voice;

[stubble]

[ Learning to use the communication device is a process, one that Cullen has yet to fully master. There’s nothing like this in Thedas, and despite countless hours spent messing around with it now that he knows it isn’t possessed by demons, he still isn’t confident in his ability to use it. Knowing that he’ll never be unless he practices, and having used it twice with some success already, he decides to give a try.

And prays to the Maker that he isn’t making a colossal fool of himself.

It’s audio only, not out of shyness, but simply because that’s the setting he manages to find first. His voice is smooth and clear, carrying a faint accent that in this world might be reminiscent of a British one. ]

Forgive me if I fail to follow proper protocol for using this device. There is nothing like it in my world and I fear this is my first attempt at holding a public conversation on it.

[ At least, he thinks that’s what he’s doing. The details are a bit sketchy in his mind. Everything since his arrival has been a lot to take in. ]

I was wondering if there are others here who come from a place not quite as… [ He pauses here, uncertain how to continue. After a brief moment, he sighs. ] I’m uncertain of the term. Advanced, perhaps? There are so many things here that do not exist where I come from. I know neither their names nor their uses. And I wondered if there were others having a similar experience. If so, I would ask how you’re adjusting.

[ Another pause, slightly longer than the first. ]

And if you might have any advice for me in doing the same.

Comments

[whathawksdo]

Because they have no idea how to. That's the story, anyway, but considering how much trouble the imPorts cause? I think they wouldn't mind sending the worst away again, given the chance.

[stubble]

What sort of trouble? What is going on in this world?

[whathawksdo]

Didn't get the summary from the useless men in green, hm? That's military for you. There's a war on, for one. The other side goes to ridiculous lengths to try and either contain us or obtain us, depending on how they feel one day or another.

[ Or maybe they decide based on weather or a coin flip, whatever. ]

And if it's not that, there's an awful lot of aspiring villains that show up and decide it's a fun idea to hurt as many people as possible. You know, from time to time.

[stubble]

[ Ah, good. This sounds as disastrous as Thedas. The bright-side being that this isn't Thedas and therefore this world's war is none of his concern, save ensuring that his people stay alive. ]

And what is it that the rest of the people do? Those who have no wish to harm others for profit or self-aggrandizement?

[whathawksdo]

Whatever they want to, I suppose. Some spend their time dealing with the ones who do all the harming, others, well, I spend most of my time looking after dogs these days. A bit dull compared to what I'm used to, but I do like it.

[ Because dogs. ]

[stubble]

[ He snorts softly, the sound amused. ]

You and I have that in common, it seems. I too spend most of my time looking after a dog. A mabari, specifically. Rescued from Orlais.

[whathawksdo]

[ Hold on, forget everything else they were talking about. Did he say mabari? ]

A mabari? In Orlais? Poor thing, getting stuck over there. [ What a terrible place for a mabari! ] Is it here with you? Did the porter at least get one thing right this time?

[stubble]

He'd been in a cage in the Winter Palace in Halamshiral. I could not in good conscience allow him to remain a prisoner.

[ And Cullen also deeply dislikes Orlesians in general, provided they aren't chevaliers or individuals by the name of Michel de Chevin. He likely would have freed a wyvern just to spite whichever asinine noble had thought to keep it caged. ]

He has accompanied me here, yes. Since I freed him, he tends to follow me everywhere I go. And he's stubborn; in a contest of will, I doubt the porter would have prevailed against him.

[whathawksdo]

[ Hawke would have to disagree on the wyvern thing. She's dealt with those. Not fun, better left in cages, don't trust anyone who's trained one for riding. ]

Of course he's followed you since. He knows he's better off with a Fereldan.

[ There's a hesitant pause after that. On one hand, mabari. She'd love to see a mabari again, no offense meant to her other dogs. On the other, it's Cullen, not even the one she knows. Not that he was ever among the worst of Meredith's templars. He certainly let her and her friends walk at the end, but-- ]

And normally I would offer the run of the Ambassador's farm to anyone with a dog who'd like a few acres to chase about, but... well, I'm not really sure what to expect from you.

[stubble]

[ There are any number of things that he could say in response to the bit about the dog—and to everything else, truthfully—but what he might have said is lost in his uncertain astonishment. He has to take a moment to replay what he thinks he's just heard because it sounds like... ]

I beg your pardon? [ Bewilderment is the reigning emotion evident in his voice. ] If you know me, or rather, someone like me, then surely...

[ Belatedly, he realizes that that's likely the problem. His voice takes on a cautious tone. ]

Is there something wrong with the man you know?

[whathawksdo]

Considering the last time I saw you... him... whoever...

[ Is Cullen the same person no matter what or not? This is getting ridiculous. ]

We had just killed Meredith and everything was still on fire. That may all be long behind you, but it was only a few days ago for me, before the porter dumped me here, and while the Cullen I knew let me get away, I don't know if that was an oversight or if he actually wanted me to escape.

[stubble]

[ Ah, he believes he might better understand the difficulty now. ]

I cannot speak for the man you know, but I can tell you that despite his attempt at subtlety, I knew for many years that Hawke was a mage. His friends as well. For being apostates, they were all rather terrible at keeping it secret.

There was no reason to apprehend Hawke. He did more good for Kirkwall than anyone there. To repay him for his sacrifices by forcing him into a broken Circle would have been unworthy of him. Perhaps the man you knew felt the same.

[whathawksdo]

[ There's a considerable pause from her end of the conversation, Hawke taking a moment to consider that. Well. ]

I do think that reasoning would fit him, actually. [ Is the reply she'll come back with in the end. ] Although I'm going to let you in on a secret. If your Hawke was at all like me, any attempts at subtlety were purely accidental, I assure you.

[stubble]

Oh, I believe that. There are many areas in which Hawke is quite inspiring, but that has never been one of them. Still, he is an admirable man and I wish him well in his endeavor to make Kirkwall better than it is.

[whathawksdo]

Bettering it? Did he remain in Kirkwall, then?

[stubble]

He did not remain, but he did return. Varric was named Viscount and Hawke, as I'm told, now aids him. Aveline too is there and I suspect the elf is as well.

[whathawksdo]

[ Good job, that shuts her up for a little longer than usual. That's... a lot. To take in. ]

Varric? Is the Viscount? [ Eventually she'll speak up again. ] You mean we get to go home? I mean, that one does, at least.

[stubble]

[ That's all right. Cullen doesn't really believe it either and he's lived it. ]

Yes. Those who wish to return do. After the Breach in the sky is sealed, anyway. Prior to that, I think everyone has too many other problems to worry about.

[whathawksdo]

But only in that... timeline. Or whatever it is.

[ She should opt for wariness over hope, really. ]

[stubble]

I've no idea. I can only speak for the life I know.

[whathawksdo]

Still a nice thought, though. Maybe it's something that'll happen across all of them.