kallian_endris | IC INBOX

[She arrives two hours later, looking a little harried, and a bundle in her arms, but the moment she arrives, she immediately puts it down on the nearest surface and heads straight into his arms for a hug.]

I'm here... I'm here.

[As soon as she's there, he's wrapping his arms around her and holding tight. Over the last few days he's hurt so many people, but she's not injured. That's one he cares for who is okay.]

You're here, [he echoes.] And you're all right?

Not hurt at all, I promise.

[A little harried and maybe like she hasn't properly slept well in a while, but not hurt, no.]

I checked in on Nathaniel, gave him a little something for his hurts. He was resting when I left.

Oh, and, um, I brought you something... [She gestures at the pile] Some tea, and blueberry muffins.

[He looks over and shakes his head.]

You didn't have to do all that. But thank you. I... Thank you.

[Letting go is a little difficult, yet he manages to do so and take a step back before turning and starting to rummage through what supplies they have.]

Do you want... I can find plates. I'm sorry. My head's a little scattered. Thank you for looking in on Nate, too. I've been there but it's... hard.

You sit. Let me.

[Gently, but insistently, and she gets what they need, carefully pouring him a cup of herbal tea and bringing over a freshly-baked muffin.]

...I thought it was the least I could do. It's hard to go through something like that, and little kindnesses, well... You'd do the same if it were me.

[They're warm. They're blueberry and warm. For a moment he holds the tea in one hand and a muffin in the other and just looks down at them. He's not actually sure he's eaten today. Anders takes a seat and isn't even sure where to start.]

I would. I just... You're you.

[Of course he'd do it for Kallian. She's sweet and young and he treasures her. He's Anders, murderer. It's still hard to wrap his head around people caring, sometimes.

Anders' stomach grumbles and he gives her a slightly sheepish look before taking a bit of the muffin.]

It's perfect, Kalli.

I'm glad you think so.

[She thoughtfully eats a muffin of her own.]

Has anyone else been here with you?

[He shakes his head.]

No. I've... Most of my time's been at the healing tents. Trying to help. Seeing everyone that's hurt. I can't help as much anymore. Not for a while.

[Replacing Justice, after what had happened to him, is a horrifying thought despite how much he misses Compassion.]

Maybe I should see if I can... can just teach, for a time. ...Not like most of the Inquisition would be fine with that. Or most students.

[He's just hurt so many. Can he really blame people for being wary of him?]

[Gently, she puts a hand on his arm.]

If you want, I'll stay with you. Not for too long. A few nights, maybe?

[She bites her lip, trying to be delicate with this.]

I... I can't imagine what this has done to your magic. But, if you needed it... I'm sure Hope would help you.

I can't do that to you.

[He looks down.]

I mean with Hope, I can't. There's not even... spirits aren't readily transferable. I'd not leave you vulnerable like that, and I'm not very hopeful. We'd have trouble working together. I can still heal some, simply not as much as I could. But if you want to stay a time... I'd appreciate that.

[He's significantly weakened, but he's also not willing to rush into something with another spirit. There's no guarantee any will work with him again either.]

That's... not usually how she works. You might not be, but I am. And I have hope that you heal... that... maybe another one will come to you. She would take that and try and find you someone, more than likely. If there's one to be found.

[She leans into him.]

But I'll stay. At least for now. I don't want you to be alone. If you want... you can teach me. Now that everyone knows... well...

I could use that help... but not yet. Not today, maybe not this week. Justice is dead because of me. I don't want to push things, or be... disrespectful, something like that.

[He takes a sip of his tea before setting it down so he can put an arm around Kalli.]

In the meantime, please. I'd like to teach you anything you want to learn. Healing, other magic, do you have your letters? Something constructive.

I don't know how long something like that would take. I've never heard of anything like it ever being done before.

[She nestles easily into the embrace.]

I know how to read and write, in two languages. My mother taught me. I taught Jamie some, even. But I want to learn whatever I can. Whatever can make me helpful. Needed. Not someone to be afraid of.

No one's ever done what I have before, as far as I know. And...

[He considers, holding her close.]

How are your barriers? We could work on those first if they're not there yet. You'll be protector, then. Or we can work on Haste as Adelaide applies it to cooking, sprouting a seed as Pel showed me, the options are limitless. Freedom means choices. What would you like to start with, Kalli? The choice is yours.

[She thinks about it.]

...what can you manage at the moment? I don't want to overtax you.

[It's a good question. Time to go with what's easiest for him.]

Barriers. I can manage barriers. Will that help you?

It can't hurt. My fighting and defense aren't very good. The Nightmare proved that much.

[She gets a gentle kiss to the temple before he releases her, takes one more bite of his muffin, and sets it aside with the tea.]

All right. Let's have you put a barrier around us and see what we're working with.

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