit of that, I've arranged for a gathering at the Melting Pot - a thank you to Jarvis for that. Everyone who wishes to come is welcome.

I just thought we all could use a day, a place, to be together and to just enjoy each other. So I hope to see you there.

Action: The Melting Pot
<sub>[ The restaurant is set up to allow as much mingling as possible when people arrive - places to sit, of course, but there's gentle music playing for those who might want to dance and just to give some atmosphere (but not loud enough to stop conversation at all). Food and drink is laid out - things to nibble on rather than the usual feasts associated with a Thanksgiving. Not particularly ideal, but it's what could be managed. Unless, of course, anyone decided to bring something else to add to the spread.

Not a fancy party, to be sure, but it's warm and inviting, which is what Kirk had hoped for. A place for them all to come together and enjoy each other and just be glad they were all there and if not quite completely whole, then, well, able to be there. ]

[ooc: Open mingle! Feel free to create your own starters and do as you like - tis a warm Friendsgiving party for the Fleet! ]</sub>

Comments

[wolfuncaged]

[Wolfe says that and Fenris' entire body tenses. He wondered how long it would be until Wolfe knew, he knew eventually, a reckoning would come about this. He...hadn't expected it yet. The tension goes and instead his shoulders just...drop. His face remains downward, staring into the wine he doesn't drink. ]

She told you, then.

[There's a real guilt to his tone, along with an underlying sadness. He had something precious and he ruined it- through his own stupid insecurities. ]

If you wish to berate me, you are welcome to. You will hear no arguments from me. I am already well aware what I did was pathetic and unforgivable.

[wolfehawke]

Well that takes all the fun out of it.

[It's a very bad joke, especially coming from Wolfe who's not really the sort to kick someone when they're down. Really he's just relieved. He's glad that Fenris knows what he did was wrong, that he feels remorse. If Fenris had just told him he didn't care, or that it was just the way it happened and got defensive, he would have had to pop him in the mouth and ruin the party. He's glad that's no longer on the table, even if this is... more complicated.]

I get the feeling from that tone you've berated yourself a lot all on your own and you intend to keep doing it. I can't say you don't deserve it.

[He downs half his glass in one go, not his usual pace for drinking.]

I just want to know one thing, though.

[He turns aside, facing Fenris with his shoulder against the wall.]

Why did you do it that way? If you were unhappy, or fell in love with Jim, why didn't you talk to her first?

[His eyebrows are furrowed and his expression soft, curious and uncertain. He's honestly trying to understand.]

[wolfuncaged]

I hate myself for it plenty, yes, and that is well deserved.

[Just another thing to add to the long list he has of his own self loathing. He does't look at Wolfe- instead he continues to stare into his glass, at the liquid within it. HIs shoulders hunch, and he lets out a shuddery exhale. ]

I was a coward. I planned to tell her but I just...baulked and took the easier option. I- Kirk didn't know. When it happened. He assumed I had spoken with her already. I just took the selfish, cowardly way out. I can't justify it.

[wolfehawke]

Good.

[He kills the rest of his glass and pauses to fill another.]

If you feel that way then you won't ever do it again. You'll remember this feeling.

[It's also good to know that Kirk had no idea. Assuming is never a good idea, but if Kirk trusts Fenris then Hawke can't fault him for that.]

Look, I'm not- Well no, I am angry. But I'm not going to tear into you. I just wanted to make sure you didn't do it on purpose for some unfathomable reason. I never thought you'd actually try to hurt her and I'm glad I was right.

[He sighs heavily, swirling his glass again.]

I can't help but think that some of it is my fault. I know I sort of pushed you two at each other even when you were having problems. After the dragon fight especially.

[He believes entirely that love should conquer all, that it's the beginning and the end and the everything but after drawing energy from Justice and knowing what love can also do if there isn't understanding and communication between partners... It's making him question some things.]

[wolfuncaged]

I am not about to forget it in a hurry, no.

[It's going to stick with him forever. ]

I never intentionally set out to hurt her- I never would. I just... I made a rash decision fuelled by my own blighted issues and she paid the price for it.

[Finally, he looks at Wolfe his brow furrowed. ]

No. This was not your fault. The problems were always there, and she and I did a lot to try and ignore them. I am sure we would have come back together even without your help. We were just- it was just doomed from the start. Anything concerning me is.

