"Not the person you want to be," Isabela singsongs.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Captain Isabela."

"Mmm, I bet you do. All spiky, and intense, and the glowing thing-"

"I think you've said enough on that," Aveline splutters.

Tabs is trying very hard not to burst out into giggles, she's so happy.

Anya notices and pours herself a big goblet of - whatever they're drinking.

"Go easy on it. It's swill," Carver says, taking a sip from his own cup.

"I'm pretty sure I've drunk worse. Also, I think I'll need it."

Was that the tiniest smile? 

"You haven't even heard the worst of it. Wait till you're in the same room as Fenris and Anders. You'll need a drink and maybe something to hit them over the head with."

"I'm not much into violence. Maybe I'll hit myself over the head instead. Or just a stronger spirit."

"I think you're in the wrong town if you don't do violence. And the strongest thing they do here is Antivan brandy, which is not worth the sovereigns Corth charges."

"I can defend myself. But I'd rather help than hurt? I'm not afraid. Well, probably. I don't know. It's kinda complicated."

Carver nods, his mouth forming a thin line. 

"Sparkly fingers complicated."

"Noticed that, did you?"

"Well, when you've been around it your whole life you pick up on some things." His voice sounds bitter, but also sad.

Right. His sister just died. She was a mage too. Anya doesn't pry.

"I haven't been out of the Circle long. Everything is really... new. I feel like I'm stumbling around in the dark."

"So, when I said you might be a Templar I was pretty far off then?"

He takes another drink. "What Circle? You don't sound Fereldan."

"Montsimmard. Though I'm originally from the Anderfels. My accent is probably a weird mix of Orelsian and Ander? Probably sounds really weird."

It's actually Australian, but she's not going to mention that.

"You're from the Anderfels? Do you all have A names there?"

"I don't think his actual name is Anders, Carver!" Merrill says brightly. And then looks stricken. "Not that I'm eavesdropping!"

"Totally not eavesdropping if you're a participant of the conversation."

"Just defending Anders while he can't defend himself!" She says cheerily. "But yes. I don't think his real name is Anders. Because people from the Anderfels are called Anders."

"Thanks for the geography lesson. Do you know his real name?"

"I don't think even Karl knew it," she says sadly.

"Bet it's something hard for you southerners to pronounce. Like Anselm or something," she smiles at Tabs cheekily.