entranceway | Video; early morning of 01/19

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Video; early morning of 01/19

[The woman who pops onto the screen? She doesn't look at all pleased. She's disheveled and incredibly sore, but at least she's been able to have a shower since things have returned to normal. She'd woken up in her own bed, having muddied up the sheets -- so, okay, she's still pretty annoyed.

Still, it had occurred to her that she'd done something a little bit irresponsible the night before. It had been motivated by anger, certainly, but it isn't as if she'd killed the man -- still, she needs to get it off her chest and just make sure that he's -- you know, still alive.

She clears her throat.]

Uh, all right -- this message is especially for Alistair, or for anyone from his world -- now that this thing is working again.

I was attacked in the forest last night by someone accusing me of being a demon, so I thought that you guys might know him. I knocked him out and left him tied up outside the tavern, so I don't know where he'd be now.

[She scowls.]

And just to clear it up for anyone who might be wondering ... I'm not a demon.

[She motions to her hair.]

I mean, do you see a set of pointy horns? I have no interest in your immortal soul, okay? So further attempts to end me? Not going to be dealt with so gently.

[It's a bit of posturing since she's never actually killed anyone, but...they don't need to know that.]

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[Isabela is fast winning points with Mystique as well, but she'll keep that bit of information to herself for now. She manages a soft laugh when he chides her threat, ducking her head and then crossing her arms over her chest indignantly.]

You know, it was more of a statement, really. Now that we've cleared up the fact that I'm not a demon in the middle of a public venue, there couldn't possibly be any more problems, right?

[Right, because everyone knows that's how prejudice and stubbornness works.]

Until someone new shows up, you mean?

[That's less funny than he'd planned, given it could happen and next time it could be someone who could really harm her.]

Maybe you just need a big sign that says 'I'm not a demon!' And you could hit people with it if they don't believe you.

[Which would be so convincing. Yes.

But back to the original topic-] So do you know who attacked you? I want to know if I might need to keep a look out for familiar faces unconscious in the dirt.

Yeah, maybe a sign with nice, sharp edges. Maybe made of brick.

[Mystique pulls a face. Basically that, yeah. At least Alistair is changing the subject back to the original question that most people seemed to be having.]

Scuttlebutt says that it's a guy named Cullen. Some Knight-Commander with a complicated history with demons. Isn't it always complicated when people have an 'attack first, ask questions if things survive' attitude?

[Yes, she's still not wholly convinced or happy with Cullen.]

So I guess that depends on whether you know him or not.

[Scuttlebutt? Are there really enough of them to have a mansion gossip? And why aren't they talking to him if there is? He hates being behind on gossip.]

Knight-Commander Cullen? [Alistair screws his face up in distaste.] Never heard of him but he must be a Templar which explains a lot.

If he's a Knight-Commander he would have seen a lot of demons. And won't be much fun to be around even when he's not shouting about them. No one who's good company rises through the Templar ranks.

[But at least it's no one who will recognise him from his days as a Templar trainee. He got enough lectures at the time, he doesn't need more.]

[There's evidently a small gaggle of them, if any of the responses she's gotten so far are any indication. She listens to his words carefully, though, narrowing her eyes marginally.]

Yeah, that's what one of your -- er, companions? -- said. That he's a Templar who's got a 'complicated' history with demons. At least everyone else seems to be acting a lot more sane, so he'll be out-numbered when he tries to come after me with torches and a pitchfork.

[She raises an eyebrow. That sounds like a personal grudge if she's ever heard one.]

You sound like you don't think very highly of them -- Templars. They're all as bad as this guy, then?

Sword. Not pitchfork. [Not helpful Alistair.] But I'm pretty good with one too so if he does I can protect you.

[Assuming he knows it's happening. Which given their current conversation might not be the case. Um.]

And the others can too!

[Assuming they know and... maybe whoever knows the man in question will just talk to him.]

They're- the order serves a purpose, don't get me wrong. Buuut... most of the people who want to become Templars? Let's just say I wouldn't want to be stuck at a party with them. Or anywhere really. And the ones who are good at it and become Commanders... Some of them must be alright. Just don't ever expect to hear them laugh.

[See, this is why she wasn't so quick to dismiss using the Mabari as a bodyguard. At least a dog can follow you around without either of you feeling weird about it.

She manages a lopsided smile.]

Yes, you and your friends seem eager to make up for the newest arrival from your world. I can't say I blame you all.

[She raises her eyebrow at him.]

Ah, the humorless become leaders. Great.

What purpose do they serve, exactly? I'm going to assume it's got something to do with magic and demons.

Most of us are really very friendly. I think. I only just met them all too.

[Even though they're from roughly the same place as he is. It's complicated.]

Those are the important bits. Magic and demons.

