[He shouldn't feel nervous, and yet he does. He spends time putting together a nice outfit and presenting himself as put together and graceful. He still ends up getting there early and waiting by the cafe. He has on his prosthetic to make his lack of a left hand less obvious. Even despite the anxiety in his chest, he seems relaxed, almost curious as he waits to meet a friend for the first time.]
[Cullen wrestled with the notion of whether he should don the uniform. It would be the most familiar look, but unfortunately, it also calls the wrong sort of attention to him in this city. In the end, he settles on a nice pair of slacks, a sweater, and a greatcoat against the cold.
He'd told him to look for a Dalish elf, and it's not difficult to spot him with his Vallaslin. Smiling faintly, he approaches with hands in pockets against the biting wind.]
I admit it's nice to put a face to a name. Shall we?
[He gestures toward the cafe. If anything feels odd about this, it's more the setting to him than anything else, and he has found it this way no matter who he has spent time with from Thedas. It's somehow easier to accept utter strangers in a world of cars and electricity than people who remind him of home.]
[Cyril goes with him into the cafe and then goes through the motions of ordering and getting a table. Once they're settled again he considers Cullen with some curiosity in his face.]
[Cullen orders as well and takes his seat opposite him, regarding him much as he might over a chess board, assessing, but not in an unfriendly way.]
Routine, I'm happy to say. I ah, I work in construction. My mabari is here with me, Blade. I train with him every day. I've done what I can to make things comfortable for my contract partners. We often eat together or train, as well.
I spend a lot of time learning. I want to know how device in this world works. The first one I took apart was a radio, but there were so many components and concepts that I didn't have the framework to grasp, so I started reading a lot of rudimentary textbooks.
When Solas was here, he worked in a bookstore. I miss having a submissive in the industry, it gave me good discounts.
Not that I would trade my current contract partner. He's lovely.
I know what you mean. It's fascinating, all of it. I spent a good several hours of my first day here fiddling with the map application. Someone was kind enough to show me the basics. It's why I went into construction. All that glass and steel held sturdy with no need for magic.
[He tries to recall if anyone had told him that Solas was here before. He doubts it. It's the sort of thing he'd remember.]
I may not like having to have the contracts. It's nice when you can find people you trust. If it isn't too awkward, would you tell me more of what things were like for you at home? Where are you from? How did you come to be in Haven?
[Cyril raises his eyebrow in a vaguely surprised sort of way, but then he has to remind himself that not everyone gets a Lavellan for Inquisitor.]
My Clan is from the Free Marches. Our Keeper has always been up for trading with humans so our Clan had good relationships with traders and merchants that wandered near our woods.
Then the war came and there were much less of those.
When the Divine called the Conclave the Keeper wanted someone to report back to her about how it went.
I suppose.... the one sent from the Clan in your reality died in the explosion so you have never heard of Clan Lavellan.
[It's strange to think, but he concedes that it could be so. There were Dalish at the Conclave. He hadn't been introduced to even half of those making the trek.]
You're right. I hadn't. When I served in Kirkwall there was a clan camped near the base of Sundermount for some time. The ah...the Sabrae Clan.
[It has been long enough, he needed to think about it. He's not sure how he feels about that.]
I never traveled much in the Free Marches beyond the surrounding wilderness near the city. What was the closest city-state to you?
Wycome. That is where my Clan currently resides. Being connected to me made it dangerous for them to travel, now there is an elf lead council at the seat of power in Wycome and the Keeper sits on it.
You know, you bring up that Clan near Kirkwall and we come to another possible variation in our worlds. The Sabrae Clan is famous in my Thedas. The Hero of Ferelden came from them...
I'd imagine so. Shaking up the power balance like that never wins many friends, but I think change is a good thing. Hopefully in time, the paths will be safer for them again.
[He shakes his head almost immediately.]
In my Thedas she was a Circle Mage, a city elf. The one who lives here now, in fact. At least...she looks familiar and we remember the same things, but that was true of Dorian, and he knew a different inquisitor. It's all such a muddle.
Yes. Kinloch Hold in Ferelden. It was my first assignment after training. I met her there. We were little more than children, really.
[Very young. Several lifetimes ago it seems at times.]
Did I ever say anything to you about any of that?
[The question feels strange, but he promised he'd not dwell on that or make it more awkward than it needs to be. Knowing what they spoke of is a good starting point.]
Yes... [Cyril never really knows how to handle this part. How do you tell someone they once told you everything dark that ever happened to them when you're a complete stranger to them?]
You told me everything, Cullen. I'm not sure if you had a friendship with your Inquisitor? But... imagine there was someone you came to trust to help you through your recovery, who you felt you could rely on, who definitely relied on you, and think of all of the things you would tell them.
That is everything I know.
So, I know about Kinloch Hold, what life was like for you there before the Blight and... what happened next.
