driftfleet | Joint video with ~makeovers~

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Joint video with ~makeovers~

Who: Justice, Anders, Riona, and YOU
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Caprine
When: Backdated before they get to the planet

[The video opens to what appears to be only Riona and Anders, standing shoulder to shoulder. Someone paying attention might notice someone else behind them, purposefully hidden.

Riona and Anders look a bit excited, and quite pleased. She glances over her shoulder briefly at someone, but her head still blocks most of the shot. When she turns back, she’s grinning.]

Ladies and gentlemen of the fleet, there’s someone we’d like you to meet. Or, maybe reintroduce for some of you.

[Anders steps aside, giving a grand wave to the person behind them and finally revealing him their captive audience.

It’s an unfamiliar and very attractive man with swept back hair and piercing blue eyes. (The shade of which may be familiar to anyone who might have known Anders back when he had a glowing problem.) The man in question has a seemingly perpetual frown on his face, standing stiffly without actually moving. He’s so still that it’s almost like he’s not breathing. (And those who know him, even if they don’t recognize him, might pick up on the note of vague confusion in the furrow of his brow. He does not know why this has become such a production, but it’s past the point when it’s worth the effort to restrain his friends.)

Anders’ grin could light up a room. It’s clear the two Wardens are very pleased with themselves.]

Please give a warm welcome to Justice: new and improved. For those of you who know him, Riona and I decided it was time for a bit of a makeover; something to improve over ‘dead and decaying.’ Those of you that might not have met him yet, you should! He’s really very nice.

[And now a 100% more approachable.

Justice, for his part, glances at Anders with slightly narrowed eyes. Anders, are you trying to make friends for him? He’s pretty sure you’re trying to make friends for him. Oh well. He dips his head towards the camera, and when he speaks, it’s the same deep rumble as before.] Greetings. If you did not know what to call me prior, I was the spirit who appeared to be dead.

[Riona nods, and wryly adds:] You may remember him as looking like a walking corpse who doesn't blink. We didn't want people to be putoff by his appearance anymore. Hard to get to know people and mingle with mortals when everyone thinks you're an undead shambler.

So say hello and chat him up. Or just ogle him. [She gives a wink and a wave.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Give her, perhaps, a few moments to reign herself in. To - consider. This development. ]

It suits him.

[ That works, right? ]

[It works by Justice's standards. He dips his head in acknowledgement, and while his appearance has changed, his mannerisms have not. He still doesn't blink as he looks at her, but now his eyes are vivid blue instead of covered with cataracts.] Thank you. Riona and Anders were very particular about it. [More particular than he would've been, but that's why they're the ones that can navigate mortals no problem, he guesses.]

[ It's comforting to see him still acting the same, even if everything else about him is wildly different. Her heart thuds in her chest before she shakes it off - he's still Justice. It doesn't matter what he looks like. ]

Dare I ask how they were particular?

They were quite specific about things such as jawline and cheekbones.

I do not know the reason, but this is why I needed mortal assistance to make my own form, I suppose.

[He is still confused but it seems like people like the new look so he'll work with it.]

It suits you. That might be why.

[ oh my god they definitely wanted to make Justice attractive Creators help her -- ]

Do you like it?

[Resistance is futile, Lei. Best to give up now.]

I have little preference beyond functionality. This form functions well and mortals are not disturbed by it, so I am content.

It seems that you all have stronger opinions about it than I do. [He's noticing a pattern.]

[ But he's... So lovely... ]

I wouldn't say that it was strong, really...

[ But, ah, she... ]

It... It a nice body.

[The signs of attraction completely fly over his head because he's hopeless.]

I have been told that it is attractive by mortal standards. I would not know.

[ Probably for the best, if they're all being honest. ]

No, you wouldn't. Do spirits feel that sort of thing?

I do not remember ever feeling physical attraction, but that does not necessarily mean that we are incapable. There are many emotions that we are capable of, but which we are not often inspired to feel in the Fade or do not allow ourselves to feel.

[Justice is pretty sure he has the full emotional breadth of a mortal for the most part. He just hasn't had as much practice with it.]

A spirit of love, perhaps, would encounter physical attraction more often, if we are able to feel it.

That makes sense. Your virtue is dominant, isn't it? Cole was that way, even at the end. His compassion was overwhelming.

[ Leilani tilts her head, thoughtful and curious. ]

Or would they feel romantic attraction? It's far more complicated than I gave it credit for.

[Leilani knew the compassion spirit too? Justice is starting to think he's the only one who hasn't met it.]

My virtue informs all that I am, yes. Everything else is secondary.

[Justice has to consider. He has actually considered this before, believe it or not, but talking about it is different from thinking about it.]

...We are capable of romantic attraction, yes. [He thinks that's what he felt for Aura. It wasn't his feeling, necessarily--it was Kristoff's, his love so intense for his wife that it lasted even in death--but he felt it nonetheless, and it still makes his heart ache.] I imagine a spirit of love would have more knowledge of that than I would. I am less certain about physical attraction, as physical appearances do not mean to us what they do to you. It is not skin and bones that make any one mortal beautiful to me, at least.

[ Knew him and loved him, desperately, like family. ]

I can't imagine that. It must be easier, in some ways, to know exactly who you are meant to be.

