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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As a matter of fact, I haven't. I'd been meaning to eventually, but you know how it is finding the time.

[His words are light as always, but there's an eagerness in the smile he gives.]

I certainly won't object to some company.

Enjoy attracting the wrong sort of attention, more like.

[And that sardonic smirk is back, one Hawke is probably familiar with, one that makes his green eyes seem to shine a little brighter. It's one of Fenris' few pleasures, teasing Hawke, sharing sarcastic comments with someone who gets them in return.]

Good. I'll be to you soon.

Well, I've attracted yours. That sounds like a success to me.

[It may have been a little much, especially after everything that had happened, but Hawke was going to blame that smile. He touched the screen for a moment, like he could reach through, then pulled his hand back almost as if he were embarrassed.]

I'll be waiting.

[And he was, somewhere in front of the Bay, far enough back from the road that the noise wasn't quite so loud. He sticks out, and he is aware of it but more focused with keeping an eye out for his friend.]

Well, I stand corrected, then.

[He might even be vaguely flirting. Even in 3 years, he hadn't gotten very good at charming anyone, though Hawke still came around. Maybe he was doing something right after all. He pressed the button to disable the device and left the communal housing warily. He hated this city, with its noise and its speed, and its closeness. He stood out here even worse than he did in Kirkwall.

He smiled slightly again when he turned the corner and Hawke came into view. The phones gave an impression of falsehood, but here...this was real.]

And here you are.

[Hawke hadn't looked away from Fenris since he caught sight of him, almost afraid that he would lose sight of him. His stance was relaxed, waiting, his little scrying tool shoved into a pouch and out of the way. It wasn't until Fenris was closer that Hawke managed to notice what wasn't there - the flash of red around his wrist. The sigil on his belt.

It was enough for his smile to falter, though he knew that was ridiculous. The favors had been a mixed signal since the morning that Fenris had taken them. There were a multitude of reasons they might be gone. He did his best to clear his head of it, but something slid into his voice and his words, weighing them down.]

Here I am.

[It was a weak echo, probably.]

I told you I'd wait.

[When you know a man for three years, it gives you a knowledge of their mannerisms, and there was something off about Hawke, something in his voice that Fenris was wrong, somehow, and he didn't like the roil that set into motion in his stomach.]

And you did.

[His face was still a net of confusion mixed with concern. Maybe it was nothing. He was just abducted, after all.]

I've only just arrived, myself, earlier this week, but I can show you to...adequate lodging.

[The apartment he'd been given was a far cry even from some of the hovels in Lowtown, but it sufficed for now. All Fenris really needed was a flat surface to sit upon or sleep upon.]

I assume you have questions.

Edited (Whoo HTML fail before coffee) 2017-09-23 15:26 (UTC)

[There were any number of reasons for the absence of those items, and Hawke was still chiding himself silently for the pull it caused in his chest. Perhaps he hadn't finished getting dressed yet. That was ridiculous enough of a thought that Hawke smiled, a tight little thing. Then, he noticed Fenris's expression.]

Ah. Then I should be apologizing for my tardiness, I suppose. That would be good, this seems like a terrible place to set up camp.

[Some concern filtered into his own expression, though he clung to his jests, nodding towards Fenris.]

Yes, as a matter of face. To start with - is there something on my face?

[That smirk returned, but it was more weighted than usual. There was something amiss about Hawke and not knowing what it was was bothersome.]

It is. The provided housing isn't much more private.

[He starts off in the direction from which he'd come, dark brows lowering slightly at Hawke's question.]

Do you...? Ah...You seem...troubled, but it serves to reason. Don't worry about it.

[And yet, something was gnawing at him.]

Well, I'm sure it's manageable. I'm fairly slim in the way of secrets at the moment.

[There's a deep breath, an attempt to shake the look from his face. It didn't do much, since he was a little in the way of shocked that he hadn't guessed the reason. That he was acting as if there was no change.]

Well, I am unarmed in a strange place I've just been abducted to. Don't worry. I'll have my brave face on in no time.

[Hawke smiles, what would be encouragingly.]

I suppose I just didn't expect you to have...let go.

[He freezes, quickly putting out one hand in something like apology, the other hand rubbing his head.]

