genessia | Video -- More of a Hawke, Really

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Video -- More of a Hawke, Really

[The video opens to what appears to be a rather ordinary man - dark hair, square jaw, and a smudge of something red over his nose. His face is too close to the screen, brow furrowed in concentration. It quickly melds into surprise, then disbelief - and maybe even a hint of amusement.]

And here I was, hoping I'd just landed in the Fade somehow.

[His tone is very light, and he sighs, pulling back from the phone enough that he inadvertently allows the camera to focus better on him.]

I'll have to admit to being at something of a loss. Attempts on my life usually don't come with instruction manuals. It's an interesting change, but I do prefer things a little more straightforward!

Oh. And if you are trying to kill me? I have to admit my head feels a little foggy and I appear to be unarmed, so it's probably a good time. We can talk about this whole thing, maybe get some drinks while you ramble on about your plan?

[There's a beat, Hawke looking around him, head tilted as if listening for an ambush. He shrugs.]

It was worth a try.

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[~~Just don't ask her about Don Kan'onji, or he'll get the most unconvincing "maniacal" laugh ever.~~ She nods, relaxing her shoulders slightly.]

Oh, I don't mind either way. I think 'Orihime' is a little easier for Westerners to say, but you can use whichever makes you most comfortable, Hawke-san.

[Have a traditional formality. Her interest turns keen when he speaks of the Fade.]

So when adversaries show up in my dreams, they're actually demons?

[She's pointing vaguely toward her head as she speaks, her eyes wide. The gun-toting man with the afro who interrupted her triumphant boxing match victory dream...! Oh, but if the Fade isn't in her world, then it can't be a demon. Still! Wow!]

You're familiar with magic too! That's great! There's a whole guild of magic-users in Fayren. Anou...have you looked at your map? Fayren is an off-shoot of the main city.

I was hoping you'd say that. [He offers her a smile.] Though it's just 'Hawke', by the way. I don't know where the bit on the end came from. I'm also not from that far west. I'm not from Orlais.

[Sure, maybe it was a matter of perspective. But that was his. He has to admit, he wasn't expecting to be giving lessons.]

Not always, there are other spirits too - though they're all made of the same stuff at the end of the day. Actual demons usually just bother mages. Is there? [He thought he'd seen that. Still, time for a more delicate hand.] Do they oversee themselves or are they under someone's thumb?

Just...Hawke...?

[Give her a second. It's really rare for her to address someone without some kind of formality.]

Er...well...I suppose it's sort of a sign of respect. I'll do my best to remember to drop it, though!

[But back to the guild!]

I'm not really sure. I think they're independent, since Mira-chan offered to give me lessons when I went to visit last night. Ha ha, I'm not even sure I have the potential, but I'm sure curious to see if I can! Ne, are you a mage, then?

Well, respect away if it makes you more comfortable. I just wasn't sure if I'd heard right. It doesn't make a difference to me. Does everyone here use these? Should I be?

[It wouldn't hurt to know. Different place, different culture - it didn't hurt to play along. In the case of most of his dealings with the Qunari, and especially thanks to Fenris's knowledge, it had helped quite a bit in the long run.]

That's...interesting. Good for them! Now, if I was a mage, wouldn't I have a staff?

Oh gosh, no, that's not necessary! It's just habit for me, I don't expect such things from anyone else!

[She just strives really hard to be respectful. She's kind of happy that he's trying to be the same.]

[But that is a good question!]

Oh? Is that a requirement?

[Mirajane didn't have one, but it wasn't as if Orihime expected to see one in use when magic wasn't being formed. She lifts her head and cranes her neck as if she might be able to see his staff somewhere outside the field of view the communicator provides.]

Hm... I guess that's for the best, then, if mages get harassed by demons a lot.

Orihime it is then. [If he doesn't quite manage the pronunciation perfectly, he's trying, okay?]

No, actually but it helps and hitting someone on the head with it is a lot more effective than without if they get too close to cast properly. [He's still not answering, really.]

On the other hand if no one locks you up it's pretty useful to have.

That's excellent!

[Even if it wasn't, he's trying, and she appreciates the effort.]

Ha ha, I hadn't considered either of those things! It sounds like you have a lot of experience. But since you don't have a staff, there's absolutely no way you could be a mage, ne?

