Destroyed the Chantry, AMA

[justice_is_blond]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Anders
RECIPIENT: Open
WHAT: Thedas' first AMA
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Darktown Clinic
NOTES: There could be discussion of abuse, physical and otherwise, and assault.

[There's a short intake of breath as if the person with the crystal is suddenly reconsidering this decision and wondering if it's a bad idea. That's because he is, and this probably also is. The pause that comes after is due to him debating if he should just put down the crystal and walk away or if he should charge on anyway.

The latter, as usual, wins out. Anders clears his throat.]

Good afternoon. Due to... I'm Anders.

[Master speechmaker.]

There is still a great deal of confusion and emotion connected to what I did and the site where it happened. In an effort to try to help, I am offering to answer questions. Ask them if you have them. I don't promise to answer everything. If something seems a deliberate attempt to be rude or provoke, I'll ignore it. But if you've a genuine interest in an answer, I will try to provide it.

[The message ends abruptly so that he can now take a shaky breath and sit down and wonder if he's just been an idiot.]

Comments

[conqueredhearts]

[There's a long moment of silence before...]

Mmm. Here I thought people were distracted enough by the magical forest.

[justice_is_blond]

Some were, and some were more angry. And this isn't meant to distract, it's meant to help.

[It doesn't... seem to be doing much, though. He can't figure out if that's good or bad.]

[conqueredhearts]

No, I didn't mean that you were distracting them. I meant it was distracting from you.

[justice_is_blond]

Oh.

[He considers this for a moment before mentally shrugging.]

It's roused up emotions again. There's so much still being held onto that distraction doesn't help, so I'd thought addressing it might. It appears I was wrong.

[conqueredhearts]

Likely because this makes you look a martyr rather than someone trying to create understanding. Making yourself the martyr rarely happens to be a good tactic.

[justice_is_blond]

There are times I think I can do nothing right or even well.

[conqueredhearts]

Now I know that isn't true! You're glorious!

[justice_is_blond]

[He chuckles, a quiet, slightly depreciating noise. There are times when he believes that, and then 90% of the time.]

Thank you for saying so, but I think you'll find the popular opinion disagrees with you there. On every level.

[conqueredhearts]

I never asked for the opinions of others. I formulated this opinion on my own. I am not one to let the thoughts of others influence the way I shape my mind.

[justice_is_blond]

I... Maybe one day I'll not care so much what people think. I've no idea how to stop doing so yet.

[conqueredhearts]

Look at the people who matter and why they care about you. Look at them closely and listen to them. Listen until you no longer hear the things in life that are only there to wound out of bitterness or hate or spite.

Honestly that's the best way in my opinion.

[justice_is_blond]

[He takes a slow breath.]

I'll work on that. Thank you.