Bethy, it's Garrett. I'm...alive. [He can't quite bring himself to lie and say he's okay, but that's pretty close! And also true.] ...Somehow. I'd like to see you, if you have time. [There's a small pause as he seems to be pondering something, then adds:] I love you. [Since he doesn't say it often enough. And it's scary to think of a reality where it wouldn't even occur to him to say it, because he couldn't feel it.]
Well, no, "okay" is probably not a good word, but it looks like he's Garrett again, and that much is a huge relief. Whatever the case, she calls him back immediately; whether or not he picks up, her words are the same, rushed and breathless:]
[But he doesn't care, really, because it sounds like she means to come over right away, so he'll just sit tight...and then hurry to answer the door when he hears her on the other side!]
[excuse u she is just being the best little sister ever!!]
Hey, you.
[She shuffles her feet awkwardly for a brief moment, not sure what to say. "Welcome back"? "Congratulations on not being a Tranquil asshole anymore"? No, nothing really works. Words are hard, but hugs are pretty easy, so. He gets one of those instead.]
[No, you're right, she is totes the best little sister ever. ;w;]
[Words are hard, especially when you're still dealing with an unpredictable emotional backlog from not having any emotions at all like Hawke is, and hugs are super easy in comparison, so she gets the biggest bear hug ever.]
[He knows that, but he still feels bad! He can't even imagine how awful it would feel if their positions had been reversed and it had been Bethany who had turned up like that.]
[Also, still hugging; she might have to shove him away, he's needed a Bethany hug for a while now ;u;]
I'm glad too.
[For a given value of "normal." Hopefully he can avoid crying on her while she's here.]
[Bethany doesn't want to think about what it would be like if this had happened to her, and especially not how he (and Marian) would react. Though, if she thinks about it, this is worse - in her reality, she's the only mage in the family. She is supposed to be the only one facing down the risk of being made Tranquil, but... there it is.
She realizes, vaguely, that this is the first time she's actually hugged Garrett, a man who occasionally felt like a stranger, the older brother she'd never had. Meanwhile, she's hugged Marian countless times since her arrival on the Thor. It seems kind of unfair, so she allows the bear hugging to continue, for his sake, though she might have to pull away and catch her breath soon.]
[He'll eventually let her go, since breathing is important, and he wants her to be able to keep doing that.]
I'm...well, not really. But I'll get there.
[He shrugs and manages to smile, though the latter is really more a result of her presence than an actual reassuring expression. But it's better than a blank tranquil stare for sure.]
[He'll step aside with a dramatic sweeping gesture that is totally and completely ruined by a pair of bright button eyes and a little black button nose attached to a body made of pure fluff running out of the kitchen to belatedly greet the visitor!]
[...Has Bethany met Pearl yet? If not, she's about to!]
[Of course, Bethany notices the fuzzy little dog right away - it's pretty hard not to. Oddly, she hasn't been made aware of the fluffy new additions to the Hawke family, so she just... tilts her head and stares for a moment, puzzled.]
Garrett... What is this thing?
[Because Bethany is still a Fereldan at heart, and any decent Fereldan would agree that THAT IS NOT A DOG, SER.
E-Even so, it's still pretty cute, so she'll crouch down and hold out a hand for Pearl to sniff.]
[YES PERFECT let's talk about Pearl! It's impossible to be sad when talking about Pearl.]
She's a dog. Supposedly. Her name is Pearl.
[Pearl meanwhile politely sniffs Bethany's fingers for a few seconds before giving one tiny, breathy yip! and beginning to dance around the both of them on her tiny little pomeranian feet.]
I think she's Orlesian, but I don't hold it against her.
The man who was offended by the name Cupcake is in possession of an Orlesian puffball. [Even so, she's laughing, because this is a very un-Hawke-like dog, lbr. She pats her knees, gesturing for Pearl to come closer for some pets.] I'm fairly certain this makes you a hypocrite.
[He crouches down next to her, watching their interactions with a smile. Pearl for her part will accept both head scratches and back scratches, and attempt to lick Bethany's hands even while she's being petted.]
[Bethany will give Pearl all the scratches and rubs and pets the furball could ever ask for, of course, though the little puppy kisses make her giggle.]
That is... a strangely appropriate gift, actually. [She grins.] She's cute.
[Which is true, because he has terrible taste too, so it's all good.]