[There's a brighter twinkle in her eyes. She kind of suspects that's exactly what he is, but he's being so cagey about it, she figures there has to be a good reason. Besides, she was hesitant to speak about her own powers for a while when she first arrived. It wasn't until she found out that others with supernatural gifts were far more common than she'd realized that she began to relax her secrecy.]

[Thus, she passes her own experiences as being similar to Hawke's.]

--Oh, you just got here, though, you must be full of questions. Is there anything I can help with? Do you know how to spend your money, or get to the Commons?

[Hawke catches the twinkle in her eye, and winks - just barely. He had the feeling that being open about being a mage wouldn't be an issue there - or at least not as much as being one at home - but he also had a lifetime's worth of instincts telling him to keep quiet. It seemed like the middle ground.]

Just a not-so-humble staff fighter who will need to be looking into one, if I'm going to be here a while.

[He was almost disappointed at the steering of the conversation. So far, his new friend had been offering a decent distraction to his circumstances.]

I think I read something about money, and I suspect the store-owners will be more than happy to take it. I haven't made it to the Commons yet, no. There appears to be some sort of stampede in my way, and I decided to wait it out.

I'm sure we'll find a good one for you in Fayren!

[Oblivious to his disappointment, she's far more focused in how she can be useful in getting him settled. Or, at least, she was.]

...Heh? What stampede?

That should be one of my first stops then.

[Could he defend himself without it? Oh, probably. That didn't mean he wanted to. Hawke waves dismissively when she asks about the stampede - with the wrong hand. Coincidentally this means that Orihime gets a blurry view of some traffic.]

Just the horseless metal carts. Can't say I've actually tried to get past them though. No worries. [His smile is almost sheepish when his face comes back into view.] I'll figure it out.

[...Oh. Ohhhhhhhhhh. Now she understands perfectly! He must not have that kind of technology where he's from. Thankfully, he's made friends with someone who isn't about to tease him about something like that.]

There's a secret to it, I'll teach you! Look for the streets with the wide pair of white lines. On the other side should be a pole with light that has a picture of a red hand, and a picture of a stick figure person walking. When the walker lights up, all of those stampeders are required by law to stop and let you move across the street. You can pass by safely during that time! Don't try to cross while the red hand is lit up, though, that means it's the stampeders' turn to go.

[He has no idea how tickled she is at this. Hee hee, a stampede...that's so great!]

[The directions are a little much until Hawke happens to look up and spy one of said lights. It would all be just patterns then, as much as it sounded like some kind of convoluted ritual.]

I see. Now, tell me - exactly how many people are going to laugh at me if I call them 'stampeders' in future conversation?

I won't, promise!

But they're called cars.

[She beams at him.]

I hope I explained it okay, at least!

I wasn't talking about you.

[But he's smiling. He can't help it - she reminds him just enough of his sister.]

I think you did fine. If I'm trampled, I'll be sure to let you know!

Okay, it's a deal!

[She's been hit by a few 'stampeders' herself. She's resilient.]

And I'll be sure to heal you so you're not a greasy road puddle, once I get your notification. Good luck!

Oh, you're a healer? Lucky me.

[He'd never been very good at healing, though he could usually manage something in a pinch. Typically if you set things on fire quickly enough, you could heal at your own pace after.]

Are you a mage, or is it mostly potions?

Er...actually that's a good question. I'm not really sure what you'd call me, or if my abilities even qualify as 'magic.' They come from the soul, though, so I don't draw my powers from any particular place like the Fade.

[She shrugs with an embarrassed and almost self-conscious smile.]

Technically it's not healing, but it's close enough, and since the effects are about the same it's just easier to call it that. But yes! Call on me any time you need help!

Well, that is different.

[A part of Hawke was curious, but he'd never exactly been called a studious man. Maybe another time he would feel more like prying.]

I would say I look forward to seeing it for myself, but I don't. I tend not to look forward to anything involved with grievous injury, you understand.

For now, I should finally find my room but I'll be sure to do this - [He gestures a little with the phone.] - again if I need you.

Right!

[Honestly she's kind of glad he feels that way, as she's definitely met the type of people who would make the opportunity to force an exhibition of her powers. He's a very good not-a-mage.]

Yes please, I'd like that. I had fun meeting you! Maybe we'll be neighbors in the apartments.

[She waves a little to say goodbye before they sign off.]

And you.

[And with that, a nod, and a little fumbling with his phone, the video ends.]

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Video -- More of a Hawke, Really

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