( video )

[shitloaf]

[ The feed eventually shutters to life and it's pointing at the ceiling. It's a mostly nondescript ceiling, please enjoy it for being pleasantly neutral. Because it's going to be ruined in less than ten seconds.

Carver's face pops into the view and he stares at the device like it's some unholy abomination that just tinkled on his favorite shirt. It's clear he's in a terrible sort of mood—but when is he not?—by the harsh line of his brows and the curl of his mouth. While he doesn't have his full plate armor on, he still wears the blue and silver of the Grey Wardens. ]

So, apparently this sodding thing is supposed to let me talk to other people. [ Here he is. Doing just that. ] I'm—

[ He stops, sighs through his nose then rubs the side of his head. Does he introduce himself? Maybe. Ugh. ]

My name is Carver Hawke and I have a request and don't really know where to start. I'm looking for books. [ The harsh lines of his expression soften to the slightest degree for a brief moment. ] Easy ones. Ones that kids can read. Don't know what is considered that here, so.

[ He lifts a shoulder in a shrug as if that will explain the rest of the request so he doesn't need to. Basically, he needs pointing in the right direction with titles and maybe even large print.

Off-screen there is a small scuffling noise and it's followed soon by a little yappy sort of bark. There's a fun, bright usage of several even more fun curses before Carver disappears for a second. The video shakes as he picks up the device to hold at arms length. In his other hand is this abomination of a dog. It wriggles in his hand and that only seems to irritate him further. ]

And what in the Maker's name is this bloody thing? It's like some horrible Orlesian dog some sod would wear on their hat. What good are these wardrobes if this is what I get instead of a mabari?

[ The puppy happily licks Carver's nose and he grunts in disgust before putting it down and returning to the device. It seems he wants to say something more, but he isn't sure how. Clearly annoyed—and mostly with himself—he frowns all over again then just shuts the feed off. ]

Comments

video;

[heroica]

[ There's a lot to comment on, from his name to the dog, but she'll get to all that. First and foremost is duty, the masonry of their order, and she smiles politely, acknowledging the man with a bow of her head. ]

If many others arrive, I'll begin to worry we may face another Blight. [ Ahem. Best not to tempt fate. ] You're among your brothers-in-arms, Carver. There are three Grey Wardens already here, myself included.

[ For all the good it's done them, or anyone else. C'est la vie. No one cares an inch about them unless there are darkspawn to fight. ]

I can explain in person, if you don't mind. If it's an extra incentive, I have a mabari with me who would be happy to get the attention.

[shitloaf]

[ He's a little less irritated with this moving picture, if only because she claims to be a Warden, too. Three others, she says. That arse Anders must be one of the three; Carver wonders who the third is. Though it's selfish, he hopes beyond everything it's someone he knows and likes. ]

Now you've jinxed it. The only thing this place needs is darkspawn to make it feel more like home.

[ It's not so much a joke but dry sarcasm because... well, inviting a Blight is asking for something even more terrible than this fake dog.

He sighs—he feels like he's been doing that a lot lately—then lifts his shoulder in a slight shrug. If this is some sort of trap, it's not like he can't defend himself. And meeting her somewhere isn't giving away his own location. So, that's a plus. ]

I guess I don't mind. Where?

[heroica]

[ Yes, "that arse Anders" is among their small number, though she could hardly label him as such, barely knowing the man as she does. The other is Alistair, of course, with whom her relationship is... complication. To say the least. ]

There's more that separates it from Ferelden than that. [ Her lip twitches upward, though, good-naturedly. ]

Outside? The mansion can be stuffy, considering how crowded it is. Just outside the doors?

[ Will he bring that - had he said 'dog?' ]

[shitloaf]

[ Carver is well versed in having 'complicated' as a relationship status with people. Likely not in the same fashion, but, he'd get it. ]

Outside is fine.

[ At least he'll be free to move around if she turns out to be some weirdo. ]

Give me a bit and I'll make my way down there.

[heroica]

[ The joke's on Carver; everyone in Wonderland is at least, in part, 'some weirdo,' with the mansion itself drawing in the most bizarre collection of people (and non-people) imaginable. ]

Until then.

[ When he does arrive, the young Warden is sitting on a short, stone wall, looking through the electronic device. She's had it for months, now, but that doesn't make it any less interesting... or baffling.

At her feet lies a mabari, panting, who perks up to stare at Carver when he approaches. ]

[shitloaf]

[ The joke is most definitely on him, but at this point in his life, he's actually used to that. So, not much has changed in that regard.

