some grumpy grump hates kids

[trulyfree]

[No formal introductions here since Fenris is preoccupied with the noise coming from down the hall.]

I returned to my quarters to find the others rooming with me to be missing and shrieks echoing down the hallway.

Perhaps it should be of no concern, but it seems some of the younger ones among us are murdering each other collectively in some strange ritual. I am uncertain of if it would be wise to intrude, though advice would be appreciated as to whether or not I should bolt the door and bar them from returning as punishment for their unruly behavior.

[Not that he hasn't already done just that.]

Comments

[pseudologist]

Now you've just spoiled all the fun.

[unabatedly]

I've spared him the horror that is children, you mean.

[pseudologist]

You say "horror", I say "valuable learning experience".

[unabatedly]

Surely he's been around children before.

[pseudologist]

You mean aside from Junior?

To the best of my knowledge...no. Not in this number, at least.

[unabatedly]

Junior?

[pseudologist]

Carver. Hawke's younger brother.

You might have... [Wait, no, timelines.] You might meet him, eventually, if we end this adventure back where we started.

[unabatedly]

[Neria pauses.]

'Might' meet him. But you're all in Kirkwall, aren't you? I haven't yet been to the Free Marches, though I've given orders that we have more contact with our brethren across the sea. How will I be meeting him?

[pseudologist]

He spent some time away, assigned to a Warden unit in Ferelden. I can't say much more than that - unfortunately, we never did have time to catch up.

wow I'm an idiot I actually remembered she and hawke talked about this oops

[unabatedly]

[Ah, that's right. He'd mention his brother being a Warden. Poor thing. It's never easy for the families, not unless they have the good fortune of living nearby, not unlike Nathaniel's family.]

If I remember all of this - if any of us do - I'll make sure to see to his safety. But if he's Hawke's brother, I imagine he'll be just fine. We have good people in Ferelden's group of Wardens.

[Then again, things can change.]

keeping who knows what straight is always the tricky part

[pseudologist]

Junior isn't Hawke, but he does well enough for himself when he isn't trying to be. For what it's worth, joining the Wardens seems to have been good for him.

[Aside from having saved his life.]

[unabatedly]

He doesn't have to be Hawke. But if he gets up to half of the trouble you've insinuated your group gets into, I'm sure he can handle his own.

[Unless he'd somehow managed to avoid all of it.]

And if not... Well, the Wardens have a way of building soldiers.

[pseudologist]

You'd have to. There isn't a whole lot that's less friendly than the Darkspawn.

[unabatedly]

Not true! Nobility is more dangerous than Darkspawn. They have power, they have say in politics and in your population's standing in society, and they'll put a dagger in your back the moment your guard slips.

Darkspawn, at least, let you know they're coming. You know their intentions.

[pseudologist]

Ah, but they're still friendlier about the backstabbing and treachery. Probably because eating someone's eyelids is almost as severe a social faux pas as using the wrong salad fork.

[trulyfree]

I...believe you're mistaken. I've not met Hawke's younger brother before.

[Yes, let's just make this confusing for everyone involved.]

[pseudologist]

Come on, Broody, he's not that forgettable. Obscenely tall, fond of platemail, likes to brag about the length of his sword?

[Where's Isabela when you need her?]

[trulyfree]

[He gives a short laugh despite himself at the sword joke.]

No, none of that sounds familiar, I'm afraid. Since, to my recollection, Hawke's younger brother passed long before I ever had the opportunity to meet him.

[pseudologist]

No, he's still...

Wait. Just...let's say in the spirit of inquiry. Did you ever meet Hawke's sister?

[trulyfree]

Yes. Bethany I saw plenty of.

[Not sure why you're even asking this, Varric. You should know it already.

Fenris thinks, anyway.]

[pseudologist]

I never met her. Leandra spoke of her a time or two, and there was a painting, but she died before the family escaped Lothering.

[Somewhere on the other end of the psychic connection, he's rubbing his forehead to banish the inevitable headache.]

Our histories don't match. There's bound to be other discrepancies, but that's a pretty big one.

[hakodate]

That shit happens a lot here, you'll find.

[The stories Hijikata could tell. Except he probably won't because they're awkward.]

[trulyfree]

Hm. Well, I suppose it wouldn't be fun for our captors without inducing a little confusion for their own entertainment.

[Dry, dry, dry. Everything is dry.]

[trulyfree]

It begs the question of why, but I don't suppose you would have an answer, even with your endless ability to tell wild tales, would you?

[Awkward pause here as Fenris debates telling Varric this next part.]

You called her Sunshine. If that helps your understanding of her any. I found it rather appropriate.

[unabatedly]

Hijikata's right; this isn't all that uncommon, unfortunately.

[It doesn't make things easier, certainly, but this part she can explain a little.]

We've had several people come in with...similar histories but sometimes inexact details. It's something the Trumps like to do from time to time. They bring others from alternate worlds.