For now, this story is rated for language and violence only but that will change. Again, constructive criticism is welcomed. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Dragon Age and whatnot = not mine.

Chapter 1: When things still make sense... sort of

I feel the familiar, tell-tale buzzing at the base of my skull. It always starts subtle and works its way up to demanding. I've known for days now that it's time to go. I sling my pack over both shoulders, fasten the strap securely around my waist, and bend to pick up my violin case. It's the one truly frivolous item I allow myself. Inside a sturdy metal case sits the battered and much-loved instrument, one of only a few items from home still in my possession. There are also a few guns tucked away in hidden compartments to help justify carrying it around.

And if that doesn't just describe me perfectly now…

I quickly glance up at the dying twin suns hanging in the sky then let my eyes sweep across the harsh landscape before me.

This fucking planet.

No, I won't be missing it, that's for sure. With its stifling heat, lack of sentient beings, and giant, creepy ass insects. I give a shudder and rub at the weeks-old bite mark on my left forearm. My next destination can have people who want to roast me over a fire and eat me, but as long as the insects are moderately small, I'll be delighted. Maybe even provide the seasoning.

Drawn out of my thoughts by the insistent buzzing in my head, I clutch my belongings tighter as my vision blurs and swirls. I squeeze my eyes shut and just wait for it to be over. Closing my eyes is a necessity. Whatever is left of my dignity refuses to puke in between dimensions. Eventually, the buzzing and swirling begin to abate and I feel a new world forming around me. Or, more accurately, I feel myself reforming in a new world.

Tentatively, I let new air fill my lungs as I open my eyes to blinding white. Tentatively, yes, because I once had the misfortune of arriving on an oxygen-poor planet. That was my first encounter with non-oxygen-based life forms. Thanks to my weird version of luck, they were intelligent enough to quickly figure out that I, conversely, am oxygen-based. Unfortunately, I then had to spend months in a lab being poked and prodded, so all-in-all not the best first impression.

My first breath doesn't bring quite enough oxygen, prompting a second gasp and then a third. All I can think is "damn it, not again," but my faster breathing brings a bit of clarity. The last planet I was on claimed an oxygen-rich atmosphere and my body had adjusted accordingly. The lower percentage here – wherever that may be – is a shock to my system, but I seem to be getting a sufficient amount anyways.

Ok, don't panic. Panic helps no one.

I lower myself to the ground and concentrate on taking slow, deep breaths and calming down. It seems to help but my head feels fuzzy and slow. Still breathing heavily, I finally take in my surroundings. Snow. Lots of snow. And I am sitting in it. In fact, it is melting under my ass and soaking into my pants.

Lovely.

"Shit," I mutter as I quickly stand and brush myself off.

I continue my examination of the area. It appears to be a mountainous region.

"Are those fir trees? They sure look like your average, run-of-the-mill fir trees… That's a good sign." I haven't seen a normal tree in what feels like forever. I like normal trees, they don't try to eat you. Wonderfully mundane.

I look up at the sky, then, and shrink back. Directly above me is a very normal blue but, in the distance, I can see something very not normal. A swirling black hole in the sky emitting a grotesque green color. In all my travels, I've never seen anything quite so unnatural. Even trees with a taste for flesh. The sight of it causes a little niggling in the back of my mind but I brush it off.

Taking out my coat and shrugging it on, my mind whirls with unanswered questions. But the sun – only one, thankfully – is already making its descent and the wind is bitterly cold.

"Alright," I rub my now-gloved hands together. "Shelter first, questions later."

And so I begin trekking through the snow

A few hours of walking later, I spot a shallow cave in the distance. The sun is resting on the horizon now; it will have to do. I unhook my bow from its place on my pack and notch an arrow – one of only two left, I note. Creeping forward on light feet, arrow at the ready, I scan the cave and surrounding area.

Clear…

Of anything resembling a predator, that is. There are a few of those pink, hairless rodent… things I've been seeing. I single out a rather plump one. Bowstring drawn taut, breath held, I loose the arrow. It strikes home, for the most part.

Sloppy.

The poor creature is still struggling. I berate myself for the less-than-ideal shot as I pull out my knife and end its misery. When I look up, the rest of them are scurrying away as fast as possible in the deep snow.

"Aw, and here I was hoping we could all hang out around the campfire and roast marshmallows together… We can prop up Buddy, here. No one will notice." I smile wryly to myself.

I retrieve and clean my arrow, then stash it away. I take my kill a ways away from the cave to gut and clean it, digging a small hole with my knife and burying the organs. I finally notice the creature's paws and how they look a little like human hands, which makes me cringe a bit.

"You've got creepy little grabby hands, my friend."

I continue to assess the animal. In my experience, rodent-like creatures aren't typically poisonous. Well, there was that one time… but overall… Anyway, I figure my chances are pretty good and it's already furless, so that's a plus. I take my kill back to the cave, gathering some dry-ish wood on the way. It takes little time to get a small fire going with my flint and soon the pink animal is roasting over the fire. I finally allow myself some time to think.

"Ok, what do I know about this place so far?" I ask myself. "One sun, and it looks like..." I peer out and up at the cloudless night sky, "two moons."

I breathe in, "A normal amount of oxygen, familiar-looking flora." I look down at the slowly browning rodent skewered on a stick, "Unfamiliar fauna."

I cut into the meat to check if it's done and decide it needs a bit longer. I sigh and lean back on my hand, letting my eyes slip closed for a moment as exhaustion sets in.

"And no signs of intelligent life so far..."

My meat is soon done and I make quick work of consuming it all. Pulling a dented metal cup out of my bag, I scoop up some snow and melt it over the fire. The water is refreshing and clean as I chug it down. I then throw the picked-over carcass of the rodent thing on the fire to burn the bones clean. No need to invite trouble. Rubbing my full stomach, I lean against the back wall of the "cave."

"I'm not dead yet. Good signs, good signs."

I pull my bag and violin case closer to me and attempt to get comfortable, without much success. I debate the pros and cons of keeping my arms free versus staying warm before pulling them back into my jacket and hugging them around my torso. Slowly, my eyes flutter closed and I let myself drift into a light sleep.