bakerstreet | (no subject)

(no subject)

the dæmon meme

dæmon: the inner-self of a human physically manifested in the form of an animal called a 'dæmon'. the animal is the most intimate expression of the human's inner soul, the form of the animal directly representing that person's true personality.

they are, in effect, the other half of your soul, sharing your thoughts and knowing everything about you. and despite whether or not you want them, they are with you for life, your closest companion.

how do your character's interactions with others CHANGE now that a part of their soul is wandering around with them?

suggested ideas:

standard slice of life. you are going about your life, either in your canon, or in the world of the golden compass. hell, even make a modern au. the conflict here is up to you.
dæmons are generally the opposite gender of their human partner. however, yours shares your gender. what are the implications of this? how do people treat you in the street?
intercision. you have been cut away from your dæmon. you are a freak to the rest of society. you are empty, severed from part of your soul.
intimacy. you never touch another's dæmon-- unless, of course, you are in a sexual relationship with them. what's that first touch like?
settling. for younger characters: your dæmon has finally chosen their final, adult form. how does this make you feel? you're an adult now, how do your peers view you?

of course, you're free to do whatever you want with this universe, the only requirement is that your character have a dæmon!

further reading: here, if you can't pick a daemon for your character; here, for dæmon/personality matches and general info.

please, when you post, include your character's name, canon, and dæmon species!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

((connor can come to thedas then! during or post blight?))

[ooc: Your pick. Headcanon is Aedan does more exploring of Thedas post-Blight so random encounter might be better set then.]

Iunia disliked being at the Pearl nearly as much as he did, but a job is a job, and the best place to get information about his target was from one of the whores he has under his patronage. The food was decent, and the beds soft. While he wasn’t fussy about the ground he slept on, sometimes fresh, soft sheets were nicer than a bedroll on the forest ground.

She nosed at his hand suddenly, and Connor stroked her ears absently, looking around the room again. There was a bar with good ale, and while he waited for one of his to finish up with a client so they could speak, he took inventory of the other patrons.

Ah, the Pearl. Aedan was a fan of the place. The crowds were always fun and the whores were fantastic, not just in skill but in information. He was always looking for information on the Darkspawn and nobility. Well and he'd just liked hanging out with whores.

The problem was he stood out. When he walked into the place with Lileas by his side everyone stopped for a second and looked. Then everything went back to normal. Aedan found a table with his bear taking up a lot of room and waited for a whore to bring him a drink. He raised a glass to the man with the wolf nearby just to be friendly.

A man with a daemon that could overpower Iunia certainly was worth his attention. Connor shifted his attention temporarily to get the measure of the man, and then turned his back. It was not difficult to put two and two together– the hero of Ferelden’s appearance was well known. He had no generally business with the warden, but he was not going to turn down the opportunity of being in the man’s general presence.

Besides, he was not the only patron looking at the man.

Iunia made the first move, of course, stalking over to the table where Aedan sat, laying down with her tongue lolling out as if she were a tame animal. Connor stepped over, following the irresistible tug of his connection with her.

“May I buy you a drink, ser?”

Lileas was the first to notice the wolf heading towards them. She shifted slightly, putting her attention fully on the other daemon and away from the patrons.

The Warden was a bit more welcoming than his daemon. He smiled, open and friendly, at the other man. "You may indeed." He was never one to pass up a free drink, which was a well known fact to many people in the Pearl.

He waved over to a whore to order more drinks for them both, possibly on the stranger's gold.

He was generous enough with his gold, not batting an eye at whatever Aedan ordered, a slow, lazy smile on his face the entire time. His hand settled on Iunia’s scruff, stroking her fur slowly. Her head swung to look at the Warden, tongue lolling out of her mouth.

“You are the Warden!” Her tail wagged gently, though a look from Connor brought an end to that. “He might not appreciate the attention,” he reminded gently, and she whined at him.

He glanced up approvingly at Aedan, then to Lileas, polite as ever. “I am sure he has wonderful stories to share.”

"It's Warden Commander now," he said with a low chuckle. He was used to people getting excited about that. It was a daily occurrence when he came to Denerim. Such was the curse of fame and heroism. At least it brought the King fame as well.

"He never minds attention," Lileas said with a slight smile in her voice. The grizzly is still focusing on the strangers. She has more caution in her than Aedan.

He shrugged. "If you want the truth of the Blight I'll tell you it."

Iunia’s mood cooled. She was the mercury to Connor’s cast iron, much more quick in emotion than he was, but just as loyal.

