driftfleet | Video

Who: Anders + Open
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Tourist, if desired. In the Cargo bay
When: Now

[Anders wasn't the type to post to the network all that often, but he's also not usually in a position to need to ask for help, so, network it is.

There's a touch of uncertainty and hesitation to his baring when he starts the feed and, instead of being in the Tourist's clinic or one of the gardens as he usually is, he's in the ship's cargo bay. Open space seemed like the best thing for what he was trying to practice.]

The gifts Atroma delivered to us seem thoughtful enough, considering, but I find myself in need of some help with mine. I thought I could perhaps figure it out myself, but it hasn't worked out so far.

I know the terms are familiar to those from Thedas, but just in case they're familiar to anyone else: I'd like to speak to anyone who knows about 'Arcane Warriors' and 'Knight Enchanters.' I need help applying my knowledge of one to the other.

[A brief pause.]

To anyone else, I'm in need of a sparring partner. Anyone skilled with a blade willing to help out would be welcome. Thank you.

[And now he waits. He hasn't breathed a word about the Spirit Hilt sent to him...and knows there's some who didn't even know he could wield a sword, much less had in the past. Really, there were only two that would.

But desperate times and all that.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Meredtih might of had reason to pause for a change.

[Probably not because she was..you know fucking batshit, but still. Still...it's almost pleasant, having something almost like a normal conversation with Anders. He wouldn't admit it out loud, of course, but it was there- niggling at the back of his mind that they could of had this back home if they'd just stopped for five seconds to actually listen to one another. ]

I also planned to move on fairly quickly. No matter who the Hawke, they had a way of convincing people to stick around.

[There's a considerable pause here. ]

....Do you want me to spar with you?

They are rather charming, it seems.

[Damn those Hawkes.

Anders Pauses in return, measuring his words, his options. He hadn't been joking perhaps, but he hadn't expected anything more than a brush off from the elf either, not the question he received in return.]

I... [another beat of hesitation before habit kicked in to save the impending awkwardness.]

It just seems to make sense. You use a sword to fight and I know you're fairly decent at it, besides, it would be good to see if the blade I can make holds up to some of the harder hits I know you can deliver.

[He shrugs.]

If...the fact the blade is literally made from my mana won't bother you; Knight Enchanters don't use physical swords as Arcane Warriors do.

[Damn ALL the Hawkes.

He's quiet again. Honestly, back home if he had been raising a blade against Anders it would have been to kill him. Not anymore. Not really.

Though he COULD tell himself he's doing it to become more accustomed to this unknown skillset of Anders'. Should he ever need it. ]

I have battled such blades before, Anders. They were not overly rare in Tevinter. ...Still, I suppose it couldn't hurt to spar once in a while.

Well. It could probably hurt you.

Somehow that doesn't surprise me. Knight Enchanters are very heavily regulated in the south, can't have just anyone learning the trade.

[Too bad so sad Anders had found a way to cheat and done just one more thing to piss of the chantry. Oh the remorse.

Fenris' comment is met with Anders' eyes narrowing as his sarcasm doubles.]

Oh, you're funny.

As you know, Tevinter isn't really a place for regulations.

[That old bitterness is there, bubbling under the surface. The desire to nudge Anders into an argument about Tevinter and snap in response to any suggestion that Tevinter is a good way to run things. That would be...normal.

He doesn't, though. Instead, a smirk crosses his features. ]

I'll have you know I can be hilarious when I want to.

[It's there, the urge to snark back and retort how sometimes that wasn't a bad thing. Sometimes that could mean taking freedom to mages and applying it to places where slavery is illegal in the South, as it should be...

But he doesn't say it. The urge is there, but he isn't so pressed to follow through, like he might be forsaking some virtue he should follow if he chooses to bite it back now. Maker, sometimes that hole in him ached horribly and sometimes he had to acknowledge other things were...better for it.

There were places and people to fight. One of his few remaining...allies. Wasn't one of them.]

As you've said.

[No, instead he smirks back, finding comfort in this sort of familiarity, even if the person he's being familiar with is the less familiar aspect. Historically, teasing was how he'd made any of his friends.]

Can you? I wasn't even convinced you knew how to smile without straining something.

[He'd been expecting something from Anders, and he's part-relieved, part-disappointed he didn't rise to the bait. Things really are different between them, perhaps for good- something he honestly can't find as disappointing as he would have a few years ago.

The teasing is easy, light banter, not tainted with venom. It's almost enjoyable. ]

I've even been known to laugh on occasion. Hold your gasps of shock and awe.