driftfleet | ROADS TO RICHES MINGLE POST

[That...sounds hauntingly familiar.]

It is said elves lived like that, once. Humans quickly took over and tore us down. Slaverly is common for elves, in Tevinter, and in the rest of Thedas, they either live in slums or wander the wilds in Dalish clans. Being an elf in Thedas means you often have less than nothing, and are expected to be content with that.

[He can understand, why Solas wants so badly to change things. He still doesn't believe it's possible, though. Elves have their lot, and that is that.

Belth's next comment makes him look up sharply. Because that sounds familiar, too.]

...Do you mean Exsilium?

I will never be content with the lot I was given. I've come to accept that humans are not all terrible, but they abandoned my people and left us to die at the hands of their undead prince. I will never forgive them for that.

[He scowls, though it soon fades into a look of mild surprise.]

... Yes, actually. I thought Kaneis was the only one who remembered. I was there for a few months.

Hmm, some of the people I treasure most are humans, but by and large they are an exceptionally destructive race.

No, I remember being there. Nine months, right up until the war ended and they offered us a way out.

They are. Young and stupid as a whole, I feel.

[As if he's not a sixteen year old elf who does stupid things on a regular basis.]

I left in the summer... I think. I don't remember anything about the war ending. I do remember a plague that killed a lot of civilians. And then I woke up here.

[A sigh, and he shakes his head.]

I am glad the war is over, but being kidnapped again is the opposite of what I wanted.

[Of course not.]

The United Earth's AI was destroyed, and that meant their bases could be struck down. When the war was done, the Initiative offered us all a chance to go home, remain and rebuild, or travel elsewhere.

[Very dryly:]

That list is strangely devoid of spaceships.

Precisely. I do not know how I ended up here.

None of us do. And I am left wondering what happened to me in those months I was gone, if time went on for everyone else.

[He shivers. He doesn't like not knowing things.]

... My name is Belthazar Spellscry.

[Well if that's not an indication of being a mage I don't know what is.]

Hm. I imagine it would be like being dropped in a sort of limbo.

[He doesn't know if the Initiative or Atroma are to blame, but he knows it's one of them.]

Fenris.

...That is an unusual name. [The 'SPELL' part tipped him off. ]

I suppose so. I keep thinking of all the time that was wasted. I could have been studying.

[He huffs a bit to himself, then looks at Fenris.]

It's a pleasure to meet you. [Even if you are too poor for shoes, strange man.]

Ah... that's only the Common translation, but it's easier to pronounce for most people. One of my ancestors supposedly rose to fame by spying tirelessly on the enemy and delivering the information to the ranger-general. There may be some truth to it since magic runs in my family.

Do you not have deed names where you are from?

[Fenris gives a soft 'hn' at that. Maybe it's nice to meet him, too, maybe it's not. It could go either way.

It's probably that second one, though.

His eyes narrow at the magic talk. Of COURSE he's another mage, why wouldn't he be? ]

Atroma does enjoy mages, it seems. Do you have control over your magic?

[Just...getting right to the point, there, not even going to answer that question. ]

[Fenris mentioned the possession thing earlier, but that doesn't explain why he's suddenly bitter about EVERY MAGE HE COMES ACROSS. Belth leans back slightly, his ears flattening against his dark hair.]

Of course I do! [He's somewhat offended at the accusation.] I was conjuring fireballs while my peers were still learning to read, and I hold a position that normally belongs to those twice my age-- something I could not have attained without a degree of skill.

So, yes, I can control my magic.

[Fenris is silent, watching him, judging him. He's trying to decide how honest Belth is being.]

Hm. Be sure that does not change. You have a dangerous power within you.

Magic differs from world to world. I acknowledge that it is a dangerous gift, but magic is as raw and unpredictable as nature itself. Being afraid of it won't protect us from it.

[He huffs.]

Anyway, I've been fighting against corruption all my life. The last thing I want to do is become as base as the people who shove me down.

It may differ, but its danger remains the same, this much I have learned.

[Fenris rolls his eyes. What do you want, kid? A MEDAL? ]

Good. As you should. Keep that up, and we will not have an issue.

[Okay there might be a little issue. ]

I've dedicated my life to it.

[His hackles are still up, though. He's not very good at diffusing awkward situations.]

Why do you hate magic so much? It's not as if I chose to be born this way.

I come from a country where magic rules. For the most part, mages there are vicious and corrupt, using the power to crush others. People die and suffer because of it.

You may not have chosen to be born a mage, but it is your choice what you do with your powers.

[Belthazar sobers at Fenris' tone, which will allow no argument. It sounds a lot like Silvermoon, honestly, and that's the part that hits him.]

... No, you're right. It is my choice.

[His voice is quiet, but firm. This is something he's dedicated himself to. His dream.]

No one should be tortured or starved or spat on just because of their birth. I'm going to change it all. That is my choice.

And what, precisely, would you change?

[He wants to know, because Anders' ideas of 'change' can and will brin Thedas to ruin. The last thing he wants is another Imperium anywhere. ]

I want to pave the way for people of common birth to be recognized for their talents. If I become an archmage, my voice will be heard-- and I may even be able to join the council that rules over all mages. I'd be able to influence the magisters in my birthplace and weed out the corruption.

I don't have the ability to heal others, and I despise war. Research, pushing the limits of what is known and solving mysteries-- that is how I can help.

[This sounds horribly like Dorian and Fenris can't help but sigh, a touch annoyed. ]

It seems a noble goal, but such things are much easier to aspire to than actually achieve.

[He doesn't know much of Belth's world, but if it's anything like Tevinter, he doubts THAT place can be saved from corruption, either. ]

Of course I know that. I'm not some naive idealist...

[His voice is small and sharp.]

I have nothing else. I don't have family or friends. I only have this.

That in itself can consume you completely. To not have those who you can care for, to teach you a better understanding. To act like an anchor when you are lost in the storm.

[He speaks from experience. Horrible, horrible experience. He dreads to think, the person he might be if he had not met the people he has come to consider his family. ]

[He watches Fenris for a long moment, trying to judge how much of that is personal experience and how much of it is just Fenris' opinion.]

I'm alone at home. Reaching out doesn't... work. I have tried, but there are so few who see the corruption. Most everyone feeds into it because it's easier.

[He shakes his head fiercely, sending fluffy black hair in all directions before it settles down again.]

But I have... people here. Even though I have no idea how to be a friend, I have them. Maybe things will change when I finally return. I don't know.

Azeroth is big. It's easy to overlook an orphan; there's hundreds of them.

Hm. Perhaps I have been fortunate, to meet people willing to stand up for what is right. To refuse the easy path.

[All of them, even Anders refused the easy path, one way or another. They all struggled, oftentimes fruitlessly, but the fact they were willing to try made all the difference. ]

I cannot offer help in such matters. I am learning myself. [Friendship is hard. ]

Hm. I can understand the temptation to just disappear. It is safer, in the long run.

[What had he told Hawke? Keep your head low, and guard what you have. ]

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