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Sorry
nt dead
[A picture of an elf with a frowny face follows, and then one of a stick figure on top of a house firing arrows at some skeletons, and a templar (Maria) fighting them at the bottom. Then a picture of the elf and maria, with a happy face and an angry face respectively, and then a picture of gavin digging a hole with a little scribble of a pile of smelly poo beside it.]
-Gavin [He's helpfully pressed his mud-covered thumb print beside his name, for some reason.]
Ashara?
[Gavin hadn't actually used the sending crystal yet, so he nearly jumps out of his skin when he hears Bruce's voice coming out of it. Carefully, he picks it up, and holds it in his cupped hands. Ah- how does he do this.]
... Bruce? Is that you? I'd really rather you'd call me Gavin, so that I know for sure it's me you're talking to--
[Bruce is quick to wave that off; really, he's got no right himself to say anything, considering his own history... not that anybody knows of course, but. He's had enough lies on his conscience as it is.]
I got your letter. [Just in case Gavin didn't put two and two together.] It was very kind of you to do so. I had been worried.
Yeah, apparently I worried a lot of people.
[There was a moment of silence on the end mostly because he forgot that Bruce could only hear him, rather than see him. When he realised that, there was a shuffling sound and he cleared his throat.]
But you should know better than to worry about me, Bruce, or I'll end up turning all of your hair grey. I was trying to find Ned's team but they've disappeared. They're putting out search parties and everything. Are you going to be staying up there?
[Bruce himself too, of course, although he supposes unlike the others he... shows it differently. Well, mostly because he tries to not lose his temper. Nobody likes him when he's angry.]
I'm probably going to stay unless I'm needed down there. A lot of the healers have gone over to study the plague, so there aren't many left to take care of the refugees in Skyhold.
Does that mean you care about me too, Bruce? [He says it in a teasing tone.]
Ah... You're going to miss all the fun. They have me digging latrines, it's an adventure, every day! But I suppose someone has to be responsible. One day I'm going to drag you out to do something irresponsible, though, so you'd best prepare yourself.
[In a way, he enjoyed listening to them, hearing of things from a person who loved life so much more than he ever could.]
And that's not going to be very easy. [The smile is almost audible this time.] Everyone tells me I'm too attached to my work.
Well, everyone is right. I haven't ever seen you get assigned to latrine duty because you've been misbehaving. Obviously we need to fix that.
[A thoughtful pause.]
I never knew these existed before this, though. These uh - sending crystal things. I can't decide if I really like them or if I'm horrified, but it's neat to be able to talk to you, at least.
[There's several seconds silence, and then a rustling sound.]
Ah- sorry. Apparently they turn off if you drop them. Thought I saw an undead, but it was just a rat. You really need to stop calling me Ashara, Bruce. At least come up with a new nickname if you refuse to use mine. [It was said lightly, but there was a hint of honest discomfort there. He certainly didn't feel much like an Ashara, these days.]
[There's an awkward pause after that on Bruce's end as well. Things like these--well. Bruce has never been good with people, despite how he presents himself.
He knows he should probably say something here, but, well. He can't quite think of anything.]
Just call me Gavin, then. Or Lucky, if you want, that's what Varric calls me. Ironically, of course. But it's still endearing.
[He pauses, and then says hesitantly:]
... I just - It's getting... worse. With them. Lately. That's all. [Another pause, and then a nervous chuckle.] It's alright. Sorry. Call me whatever you want, Bruce, it's fine.
What happened?
[He asks it as quietly and as gently as he can. If Gavin doesn't want to elaborate, then he won't pry.]
No! No, I-- Well, not exactly. [God, talking over these things was awful.]
No, of course I'm not leaving the Inquisition. I just wanted to leave them. For a while. But now they're all tangled up in it, too.
[There's a pause and then a sigh.]
I'm not making any sense at all, am I.
All of them have left for the Mire, I think. [He could always be wrong, though.] I suppose that a wasn't really well-thought out plan.
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