hadriel | [Voice]

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[Voice]

So, I can't be the only one who's been smacked in the face with culture shock, right? Or technology-shock, because a lot of the shit that's here I've never seen or heard of and have no idea how it works. I've figured out a couple of things through trial and error, but I'm not too proud to admit most of my reaction is still 'no fucking clue'. For those in the same boat, how long did it take you to adjust? What's the craziest discovery you've made? And for those that aren't, care to lend some advice? I'll pay you in drinks or other stuff; if you've the patience to endure all my questions, you've earned it.

I've said it elsewhere, but just repeating myself now: if you're on that hit list and not that great at defending yourself, let me know. I'm pretty damn good at that, and so is the large war dog at my side. [Said war dog lets out an eager bark.]

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You're a race? [is also puzzled, but rolls with it] I hadn't realized.

[takes in the appearance of both the person and the dog. clearly not a dwarf like Tyrion. and she exclaims in delight as she sees Barkspawn]

What a handsome dog! I'm sure he must be a great help in battle. And you must give him a treat on my behalf.

Yeah, we are. I thought you knew, you were talking like you'd seen dwarves before.

[She pets Barkspawn, who's looking rather smug and then immediately perks up at mention of treats.]

Fine, you bottomless pit. You'll get one. And he does, but he's also smart enough that if there's not much to do, he'll get bored and make mischief. So I have to wear him down with a lot of playtime and exploration.

No, I'm sorry to say that I didn't. What my world calls a dwarf and what your world does seem to be different.

[makes a little waving motion at the camera in Barkspawn's direction]

I'd imagine that the caves must come in terribly useful for that.

[Barkspawn tries to lick the screen, but Aren distracts him by throwing a treat. Zoom, he goes.]

Oh yeah, those areas are perfect for both of us. We can't afford to let ourselves get rusty here, not when all that shit at the colliseum will happen again, right? What a way to welcome new people. 'Here, have some monsters.'

[Margaery laughs, then turns more serious]

Indeed. I suppose I was lucky in a way. All I had to face were gigantic beetles. Terrifying at the time, but not so bad in retrospect. Not when compared to the Null.

Fuck the Null. What a bunch of cowards, trying to get us to do their work for them. If they ever show themselves, I'll let them know what I think of their trying to get us to kill kids.

If the do show themselves, I'm afraid that I'll have no choice but to hide. I've been taking lessons on swordplay, but there's no way I'll be good enough to do any good on the field.

That's okay, it should be up to those of us who've fought on the battlefield, not civilians. Sometimes the best thing you can do is keep out of the way, and wait for it to blow over. I know that pretty well.

I just worry because the man I love will be on the front lines. I wish there was something I could do to help him.

And I've been terribly rude and haven't introduced myself, haven't I? Margaery Tyrell, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. What's your name?

Oh, um. [They're doing titles now? Okay, time to switch to that mode.] I'm Warden-Commander Aren Brosca, Arlessa of Amaranthine and...a bunch of other stuff, it's long.

Which guy do you mean? I'm not going to make any promises, but I'll try to look out for people.

It's my pleasure to meet you. How would you have me refer to you?

His name is Matt Murdock. I know he's quite capable of fighting on his own, but I worry about what the Null may send against us.

Honestly, just 'Aren' is fine unless there's some reason I'd need to use a title in this place. If I get a bunch of Grey Wardens and we have to fight darkspawn, then Warden-Commander makes sense...but I'm not expecting that.

Oh, I met him over this thing. He was friendly and helpful enough to me, so yeah, I'll be happy to look out for him if I can.

All right, Aren. May I ask what are darkspawn?

Thank you. I would be deeply in your debt if you do.

They're tainted humanoid beings that basically live to spread their corruption and do a pretty damn good job of it, too. As a Grey Warden, it's my job to slay them where I find them.

Corruption? Corruption of the spirit or of the body or--or both?

The body, mostly, though if people don't die of the taint and it overcomes them, they lose their minds and become ghouls. It's not pleasant.

That's terrible! I've never even heard of such a thing being possible. I hope they never come here.

Same, though if they do I can sense them, so that will help.

You can sense them? May I ask how that works?

You can, but it's honestly hard to explain to someone who isn't a Grey Warden, and Grey Wardens don't really need to explain it to each other. If you become one of us, it can take a while to kick in, but you'll get there sooner or later. And your dreams will be about the darkspawn and their movements. Which, for someone who couldn't dream, was a weird-ass introduction, let me tell you.

That sounds unpleasant. But why couldn't you dream?

Probably because we're not connected to the Fade. That's the place where human and elves -and probably qunari- go when they dream, and for those that were born that way, that connection is how they can do magic. No dreams or magic for us, but you won't hear me complaining. I was pretty happy before nightmares were part of my life. And being a mage is like having a 'possess me' sign for demons, so I'll pass.

Oh? So the Fade is a place? An actual, tangible place you go to when you dream? I've never heard of such a thing.

A sloth demon sent me there once and it was the most confusing, frustrating, weirdass place ever. I would've been happy never seeing it again, but the same thing happened with this darkspawn and a magic orb. They're dead, though, and so is the next asshole who thinks I need a Fade field-trip.

The Fade doesn't sound like it would be conducive to good dreams. Was it hard on you recently, sharing dreams with other people?

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