"Maybe it'll happen, maybe it won't." Rex looks down, scuffs the toe of his boot against the floor. "And just... Don't take this the wrong way. But we mourn and keep going. Doing anything else would disrespect the people we've lost. We'll miss you but..."

"There's always a way to push through it." Anders nods. He agrees with Rex somewhat. Logically, he's not wrong. And it makes sense not to dwell.

Anders just isn't built that way.

Rex folds himself onto one of the counters, legs tucked under himself. "Everyone's different," he says carefully. "Just. This world." He gestures around. "It's harsh."

Anders leans against the cupboards, feeling drained somehow. “How so?”

"An easier answer would probably be how isn't it," Rex says tiredly. "We fight, so hard, just to survive, and the smallest thing might... end up with you getting killed, or worse..."

"It's a hard world I've fallen into. I applaud you all for being so welcoming despite that."

"Eh, most of us like people. Just because we find that most of them suck doesn't change that."

"That's...kinda true of Thedas as well."

"Maybe it's a universal truth."

"Perhaps. Or maybe, in the infinite multiple universes, Thedas and...here are right next door to each other."

"Hey, that might make it easier for us to get you back home!"

"It's a thought, at least." Anders doubts very much that he's getting home with any ease. 

"Better than we had..."

"Your home is gone for good?"

"I didn't have one before Shard. Not one I'd claim."

“I empathise.”

the Circle had never been his home. The only place he had was the clinic, and Hawke’s mansion.

"Maybe we can trade stories some time," Rex says, "but not now. I don't feel like going through the past."

“You’ll find no argument with me.” Anders rubs the back of his neck. “The past is rarely a friend.”

"That, depends on the parts of the past you're visiting," Deke says, appearing in the doorway. "All good here?"

"Fine, yes, just some good natured philosophy."

"Philosphy is always a good way to pass the time."

"Depends on the philosophy. I find the religious kind stimulating, but prone to arguments."

"Religion is an incredibly divisive topic. And...not quite banned on the Shard, but you've heard Circe's feelings on the matter."

"I don't think my religion has quite made it this far."

"But you have. So I guess it technically has. Uh. Maybe don't try to convert Circe."