Pumpkins [Commentlog]
[The pumpkin with Chloe's Aunt Lauren on it was a real nasty piece of work, and Chloe was literally trembling as she tried to get it off it's post--smash it--make it stop. Her rapid movements made the job slippery, however, and the pumpkin juices and rot weren't helping.]
'Your lack of self-confidence makes you think you care for Derek, dear. You ( Read more... )
'Your lack of self-confidence makes you think you care for Derek, dear. You ( Read more... )
[His voice is dry, his expression flat. Yes, Anders too has been hearing the whispers of the pumpkins. But he'd already smashed Fenris the Pumpkin, and wasn't quite sure where else to start looking.]
[Instead, he found a girl trying way too hard to remove the squash from its post.]
Reply
If you find a bigger one, let me know.
[Chloe then picks up two relatively large rocks, one in each hand. She steps away from it, giving herself distance, then gives an experimental throw. It did some damage, but it was hardly enough. The screaming grew louder, and Chloe growled as she hit the pumpkin the the other rock, then conveniently remembered she had a dull switchblade in her pocket.]
Better yet...
[She reaches into her pocket, produces the blade, and flicks it open, her intent clear.]
I take it I'm not the only one with this problem?
Reply
Stand back.
[He slips the staff from it's position against his back. His destructive spells aren't what they should be, but a staff is a staff. It's big, blunt, and capable of being swung around with great force.]
[That must be how Anders keeps in shape.]
I have a much better idea than chipping away at it with a dull blade.
Reply
Reply
[He swings it at the pumpkin like a baseball bat, hopefully smashing the squash on impact.]
Reply
I-I think once more should do it. I-if you don't mind.
Reply
[Of course it would take more than just one hit to silence this thing. He steps back, and hefts the staff again. This time, there's a slight flash of blue light along the length of the object.]
... thing!
[With the aid of a little spirit power, the mage practically hits a home run with the last bit of pumpkin.]
Reply
Th-thanks.
[Chloe can finally breathe easier now. Tensed shoulders relax.]
I don't quite remember your name...
Reply
Anders.
[Deep breaths, man. The fatigue will pass. It always does.]
Reply
Are you okay? Do you want to sit down?
[Then shock tears through her. Anders? As in... Alex's Anders? She almost grins, but she's too concerned at the moment. She also didn't know this man well enough to mention anything. She certainly got embarrassed when Simon talked about her and Derek, anyway.]
I really owe you one. That... 'pumpkin' was really starting to get to me. So thanks.
Reply
[He waves her off, and keeps leaning on his staff -- oblivious to her recognition. Even if her voice is naggingly familiar.]
They're just vegetables. No matter who's face they've been given. We'd all do well to remember that.
[Oh sure Anders, you say that now.]
Reply
I know. Everything is blocked here. Which means I owe you even more, since you went to such trouble.
Do you want to sit and get something to drink? It might help. I'm Chloe. We may have talked over the journal.
[That and she knew Alex deeply cared for Anders, so he was already good in Chloe's books.]
Y-yeah. Right. With so many strange things going on here, though, it--it kind of makes you wonder.
[Biting her lip, Chloe suddenly remembered it was her Aunt Lauren screaming those things at her, and she inhaled a deep, cleansing breath. If that hadn't been her Aunt, though... stormy anger swelled within.]
I'd like to know who did this, because it seems to me they were toying with us. H- ( ... )
Reply
[If it were, he'd be on the floor, half-conscious. Or choking down lyrium. Something like that. He shakes his head at the offer, but then... peers at her. Now he can place that voice.]
Yes... I remember now. The girl who talked about demons.
[There may or may not be a note of scorn in his voice. Someone has demon issues. Just a little.]
That's precisely what I'd like to know. But answers in this place don't seem to be forthcoming. It's like trying to pry a straight answer out of a Qunari.
Reply
[Then Chloe winces. Great. It was that conversation.]
Yeah. That was me.
[Best to not tell him her friend Liz was here--and was also a half demon.]
I'll say. You think you might find something, but it brings up twenty more questions. By the way, what is a Qunari?
[A question that can be answered. Chloe missed those.]
Reply
[He gives her a once-over. A few times. She doesn't look possessed. Then again, no one ever really did until it was too late. Maybe she was just ignorant.]
[He leans against the staff. Fingers tightening around it.]
So I've begun to notice. The Qunari are very large, very angry zealots running around Thedas, locking up their mages and converting everyone to their way of life.
Reply
[Chloe's brows rise high on her forehead at that.]
Well. That doesn't sound very reasonable. Why? Are they afraid of the power they possess?
Reply
Leave a comment