[He's really tempted to just leave it there, change the subject and talk about something interesting instead. But she asked so with a sigh he explains-]

Templars serve the Chantry. Their role is supposed to be to protect people. From mages who'd abuse their power or mages from demons.

[As with many things, what is supposed to be and what is don't always match up.]

[She's not going to deny that the idea that magic exists is still bizarre to her, but she supposes it's not much different (systematically speaking) from the way that mutations developed in the world.]

...Right, and I'm sure that the mages are completely fine with being protected by an outside group and not at all worried about getting taken advantage of.

[She's kind of immediately on the side of the mages, based on what she's seen of the Templar order so far.]

But I guess -- a demon possessing someone with magic would be pretty dangerous.

It's not supposed to be like that.

[But he's neither foolish nor blind enough to claim that it never happens.]

It is. When a demon possesses a mage they become an abomination. [He looks away, frowning unhappily at the memories of mages he'd seen who'd fallen prey to just that fate.] They're called that for good reason - they'll kill everything in their path, mage or templar or innocent. That's what the Templars are supposed to protect everyone against.

[She's glad that he doesn't try to protest that they don't always do what they're supposed to -- she'd call him naive again.]

So that explains why you were worried I was trying to possess you.

[She furrows her brows.]

You've seen it?

[That seems likely to be the face of a man who's seen it.]

I have.

The tower in Ferelden where the mages live was overrun. There were demons and abominations roaming the halls, attacking anything they encountered... Most of the mages and many of the Templars were killed or worse. And all because one mage - one man - wanted more power.

[He turns back to her with a wan smile.]

So it's not like your new friend might not have reasons to be fearful. [Especially given the atmosphere of what Wonderland had been the past few days.] But I'm sure we can make sure it doesn't happen again.

[He really hopes so. There are reasonable Templars in the world. Hopefully this Knight-Commander is one of them.]

[Well, at least she likes Alistair well enough not to point out that one mage out of what she assumes was a large gathering of them going bad seems kind of the same as just having regular people who are assholes in a large enough group. She furrows her brows.]

Right, so as long as he apologizes about it, I probably won't hold a grudge.

[...probably.]

Heh. Right.

[Apologises. Sure.]

Well, if you get at all worried I make a good bodyguard. [Not a quiet one or a discreet one but effective.] Just- uh, get my attention on this thing again.

I do want to make getting stabbed with a button a one-time-only thing...

[And then she grins, just a little deviously.]

But you've got competition, since someone also offered up their 'Mabari'. I guess the real question is whether you're house-trained.

[That is stiff competition! Mabari are intelligent dogs and make excellent bodyguards. He might well lose this one. Not that he looks overly concerned as he grins and nods proudly.]

I am! ...Mostly. The brothers did their best with me buuut... I do drool a lot less than a hound! And I'm equally good at fetching.

[She can't help but snort at his response. She raises her eyebrow.]

Less drool, somewhat more conversation. I should just have you both over. for safety's sake.

[Okay, so she's teasing a little harder than usual. He's a nice guy, it's what she does to people she thinks can handle it.]

[He can certainly handle it - he's said far worse about himself in the past, this is nothing.]

Only if you promise I won't have to share a bed with him. Mabari can get really territorial. I don't want to wake up in the middle of the night to find he's sleeping on top of all the blankets.

[Okay, that was just begging for a somewhat inappropriate response. She smirks.]

If I was inviting you over to protect me, you'd be staying in the bed with me. Obviously.

I can't promise I won't steal all the blankets, though.

Oh. Ah. Ha.

[Mystique you are a bad person. And going to make him choke on his own tongue, joke or not.]

I, ah- I wouldn't want to impose. I could just sleep on the floor. Much easier. Ha.

[In truth, it isn't a joke. She wouldn't expect him to sleep on the floor.

She can talk a big game, after all. Following through...less so.]

See, that just seems mean. I've slept on floors -- it's not great.

It's no good for a lady, such as yourself but a big, drooling brute like me? I can handle it. It'll still be cosier than some of the caves I've camped in.

[A year on the road, camping out every night means a nice flat floor without any damp or rocks doesn't seem a half bad place to sleep. And he'd still be more comfortable than sharing a bed. What if he rolled on her in the middle of the night? Or worse?]

Trust me, I've done my share of 'homeless camping wherever there's cover from the rain'. I wouldn't wish it on anyone else if they had any other options.

[She pauses, eyebrow raised.]

So you're -- what, afraid you'll drool on me in the middle of the night? Please.

I drool a lot! And I might snore.

[And those are still not the worse things that could happen so he's just going to stop this discussion before he starts blushing even more.]

...You don't really want me to come sleep over do you? I mean, I will if you're serious but...

[This seems like the perfect moment to draw some more information out of Alistair. She smiles innocently and raises an eyebrow at him.]

Would I be making someone jealous if you did?