dear_mun | Van bb don't be like that.

Better to know what you're doing than not, yes?

Only marginally. There is still much that is unknown.

That's life, to the best of my knowledge.

Unfortunately. At least my world is generally less surprising even when it is unknown. [For the most part.] I should be ready for anything where magic is concerned.

Probably true. Speaking as a mage, it's best not to underestimate what it's capable of.

[A fellow Mage, then. Vanyel gives him a small smile.]

That is a lesson I should have learned long ago.

[ a slightly sheepish smile of his own, scratching at one of his ears. ]

I suppose you're not from any nation I've been to, then. Most human mages I know started out in the Circle. [ and well, if you were dangerous, you were made tranquil. and you, sir, don't seem to be tranquil. ]

[Those ears are quite charming. Van has never seen their shape or like before.]

Likely not unless you have heard of the kingdom of Valdemar?

[No, tranquility does not fit Vanyel.]

I was trained at the Collegium in Haven.

[ his lips part, then shut. ]

.. No, I'm afraid not. [ a beat. ] Well, that is to say, I know of a Haven, given that the Inquisition began there, but there was no Collegium there to my knowledge. And Valdemar is entirely foreign to me.

[The more he looks at him, the more he is reminded of the Tayledras. Yet he does not speak like them. Even when they adopt the common tongue, they have an interesting way of expressing themselves.

But the pale hair and ornamentations...

Vanyel can appreciate those.]

Then it is best to assume we are from different worlds. [He isn't surprised. Not anymore.] I am honored to encounter another Mage. I am Vanyel Ashkevron, Herald-Mage for King Randale of Valdemar.

I think so, yes. [ he offers a polite nod at the introduction. ] The honour is mine. I am Inquisitor Mahanon Lavellan. [ his lips quirk up at the corner. ] .. Given that the Inquisition doesn't exactly exist here, though, I think it's safe for you to call me Mahanon.

By that same logic, you are welcome to call me Vanyel. [Standing on titles can be tiresome - particularly in situations where they are no use.] I take it you are not a common human, Mahanon? I do not mean to cause offense.

You've.. never seen an elf? [ he's both surprised and a little grateful. at least this means he'll have no offensive preconceptions. ] I'm not offended, just.. a little surprised.

[ he's never had to explain what an elf is before. this is a little strange. ]

Ah.. we have the same basic shape and proportions as humans, but we tend to be a little smaller and narrower. And then, there's no hiding the ears, of course. [ well, not without some of the more ornate masks he's seen in orlais, or hoods. there are other things that set them apart from humans, naturally, but best not to get into them right now. ]

I have not. [He thinks over the various races he has encountered and Elves are not one of them.] You remind me somewhat of the Tayledras, but they do not possess all of your features.

[A soft, encouraging smile follows the mention of Mahanon's ears.]

I rather like their shape.

[ said ears go a little red at the tips at the comment, and he clears his throat. ]

O-Oh. Well, thank you. [ it's not as if he's unaware of the fact that humans often find elves attractive, but it might be the first time someone's just outright said they liked his ears. usually, they're the first thing that gets insulted.

.. of course, dorian likes them. but dorian likes all of him, so. it's different. ]

--Tayledras?

[The added color makes them all the more charming to Vanyel. He has spent many days amongst those who encourage that which makes one unique. The Tayledras wear feathered ornaments, dress extravagantly and oftentimes present themselves as something other than human to outsiders. And, of course, the Hertasi serve them - though it was well-known throughout the Vale that their race was not treated as inferiors. When one wished for their help, they asked. Politely.]

Is your hair naturally so pale or was it bleached by magic? [He tilts his head curiously before smiling.] They are a very special group - or clan - of people; most of them are powerful Mages. Each one has his or her own way of attiring themselves. Some are as stunning as the birds they are bonded to and others prefer to look plainer.

My hai-- [ he touches a few strands as if just recalling that it might look odd. ] Oh. No, my colouring is a little unusual for my people, but not unheard of.

[ he falls silent for a few moments as he listens, intrigued. ]

There are that many mages among them?

[Not odd. If Mahanon looks closer at Vanyel, he will see pure white strands woven in with the black.]

You would fit in well with them. Many of them have white hair.

[He frowns pensively.]

Not many. Theirs is a small clan, but they have enough to protect their home. I owe my life to them.