He finds his way outside and eventually wanders until he finds where she is; mostly clued in it's the woman he's supposed to meet because the mabari laying there. Homesickness swells in his chest and for one brief moment he wishes terribly to go back home. Things may never make sense there, but it's home and there are people he knows and likes there. Instead of here where no one but Fenris knows him and he's pretty sure he's just being tolerated at best.

In true Fereldan fashion, when Carver nears, he takes a knee and offers his hand to the dog to smell—and should things go well, he's definitely petting; so much petting—before looking up at her with a curious look on his face. ]

So? Who're you?

[heroica]

[ Another Hawke. She can see some of the features they share and wonders if this one blames her for Lothering whereas his brother had waved it away. Oren, the mabari, trots over to the stranger and sniffs heartily at the proffered hand. Satisfied, happy to have the scent of another Ferelden, he wags the back half of his body enthusiastically and begins to lick Carver's fingers. ]

My name is Robyn Cousland. Of the Grey Wardens.

[ He won't know her, of course, because no one else has. But, the rest of them all have heard of the Hero of Ferelden, loathe as she is to be associated with such a grandiose title. At most, he'll say he's only ever heard of the man Cousland, Aedan, the scoundrel who made all the choices that she hadn't. ]

[shitloaf]

[ This is the kind of dog he wanted. Strong, stocky, Fereldan. For now, he's happy to bask in the attention and return it to the dog. So, he's busy scratching behind the dog's ears and isn't properly listening. The name, of course, eventually hits him on the return trip. ]

Cousland?

[ It's a name most Fereldans know. Carver leans back on his haunches and looks up at her, studying her face for a few moments as if it will make the picture become clearer. It doesn't, of course. He's never heard the name Robyn before. But he has heard Cousland. From Nathaniel. ]

Huh. Don't think we've met. Definitely heard the name, though not in relation to the Wardens.

[heroica]

[ Oren is more than happy to have the attention, particularly of yet another Ferelden, and he seems quite beside himself at all of the pats. After a while, he's so overcome that he tries to sit himself on Carver's lap, despite the fact that the man isn't sitting down. ]

Cousland. [ She confirms. ] I'm not surprised you've heard my family name; that's the part people are familiar with.

[ Just, not her first name. At least he hadn't gone off about Aedan, like some of the others. ]

By now, I'm sure you've had your fill of... mis-matched Thedas histories. [ She offers a faint smile, watching Oren enjoy himself. ] Or I would try and explain whatever pieces of it I'm familiar with.

[shitloaf]

[ Well. Who is he to deny the dog? Carver does sit then and lets the dog have his way. It's calming, in a weird way, and Carver can't find the means to apologize for it just yet. There's nothing quite like dog therapy.

He sighs, brows knitting together tightly. This whole different world thing is a lot to take in and he's still not sure he believes it all. ]

I don't think it can get much weirder than someone claiming to be my brother when I never had one. Everything else is kind of... [ He trails off with another sigh. ] If differences really exist, can't say I wouldn't like to know if it's better than what I know.

[heroica]

[ You can tell a Ferelden when he doesn't try to shove off the hulking, furry monster as it tries to make your body into its seat. Robyn can't help but smile fondly at the stranger, appreciative of his treatment of her hound as if it were her own child. ]

So you are related to Hawke. To- Garrett, I mean. But... [ The smile turns a little wry; she knows as well as, or better, than most how confusing and awful the differences in their worlds can be. ] Can I guess? Do you instead have a sister called Marian?

[ Then, what Brennan had reported would be true, in this case. A female 'Champion of Kirkwall.' ]

How different are they? If you can tell, given that you've just arrived. I assume you've spoken with Garrett already?

[shitloaf]

[ Carver frowns, the action cutting deep grooves into his skin. Garrett. He doesn't want to think about this, let alone talk to someone he doesn't know about it. ]

I've got a sister named Marian, yeah.

[ Carefully he extracts himself and rises to stand. He doesn't know how this conversation is going to go. ]

Don't know how different they are, and considering how my sister was, I don't care to know.

[heroica]

[ It's fairly obvious he's uncomfortable, and guilt prickles at her insides. It was a mistake to talk about the so-called Champion, not with all the mess going on about their memories. Oren is the most upset about this change and whines pitifully, but Robyn shushes him and inclines her head politely to Carver. ]

Forgive me. [ The Warden says lightly. ] I didn't mean to pry into your personal affairs.

[ It isn't as if she knows Garrett well anyway, even if they have both lived in the mansion for some time. ]

Is there anything I can answer for you? Otherwise, you needn't stay here. I'm sure you've got a lot to do, having just got here.