[Watching Bethany and Pearl interact is just too adorable, ugh, he's so happy right now...! Don't mind the stupid grin on his face Bethany, this is way better than his mopey face.]
It's a Hawke family trait. Pearl is a surprisingly soft name, though.
[Yeah, she doesn't get the reference at all, so have fun with that.
She glances over at Garrett and smiles. Well, if the distraction has lifted his mood, then she's happy. She doesn't want to prod him into ~talking about his feeeeelings~ if he doesn't want to - though she's there for that, too, if he ever feels so inclined.]
She is a good girl, isn't she? [Oh Maker, is she cooing...?] Yes you are!
[...Bethany. Bethany, how could you miss that reference. Bethany, please.]
The other one's name is Rose.
[You know...like the brothel??]
[...Is Bethany still clueless about his relationship with Anders, too? Little sister...!]
[Pearl, unbothered by such boring thoughts, responds happily to the cooing, her entire body all a-quiver, her curly tail wagging as fast as a tiny curly pompom tail can wag. It's no big deal, Hawke coos at her all the time.]
[Hey, look, she's never been to The Pearl before, okay. Usually she goes shopping or something while her fellow Wardens see to their, erm, needs.]
Rose? That's...
[She has been to The Blooming Rose before - though never as a customer. Not for a lack of trying on Isabela's part, however. SO, after a long moment of thought, the realization finally dawns on her. And then the resulting horror.
[GOOD HE'S GLAD SHE'S NEVER BEEN Bethany must remain pure forever...!!]
[Also, her exclamation got him to laugh. Not that getting him to laugh is terribly difficult, with the right motivation, but since his...experience, getting him to stop has become a little trickier.]
We wanted names that would remind us of home.
[He manages to get the explanation out between bits of laughter, and also manages to quiet himself down a bit afterward, though his shoulders continue to shake with mirth despite the muffled chuckles.]
[Of course, Anders chooses this moment to poke his head out of the bedroom.]
They chose them because they enjoy laughing at people's reactions. [don't deny it, Hawke.] They find it funny, and it's not as if the dogs are bright enough to realise.
[He'd been reading, but he tosses that book onto the bed now, before joining them in the living room.]
[The answer to the question of "Is Bethany still clueless about Garrett's relationship with Anders?" presents itself at this very moment:
Yep. She's a little surprised to see a third mage here.
But since she remembers Anders and Marian being romantically involved, it doesn't take her very long to realize what's going on, and then adjust to the idea. It's just a little bit awkward.]
Yes, I can see that. "Remind us of home," more like remind everyone around you of your terrible sense of humor. [She smacks Garrett's shoulder (stop laughing at your little sister!!) before scooping Pearl up in her arms, still offering generous amounts of pets, and smiles at Anders.] Good morning.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[voice mail] (slightly backdated)
[--end voice mail--]
THIS HURTS THE ALLY
okay?
Well, no, "okay" is probably not a good word, but it looks like he's Garrett again, and that much is a huge relief. Whatever the case, she calls him back immediately; whether or not he picks up, her words are the same, rushed and breathless:]
I always have time for you. When and where?
...A GOOD HURT, RIGHT? ;A;
Anytime. Right now? I'm in, uh...5-3, now.
[Ugh, he sounds so hopeful, like some kind of pathetic loser...]
I GUESS...
[She doesn't say goodbye, doesn't let him respond before hanging up. Luckily, it's only a couple of minutes before she's knocking on the door.]
...Garrett? It's me.
;w; <3
[But he doesn't care, really, because it sounds like she means to come over right away, so he'll just sit tight...and then hurry to answer the door when he hears her on the other side!]
Hey.
;u;
Hey, you.
[She shuffles her feet awkwardly for a brief moment, not sure what to say. "Welcome back"? "Congratulations on not being a Tranquil asshole anymore"? No, nothing really works. Words are hard, but hugs are pretty easy, so. He gets one of those instead.]
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[Words are hard, especially when you're still dealing with an unpredictable emotional backlog from not having any emotions at all like Hawke is, and hugs are super easy in comparison, so she gets the biggest bear hug ever.]
'M sorry.
[And an apology mumbled into her hair.]
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[Also, still hugging; she might have to shove him away, he's needed a Bethany hug for a while now ;u;]
I'm glad too.
[For a given value of "normal." Hopefully he can avoid crying on her while she's here.]
