hadriel | [Video]

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[The video feed activates, revealing a disheveled but still upright Aren, Barkspawn peering over her shoulder. Where they are isn't identifiable, except that she's sitting with her back against a wall.]

So, we've heard plenty of amazing pep-talks. I'm not here to be redundant. I just want to say a couple of things, that's all.

First off: Don't be a dumbass and fight past your limit. If you have the chance to rest up and heal, for fuck's sake, take it. If you're around and need backup, let me know. Yeah, I know those nug-humpers are watching us, but at this point it's not about stealth, is it? Barkspawn and I are pretty damn fast on our feet when we need to be. [Barkspawn huffs, looking smug.]

Second, I don't know about you but I like to party as hard has I fight. I said it before to just one person but now I'm saying it to everyone else; once we're done with these assholes, I say we grab a keg and have a hang-out at the hot springs. I'm not going into details before they're all accounted for, but, you know. It's something to keep in mind.

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[ She'll be looking at a disheveled but still upright Curufin! But he's chuckling at her characterization of their Null opponents as "nug-humpers." He'll remember that, next time he's screaming insults at them to distract them from some target other than himself. ]

In our circumstances, another amazing pep-talk would never be amiss.

That's good advice, not to fight past our limits. [ Not that Curufin will actually take this advice, but he certainly agrees with her common-sense. ]

Thanks, I'll call you if I get into another bad situation. [ As if all the situations he's gotten into since the Null arrived were not BAD SITUATIONS? ] Say, what's your canine companion's name?

And I can totally support that idea of a keg-party! If I don't see you during the battle, I'll see you at the hot springs.

Edited 2017-12-10 21:37 (UTC)

[There's a slightly tired chuckle.]

I never had the pep-talk skills, that's what my companions were for. It's shit luck they didn't come in with me. And good, I'm tired about checking up on people only to hear that they died. Since they're not coming back right, it's something to avoid even more than usual.

[She reaches up to give her mabari an under-chin scratch, which makes him rumble happily.]

This is Barkspawn! [He wags his tail by way of greeting, having learned better than to bark right next to the phone.] If you know about darkspawn, that's where the name comes from. And if you don't, I guess it doesn't matter. He's a juggernaut all by himself, when he has to be.

Sounds good. I'll pass on word as soon as they're gone and we have the chance to catch our breath. Also the chance to see if the booze fairy has been kind to us.

I think it's never too late to learn a new skill. Pep-talks were certainly not my specialty, but I can give one now if I have to. I'm sorry your companions are not with you -- not that I wish Hadriel on anybody, but it is good to have the support of those you already know and trust. [ Uneasy pause. ] None of my family or close friends has died. . . yet. . . but I've been hearing of people coming back without all their faculties intact. It is disquieting.

I don't know much about your world, but I do like puns. Darkspawn and Barkspawn? Perfect.

[ He waves back at the mabari, with a smile. ] Greetings, Barkspawn! And good hunting!

It is good to have such a companion in battle. In my own world, my brother Celegorm and I had a pack of wolfhounds, who were formidable war-dogs. Their alpha dog was called Huan, and he was with us through most of our battles.

And if the booze fairy has run out of blessings, I have a barrel of whisky in my house. I distill my own, and I've given some to the Speakeasy on occasion. I'd be happy to contribute to such a good cause as your party. [ Grin. ]

...yeah, Cecily came back but she can't remember a damn thing.[She sighs, a bit downcast at that.] We're both from Thedas, but we didn't know each other, and she's a decade ahead of me. So, I can only catch her up on so much, and not anything personal. I know someone who might be able to fix that, though.

[She crosses her fingers for luck on that, as Barkspawn huffs companionably in response.]

Man, a whole pack of war-dogs sounds awesome! I'm still a little pissed that my rescue from this one tower didn't include all the mabari I rescued, too. [As Barkspawn whines a little, she scratches him behind the ears.] Oh, don't get jealous. I wouldn't have kept for myself, just seen if they imprinted on the others. [Back to Curufin:] Imprinting is when they bond with someone, but it's just the one person and it happens for life. I'll brag about mabari all damn day, if you let me. They're tough, loyal, and damn intelligent. He's at least as smart as your average person.

[Now that Barkspawn is mollified, she settles back.]

Awesome. I'll check my stash, but there are a couple of things on me that I was saving for some better times. I'll add them, for sure. [She raises an eyebrow.] Did you build your own still, or did you just find one here?

That's not good. Coming back amnesiac. Who could fix that?

[ He grins at Barkspawn again. He likes the way the mabari is so clearly there to back up his human. ]

Yes, too bad! I'm sure they'd have found homes with the other Hadriel residents -- there are a lot of people here who like dogs and would look after them well. And I'd like to have my old pack with me again, come to think of it. I know about imprinting. It was the same for the Elves and their canines -- the bonding was for life. In most cases. And you can brag about mabari for as long as you like! -- I'll cheefully join the Friends of Mabari Club!

You brought a flask or two with you? Good for you. Oh, and I built my own still. Just like the one I had in my own world. My brothers and I lived in a cold country and we needed our fiery liquor. Or so we told ourselves. [ Guffaw. ]

Hey, I like the ingenuity! And don't worry, what I have is quality surface liquor. I would never inflict dwarven mosswine on people. We're good at a lot of things, but our native drinks fucking suck. They'll still get you hammered if that's all you're looking for, but otherwise, do yourself a favor and get something that doesn't taste like dirty socks.

[She wrinkles her nose for a moment, still repulsed by the scent alone.]

See, Barkspawn? I knew we'd find more dog-people! [Barkspawn wiggles happily.] Do pets ever show up on their own? Barkspawn came with me, so that doesn't count.

It's just a guess, I'm not sure if he can fix anything. But Cole, our housemate, can maybe do something to help her remember. He's a spirit of Compassion, and I know he's helped people forget painful shit. Maybe he can do the opposite...I hope.

[ Laugh ]The Dwarves in my world would take exception to the idea that Dwarven booze is inferior. And rightly so. I wish I had a bottle of the Nogrod community's whisky in my hand right now! -- I learned a lot about distilling from them. Their first lesson is, never filter your liquor or your brew with a dirty sock. Always use a clean one. [ Snicker. ]

[ Curufin smiles at Barkspawn again. ] I don't think pets show up here on their own, or at least I've never heard of any doing so. But I think people can sometimes ask the gods for a gift, and maybe pets from one's original world count.

Cole is a spirit of Compassion? Sounds like someone who is greatly needed in Hadriel. I hope he can help Cecily.

[Aren looks pretty puzzled at the notion of dwarves and decent booze going hand-in-hand. Evidently, that's not a reputation that has spread across worlds.] And don't make them out of underground fungus...but they do it every time, anyway. It's one of the many reasons Orzammar is hopeless.

...eh, asking them for anything sounds risky. I wouldn't trust them anyway, asking them for gifts is just digging the hole even deeper.

[She's tempted to elaborate, but nods at mention of Cole.] Me, too. He's probably getting a lot of work just being here, but he'd never complain. Every spirit has a purpose, just like a demon, and they're happiest when they can act on it.

Underground fungus??? [ He makes a horrified, gagging sound. ] Even I couldn't make liquor out of fungus! Your Orzammar may be rightly named if he is called Orzammar the Hopeless!

And I have to agree with you on asking the gods for anything. They always want something in return, and sometimes that something is innocuous and sometimes it is not.

The spirits of your world sound perhaps not so different than the angelic spirits of mine. We call them the Valar and the Maiar -- respectively, the most powerful and then the helping spirits who assist the Valar. Each has skills and a purpose. Our never complained about their jobs. . . [ Well, except for Morgoth and Sauron, who rebelled and wrecked the world. ]. So it makes sense to me that Cole would be selfless in his purpose. It sounds like you have a good friend there.

Orzammar is a city, not a person. [Yes, an entire city makes liquor out of fungus.]

It helps that I befriended a spirit before, Justice. Guess what his purpose is? [She cracks a grin.] I don't pretend to understand everything spirits do, I'm not a mage and even they probably don't anyway. But Grey Wardens learn to work with a lot of different types, whoever will help them get the job done.

The gods remind me of their more malicious reflections, to be honest. Demons. Every kind that exists is named after a sin of some kind; pride, desire, rage, despair...so when I hear people talk about how these 'gods' need our emotions to fuel them, it sounds like more of the same crap.

A city, oho! [ What a grotesque idea! -- a whole city of fungus-liquor distillers! That would be Curufin's idea of HELL. ]

Let me guess. He doled out justice? [ How clever we are. Grin. ] I don't understand spirits, either. But it is good you know them well enough to get help from them. What does a Grey Warden do, exactly?

Yes, I can see where the Hadriel gods would remind you of demons. Feeding on other people's emotions IS a bit demonic. Vampiric, at the least.

Grey Wardens fight darkspawn, these tainted beings that only exist to corrupt and kill. They dig and dig until they reach a slumbering Old God and turn it into an archdemon, which leads them to the surface in a giant horde. That's called a Blight, and we've had five of them so far.

Ah, that explains the pun! Barkspawn! [ Grin. ]

A plague of darkspawn? Grim. They have the power to turn a god into a demon? That sounds truly evil.

Someone finally gets it! [Aren grins. She shouldn't have to point out her own puns, that's just sad.]

Yeah, they are. Mindless assholes that taint the land, air, people, everything. The only reason why Thedas isn't corrupted from sea to sea is because the Grey Wardens manage to be consistently awesome. But if legend is right, there's at least two more to go.

[It's been a long fight, exhaustion seeping right into the elf's very bones by this point in the battle. She's spent decades fighting and running and burning herself up to save others, but the constant, never-ending combat of this fight is just so much more than Lup's used to.

Still, she's grinning when she answers Aren's broadcast, a deep cut over her brow but her eyes dancing at the idea of a good soak in the hot springs. She can't wait.]

Count me in on that after party, sis.

[She manages a grin in return, and even Barkspawn looks as though he's joining them, panting happily.]

Awesome. It's good to know that some people here have the right priorities. You holding up alright?

[Lup throws up a thumbs up for the dwarf.]

Still kickin' for sure. Gonna take a hell of a lot more than a bunch of stupid robots to take this chick out. How about you?

Alive and kicking, though wishing I'd packed more supplies before I was dragged in here. I'll scavenge more if I have to, but we're not doing half-bad.

I've been sticking close to Delight's temple, but if you wanna bomb-ass evocation wizard on your side, I could hop over to wherever you're holed up.

[Taako will be safe here without her, as long as Barry sticks around. Besides, blowing up as many of the Null as possible would be very therapeutic at this point.]

Evocation wizard? As long as that means you can kick some ass, I'm all for it. I'm at the armory.

Babe, I promise you. I kick the most ass. Gimme five and I'll pop on over there.

Ha, I like the way you think! Sounds good to us.

[There is one thing and one thing only that Ty is zeroing in on during this whole post.]

You have a dog? Where did you get it?

... Its name is Barkspawn?

[She flashes a grin, always happy to talk about her dog. Barkspawn wags his tail, pleased at the attention.]

Yep! I got him back in my world, when I saved his life and then he saved mine. He's imprinted on me, so we're a team for life. Isn't that right, boy? [Barkspawn huffs, nuzzling her until she has to gently push his head away so it doesn't crowd the phone.] And he's not just

I named him that because it's a play on 'darkspawn', the creatures we fight back home.

[He looks disappointed at that.] You can't get a dog here? [You can't get a cat here either, he's learned from someone else. For someone who loves animals as much as him, it's very bumming. At least he knows enough about animals to know what imprinting means.]

What's a darkspawn like...?

[Aw, guy. She looks a little apologetic at that.] Sorry, but no. I think you had to have had them from before. Someone mentioned the 'gods' might be willing to do a favor, but it probably comes with strings attached. I wouldn't trust it.

