[ Anders may not think they have the time to 'debate the origin of the oppression of elves', but unfortunately, that's exactly what he's about to have to do. Astarion's eyebrows jump up before coming right back down to a furrow. He leans forward, shoulders rising— ]
I'm sorry, oppression?
[ What kind of shitshow has he landed in? ]
u would not BELIEVE how racist this dude is personally against elves
[ So maybe he shouts a little. So what?! In his defense, this is the first he's learning of some fucking elven enslavement. What, is he at risk of this? Why didn't anyone tell him sooner? He's been here for hours already.
The very thought makes him so anxious he could vomit—if he had anything inside him to retch up—and, unfortunately, Anders is the only one nearby for him to take out these emotions on. He's shooting up off his chair with a start, teeth grinding. ]
[ Anders blinks somewhat owlishly at the reaction – not because it's the wrong one to have, necessarily, but because it seems like this elf has never heard a whisper of Thedosian history.
He frowns, crossing his arms over his chest and considering Astarion. He doesn't look cowed by the outburst, but rather, considering. ]
This whole place was built on the backs of Tevinter slaves. Kirkwall is the City of Chains, even if the Imperium no longer holds it.
So, no, not a joke. Slavery may be illegal as it once stood, but elves without magic are segregated in the alienages, and those with it are enslaved in the Circles with other mages.
[ Astarion swipes a hand over his mouth, panicking a little. Landing here had seemed like a boon, but perhaps it isn't. Quickly, he runs through all the possible next steps— ]
Which one is better?
[ The alienage or the Circle? He can do a little magic. Elven blood. If it'll get him better privileges, he's all for it. ]
If that's your idea of a joke, it's certainly not funny.
[ People? Love? Magic? ]
This isn't Tevinter. Mages in the south either live in the bloody prisons they make for us or they hunt us down over and over and over again. And if they find a flimsy enough excuse for it on a bad day, they might just execute a mage or turn them into a mindless slave for the rest of their existence.
[ So he's picking up on the fact that 'mage' is obviously the word here for— wizard? Cleric? General caster of magic? Something like that. The idea of executing someone or turning them into a thrall—he assumes???—for the crime of a little arcane aptitude seems a bit ridiculous, and it's obvious on his face. Nose scrunched, lip curled.
Trying to make sense of it: ] ...Well, clearly not all wizards. Mages. —Whatever.
[ #NotAllMages ]
You're doing just fine.
[ He says, standing in Anders's fuckass little clinic in the shittiest part of town. ]
Yes, I'm clearly excelling in this rundown hole-in-the-wall while at constant risk of templar raids.
[ He's having a Great Time. (Not.) ]
The only reason people turn a blind eye is because I offer my services to those who need them. That makes me valuable enough to tip off if I need to make myself scarce to avoid being put to the sword.
[ Because at this point, he's not just a mage. An abomination has to be put down, no excuses. ]
[ Oh, gods, Astarion thinks, realization dawning on him. This place is just as shitty as Faerûn, or maybe even worse. There, he had only to worry about Cazador. Here, apparently, he has to worry about— fucking everyone. He worries his lip with a fang for a moment, the point of it digging into his skin enough to draw up a tiny pinprick bead of blood.
Ugh. He leans in, voice lowered. ]
And is there any chance your services involve plane-shifting?
[ That sharp healer gaze catches the fine point of that canine, the redness of those irises even in the dim clinic light.
Anders's eyes narrow. ]
Where are you from, exactly? And where are you trying to return?
[ Is this a spirit inhabiting someone and wanting to get back to the Fade? Odd transformation for an abomination, but it seems less awful than some of the other forms Anders has seen a mage take once possessed. Odd, since Anders can usually feel other spirits and abominations through his connection to Justice, that strange portal to the Fade practically broadcast in other beings. Not so much this elf. ]
Edited (why did i see i repeated a word as soon as i hit send oh my god) 2025-11-30 20:22 (UTC)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anders: i personally fucking hate elves btw
I'm sorry, oppression?
[ What kind of shitshow has he landed in? ]
u would not BELIEVE how racist this dude is personally against elves
What else would you call centuries of systematic cultural eradication and enslavement?
no subject
[ So maybe he shouts a little. So what?! In his defense, this is the first he's learning of some fucking elven enslavement. What, is he at risk of this? Why didn't anyone tell him sooner? He's been here for hours already.
The very thought makes him so anxious he could vomit—if he had anything inside him to retch up—and, unfortunately, Anders is the only one nearby for him to take out these emotions on. He's shooting up off his chair with a start, teeth grinding. ]
Tell me you're joking.
no subject
He frowns, crossing his arms over his chest and considering Astarion. He doesn't look cowed by the outburst, but rather, considering. ]
This whole place was built on the backs of Tevinter slaves. Kirkwall is the City of Chains, even if the Imperium no longer holds it.
So, no, not a joke. Slavery may be illegal as it once stood, but elves without magic are segregated in the alienages, and those with it are enslaved in the Circles with other mages.
[ Oops preachy mage rights moment. ]
no subject
[ Astarion swipes a hand over his mouth, panicking a little. Landing here had seemed like a boon, but perhaps it isn't. Quickly, he runs through all the possible next steps— ]
Which one is better?
[ The alienage or the Circle? He can do a little magic. Elven blood. If it'll get him better privileges, he's all for it. ]
The magic one, I assume. The people love magic.
no subject
If that's your idea of a joke, it's certainly not funny.
[ People? Love? Magic? ]
This isn't Tevinter. Mages in the south either live in the bloody prisons they make for us or they hunt us down over and over and over again. And if they find a flimsy enough excuse for it on a bad day, they might just execute a mage or turn them into a mindless slave for the rest of their existence.
But sure, they love magic.
[ Sassy bitch o'clock. ]
no subject
Trying to make sense of it: ] ...Well, clearly not all wizards. Mages. —Whatever.
[ #NotAllMages ]
You're doing just fine.
[ He says, standing in Anders's fuckass little clinic in the shittiest part of town. ]
no subject
[ He's having a Great Time. (Not.) ]
The only reason people turn a blind eye is because I offer my services to those who need them. That makes me valuable enough to tip off if I need to make myself scarce to avoid being put to the sword.
[ Because at this point, he's not just a mage. An abomination has to be put down, no excuses. ]
no subject
Ugh. He leans in, voice lowered. ]
And is there any chance your services involve plane-shifting?
[ Get him the fuck out of here. ]
no subject
Anders's eyes narrow. ]
Where are you from, exactly? And where are you trying to return?
[ Is this a spirit inhabiting someone and wanting to get back to the Fade? Odd transformation for an abomination, but it seems less awful than some of the other forms Anders has seen a mage take once possessed. Odd, since Anders can usually feel other spirits and abominations through his connection to Justice, that strange portal to the Fade practically broadcast in other beings. Not so much this elf. ]