[That's...a lot. He's spared the pressure of immediate response by the delivery of their drinks. He'd told Edric everything eventually, the stout, bluff dwarf a better friend to him than many humans had been, and maybe more understanding about lyrium itself than many could be.
He licks his lips, his hands restless before he settles them on the table.]
We were close. The Inquisitor and I. He helped me in ways I'd find hard to describe to most, but from the sound of it, I don't need to describe it to you.
[He lets out a soft breath.]
I hope I thanked you.
[As tempting as it is to refer to this other Cullen as "he," he's avoiding it for Cyril's sake. If Cyril helped that Cullen as much as Edric helped him, he deserves that consideration and then some.]
I'm sorry if this is hard for you. I believe if I were in your position, it would be...painful. I don't wish to contribute to that.
You did thank me. In rather charming ways. [Cyril replies with a grateful smile.]
And honestly, it is painful but...
It's not a new type of pain either.
I'm mostly concerned for you. It must be awkward to know that I know things that you wouldn't want a stranger to know. If it helps. I would never share your story with others.
[He nods. With as long as he has been here, he must have dealt with this issue on several occasions. He doesn't necessarily want to know with whom beyond what he has already heard.
His lips quirk a little, one corner drawing back into a half smile.]
I can't say that's the easiest thing to hear, no. But...if I trusted you in Thedas when our world was tearing apart, I think that means it's safe to say I can trust you here. When I reached out to Edric, I was at the end of my endurance. I still wouldn't have if I didn't feel like I could trust him. It's hard to imagine some other version of me being all that different.
I don't mind. Edric Cadash. Being from the Free Marches, it wouldn't surprise me if you'd heard of House Cadash. They're very enmeshed in the Carta in most of the city-states.
[He chuffs a half laugh and shakes his head.]
He never made any bones about it. He was involved in lyrium smuggling, all manner of things before the explosion and didn't cut all of those ties afterward. As it turns out, when the sky is spitting demons, Carta thugs are just as interested as anyone else in putting a stop to it. Not that I'm saying Edric is a thug.
You know dwarves. Tough, shrewd. Surprisingly sentimental if you catch them at the right time. He surprised me. He surprised all of us.
I imagine the two of you would have rather a lot to talk about.
[He's smiling, too. Who better to understand what one Inquisitor went through than another? The burden of the Mark. It's only then that he realizes there's no sign of the familiar green glow and...if he isn't mistaken, Cyril's hand isn't flesh and blood.
His smile fades, brows drawing together.]
Forgive me if this is rude. The...Mark. I just noticed.
It's 9:44 Dragon. I was at the Winter Palace for the Exalted Council. We were still waiting for a few others to arrive.
[He's not completely sure it will be a parallel or that it will have bearing, but it might. He internally steels himself for whatever he might be about to hear.]
Then... Have you noticed? The Anchor should be starting to act up. There might moments when it flares in light and pain. Sometimes it's numbness. Maybe Cadash spends a moment shaking his hand to get the feeling back, or pauses to look at it, or simply gets quiet... I'm not sure how a dwarf would respond to what is likely happening to him, honestly.
By the end of the Exalted Council, he will start to lose control of it. It will lash out, pulling him around like a puppet on a string, and attack anyone who is near with painful magic.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
for cullen
Date: 2020-02-02 07:30 am (UTC)Re: for cullen
Date: 2020-02-06 07:06 am (UTC)He'd told him to look for a Dalish elf, and it's not difficult to spot him with his Vallaslin. Smiling faintly, he approaches with hands in pockets against the biting wind.]
I hope I haven't kept you waiting long.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-06 08:44 am (UTC)Not at all! The sight of you is well worth a short wait.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-08 01:34 am (UTC)[He gestures toward the cafe. If anything feels odd about this, it's more the setting to him than anything else, and he has found it this way no matter who he has spent time with from Thedas. It's somehow easier to accept utter strangers in a world of cars and electricity than people who remind him of home.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-09 07:05 am (UTC)So, how has your day been, Commander?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-10 03:33 am (UTC)Routine, I'm happy to say. I ah, I work in construction. My mabari is here with me, Blade. I train with him every day. I've done what I can to make things comfortable for my contract partners. We often eat together or train, as well.
How do you spend your days?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-10 07:56 am (UTC)When Solas was here, he worked in a bookstore. I miss having a submissive in the industry, it gave me good discounts.
Not that I would trade my current contract partner. He's lovely.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-16 06:52 pm (UTC)[He tries to recall if anyone had told him that Solas was here before. He doubts it. It's the sort of thing he'd remember.]
I may not like having to have the contracts. It's nice when you can find people you trust. If it isn't too awkward, would you tell me more of what things were like for you at home? Where are you from? How did you come to be in Haven?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-17 09:45 am (UTC)My Clan is from the Free Marches. Our Keeper has always been up for trading with humans so our Clan had good relationships with traders and merchants that wandered near our woods.