“The Blight is not a good story. It is too soon.” There was a whine in her voice, and Connor, long suffering, patted his lap in invitation. She was not a small wolf– but Connor was not a small man, and she settled in with her head in his lap, gazing at the hero.

He inclined his head in apology. “Forgive us. We are new to this land and new to the titles here.” Connor appreciated Lileas’ nature. Iunia was well behaved while blades are out, and though she spoke much more often than he, she had never, ever spoken about something she should not have. She was cunning, just playful.

He gave the other man’s daemon a near-smile. “It would be quite rude to deny him my attention.”

"Exactly." Aedan banged his fist against the table and suddenly there was the warrior that had fought the Archdemon and won. This was a man hardened by death and war. "The Blight is no great story. It's a tragedy of country and world."

Very carefully Lileas reached out and put a paw on Aedan's knee. The Warden calmed after a few deep breathes. He wasn't the same jovial sort as before but the kindness and good humor were back.

"It's alright, you'll learn soon enough that most of them mean nothing. People are men and titles only make them feel like more." Aedan liked his title, but he much preferred to be out hunting Darkspawn.

He did not wince at the loud noise, nor did the hand in Iunia’s scruff tighten. While Connor did not enjoy loud noises, he was used to them. His sort of violence was more subtle knives and poisons.

“Our children’s children will view it differently than we do. May they never have to face such fear.”

Not that it was likely he would ever be able to settle down to have a family and children. He was not tied to any organization, any guild, and while that was useful for some of his more clandestine movements, it made life more risky until he cut his contacts and turned civilian.

"Those are very wise words," Lileas said with a pleased little smile. She likes the stranger though she still doesn't understand why he's come to see them. He doesn't want to bask in Aedan's glory.

"Whatever the future brings for them the Wardens will be here to protect them." He was determined to do that and make sure the Order continued to protect the people of Thedas. "What brings you here, ser? Besides the whores and good drink."

“Will they? Or will they see a decline once everyone forgets this Blight?” It’s a polite little challenge. No one would know better than a Warden. There will be a boost in recruitment now that the Blight is over, people following their heros, and who know how long that will last. Then, of course, the numbers will fall. This time, though, they have the king on their side. Royal favor is fickle.

“Business,” he chose to reply, taking a drink. “Pleasure, if I have time.”

"I won't let them forget. The Order won't let them." He was determined to keep the Order prominent in Ferelden instead of letting it fall to pieces like the Wardens before him. The determination is clear in his tone. "It's when people forget than you end up with the mess we had to fix."

The bear and the Warden exchanged a look and had a conversation in eyebrow raises. "What sort of business? You don't look like a merchant, I must say."

“Someone must have said the same thing after the last Blight, Warden.” He is, ironically enough, baiting the bear, if one feels like being punny. Connor does not mean to be rude, and there is the likelihood that someone has already said this to the man, but it cannot hurt– well, it can, but it is a fair point to bring up in a discussion.

Iunia chose that moment to perk up, tail wagging merrily. “He is! The best!” Connor gave her a stern look, and she settled back down with a whine. “More of an consultant.”

"They were hollow words but mine aren't." He dropped a hand on Lileas' head and ruffled her ears. "They weren't a stubborn pair and they didn't have the King's ear. I will make sure things get done and done well. It's not an impossible task, simply a long term one."

Aedan had never heard of a consultant for a merchant. He only knew of royal consultants and mercenaries. One was definitely better than the other. "If you're a mercenary there's no shame in that. Protecting trade caravans is a worthwhile profession."

"I look forward to seeing you succeed." He raised his glass in a small mock-toast, completely sincere. Connor had not lost friends in the Blight, just business associates, but it could have been much worse without this man here.

As for that question... he smiled indulgently. "Say there is a man who produces a certain kind of knife. He sells his wares modestly well, but wants to export. He has never been overseas or to a country that speaks a language other than his mother tongue. He has no knowledge of how business is conducted in such a place, no contacts, no foothold. He hires someone like myself to go to a foreign market, inspect their wares, see if he would have a place here for his, and if there is a place, make contacts and write contracts. For an admirable fee."

Bear and man huffed at the same time. "This is why I leave business to other men. I don't have the patience for such a thing. It sounds terribly boring."

"Except for the traveling," Lileas interjected and leaned forward with interest. She rested her large head on the table, eyes focused on Connor with bright curiosity. "You must have seen some truly beautiful places in your work."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(no subject)

no subject

no subject

apologies for the length.

none needed

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject