[Voice]

[paragonbrosca]

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.]

Comments

[paragonbrosca]

Nope, the Inquisition doesn't exist in my time. I'm from ten years before that, believe it or not.

[hotspurred]

Ten years is no so great a difference.

[paragonbrosca]

A lot can happen in a decade, and did. Thedas isn't exactly a peaceful place.

pretend that no was a not

[hotspurred]

Compared to centuries, however...

[At least she has a good degree of the familiar.]

Have you been told of your future? Broadly speaking.

[paragonbrosca]

Just that I'm a hard person to reach, since I traveled too far away to help out. I'd feel bad about the timing what with everything going to shit, but I've done my heroics. It's time for someone else to pick up the slack, and Cecily's doing pretty damn well from what I've heard.

[hotspurred]

She did appear to possess the love and confidence of her men.

[From what he saw, at least, speaking with Dorian and observing the network in the days when Cecily had more of her people present here. Curiously, he asks:]

You are a hero of Thedas?

[paragonbrosca]

The Hero of Ferelden, to be exact. I mean, I sort of did save the rest of Thedas as a result, but the archdemon was in Ferelden, so that's how I got the title. Slay the big baddie, get invited to all the cool parties...and then it's back to work, with a shiny new promotion and an arling to run while still killing darkspawn. At least it's never boring.

[hotspurred]

[Henry huffs a short laugh.]

Evidently.

[paragonbrosca]

So what about you, what did you do back home?

[hotspurred]

I am a knight. My house is charged with defending the northern border of our country; 'tis a duty I have upheld since my youth. I also fought in my king's war against another kingdom. Most recently I was among the army who fought to save humanity from an innumerable tide of monsters brought into our realm by a dragon not unlike these so called gods. Writings by an ancient people named it such. Diabolus, they called it.

[He sighs, and continues darkly:]

Diabolus was empowered by death and despair. Though we smote Diabolus, we were very nearly annihilated. Our victory was desperate.

[paragonbrosca]

That makes for a good story, I'm told, but it sucks while you're living it. [Sigh. She knows, better than most.] It sounds like we have a lot in common; the archdemon's form was a dragon and it brought a shit-ton of darkspawn to the surface from below. Victory happened, but not without a ton of loss.

[hotspurred]

It seems that we do. [A beat.] And now we are caught in another war.

[Who needs rest anyway?]

I suppose I ought to introduce myself. I am Henry Percy. Here in Hadriel I am the commander of the Guard.

[paragonbrosca]

Nice to meet you, Henry. I guess they brought us here because we were too badass to leave behind, huh?

[Bark.] Yeah, yeah, you too.

Oh, right, the guard. So, how busy are you guys in an underground city with weird monsters and shit?

[hotspurred]

It varies. Yet we patrol and remain watchful even when all seems at peace. Peril is oft suddenly upon us here.

[He pauses, then says with faint amusement:]

An eager warrior, your dog?

[paragonbrosca]

Hell yeah, he is! Barkspawn helped me defeat an archdemon. He knows what he's doing, don't you, boy?

[Happy barking!]

[hotspurred]

Impressive.