lookin' for a sign of life

[winterlamp]

[The Deep Roads yet again. And with a mage. The idea behind the thing made sense. Alistair was a former Templar-in-Training and could dispel the magic of a renegade mage if need be. Alistair really hoped it wouldn't come to that. He liked Anders for what that was worth. Granted, the two didn't know each other very well and Anders delighted in giving Alistair a difficult time... not that the other Warden really had to try too hard. But they've had some fun chats and Alistair is never one to shy away from learning from another person. Those remarks about being a templar could go, though. No matter how many times Alistair reminded Anders that he never actually was one, the mage always seemed to conveniently forget.

But now it was just the two of them in the dark chill, two Wardens meant to complement each other with their various strengths. The mission was simple enough in theory: determine whether or not the darkspawn had returned underground and if so, note where among the Deep Roads to the best of their ability. A task easier said than done considering how easy to was to lose one's way.

Alistair adjusts the pack against his shoulders and holds his glowstone torch aloft. Everything looked the same.]

You know, I always wondered why my father willingly came down here twice and now here I am doing the same thing. Though I'll have to be honest, the food that was rationed for us really isn't that bad. I have a feeling someone knows how I feel about cheese based on the amount of it in my bag. The meat's not bad either, though I'm... not entirely sure what it is.

Comments

[mewnifestos]

[ Well, that's definitely the way to prove he's not being childish. Anders gives the grave a last look, curious as it is, before following reluctantly after his swiftly retreating would-be partner. ]

If that's your idea of being open-minded, I'm afraid to think what you'd consider the opposite.

[ His own voice pitches a bit sharper, continuing as if this argument hasn't been summarily shut down, already - but it's not like he knows another convenient route back to the surface, so they're walking together, anyway. ]

Just because I want respect for my magic doesn't mean I also want to be treated like the token mage all the time. I'm not just a staff and a skirt, you know. If you wanted my advice, you could ask for it without insinuating I'm nothing but some convenient magical conduit of weird, Fade-y nonsense.

I don't know what you're capable of, either, but I didn't assume it was swinging a sword and grunting loudly and nothing else.

[winterlamp]

I don't think of you as a token!

[He turns, incredulous.]

I just had a thought and I reasoned you'd know more than I do. I think you're smart, Anders. And talented. And funny when you're not being so mean about it.

[He sighs, looking to Anders for help, dropping his arms to his sides.]

But, Maker you're frustrating. And this assignment is frustrating. I'm sure you'll find all this toothachingly sincere but the truth is I'm at a loss.

[mewnifestos]

[ Anders pulls up short, prepared for an argument but not for that helpless look. His glower twists into a frown, defused considerably as he casts about for a suitably pithy response and comes up with none.

Some things just - necessitate honesty, difficult as that is to reckon with, at the best of times. (And standing around in the dark and foreboding Deep Roads is not a best kind of time by far.) ]

Well... Maybe it's better that way. You don't want to be getting too chummy with the apostate, anyway. Nothing good happens to decent people who get too close to me.

[ Being a Warden, he'd thought, might have changed that - but lately it seems the templars are determined to dog him even here. The real ones, that is. ]

You don't deserve to get tangled up in my problems.

[winterlamp]

That's the thing. I don't think being your friend means getting tangled up in anything.

[He shuffles a little, suddenly very self aware, and kicks idly at a rock.]

I want to stand beside you, in whatever way that happens to be. It's awful to feel alone and I don't want that for you.

[There's a hurt in Alistair's eyes as his own words hit too close to home. He doesn't want Anders to push him away too.]

[mewnifestos]

Well, you're about twenty years too late for that.

[ Because he can't let this go without trying to make light of it in some way. Not that there's a hint of amusement in his falsely jovial tone, nor a single glimmer of it in his expression.

Anders doesn't know what to do with that hurt look, as familiar as it feels. But maybe that's not such a bad thing, as it leaves him little other recourse but to sigh and revert to that irritating honesty.

It's a little more hesitant and earnest than he'd like, as he rocks back and forth on his heels in decisively for a moment, biting the inside of his lip, before he offers, ]

...Start over, then? Truce?

[winterlamp]

Truce.

[Alistair walks within arm's length of Anders, extending a hand to make it official.]

And I don't... want to be annoying. We can talk things out if you don't like something, I promise.

[mewnifestos]

[ Anders' frown persists a moment longer, before he eventually accepts Alistair's hand. ]

Just don't get all touchy-feely on me again without any warning, all right? It makes me uncomfortable.

[ Having real emotions just lobbed at him, willy-nilly. Rude. ]

Nobody ever tries to cozy up to you in the Circle unless they want something.

[winterlamp]

[Alistair nods, giving the hand a single firm shake before withdrawing.]

I promise I won't.

[There's a slight scraping sound as Alistair scuffs at the ground with the tip of his boot.]

But. I'm generally kind of an open person. I can't stop my personality but I want to be respectful of yours. What counts as a warning?

[mewnifestos]

Oh, I don't know. 'By the way, I rolled out of bed this morning feeling uncommonly generous and obnoxiously kind, and I'm probably going to get it all over you, incidentally' might work.

[ Anders shrugs, smiling thinly. It's a joke, but given his track record with those and Alistair, so far, he has reasons to be hesitant. ]

I'm not asking you to be someone else. That... wouldn't be fair. But if we're going to be getting lost in the Deep Roads together often, you can't take everything I say so personally. Or literally.