Then the war came and there were much less of those.
When the Divine called the Conclave the Keeper wanted someone to report back to her about how it went.
I suppose.... the one sent from the Clan in your reality died in the explosion so you have never heard of Clan Lavellan.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-23 01:25 am (UTC)You're right. I hadn't. When I served in Kirkwall there was a clan camped near the base of Sundermount for some time. The ah...the Sabrae Clan.
[It has been long enough, he needed to think about it. He's not sure how he feels about that.]
I never traveled much in the Free Marches beyond the surrounding wilderness near the city. What was the closest city-state to you?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-23 06:44 am (UTC)You know, you bring up that Clan near Kirkwall and we come to another possible variation in our worlds. The Sabrae Clan is famous in my Thedas. The Hero of Ferelden came from them...
no subject
Date: 2020-02-23 07:55 am (UTC)[He shakes his head almost immediately.]
In my Thedas she was a Circle Mage, a city elf. The one who lives here now, in fact. At least...she looks familiar and we remember the same things, but that was true of Dorian, and he knew a different inquisitor. It's all such a muddle.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-23 08:03 am (UTC)Which Circle? [Because the answer to that question can change a lot.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-23 08:19 am (UTC)[Very young. Several lifetimes ago it seems at times.]
Did I ever say anything to you about any of that?
[The question feels strange, but he promised he'd not dwell on that or make it more awkward than it needs to be. Knowing what they spoke of is a good starting point.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-23 08:28 am (UTC)You told me everything, Cullen. I'm not sure if you had a friendship with your Inquisitor? But... imagine there was someone you came to trust to help you through your recovery, who you felt you could rely on, who definitely relied on you, and think of all of the things you would tell them.
That is everything I know.
So, I know about Kinloch Hold, what life was like for you there before the Blight and... what happened next.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-23 08:38 am (UTC)He licks his lips, his hands restless before he settles them on the table.]
We were close. The Inquisitor and I. He helped me in ways I'd find hard to describe to most, but from the sound of it, I don't need to describe it to you.
[He lets out a soft breath.]
I hope I thanked you.
[As tempting as it is to refer to this other Cullen as "he," he's avoiding it for Cyril's sake. If Cyril helped that Cullen as much as Edric helped him, he deserves that consideration and then some.]
I'm sorry if this is hard for you. I believe if I were in your position, it would be...painful. I don't wish to contribute to that.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-23 08:47 am (UTC)And honestly, it is painful but...
It's not a new type of pain either.
I'm mostly concerned for you. It must be awkward to know that I know things that you wouldn't want a stranger to know. If it helps. I would never share your story with others.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-24 01:38 am (UTC)His lips quirk a little, one corner drawing back into a half smile.]
I can't say that's the easiest thing to hear, no. But...if I trusted you in Thedas when our world was tearing apart, I think that means it's safe to say I can trust you here. When I reached out to Edric, I was at the end of my endurance. I still wouldn't have if I didn't feel like I could trust him. It's hard to imagine some other version of me being all that different.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-24 02:37 am (UTC)I'd like to learn about Edric, if you don't mind sharing?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-24 08:55 am (UTC)[He chuffs a half laugh and shakes his head.]
He never made any bones about it. He was involved in lyrium smuggling, all manner of things before the explosion and didn't cut all of those ties afterward. As it turns out, when the sky is spitting demons, Carta thugs are just as interested as anyone else in putting a stop to it. Not that I'm saying Edric is a thug.
You know dwarves. Tough, shrewd. Surprisingly sentimental if you catch them at the right time. He surprised me. He surprised all of us.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-27 06:07 am (UTC)I wish I could meet him... Though I wouldn't wish this world on anyone.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-29 03:18 am (UTC)[He's smiling, too. Who better to understand what one Inquisitor went through than another? The burden of the Mark. It's only then that he realizes there's no sign of the familiar green glow and...if he isn't mistaken, Cyril's hand isn't flesh and blood.
His smile fades, brows drawing together.]
Forgive me if this is rude. The...Mark. I just noticed.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-01 03:59 am (UTC)[He puts his own hand over the prosthetic.]
What year is it for you on Thedas?
no subject
Date: 2020-03-05 07:46 am (UTC)[He's not completely sure it will be a parallel or that it will have bearing, but it might. He internally steels himself for whatever he might be about to hear.]
no subject
Date: 2020-03-06 03:33 am (UTC)Then... Have you noticed? The Anchor should be starting to act up. There might moments when it flares in light and pain. Sometimes it's numbness. Maybe Cadash spends a moment shaking his hand to get the feeling back, or pauses to look at it, or simply gets quiet... I'm not sure how a dwarf would respond to what is likely happening to him, honestly.
By the end of the Exalted Council, he will start to lose control of it. It will lash out, pulling him around like a puppet on a string, and attack anyone who is near with painful magic.
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:A milion years later. I am so sorry!
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From: