[ It's hard to tell, on any given day, if Merrill has found where she is on purpose or on accident. Today, it seems as though Zevran may have helped her get to the courtyard; he is, at least, nearby. Either way, Merrill certainly delights in the barn cats as much as Anders does. These ones aren't playing with her feet as she tries to shop, as kittens had back in Kirkwall, but one does delight in trying to pounce on her feet as she tries to walk.
This kitten is scooped up as she notices Anders rubbing his head, nestled close to her chest as she picks her way closer. ]
[ Though he has a dog with Alistair, Zevran has ever considered himself more of a cat person. They mind themselves as much as they like, are open and honest about wanting attention- and clean themselves. None of this dragging mud and dirt about like an overeager mabari. After walking Merrill down (how she continues to get lost or distracted he will never understand) he amuses himself by twitching string for the kittens to bat.
Of course there is Anders and his brooding like a heavy weight off to one side. He allows Merrill the first approach, ears pricked for sounds of distress. ]
[He straightens up with a wince that he tries to hide by scowling more. The blood mage, Justice thinks, and it's so loud in Anders' ears he worries that he said it for a moment until he realizes Merrill's not looking angry or hurt.]
What?
[That comes out sharper than he intends and he doesn't have the energy to try to correct it.]
[ Hello to you too, Anders. Merrill is suddenly very glad for Zevran's presence behind her, and for the kitten (which is not really a shield, but it is an innocent life, which means Justice is perhaps less likely to violently manifest and pull a Fenris through Merrill's ribcage). Anders is not doing well, and she offers a soft smile, a little uncertain. ]
I wanted to see if there was anything you needed, actually.
[ Zevran, if you can help her tactfully point out that Anders looks like shit, that would be great. ]
[It's out before he can call it back and he feels even more like shit. The kitten starts butting its little head against his chin, which is distracting, too. He bites the inside of his mouth, trying to get a handle on himself.]
It's complicated. And the only things that will help are things that cannot be.
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This kitten is scooped up as she notices Anders rubbing his head, nestled close to her chest as she picks her way closer. ]
Anders?
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Of course there is Anders and his brooding like a heavy weight off to one side. He allows Merrill the first approach, ears pricked for sounds of distress. ]
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What?
[That comes out sharper than he intends and he doesn't have the energy to try to correct it.]
What do you need, Merrill?
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I wanted to see if there was anything you needed, actually.
[ Zevran, if you can help her tactfully point out that Anders looks like shit, that would be great. ]
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[ Zevran sidles up, draping a kitten upon Anders' shoulder. ]
You look like shit, my friend.
[ See? He is the HEIGHT of tact! ]
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[It's out before he can call it back and he feels even more like shit. The kitten starts butting its little head against his chin, which is distracting, too. He bites the inside of his mouth, trying to get a handle on himself.]
It's complicated. And the only things that will help are things that cannot be.
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[ Carefully extracting the kitten she's holding from her chest, Merrill sets it on the opposite shoulder. ]
You can tell us about it, at least. We'd like to try.