video;

[stubble]

[ By now, Cullen has figured out the different settings on his phone. Not all of them, but the ones involved with making posts to the network. Thank the Maker for that, because trying to write messages on the bloody thing is a trial and sometimes he just doesn't have the patience for it.

He's sitting on the porch, mostly just his head and shoulders—the latter clad in a simple t-shirt—visible in the video. The bland side of his house makes up the background. Not visible is his mabari, sprawled out at his feet. ]

Pardon the intrusion—[ Using the phone is one thing. Network etiquette is still rather nebulous to him. ]—but I wondered if anyone might have some advice on where I might locate a proper job.

[ His relatively neutral expression dips into a disapproving frown. ]

My current duties are ridiculous and wholly unrelated to my talents. [ The frown smooths out. ] I was the general of a rather large army and have been a soldier for the majority of my life. As a child, I grew up on a small farm. I'm accustomed to being active and prefer it to more idle occupations.

[ He drums the fingers of his free hand against the arm of his chair. He has no idea the protocol for ending communications of this nature. ]

Thank you for your time.

[ Eh, that's good enough. ]

Comments

[video]

[timecapture]

I'm sure you can find a farm somewhere, if you want to go for that. You could also try out for the police.

[stubble]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the police? That term is unfamiliar to me.

[timecapture]

It's like the city guard. I think there's still an ImPort version. It's called RISE, or something?

[stubble]

[ He brightens with recognition. ]

Ah, yes. City guards we have in abundance. I might enjoy that. If those here are like those in Thedas it's work I've some experience performing. I thank you for the suggestion.

[timecapture]

You're welcome!

You're from Thedas? I've got a friend who's from there! Do you know the Iron Bull?

[Max, not everybody from Thedas knows each other.]

[stubble]

[ He smiles at her, nodding. ]

Indeed. He and I served in the same organization together. My name is Cullen.

[timecapture]

Oh, nice! What organization is that? I also know Hawke, but I can't really see her joining an organization.

[Yep. Definitely can't.]

I'm Max! It's nice to meet you. How long have you been here?

[stubble]

A pleasure, Max.

We belonged to the Inquisition. Hawke, that is Garrett Hawke, aided us, though he never formally joined. Perhaps such was the same for the Hawke you know.

And as for this world, I've been here only a few weeks. What of yourself?

[timecapture]

The only Hawke I know is a woman. I'm pretty sure her first name isn't Garrett.

I've almost been here for a year.

[stubble]

You refer to Marian, yes? You are quite correct, she is not a man. I spoke briefly with her a few weeks ago.

Is this world much like your own?

[timecapture]

She's really nice! And funny. [And also really pretty.]

Sort of. I mean, we don't have floating cars, superhero registration, or evil soldiers who try and brainwash us into doing their bidding.

[stubble]

[ Oh Maker, where does he even start with this? ]

There is a great deal of brainwashing here?

[ That seems the most pressing. ]

[timecapture]

Not that I know of. Some Soviet soldiers kidnapped a bunch of us and stuck us in submarines for awhile. I'm pretty sure they were going to try brainwashing us if not for the rescue.

The second time, they'd infiltrated the government and enrolled us in this creepy seminar. It... wasn't a good experience. [And honestly, she's surprised she made it out without giving in.]

[stubble]

No, I cannot imagine it was. [ For a moment, there's something grave and dark in his voice. ] Having one's mind toyed with is never pleasant.

I am happy to hear that you made it through both ordeals. You have fared well in the aftermath?

[timecapture]

No, it isn't. Iron Bull looked after a lot of us while we were in that submarine. He's really sweet.

I'm okay. [Translation: she has hella nightmares.]

[stubble]

Yes, he would make a comforting ally in such a dark time. It is fortunate that he was there.

[ Cullen knows all about being Okay. He is also Okay. ]

The memories fade over time. Never all the way. Never as much as you'd like. But it does get easier. On that, you've my word.

[timecapture]

Yeah. I'm just sorry he had to go through that, too. He seemed kind of... almost like he was used to it. [At least, that's what she thinks, given that he barely appeared phased.]

That's good to hear. You're sweet, Cullen; thank you.

[stubble]

The world we hail from is not kind.

[ Which is as diplomatic as he can be about what a terrible, traumatizing place Thedas is. He also doesn't know what to do with compliments save smile a little awkwardly and nod his thanks. ]

But it has taught me this. What we survive makes us stronger. Not weaker. Never weaker. No matter what we might think when we have too much time to do so.

[ Like, say, at night when the nightmares keep him up. ]

[timecapture]

I'm sorry to hear it. My world isn't always so great, either.

[She's definitely not getting into that right now, but she thinks she can understand where Cullen is coming from.]

That's a nice way of putting it. I hope you're right.

[stubble]

[ He laughs a little, though it's amused. Not unkind. ]

So do I, else I'll feel like a right tit, won't I?

[ He sobers. ]

Perhaps that's part of the reason we're here. To prevent this world from becoming like our own.

[ Or that has nothing to do with it all. Trying to find the silver lining is so hard. ]

[timecapture]

Probably.

[She giggles.]

Maybe... but there are kids here. Not a whole lot, but... [And she's totally not a kid herself, nope.]

[stubble]

[ He's felt like a right tit a lot. It was Aveline's super power back in Kirkwall. ]

I would not involve children in this, though I suppose their perspective is also valuable in matters such as these.

[ Kids are so not his forte. ]

[timecapture]

I don't think it's a good idea for them to be here at all.

[stubble]

Neither do I. Unfortunately, I don't believe there's much we can do about it.

[timecapture]

There isn't, as far as I know. People come and go pretty randomly.