[wolfehawke]

[He grunts at that, not convinced, but he has the social grace to not make this conversation about him. Still, he finished his second glass in the past several minutes and pours a third.]

I don't think that's true. I think you're as damaged as the rest of us, but not hopeless or doomed. You just need to stop getting in your own way. Nothing's doomed from the start.

[There's a part of him that feels like he's betraying Marian by trying bolster Fenris like this, but it doesn't feel right to cut him down either, so he's stuck and just lets his mouth run. And drinks another half a glass of wine in a few gulps. It's a good thing he doesn't really care for this vintage or else it would be an awful waste.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris listens to what Wolfe has to say. The elf has always been exceptionally good at putting himself down. He simply doesn't have the faith in himself that he can drag himself out of the dark hole he lives in.

"You just need to stop getting in your own way" truer words have never been spoken.]

...I am rather good at destroying my own happiness.

[wolfehawke]

It's a curse.

[He nods sagely, looking at the sad remains of his glass. That last half he drank was more like three quarters...]

Part of it is communication, sure, but part of it is letting yourself admit to what you want and going for it even if you don't feel like you deserve it. When it comes to other people, that's for them to decide.

[He looks around the room for a moment, finally spotting Anders picking surreptitiously at the hors d'oeuvre like he's doing something he shouldn't be. Wolfe smiles gently.]

It's a terrifying prospect, but it's better to know for certain what people think of you than to assume you're not worth anyone's time. You don't know how people value their time or affections, and you can't decide for them. As an example, the entirety of Thedas - including him - thinks it's some sort of mystery or miracle that I stand by him after everything. But he's still with me, years later, even though I know he doesn't think he deserves it. But it's because he wants to be here, and he let me make the decision for myself of whether I wanted to stay instead of trying to choose for me, even after giving repeated warnings.

[His smile turns wistful and he looks back at Fenris.]

I'm sure that all just sounds like saccharine ridiculousness but it works for us. Maybe something of it might work for you if you just remember no one is irredeemable, even if they make very stupid decisions.

[He finishes the remains of his glass and sets it aside with finality. He's still bothered that he's trying to help and not trying to get satisfaction in the name of his sister, but he's just not the type if the hurt wasn't entirely willful and without remorse. That and he values his friendship with Fenris even more deeply than he thought possible, given that it's a second chance he never thought he'd have. If that makes him an awful brother, then... well. He's done worse.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris remains silent, letting Adalwolfe speak- listening, taking it in. He turns his head when Wolfe starts speaking about Anders, brow furrowed. His relationship with the mage might be somewhat improving, but they still have a long, long way to go. ]

You have given me a lot to think about.

[Ever the conversationalist. He means it, though. His own self worth is still bundled in all his other issues- some Danarius put there, some he created all by himself. H really doesn't see himself as redeemable. As worth it.

But Kirk has already said words to that effect. That he wants the chance to decide that for himself. That Fenris should trust him his own choices. The elf still thinks he's a madman, but he would be more hypocritical than usual if he denied Kirk that much. ]

...Thank you. Honestly, I expected much worse from you when you learned what happened.

[wolfehawke]

I thought of doing much worse, but...

[He lets out a breath.]

We've come a long way. I didn't want to ruin the friendship we've built. If I'd talked to you tonight and you'd tried to tell me you did nothing wrong, then this would have gone incredibly differently. I'm very glad it didn't.

[Anders might side-eye him saying this but what Anders doesn't know he doesn't have to be judged for.]

You're my friend and that means getting the benefit of the doubt.

[wolfuncaged]

[He won't tell him, your secret is safe. Fenris doesn't really smile, but he does give a little nod. Something close. ]

I...thank you. Your friendship means a lot to me, I would not wish to lose it.

[wolfehawke]

I feel the same.

[A little smile, some guilt floating behind it, but it's earnest. He never thought this was even a possibility.]

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to make sure Anders actually eats something instead of thinking he's going to get scolded for every morsel.

[That's enough of this complicated feels business for Fenris, Wolfe can tell.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Wolfe is a good friend, he knows Fenris' limits for all this feelings bullshit. The elf smiles, tipping his glass in thanks and farewell. ]

Of course. Enjoy the rest of your evening.