Darkspawn are humanoid, but gross and hideous. They're a corrupted version of dwarves, humans, elves, qunari...the whole lot. So they range from short and squat to huge things with horns that make the ground shake when they walk. The smell is pretty bad, but it's the blood that's really toxic. Get that in you and...well, you'll become a ghoul sooner or later, if you survive.

There had to have been animals at some point. Something must have happened to them. [Even in caves, there's still always some sort of naturally occurring wildlife - like bats or moths or other insects.]

We have things like that, the Forsaken. There used to be Endarkened too but they were all defeated in the war. The Forsaken are misshapen but not the Endarkened. They look normal. My father became one; my brother killed him.

I don't know what a qunari is. Is that a kind of faerie?

Ha! No, they're huge, horned people from the north. Grey skin, at least seven feet tall. They've tried to invade the whole continent a few times, almost succeeded. If my qunari companion's right, it'll happen again, too.

[She shrugs, not about to freak out about that until it happens.]

...and I'm sorry, that has to suck. I was lucky during the Fifth Blight, when all the darkspawn went to the surface. If they'd taken my sister, I would've lost it.

... They sound like a kind of demon from my world. Are they hostile?

It's not your fault. Julian had to. Dad would have killed me if he hadn't. I didn't understand he was different at the time because he looked the same as he always had.

They can be, but they're not demons. They can be as nice or dickish as anyone else...in theory, anyway. I've only met the one, so that's all I have to go on.

Exactly the same? That's even weirder and more unsettling than seeing people turn into ghouls. When that happens, it's obvious something's off.

Oh.

Yes, exactly the same.

[But back to the reason why he answered this in the first place.] Can I come see your dog?

Sure, why not? We're heading home and that area should be pretty clear since we just made a sweep. We're at the second spiral housing, number 1502.

Any Null assholes who hear this? I'll have buttload of pain just for you, if you get close.

[He looks confused about the 'sweep' wording. Adventures in 'Ty takes everything literally' - he's picturing her actually sweeping with a broom and doesn't understand why she would be doing that when the Null are attacking, especially because he doesn't think a broom would do much good against them.]

... I'll find it.

You are looking about as weary as I feel, Lady Aren!

[ Maglor's eyes are still burning an uneathly silver, the grey lit from behind by inhuman flame, but he doesn't look to be falling over any time soon (then again, he's also both an actor and an accomplished liar) ]

I am glad to see you both well though.

I'm not a Lady, but thanks. [She manages a tired grin, and Barkspawn wags his tail happily.]

You look more or less upright yourself. Been taking breaks and going to the healers, I hope? Don't be a martyr.

Lady enough for me! [ Maglor smiles ]

Trying to - but my sword arm is needed more than my need for rest. I can keep going a while longer. What of yourself and Barkspawn?

[Barkspawn straightens and barks; he's doing all he can to help and protect his mistress!]

Winded and scraped up, but nothing that needs attention right now. We'll stay here long enough to catch our breath, then move on. I want this city cleared sooner than later, so I know what you mean. Just don't get yourself killed, I don't want more familiar faces forgetting me.

Ah, is that what is happening? My folk don't die easily, so we've been spared that. That is a grief - I will be careful! Have you lost anyone close?

Not close, but it's a pain and a half explaining everything, especially when I only met them here so I can't tell them about their past other than the little they told me.

[ He winces in understanding ]

Ai! That is a hard one indeed. Still, I suppose they were happy to have what limited information you could give, even so.

Half the time, they were looking at me as though I was making shit up. I guess they figured it was too weird for me to be lying, so that's progress.

Probably because a forgotten life is difficult to envisage in any form?

[ He shakes his head in dismay ]

Ai! But I am glad they seemed to understand you, at the least.

I think it's more that our dogs obviously know and trust each other. If there's one thing that mabari owners can trust, it's their pup's judgment.

I remember you saying they were unusually intelligent, aye - that must help a good deal!

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