I'm not sure why I said that. [He lied.] I must be groggier than I thought.

[He nodded, though Fenris was perceptive enough to know Hawke was stalling, and he didn't know why.]

There's a blacksmith in Fayren. We'll get you a set of daggers.

[It occurred to him briefly he'd never actually seen Hawke unarmed before. It was...strange, and yet...almost intimate?]

No. That was pointed. [He stops walking and turns to Hawke.] Let go of what?

Your -

[Hawke finds himself at a loss for some excuse, and lets out a heavier sigh.]

Nothing. It's just - Nothing. Are you sure I can't take it back? Or have a good night's sleep to come up with a better excuse? You can explain why I'd have daggers of all things, in the meantime.

[He's trying to sound chipper, really he is.]

My what?

[Hawke was dodging, and that never meant anything good.]

...of all things?

[His unease was only growing.]

[At this point, his wasn't the only unease growing.]

Your - fine, if you're going to make me say it he favors you took. We can go back to pretending it never happened, if that would make it easier for you.

Yes? I've never used knives. I wouldn't say not to a new staff, but if you get me knives I'm just going to embarrass the both of us. Honestly. You have to remember, it was about so high, made setting people on fire much easier? [He gestured helpfully to show the height. But this, of all things, was starting to scare him.]

Favors...from... [From him? From Hawke? How...but a more thunderous thought was quickly shoving its way into his mind and he took a few steps back from the other man.]

...no. That's...you are not a mage.

[He was starting to hate the madness of this place more and more.]

No one, remember?

[Hawke winced, unable to even make an attempt at hiding it.]

Well, I wish you'd told me sooner. I could have spent a lot less time hiding from the Templars.

[It was a weak attempt at humor, meant more to hide the ache in his chest than anything else. It comes close to cracking.]

Are you sure you haven't hit your head?

I remember a lie.

[Fenris' jaw sets in a hard line, and his tone hardens with it.]

Yes. Your father was a mage...and your sister.

[How was this possible?]

I've never claimed to you that I'm anything I'm not. We've been through this. After you'd hired me? Remember?

[Hawke was frowning now, concern leeching into his features.]

Yes, they were. And so am I. Would it help if I showed you?

I believe you. [Hawke had never deceived him. Ever.] I just...

[He shook his head.]

Understand. You are not a mage. You're a rogue, deadly with your daggers, deft with a lock. Subtle, invisible when you wish to be.

[He looks away.]

I don't understand how this is possible.

[In another time or place, Hawke might have laughed at that. He could almost hear his brother laughing at the idea that he was subtle alone. Now wasn't the time for that. Now it seemed, something was wrong with Fenris.]

...I don't either. Could it be this place effecting you, somehow? I'm still not sure how we even came to be here.

Nor am I.

[And he doesn't like this. Gaps in his memory have always been bad, and this was something glaring. Impossible.]

...perhaps? There are others who've been trapped here longer. Perhaps...this is common.

We can ask. I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this in no time.

[His tone was a little softer, serious. He didn't like this either. Almost out of instinct he starts forward, a hand outreached, but stops after a step. Holds himself back.]

Then we'll just have the rest of this to figure out.

[The voice was the same, that gentle comfort when the storm of his mind seemed too much, to be looking at too many thoughts at the same time, and yet...

He tenses when Hawke comes forward but he forces his muscles to relax, looking instead in the direction they'd been traveling.]

We should get off the road. It...the housing isn't far. The box should have included a key.

[Hawke didn't turn away, but neither did he stop moving.]

I have the key. You know, I can probably find it from here. If you'd be more comfortable. I'm not that terrible with maps.

[The offer hurt to make in it's own way, but he felt like he had to make it. It only sounded about half as reluctant as he felt.]

[Admittedly, Fenris had a lot of his own thinking to do, but there was the subtle pull of familiarity that kept him from agreeing.]

There's no need. I have a room there as well.

[Relief practically floated off of him, and Hawke let out a breath he didn't remember holding on purpose.]

Well then. As long as we're not going out of your way.

[Hawke started forward, in the direction that they had been walking. If he took the lead without knowing where he was going exactly, Fenris could question his sense of direction like always, and it would be a step back towards normal. Right?]

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