One | Fate Emptied of Hope

[nobroth]

WHO: Alistair Theirin
WHERE: Fountain Square/Inn
WHEN: Dec 27, Evening
OPEN TO: One at the fountain (Claimed by Zev), OTA at the Inn, per usual.
WARNINGS: None - will edit if any occur.

---

'Cross Veil and into the valley of dreams:

"Very funny," came the voice from near the fountain. Dripping wet and cold, Alistair looked challengingly up at the sky, arms held out to either side. "But I don't know how you thought I'd fall for this! This isn't Redcliffe," he called. "And it's definitely not Denerim or Kirkwall or Wycome. It's not any of those tiny towns in Orlais. I've never seen this place before, so it's not my memory, cheater!"

Bending down, he picked up the first thing he saw - oh, a rock, that'll help - and threw it upward, not really noticing where it went. He heard it fall on the ground somewhere, but that was neither here nor there. It was proof he'd thrown it the wrong way, if anything.

"I don't trust you, Nightmare!" More agitated, he started to look for another rock. Another anything. "Or is this some Despair Demon's work? Encroaching on your territory now that you lost the Inquisitor? Well tough luck to you both - I'm not afraid anymore, and there's nothing left for me to Despair over. I might be the Maker's own idiot, but I'm not going to trust this illusion!"

Where had his sword gone. His shield, his armour. Which direction was the damned Nightmare?! He couldn't fight the damned thing if he couldn't see it, and he couldn't see it. Anywhere. Whatever Demon it was fueling this illusion, it was better than any he'd fought through yet, and he didn't want to think about what that meant.

---

In ignorance stumbling:

There was a good fire burning, and that was nice. Really, the place was nicer than roughly every other inn he'd ever seen, including the Hanged Man -- Well, honestly, it far surpassed the Hanged Man, the Pearl, definitely the Spoiled Princess. Places with names he couldn't remember because all he'd been concerned about was finding the bottom of his mug and then having another.

No such luck here, not that he minded. He'd had years to leave that particular vice behind, not that it had been a kind one while he'd had it. But at least now he was warm, dry, and, though confused, knew a few things for certain: There was food, there was shelter, and there was a chance - at least something of a chance - that this wasn't the Fade.

As he stood by the fire, pleasantly toasting himself, he realised he had a lot to think about. And that thought made his head hurt. Nose wrinkled, Alistair rubbed at his temples, muttering a quiet, "Ow."

Comments

[nobroth]

"Okay, that is both a relief and terrifying in a different way," Alistair answered, the nebulous image of some huge creature beginning to dissipate moment by moment. "We had similar - kind of. We had a big green hole in the sky, except we knew where it led, and it was eventually going to destroy the world, and--

"And...

"...Huh. I... just realised I don't know how that story ends..."

[assemble_the_lovbacken]

"For the record, I did not name it that. It was already pre-named when I found out about it. I think I would've tried to pick something less frightening or strange. Maybe like, Strawberry Fountain. Although that doesn't quite convey how scary it really was. And it wasn't really a fountain. Maybe Strawberry Swirl, since it was swirling?" Thor considers other names for the Devil's Anus for a few seconds before disregarding it all together. It doesn't really matter, he figures; according to his friend, Bruce, they made it through and they made it back to Asgard in time to save his people from his sister's destruction.

Thor can sympathize with Alistair, and he makes a face to show it as he stops outside of the Forge.

"Is there anyone here from your world that you might be able to ask? That's the only reason I know how my story ends — one of my friends who was there told me."

[nobroth]

"I... maybe. Zevran is here from before me. I'm not sure about anyone else, but then I've only been here for... uh. A day? If that?" So, really, he'd have to take some time to ask around.

As it was, he exhaled and shook his head. "Probably in the next few days. I need to catch up on some rest."

[assemble_the_lovbacken]

"No, there's no need to exhaust yourself in your search for answers right away. And the information will do you no good if you're also battling exhaustion and .. you know, the whole ... adjustment thing. To living here." Being trapped here, more like.

"This is the Forge," he starts, turning towards the door and giving it a gentle pat. "I'm here most of the time, along with some others. Tony Stark is the one who's mostly in charge, and he's usually the one organizing different projects around the village. We can make all sorts of things here! We make a surprisingly high number of nails, which isn't very exciting, but very needed." He begins to push through to enter the Forge before stopping and turning towards Alistair. "I hope you find your answers, though, and I hope they are what you wish."

[nobroth]

Alistair nodded a bit, looking at Thor with a genuine appreciation. "Thank you. I've... got a lot of thinking to do."

If only his head wasn't already so full. Tomorrow, he'd not remember he'd been brought here. He'd barely remember more than people's faces and names. But what he would remember would be the well-wishes, which were both surprising and heartening at once.

"Seeing as this village is so small, I'm sure I'll see you about, Thor. ...Thank you. Again."

And then, with a small smile, he turned to go, and to let Thor do as he wanted.