[CALL] Video; UN: wardenka

[boundinblood]

[It was an odd device. A tiny seam down the middle was the only indication it was manmade at all, it seemed so alien. Flawlessly smooth black material that, alarmingly, she didn't recognize, a glossy panel on the front that lit up and showed her things when she touched it. Spoke with a voice she couldn't speak to and showed her visions without once reaching into the Fade.

It introduced itself, in a way. A "CALL device", a means to communicate with places unimaginable. A means to go places unimaginable, if that label marked "TRANSPORT" did what it said it did. Song without singers or instruments, music captured somehow. Portraits straight from reality, with no painter's bias. Visions with no warping, events preserved exactly as they happened, a journal of sight and sound. Speech and writing across distances unreachable.

Somehow.

She touched the screen as instructed, opened a video post. If she understood right, it would be the closest to in-person interaction. She didn't want to hit that button just yet. She'd sensed no disturbance in the Veil (and Alistair would have sensed it before he left if she hadn't), so she doubted it was a demon's work. But all the same, what if something went wrong? She wanted to test first.]

[The camera looks up on a woman clothed in crimson, curious eyes searching the frame. A huge brown mastiff looms over her shoulder (showing her to be seated on the ground), watching the recording with equally inquisitive eyes - equally discerning.]

...Have I done it right?

[The dog whines curiously.]

I might as well, at worst nobody hears me. Um... [She clears her throat.] This is Warden-Commander Katherine Amell of Ferelden. This device said it could be used to communicate with others who had another one. Oh, like a tiny eluvian... [she murmurs in sudden realization, before remembering herself and focusing on the screen again.] ...Anyway, is anyone hearing this? ...I see myself on the screen, is anyone seeing the same?

Comments

[thygospelevity]

[His head whips up. His curls bounce.] Nay, says I, for this pimp serves with deepest devotion!

[But then he hesitates.] ...Of others, it is little consequence. To them I offer only the open arms fit of the family. However, this mother fucker must prove myself worthy, for I am descendant to the Grandest and have been chosen by Messiahs to receive the messages of the age.

[boundinblood]

Even people chosen by destiny make mistakes.

[Thunder barks agreement beside her. She glances over at him with a wry, mock-deadpan:] Thanks.

[He barks again, oblivious, and she turns back to the device.]

Sorry - anyway, as I was saying, I doubt they're expecting you to be perfect. Nobody is. Nobody mortal, anyway.

[thygospelevity]

[The barkbeast who speaks with her, though not at all pale as should be, can be nothing else but a lusus. Seeing their communion like this only proves it to him.

That distraction ends fast though, for she continues and he finds her assessment difficult to swallow. Perfect, of course he's not perfect, but...]

But... is it not a dire mother fuckin negligence to strive for anything but the best?

["Even the Empress is mortal," His ancestor had said once and her words call upon that. It's hard to squirm away from the weight on it. What if his only way of achieving a mere good is through aiming for perfection?]

[boundinblood]

[Who's going to break it to the kid that he's really just a hyper-intelligent dog?]

Of course you should strive to be the best. But wishing punishment on yourself for every failure isn't the same as acknowledging you need to do better.

In magical studies, that kind of thinking usually just makes your next attempt worse.

[thygospelevity]

[A very good question indeed.]

...Oh.

[It is less than eloquent a response, but he truly had not consider that he might be making things worse.]

... I should proceed then only with most legit intentions to correct and improve.

You are wise, Sister Katherine.

[boundinblood]

There's no better teacher than experience. [She gives an absolutely unguarded grin for a moment. For all his weirdness and random non-vulgar vulgarity, he's kind of a cute kid.]

It took burning my eyebrows off with my own fire three times before I accepted there were some things I couldn't let myself get dragged down by.

[thygospelevity]

[He laughs in surprise, covers his mouth to stop it, then surrenders, letting his hands fall so that he may laugh some more.]

I presume thee to be one of great skill then in the drawing of eyebrows.

...Thank you, sister Katherine.