➶ seven ( text )

[heroica]

[ Unlike her announcement of Leliana's departure, this one does not reveal her voice. It's only text, written word with the author's feelings left implied, and less verbose than last time, too. ]

Alistair has gone. His room is empty and his things have vanished. As his fellow Grey Warden, I thought it best to inform those who may have known him.

[ Leliana, Brennan, Dorian. Alistair, too, now. All of her closest friends in Wonderland seem to be steadily vanishing (and she hasn't heard of Bethany Hawke, yet, another one who would be regretfully added to the list). ]

He was exactly what a Warden should be. He was brave and kind and with a good heart.

[ Ridiculous jokes and all.

Soon after, she sends out one private message to Anders: ]

Anders,

Alistair left behind Purrlock. Do cats and mabari get along? Could you teach me how to take care of a kitten, if you have the time?

Comments

[circlejerked]

I'm sure he would, but since he oh so rudely left the party without us, you'll have to do. And to that end, you'll do fine. Cats are easier to care for than dogs. _{[As some wise person probably said, cats rule, dogs drool. Anders didn't make up the rules, okay.]} You're welcome to drop in anytime. My cats love Purrlock.

<sub>[He's going to miss having Alistair and his feline partner right next door, but she's right, he's not far away. And with so few of them left, staying in touch seems more necessary than ever.

When Anders contemplates his worst fear, it's to be stuck in this realm alone--which is precisely why he doesn't contemplate it often. He pushes that thought back into the hole in the dark recesses of his mind and focuses on Robyn.]</sub>

There isn't much about these alternate Thedases that isn't strange, but none of us are responsible for that. We're the only ones who can say who we are. _{[A mirthful laugh escapes him when she passes him with flying colors.]} Well, thanks. I appreciate having the Heroine of Ferelden's seal of approval.

[heroica]

I'm sure that Purrlock will want to visit his friends very soon. [ She smiles a little sadly down at the kitten, who is batting a paw around Anders' feet. ] If Alistair returns, we'll need to give him a talking-to for leaving the poor thing here alone.

[ Yes. For leaving Purrlock.

Robyn sighs. ]

Though others have tried. [ She says lightly. ] I can't tell you how tired I am of hearing that I'm meant to be a man called Cousland, or an elf.

[ Who would want to be told that they weren't who they were? ]

Maker, do I have to beat you into not calling me that? [ Robyn laughs. ] I hate the blighted title; you should know that by now.

[circlejerked]

Among having to explain who we are and why we know him all over again, that'll be an interesting conversation...

<sub>[Internally, Anders echoes Robyn's sigh. All he can think is that if Alistair returns, there's a chance he might not have his memories, and having not found a satisfactory cure for that yet despite his best efforts, that's not a terribly pleasant scenario to consider.

Attempting levity, he tilts his head, looking at her speculatively.]</sub>

I don't know, I think you'd look quite charming with a set of pointy ears. But all right, all right, no titles! You and Alistair are making it easy, insisting on first names.

[heroica]

It always is. [ Not, it isn't. It's painful to have your friends not recognize you, or worse, to react with doubt and hostility. ]

Thank you. [ She imagines Alistair hadn't liked to be called a king, either. ] Now there won't be any fights and we can properly be friends.

[ Jokes, of course. Anders has become a good friend since their meeting, not least of all because he's a fellow Warden. ]

[circlejerked]

_{[Or have said friends wonder aloud if you're an item in another world. But that's... neither here nor there. Looking back, his first encounter with Alistair in the mansion had been one long, never-ending comedy of errors; it fills him with a strange kind of fondness to think on it. That had been a long time ago.]}

But you have to admit "Heroine" of Ferelden has a cute ring to it. If they didn't call you that back in Ferelden, they should have.

_{[No supercilious hero titles, it's a deal. And less of a mouthful. "Anders" and "Robyn" have a nice ring to them, too.]}

Speaking of friends, I think Purrlock will have no problems feeling right at home.

_{[After having set the kitten down to entertain itself with his feet, it seems to lose interest in pawing at his boot laces for attention and tentatively investigates the treat bowl, going so far as to bite into a little fish-shaped morsel. Just like that, no more mewling.]}

Better enjoy the quiet while it lasts. He's a talker, just like Alistair.

[heroica]

A "cute ring?" I'm not Leliana.

[ She laughs nonetheless, again wistful for another friend she's lost. ]

I don't know what they called me. [ She reminds him lightly. ] One doesn't become a 'hero' of any kind until after your death, you know.

[ In her experience, anyway. They can call her whatever silly title they please once she's been buried. ]

Excellent. [ Robyn replies, beaming down at the kitten. ] Distract him with food and win his affections. I think I've got it.

[ Alistair and Purrlock certainly have that in common. She hums lightly in agreement, smile softening. ]

I'd rather have the two talkers than the quiet. [ She says finally. ]

[circlejerked]

_{[... Oh. So it's true she knows about the whole dying thing.]}

Sorry.

<sub>[Anders winces. He'd wondered after her return to Wonderland in the spring but hadn't ever pushed the subject enough to ask.

He' wanted to believe it'd worked out a different way for her, that she and her companions had defeated the archdemon and managed to live to tell the tale, unlike the late Hero of Ferelden he knew of.]</sub>

You're still a hero in my book, with or without a pulse.

_{[Just as Alistair, in a weird way, will always be one of the men who'd helped save him from a lose-lose choice between the noose and the Tranquil brand. A smile blooms, a little smaller and briefer than hers. He's glad his unintentional blunder hadn't completely ruined her ability to smile over her future prospects as a slave to the whimsies of cats.]}

Something to look forward to when we get back to Ferelden, then.

[heroica]

You don't have to be sorry. [ She's quick to reply, smiling hastily. ] It was my choice. Not many are lucky enough to be able to make that decision.

[ If her own life could end the Blight, she would absolutely choose to die. The alternative... hadn't seemed right. Not at all. ]

I'm only sorry I won't meet you. [ Robyn says, then explaining: ] In Ferelden. I wish that I could travel with you.

[ As Nathaniel had said she would, not having lived in a world where she made the choice to slay the archdemon herself. ]

[circlejerked]

<sub>["Lucky enough," she says. It's true people rarely get to choose how they die, but she'd been making the choice to die, and he imagines even less people would volunteer to make that leap; Anders has little to lose, but even he's not sure he has it in him to inevitably face his Calling, let alone sacrifice himself to an archdemon.

It takes a special person to meet their Maker, then return to a place like this and have to recount it.

He shakes his head.]</sub>

Don't be sorry. We have the here and now--you're alive, I'm alive. That's all anyone can ask for.

[heroica]

[ It is a strange thing, to have died and then to wake again in Wonderland. To know that this is the last time she will be alive. Part of her feels as if she'd cheated the sacrifice she made, opting to lose it all and then coming back to the world of the living and breathing -

Best not to think about it. ]

I should - [ She begins abruptly, gently disentangling Purrlock from Anders' boot. ] ... That is, you're welcome to stay, but I think I need a little time to... think.

[ Not necessarily alone, but within some level of quiet, and within her own mind. ]

My door is always open if you need anything. [ Robyn adds gently, nodding once at the mage. ]