the perk: saturday afternoon

[halfbad.livejournal.com]

The news that another Black Witch (or someone who could make themselves look like one) was on island had set Nathan on edge. He hadn't slept much last night and sleeping inside tended to make his sleep a little more restless than when he slept outside. But, he didn't want to chance being outside if this was Jessica (or another Hunter with that Gift). It'd just be too easy for her to come upon him and put a knife in his belly.

Despite not wanting to be an easy target, Nathan also didn't want to hide so he'd dragged himself out of his room and down into town. Caffeine wasn't something he'd taken too back home but it was needed now. He ordered by pointing randomly at the menu and was grateful the barista didn't ask him too many questions about the drink. Just made it and handed it to him.

Nathan paid and then took his drink outside so he could sit at one of the tables there. His back was against the wall just in case. He didn't want anyone to sneak up on him. Better to see anyone who might come by. Nathan took a sip of the drink, made a face at the sweetness and took another sip.

Maybe it'd get better after he got used to the flavor.

[Open for Nathan bothering, possibly his father a little later or using the Perk for your own Parents Weekend needs!]

Comments

[no-tranquility.livejournal.com]

Oh, Andraste's soggy underwear, of course, if Anders' explanation was right, then this man wouldn't know a thing about that.

Karl weighed his words carefully. "The Rite of Tranquility is when they sever a mage's connection with the Fade," he explained. "But besides holding the origin of magic and demons and spirits and the like, the Fade is also the realm of dreams. Severing that connection, is..."

He took a sip of his tea. "...I think you can imagine."

[halfbad.livejournal.com]

It took Nathan to really process what Karl was saying and when he did, he winced and look horrified.

"They take a part of you," he said quietly. "A big part of you away. It can't be retrieved?"

[no-tranquility.livejournal.com]

"No. It is the absolute worst thing you could do to a mage," Karl said. He set his jaw. "It's monstrous. And yet the Templars feel they have the right."

[halfbad.livejournal.com]

"No one has the right," Nathan said immediately. "No one."

He thought his tattoos had been horrific but they didn't hold a candle to having a part of himself removed. They were just an inconvenience in comparison.

"I'm sorry that that's even a possibility for anyone. They're making people shells, right? That's what they're doing."

[no-tranquility.livejournal.com]

"Yes," Karl said frankly. "The Tranquil... they move through life like automatons. They respond only to orders, rules."

He shivered in spite of himself. "There's not many at the Ferelden Tower, thank the Maker."

[halfbad.livejournal.com]

Nathan winced again and shook his head. He'd tried to imagine how that might have felt and found he couldn't. It was too much to even think about.

"I'm sorry that it's even a possibility," he said quietly. "That you even have to think about it happening. It's the stuff of nightmares."

[no-tranquility.livejournal.com]

"Yes."

Karl lingered on that thought for a moment. Took a sip of his tea. "I'm sorry," he said, managing a small smile. "I didn't mean to depress you with Thedas' turmoil."

[halfbad.livejournal.com]

"No no, it's okay. I'm used to depressing things," Nathan said and then snickered. "Sounds pretty terrible to say, doesn't it? There's nothing like that where I'm from but I understand the concept. People wanting to control those they don't understand."

[no-tranquility.livejournal.com]

"It is far too common," Karl said quietly. "I dream of better days, but I am not as prone to acting on it as our mutual acquaintance. I only left the Tower because I feared for his life."

[halfbad.livejournal.com]

"Do you think that there will be better days for your kind?" he asked thoughtfully. "Could Anders, one day, return and help that to happen or is it beyond help?"

[no-tranquility.livejournal.com]

"I don't know," Karl said honestly. "Sometimes the future seems very bleak. Other days... not all of the Templars are bad sorts."

[halfbad.livejournal.com]

"So, there's hope just not a lot?" Nathan guessed. "That's...better than nothing, I suppose."

[no-tranquility.livejournal.com]

"You should ask Anders," Karl said, with a wan smile. "He's both more and less of a pessimist than I am."

[halfbad.livejournal.com]

"When I see him next, I will," Nathan promised. "But I do hope there's some chance of things turning around. If only so you have something to look forward to."

[no-tranquility.livejournal.com]

"I have hope," Karl said, nodding. "But right now my best bet seems to be staying here, if I can."

[halfbad.livejournal.com]

"I agree." Nathan didn't know him well and only knew the situation from Karl and Anders but it sounded better to stay here. "If you can, you should stay. After getting used to it, I think you'll even like it."