video • un: rutherford

[stubble]

[ Cullen isn't one for small talk and he doesn't take pleasure in hearing himself speak for the fun of it. His written missives are usually short and to the point; though this format is vastly different from what's available in Thedas, he allows habit to guide him.

There's the faintest of frowns on his face when he begins. This is his first time attempting to use the bizarre device and though he's been instructed on its use, he's not entirely convinced. ]

Are there any here who might be willing to check in on my hound for a short time?

[ It's so awkward talking to no one and having no idea who might hear him. ]

I've volunteered to serve on one of the teams being sent to the world below us and it would set my mind at ease to know he is not alone while I'm gone.

[ He's not 100% sure the terminology is correct—how this ship is sailing above a world is baffling—but he's trying. ]

Comments

[curled]

[ Okay, first of all, it's not misguided!!! He's been attacked by them since he came to the bloody south. Second, he has been attacked by them since he came to the south. Dorian thinks his opinion is 100% accurate correct always forever the end. ]

No, I suppose it isn't.

[ Now he does set the pen down and looks at Cullen's little image on the screen. He folds his hands over one another and arches a brow in question. ]

You will be meeting with whomever you decide on before we disembark, yes?

[stubble]

[ Oh, honestly. Cullen gives him a look, both faintly exasperated and maybe slightly amused. ]

Worried they won't be able to handle him?

[ He knows that it's likely the other way around. The people on board this ship are strangers with unknown intentions. He is not stupid. ]

[curled]

[ Oh, he doesn't think Cullen stupid. Far from it! But, this is the best way to ask without showing any kind of real concern for Pup at all. Dorian is a complicated man, see. He can't make anything too obvious. What would that do for his reputation?! ]

Something like that. It isn't as if there are places to run amok on this vessel.

[stubble]

[ He probably could leave him alone in the atrium, but that seems a bit irresponsible. ]

It's a pity we can't simply bring him with us. [ He shakes his head. ] I cannot fathom how it isn't possible to breathe on a world.

[curled]

[ There's no one to scoop the poops though... ]

Perhaps you can find someone who can make one of the uniforms we've been given for him. Fashion a little helmet as well.

[ Dorian pauses for a moment or two, his gaze sliding off to the side in that pause before coming back. ]

Admittedly, I'm not overly comfortable with that idea. Were this not such an interesting opportunity... [ He trails off, leaving it at that. A small sigh ekes its way out and he lifts his shoulder in a slight shrug. ] I'm sure it will be fine.

[stubble]

[ Cullen snorts at that. It's feasible Pup would wear it, but it seems dangerous nonetheless. As much as he'd like to bring the mabari along on the mission, he won't risk him simply because he doesn't understand how all of this nonsense works. ]

Have you experienced anything similar on your travels through the Fade? Or when you journeyed with the Inquisitor through the eluvians?

[ It isn't the same, he knows, but it's the closest thing in his frame of reference to what they're about to do. ]

[curled]

[ No, it's not remotely the same thing. Which is why he wants to be there in the first place. ]

No. [ a beat; ] Well, not really. With the eluvians, we were still travelling within Thedas. ...Mostly.

[ He pauses for a moment, then taps a book in a stack beside himself. ]

It's cause to wonder, isn't it? All the more reason to give credence to the other world theories. There are so many of them in these books! It's mind-boggling.

[stubble]

[ Leave it to Dorian to find the books and pitch camp there. Cullen smiles a bit. ]

Have you found anything interesting in what research you've been able to do thus far? Not on the world we're about to visit, specifically. Just...

[ He waves a hand meant to encompass the ship and the whole sailing in the sky nonsense. ]

About anything, really.

[curled]

[ Thankfully it's a hobby worlds over. Books he knows. Space and the travel therein, not so much. ]

Oh, yes! According to several books I've read, space travel has been around for quite some time. There appear to be an infinite number of galaxies with planetary systems contained within. It's quite fascinating, really.

You look up and see the sky, the sun, the moon, the stars, but I never considered more than that. It makes me wonder what lies beyond our known borders.

[stubble]

[ Listening to Dorian speak of such matters, and how quickly he's taken to their situation, gives Cullen pause. Perhaps he ought to read these books too. Doing so might set him more at ease. ]

Might you be able to recommend a book or two? I doubt I'll have time to read any of them prior to our deployment, but upon our return I would like to look them over.

[curled]

[ Or it might make him have more questions. It's certainly given Dorian plenty to think about. There's just a vast openness about this space and he can't quite figure out if it's amazing to learn of such a thing or utterly terrifying because of what that might mean back home. They already have enough trouble on land, they don't need it from the skies as well. ( Later, he'll wonder just what the Avvar really mean when they have their Lady of the Sky and if it's not spiritual mumbo-jumbo at all. ) ]

Yes, of course. [ He gestures to a small stack that contains about five books. ] I've finished with these if you'd like to begin here. I can drop them off with you at a time of your choosing.

[stubble]

[ At least if he has questions, he'll have someone to ask them of. Maybe Dorian won't have the answers, but he'll understand where Cullen's coming from and if he doesn't know, maybe they'll be able to find out together. ]

I should like that very much. But you needn't trouble yourself. I can come get them. [ A beat. ] When it's convenient for you.

[curled]

[ They will absolutely be able to figure this out together if they can't alone. Part of the fun of discovery is having someone to share it with, after all!!

Dorian makes a show of thinking very hard over when is convenient, then he sighs and gives just a slight roll of his eyes. ]

Well, I imagine now would be suitable. Just come down when you've the time. My door is always open for you.

[stubble]

[ Cullen sees the show and recognizes it, but he doesn't remark on it. ]

Then I shall be there shortly.