--Bleached by magic, you said? [ it's an unusual side-effect. he supposes that the stress from more involved magical procedures could do it. probably closing the rift could have done it if mahanon's hair hadn't already been white. maybe it's not that strange, after all.

the smile returns, warm and flattered. ] Well, I certainly wouldn't mind meeting them someday, particularly if they're as pleasant as you are.

[ but then the smile dims faintly, small and gentle. ] They must mean a great deal to you, then.

Yes. They often work with Nodes and Heartstones. Nodes are like rivers of magic that run through the land while Heartstones are places where the magic pools. Since the magic is pure and untainted, those who draw from it are slowly bathed with its light. Their hair will turn white; their eyes will lighten and become blue...

[The Mages then resemble the Companions - which take the shape of horses. The original Companions appeared one day on a hill. One of the reasons the city is named Haven is because they are, quite literally, from the Havens. The city grew up around the Collegium, which was originally placed there to train and protect those who were Chosen by the Companions to serve Valdemar.]

They are far better than me. [He chuckles, faintly blushing.] My Aunt is considered a Wing-Sister to them. When I was very ill, she brought me to them and they accepted me as if I had lived there my whole life.

Edited 2015-08-27 07:39 (UTC)

I must admit, it seems very different from what I'm accustomed to. Nodes and Heartstones.. I suppose that's to be expected, though.

[ a thoughtful tilt of his head, then. ] .. Certainly not like my people, then. The Dalish tend to be a bit wary of humans. [ there are exceptions, of course. like mahanon, clearly. ] Still, you certainly don't seem ill now, so they must have taken very good care of you.

How is magic directed in your world? [It's hard not to be curious. He nods, understanding.] Many races are and for good reason. Humans have a tendency to take too much without giving anything in return.

[His eyes soften and he smiles.] They healed my mind, body and soul. I was a wreck.

It comes from the Beyond. The Fade. [ he makes a gesture to his head, then outward, fingers fluttering. ] It's a place we go when we dream, though only mages are capable of traversing it consciously. Mages are those with the capability of drawing on the power of the Fade, some to greater or lesser degree.

[ a pause, then, hand lowering once more, fingers lacing together. as for the comment about humanity, he simply lets it go. his people's history with humans is.. long and complicated and often bloody. it's probably best not to get too deeply into it. instead, his head tilts faintly, a small stitch between his brows. ] .. That's very impressive, and you were very lucky, then.

That sounds like a dangerous journey. What keeps you anchored to reality? [Or, rather, the not-dream world.]

I did not think so at first. [Choosing to live is not easy decision to make when you feel as if your world has ended.] I was downright suicidal. I was hurt in a place that no Healer outside of the Tayledras could touch. I was barely conscious for weeks and when I came to, I had to be taught how to walk again.

Two Mages stayed by my side the entire time. One was more of a nurturer while the other was a teacher. It was from them that I learned how to harness my powers.

[ his lips quirk. ] We wake up. [ a beat. ] It's.. difficult to explain, but it's not so much a journey as.. another level of awareness, I suppose? [ another pause, and he holds up a hand as if asking for a moment. ] .. Well. The Fade's been entered physically before, long ago, and I've done so twice-- largely by accident. So it's mostly not a 'real' journey.

[ it's a long and complicated explanation that involves ancient tevinter mages, archdemons, and elven artifacts. he's not particularly keen to attempt to summarize it all.

of course, the subject change isn't exactly better. it's.. sad, the idea of anyone being so.. damaged. his expression softens in sympathy. ] That's.. terrible. I'm glad you chose to live, though.

So no one has been lost in the Fade? [That's a relief. Vanyel knows, in part, how scary it would be to be trapped in one's thoughts - and dreams - forever.] I take it those journeys would be interesting tales nonetheless.

[He has come to terms with what happened and he is genuinely happy to be alive.]

I'm needed; as is every person. That is enough for me. Besides, Yfandes would only chase me into the afterlife and I can't have that. She has been a mother and sister to me.

Well.. there's still a lot about the Beyond that no one knows, and there's a lot about other races that I still don't know, but to my knowledge, no elf has ever been lost there. Not permanently, anyway. [ a small smile, then. ] You should meet a friend of mine, Solas. He has the most glorious stories about his travels in the Fade.

.. No, leaving loved ones would be the most difficult part, I suppose.

Van bb don't be like that.

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