o2 ☣ video + action

[electricitytrick]

[The video opens from a lower perspective, showing the grungy wall of a brick building, grey and adorned with graffiti. This is clearly the less-- pleasant side of town.

And there's a man dressed in a plain tunic and trousers, hair pulled back to show the glint of an earring and-

Are his hands on fire?

There's suddenly screaming - a man, by the sound of it - and sickeningly desperate cries for help. An older man who might have looked just haggard and dumpy on any other day stumbles into the video's frame.]

Help me, please! Help!

[Yup. He's on fire.

Fenris - in Anders' body - looks at his still-burning hands completely panicked before he scoops up his NV (amazing how it remains uncharred!), thus ending the feed before he goes running off.]

[ooc | Fenris: Ending the last few days of his body-swap with a bang. Feel free to run into him as he's panicking! And NV responses will come much, much, much, much later.]

Comments

[bloodyantivan]

There are some who'd argue being born a city elf is a curse, no?

[Zevran hardly considers himself the sum of his experiences as an elf: he has made himself more than what fate forced upon him. He sees the same in Anders, though he still dwells on the chains that threaten to encircle him. Fenris, on the other hand, drags his along with him with the constant sound of metal on pavement. His chains are a weight on his shoulders ruin his posture.]

You can learn not to burn others, you know, until is a simple thing requiring little thought, much like handling a blade or learning to read.

[electricitytrick]

Yes. And that is precisely why the Circles are a necessity.

[Even if Anders in the future does not agree. His eyes close. There's a wince in the downturn of his lips, but this is nothing he hasn't endured before. He's had much, much worse.]

And elves by themselves do little more than travel in packs or take up space in the forgotten bowels of a city.

[bloodyantivan]

This is why I like you, Fenris. You are such a delight to be around, with nothing but good things to say about his fellow man.

[Zevran clucks his tongue and carefully wraps Anders's hands.]

[electricitytrick]

[Snort.]

I think I have more than enough reason.

[bloodyantivan]

Is it reason? I thought it was more like that other thing.

[Zevran withdraws, giving Fenris a pat on the shoulder.] Let's get you home.

[electricitytrick]

[Fenris seems reluctant.]

I am not certain if that is wise.

[bloodyantivan]

At least if you set something on fire, I can be ready with the spray can of fire repellent. [An ever-so-charming grin.] Not to worry.

[electricitytrick]

[He nods slowly]

All right. Let's-- go.

[Home.]

[bloodyantivan]

[Zevran remains close, almost possessively so - mostly to help Fenris up in case he needs it. He figures he'll bring him home before discussing the more important details - the fact that he has magebane, and perhaps finding out what exactly triggered this incident.]

[electricitytrick]

[Fenris is, at least, appreciative of the familiar company. It's a reminder that he is grounded, that he can reach out if he wanted to. He follows in silence, hunched as he always is, seeming to draw in more on himself now.]

[bloodyantivan]

[Zevran stays close, just shy of actually touching Fenris. He's wary without his stance belying it, listening for anyone who might recognize the crazed mage who set a man on fire. He weaves Fenris through the city just in case they're being followed until they finally make it back to the apartment.]

Go sit. How are your hands?

[electricitytrick]

[He sits in his armchair. It's familiar, too, and helps to relax him. He turns his palms up.]

Better.

[And he can't help but think-- much better, certainly, than the state of that innocent man.]

[bloodyantivan]

[Zevran pours them both a glass of rather harsh brandy from its hiding spot somewhere in the kitchen. His personal stash has yet remained undiscovered, and with his rogue skills he intends to keep it that way.]

Tell me if you need me to give you your drink. Or I could fetch a straw.

[He settles on the arm of the couch nearby.]

Did it suddenly happen, this accident? Or were you provoked?

[electricitytrick]

[He shakes his head, reaches for the glass.]

There is no need for concern - I have suffered through worse.

[And dear Maker the drink stings beautifully down his throat.]

It was... an accident. That man was completely innocent. But even when calm, the slightest bit of surprise or tension can set off this cursed magic.

[bloodyantivan]

Hm. [Zevran is thoughtful, swirling the rotgut in his glass as if it's something fine and Orlesian.] And this condition, we understand it to be temporary, no? Sooner or later you will be returned to your fine and proper body?

[electricitytrick]

[His brows knit with uncertainty.]

Re-l mentioned that it may last a week... but we do not know for certain.

[bloodyantivan]

...I have some magebane, but it will not last very long. It would be better if Anders could teach you how to control it.

[electricitytrick]

Dani, she- sealed them, for now. I do not know how long it will last, however. Hopefully until this business has been dealt with.

[bloodyantivan]

[Zevran nods. He doesn't know all that much of magic, but if only to keep more fires from happening he hopes that Fenris can remain safe like this.

He pours Fenris more brandy. If such a time comes that Dani's seal is inadequate, they will deal with it then.]

...Do you like being taller, at least? [The one thing Zevran envies about human men, really.]

[electricitytrick]

[The briefest of smiles.]

It is not-- so different, being human. Strange, and I imagine the difference would be far more prominent were we in Thedas.

[bloodyantivan]

I suppose it would be. No one's treating us as servants or forcing us from our sacred homelands here... if only because we are all in similarly poor positions.

[It is still strange, though, to hear Fenris's particular way of attacking words coming from Anders's lighter, more carefree voice.]