[ Which is a confusing mess when you're not a spirit, thank you. Leilani has no idea who she is half the time; she's the Inquisitor, she's herself, she was First of Clan Lavellan and now... Well. Who knows what she is now. ]

Then... Do you think you'd like that? [ It's a softly spoken question. ] I don't really know if I can comment on physical attraction, given my tastes, but romance? It's nice.

It does make things simple, yes. I do not envy mortals their lack of predestined purpose.

[Mortals may talk about how lovely the freedom is and how great it is to be able to decide these things, but Justice is very happy with his own ingrained purpose, thank you very much.

Oh, this is serious territory here. And it doesn't really occur to Justice to temper his answer in any way, even in public. He's honest, and he's blunt.]

Yes, I believe I would. Kristoff's body held many memories of his marriage, and it was the best part of his life. [Something that Justice envies, even. Craves. But at the same time...] I do not believe I would be well suited to be someone's romantic partner, however.

I don't think many people envy that part of being mortal.

[ It makes her draw a quiet comparison between spirits and the Qun; everything has a place, a purpose, a meaning, but how much thought is there? Cole and Justice have proven themselves to be independent, but at the same time... How far can they go from their virtue? Will Cole ever lose his Compassion?

It's... Awkward, and she shakes the thought away even as she leans forward to better talk about the matter. ]

There might be someone out there that is well suited to being with someone like you, Justice. I wouldn't rule it out simply because you have yet to meet them. I never thought that I would fall in love and - well. It happened.

As I understand it, mortals tend to seek emotional support from their lovers to a greater extent than they seek it from their friends. It is also expected that lovers will prioritize one another in life, and potentially get married and have children if circumstances permit. I am suited for none of these things, so I am therefore unsuited to be a romantic partner. I do not see why anyone would overlook this.

[He says it dryly, like he is reading a grocery list or rattling off a schedule. He's not feeling sorry for himself--while he may regret that he can't have this, he's also accepted it--but he's laying out the logic of why it's not in the cards for him, if the simple fact that he's a spirit isn't enough for her.

Although he doesn't get why she would have been surprised by romance.]

You are a well-adjusted mortal. Why would love be unexpected?

[Leilani seems perfectly suited for romance to him. She's kind, patient, and seems good at understanding the emotions of others.]

[ It is also expected that lovers will prioritize one another in life.

A part of her wants to laugh, but she doesn't. It's incredibly sweet, the way that Justice thinks about relationships and love, even as he distances himself from it. Leilani can appreciate why, at least, and she can accept it; he's not quite the case that Cole is, given the chance to be more human or more spirit. He simply is, and Leilani can't push him beyond his bounds. ]

You would be surprised how many people aren't quite like that.

[ She does laugh at the rest, though, her lips twitching into something of an amused smile. ]

What makes you think I'm at all well-adjusted?

[Justice would really like the chance to experience love and romance, but he’s not getting his hopes up. It’s better to want and accept he can’t have than to waste away pining over misplaced hope.

But her laughter confuses him. Isn’t she well-adjusted and perfectly suited for romance?]

You are able to understand feelings and read them well. You seem comfortable speaking with others, and others seem comfortable speaking with you. [Basically, everything that isn’t true about Justice.] You are also kind, patient, brave, and intelligent. I do not see why you would not easily find someone suited for you.

[Justice can’t tell if she’s beautiful or not, but he can’t imagine that that would disqualify her entirely from love.]

[ That... Is far more of a compliment than she had ever imagined, and Leilani is struck for a moment, staring at him before she manages to shake her head and get herself together, shifting a little to make herself more comfortable. ]

That... Is kind of you, Justice.

[ How is she meant to respond to that? Unlike the compliments of people in Orlais or visitors to the Inquisition... This seemed real. Genuine. It's a little overwhelming. ]

Perhaps the person suited for me is not who I am best suited for.

[It doesn't occur to Justice that suddenly blurting out compliments like that could be considered sudden or strange. He's simply stating his observations. He only knows how to be honest.

He doesn't understand the issue here. She seems unsettled. Why would two suitable people not be suitable for each other?]

Can you not find another person more compatible, in that case? [He cocks his head slowly, brow furrowing in concern.] Have I said something wrong?

No, you've said nothing wrong. It's a very complicated thing, that's all.

[ Leilani sighs, frowning as she considers how best to explain it. It's not easy, it's not simple, and she feels herself tense, uncomfortable and uncertain as she tries to pick the best words. ]

Love is an incredible thing, and when you love someone it can take all of your heart. Sometimes, that doesn't end, but something comes between you and the person you love - and that means that you can't find someone else, because you still love someone. You simply cannot be together.

[Justice's frown etches itself deeper into his face. He suspects that this is one of those things that he just won't get, but he wants to try anyway, especially since it seems to upset Leilani.]

I do not understand. If you love someone that you cannot be with, why can you not love someone else?

[It's not like it's unfaithful to fall in love with someone else if one isn't in a committed relationship.]

[ Oh, Creators, how best to put this... ]

If there is nothing for you to enact Justice over, does that feeling go away? Does the desire to follow that ideal disappear?

Of course not. It is everything that I am.

[Although he imagines he would be terribly bored if he were forced to sit around with no opportunity to fulfill his purpose. It's bad enough that his main means of fulfilling his purpose when they're not on planets is helping make medicine with Anders.]

That is what love is like. It doesn't go away, and you cannot just choose someone else. It's present and real, just like Justice.

Joint video with ~makeovers~

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