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She realizes, vaguely, that this is the first time she's actually hugged Garrett, a man who occasionally felt like a stranger, the older brother she'd never had. Meanwhile, she's hugged Marian countless times since her arrival on the Thor. It seems kind of unfair, so she allows the bear hugging to continue, for his sake, though she might have to pull away and catch her breath soon.]
Are you all right...?
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I'm...well, not really. But I'll get there.
[He shrugs and manages to smile, though the latter is really more a result of her presence than an actual reassuring expression. But it's better than a blank tranquil stare for sure.]
Will you come in?
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She smiles crookedly at him.] But the hallway is so lovely.
[But she nods. Yes, be a good host and let your sister inside.]
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[He'll step aside with a dramatic sweeping gesture that is totally and completely ruined by a pair of bright button eyes and a little black button nose attached to a body made of pure fluff running out of the kitchen to belatedly greet the visitor!]
[...Has Bethany met Pearl yet? If not, she's about to!]
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Garrett... What is this thing?
[Because Bethany is still a Fereldan at heart, and any decent Fereldan would agree that THAT IS NOT A DOG, SER.
E-Even so, it's still pretty cute, so she'll crouch down and hold out a hand for Pearl to sniff.]
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She's a dog. Supposedly. Her name is Pearl.
[Pearl meanwhile politely sniffs Bethany's fingers for a few seconds before giving one tiny, breathy yip! and beginning to dance around the both of them on her tiny little pomeranian feet.]
I think she's Orlesian, but I don't hold it against her.
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[He crouches down next to her, watching their interactions with a smile. Pearl for her part will accept both head scratches and back scratches, and attempt to lick Bethany's hands even while she's being petted.]
Anyway, she was a gift. Hawke has one, too.
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[Bethany will give Pearl all the scratches and rubs and pets the furball could ever ask for, of course, though the little puppy kisses make her giggle.]
That is... a strangely appropriate gift, actually. [She grins.] She's cute.
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[Which is true, because he has terrible taste too, so it's all good.]
[Watching Bethany and Pearl interact is just too adorable, ugh, he's so happy right now...! Don't mind the stupid grin on his face Bethany, this is way better than his mopey face.]
She is. She's a good dog.
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[Yeah, she doesn't get the reference at all, so have fun with that.
She glances over at Garrett and smiles. Well, if the distraction has lifted his mood, then she's happy. She doesn't want to prod him into ~talking about his feeeeelings~ if he doesn't want to - though she's there for that, too, if he ever feels so inclined.]
She is a good girl, isn't she? [Oh Maker, is she cooing...?] Yes you are!
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The other one's name is Rose.
[You know...like the brothel??]
[...Is Bethany still clueless about his relationship with Anders, too? Little sister...!]
[Pearl, unbothered by such boring thoughts, responds happily to the cooing, her entire body all a-quiver, her curly tail wagging as fast as a tiny curly pompom tail can wag. It's no big deal, Hawke coos at her all the time.]
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Rose? That's...
[She has been to The Blooming Rose before - though never as a customer.
Not for a lack of trying on Isabela's part, however.SO, after a long moment of thought, the realization finally dawns on her. And then the resulting horror.GARRETT, PLEASE.]
You're both awful.
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[Also, her exclamation got him to laugh. Not that getting him to laugh is terribly difficult, with the right motivation, but since his...experience, getting him to stop has become a little trickier.]
We wanted names that would remind us of home.
[He manages to get the explanation out between bits of laughter, and also manages to quiet himself down a bit afterward, though his shoulders continue to shake with mirth despite the muffled chuckles.]
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They chose them because they enjoy laughing at people's reactions. [don't deny it, Hawke.] They find it funny, and it's not as if the dogs are bright enough to realise.
[He'd been reading, but he tosses that book onto the bed now, before joining them in the living room.]
Hello, Bethany.
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[The answer to the question of "Is Bethany still clueless about Garrett's relationship with Anders?" presents itself at this very moment:
Yep. She's a little surprised to see a third mage here.
But since she remembers Anders and Marian being romantically involved, it doesn't take her very long to realize what's going on, and then adjust to the idea. It's just a little bit awkward.]
Yes, I can see that. "Remind us of home," more like remind everyone around you of your terrible sense of humor. [She smacks Garrett's shoulder (stop laughing at your little sister!!) before scooping Pearl up in her arms, still offering generous amounts of pets, and smiles at Anders.] Good morning.
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