005; Video

[iwannabeadragon]

[This is a risk. Not everyone likes him and he knows at least one that probably wants him dead. Still, he won't sit and hide just because of some injuries. Besides Notch makes for a wonderful bodyguard.

Hawke really should be in bed instead of in front of his console, but here he is. He looks better but only barely. There's bruising where his head struck the wall and his left arm hangs in a sling. If he looks grumpy it's because he is. Hawke hates how useless these injuries have made him but he refuses to use what few potions he has on anything not life threatening.

After a beat he lifts a scribbled note.]

I need a hand. Who wants some work?

[Man this sucks.]

Comments

[problematical]

[ The Look has difficulty not pulling into a smile at that, and Simon could always do stern better than River could. ]

There are bad sounds, in the palace. I can't shut them out.

[iwannabeadragon]

[Now that sounds ominous. There's not a damn thing he can do about it either with his body this injured. Not for the first time he curses the fact Anders isn't around.

Hawke steps beside her and briefly pats her shoulder, trying to offer some reassurance without making her flinch.]

You're welcome to stay here as much as you like.

[Hopefully it will give her some comfort. Then he lifts his hand to whisper to her as if he's trying to be confidential.]

Notch gets scared of the dark anyway. He could use the company.

[Notch snorts at that.]

[problematical]

[ River nods, appreciating the offer and she might just take him up on that, at least for a little while. ]

Sometimes the dark is scary, even when there aren't Reavers here.

[iwannabeadragon]

Don't I know it, but somehow I still end up mucking about in dark.

[Hawke has no idea what a Reaver is but he figures it can't be good. Sounds like the poor kid has seen a lot more than anyone her age should.]

At least Notch and I will be around to chase of shadows. That's kind of our job. Well, our old one anyway.

[problematical]

You chase the shadows here too, I've heard it. They steal things and hide them, and make you guess, and they're sharp enough to cut. Even Notch doesn't like them.

[ She scratches the hound under the chin in emphasis. ]

You just need a bigger light, enough to chase them away.

[iwannabeadragon]

Some habits die hard I suppose.

[Notch makes a pleased woof in response.]

If it would make my job easier I'd happily take one. Maybe then I could finally retire.

[Hawke may boast about his accomplishments playfully at times, but he has trouble seeing himself as a real hero. He accepts the title Champion because getting people to stop using it is more trouble than it's worth. If someone wanted to take his place he'd relinquish the title happily. The problem is no one else is crazy enough to try.]

[problematical]

Do you think I could try?

[ Not at the whole being a hero part, even though in her and Simon's playtimes sometimes she got to be the hero -- as often as she liked, because he never objected -- but because maybe she thinks she understands the stakes a little better now. Ironically, since so little else makes sense anymore. ]

[iwannabeadragon]

[For a moment he just says nothing.]

Do you want to?

[It's not his place to decide this for her. If she wants to do it then that's up to her. After all, the first place he met her was inside that bottle. He can help her though, and support her.]

[problematical]

I want to try it.

[ Because she has a pretty good track record for trying things and getting them right. ]

I'll help with your work. You asked. Where is it?

[iwannabeadragon]

Alright.

[Hawke nods his head. That's enough for him.]

Well, all around really.

[His place is a bit of a mess. Sheltering different families of kedan can do that to a place. There are blankets and pillows laying about the living room, furniture moved around, dishes are out with flecks of food still on some, and somewhere his little black book is hidden in the mess.]

And I still need to get groceries.

[Enough to ration him through the week at least. There's also a matter of his smuggling business to take care of.]

[problematical]

[ She looks around the suite and nods thoughtfully to herself, as though she's already started organizing things in her mind. ]

I can cook. The others say I shouldn't but I know how.

[ Of course she knew. ]

[iwannabeadragon]

[Not for the first time Hawke finds himself wondering what she's thinking.]

That's already a step beyond my abilities.

[He smirks. Hawke can put meat over a fire. That's about it.]

[problematical]

[ immediately: ] No fires in the house.

[iwannabeadragon]

[Um...that's one hell of a coincidence. Again he's thrown off balance for a second.]

I'll do my best to suppress the urge.

[problematical]

[ insistently: ] You have to promise.

A 2.4m by 3.7m compartment with a ceiling height of 2.4m has a volume of 21.312m³. Based on a potential heat release of 3 MJ/m³ of air, the volume of the compartment would provide sufficient air for release of 63.936 MJ. A fire burning in this compartment with a steady heat release rate of .5 MW would consume the air in the compartment in just over two minutes or 127.8 seconds.

[iwannabeadragon]

[Hawke just looks at River like she grew two heads and both began speaking separate languages. Then he bursts into a fit a giggles that only end when his ribs painfully demand that he stop.]

I haven't got the slightest clue what any of that means but alright, you have a promise. No fires.

[problematical]

I can get the groceries. Usually making the protein taste like other things, you don't want the reverse.

[iwannabeadragon]

One day you'll have to teach me what all that means.

[Even if he's certain he'll never actually understand any of it.]

For now let's get those groceries.

[problematical]

I can draw a picture if you want.

[ She doesn't... seem to be mocking him when she says that. She also goes straight to Hawke's closet and gets out whatever he uses for a coat, draping it around herself so that she's practically drowning in it. ]

I'm ready.

[iwannabeadragon]

Pictures would be lovely.

[If she is Hawke just rolls with it. Before he knows it she's pulling on his coat and the sight of her makes Hawke's smile widen even more. She might be strange, but River is a cute kid.]

While we're out how about we find you something more your size?

[He starts for the door.]

[problematical]

[ River makes a note to bring him some charts later. His smile is infectious, though she looks down at the coat she's wearing. ]

I get things from the others, on the ship. Sometimes it's a long time between trades planets.

[iwannabeadragon]

A good thing there's a market nearby. You should have some things to call your own.

[And Hawke will buy them for her if he has to. They can call it payment for her helping him.]

[problematical]

I used to.

[ Back on Osiris at the Tam Estate, she lacked for nothing (except, perhaps, understanding but she didn't begrudge them that too much). ]

You don't have many things either. You carry them all inside.

[iwannabeadragon]

Easier to pick up and take with me that way.

[He doesn't bother denying it. There aren't many physical things that he wants anymore now that he doesn't have a place, a home, and his family is scattered across Thedas.]