001 [video/action]

[ttlynotabloodmage]

[When the video comes to life it's clear that it's not an intentional recording but one of the many stationary wall mounted devices scattered around the mansion flickering on, perhaps to notify those watching that someone is poking around the bedroom levels.

The someone in question turns out to be a decidedly scruffy looking man who looks like he'd need the concept of 'bathing' explained to him, possibly with pictures. There's dirt and grime and something that may or may not be blood caked on his robes and he creeps more than walks through the hallways, almost like he's expecting someone to catch him in the act at any moment.

The nervousness may have something to do with how he's trying the doors as he goes, largely finding locked ones but eventually one opens and he jerks back in surprise. Perhaps it's an empty, unclaimed room, or perhaps it's someone's who didn't think to lock the door on their way out. Either way, Jowan cautiously pokes his head into the room and stares around wide-eyed at it all.]

Maker, a bed! I know none of this is real, but still... if I'm going to die in a dream, then at least it's a good dream. It'd be better if there was something to eat...

[A thought occurs to him and Jowan glances back over his shoulder, down the hallway he'd come from.]

If this is a manor or something, maybe there's a kitchen? I can't imagine food in the Fade is going to help me much but at least it might taste good.

Comments

[circlejerked]

It's no Fade dream, I can tell you that much.

_{[Anders certainly has no desire to get too close--the closer Jowan gets, the more Anders' nose warns him Jowan doesn't seem like he's bathed in five months. He looks him up and down, arms crossing, like a school mistress scrutinizing a student's shabby turnout.]}

You're looking a little... peaky. _{[To put it politely.]} Say, didn't they catch you making mischief down in Redcliffe and send you back to the Circle?

_{[He's surprised to see Jowan alive, honestly, but he knows from personal experience that's literally the worst question to be on the receiving end of when you're recently arrived in Wonderland.]}

[ttlynotabloodmage]

[Jowan stops immediately as Anders studies him like that, his shoulders hunching almost instinctively as he recalls that Anders is, and has been for a while now, a fully-fledged mage while Jowan himself is only an apprentice. ...if he can even think of himself as a Circle mage at all now.

He shuffles uncomfortably at the reminder of Redcliffe as well, only looking up at Anders again at that last part.]

No? I mean, I wish they had but... Lady Isolde wasn't very happy with... what I did. She had me locked away in the dungeon. I've been there ever since, I don't even know how long it's been really.

It's hard to keep track of time when you're locked up like that.

[circlejerked]

Oh? _{[He tilts his head with seemingly innocent curiosity.]} Which part wasn't she happy with, the blood magic or you trying to poison someone important? I definitely heard there was poison involved, but correct me if I'm wrong. You know how these things get lost in translation. Got to say, I didn't think you had it in you. Surprises abound!

<sub>[The things he's heard about Jowan since their time together have ranged from chin-scratching to cringe-worthy, and a little mean part of Anders thinks Jowan should come out from behind the understatement he's hiding behind.

Normally he wouldn't be one to believe in the talk around the town without seeing it for himself. The facts are working against Jowan in this case, however. Everyone had heard about Redcliffe.]</sub>

That explains why you look like you crawled out of a sewer. My guess was one of the Tower's dungeons. How do Redcliffe's dungeons compare? Are they nicer? Scale of one to ten, let's say.