Sappy chapter... I'm sorry, I don't really know why I wrote it like this.
Anyway, It'll have to do for now.
I got my idea from a friend, because she asked me what I would miss most if I was suddenly stranded on say, a desert island. Well this is the similiar conversation between James and Anders.
Try to enjoy... And review please!
Knuckles rapped softly against the door of the clinic. 'It's me!' he called.
A shuffling ensued on the other side, growing louder as someone approached. The door swung inwards, beckoning him to enter.
James stepped inside, Anders closing the door behind him.
'Morning.' He said in a flat sort of way and walked past James to a big table in one corner. James greeted him as well but he stared after the man as he walked by. 'Are you ok? You seem a bit... down.'
Anders looked over at him and smiled. 'It's nothing I can't handle, so don't worry about it.'
James looked at him a while before nodding. 'Ok. But if there's anything you need just talk to me... Got it?'
Anders smiled again. 'Got it.'
He looked back down at the papers on the table and started rummaging through them. After a while he stopped and looked up at James again. 'I'm sorry, was there something you wanted to talk about?'
James stepped closer, digging in his robes as he moved. As he reached the table he pulled out a small, clear orb. He set it down before Anders.
'What's this?' asked Anders, pointing towards the orb.
James looked at the orb, frowning. 'I'm not entirely sure...'
Anders chuckled. 'So why are you showing it to me then?'
James looked from him to the orb and then back at him again. 'Remember when, about a year ago, you asked me what I miss the most from my world?'
Anders nodded. 'You said something about indoor plumbing, whatever that may be...'
James smiled. 'Yes and what else?'
Anders considered for a moment. 'Um...'
'Come on... It's something we're confronted with everyday.'
Anders's face twisted in confusion. 'Well if we see it every day, why do you miss it?'
James rolled his eyes. 'It's not exactly the same here as it is in my world.'
Anders raised his eyebrows.
James sighed. 'Music, Anders... Music.' He said.
'Oh yes. Now I remember.' Said Anders. 'I was half expecting you to say family... You know, seeing as you have a different family here as you had there.'
James snorted, his face darkening. 'My dad left when I was young and my mom died of cancer years ago. No siblings, so there's no family to miss.'
An awkward silence stretched between them. 'Anyway. About the music?' asked Anders.
'Right, the music.' Said James, looking a bit more cheery again. 'The other day I was walking down the stairs, humming to myself when I heard the strangest sound. Well, it wasn't that strange, just unexpected.'
'What was it?' Anders asked when James stopped talking.
'Music...'
Anders frowned. 'Oh... Of course... Why would that count as strange?'
'Well, have you ever heard this song before?' asked James and closed his eyes. Anders tilted his head in confusion. 'James?'
'Shhh. Just listen.' James whispered and leaned forward to touch the orb that still sat on the table.
Slowly it started to glow, a warm light pulsing from within. Anders gasped.
'James, what-'
'Shhh!' James commanded, causing the mage to fall silent. A soft tune reached Anders's ears a moment later. As he concentrated on it, it became louder and more clear.
"...Seems that I have been held in some dreaming state..."
James opened his eyes to find Anders staring at the orb. He was mystified. 'But... What is that?' he asked softly.
James smiled and closed his eyes again. Slowly the music came back.
"...a twist in the waking world , never quite awake..."
'James seriously... What is that?'
James opened his eyes and chuckled when he saw the look on the healers face. 'Well, I guess it's my new mp3-player.'
'New what?'
James chuckled again. 'A music player. Apparently, this crystal captures and projects thoughts and memories. While I was humming that song to myself, it caught the frequency like a radio and played it.'
Anders looked like someone had just explained quantum theory to him. 'You have the craziest things in your world... What's a radio? And a frequency? And-'
'Never mind that...' James sighed. 'Just think of it as a magical orb that plays music straight out of my mind. I'm still working on a way to perfect it though... Some songs are a bit fuzzy.'
Anders was quiet for a moment. 'Where did you find this... mp3 crystal?'
'It was lying on Sandal's work table. When I asked him about it he just shrieked "Enchantment!" and gave it to me. Don't know where he found it.'
Anders nodded. 'So... What's the point?'
James felt his jaw drop. 'What's the poi-' Blood flared in his face as anger reared its head. 'Fuck this! I thought you of all people would be interested in something like this, but obviously you aren't. If you can't see that it means something to me then screw you!' he yelled, snatching up the crystal and heading for the door. He could feel Garrett struggling to break free, his sudden rage causing him to lose control.
'James! Wait!' Anders called after him. James stopped, taking a deep breath, urging Garrett back into the deeper parts of his mind. 'What?'
'I'm sorry... It's just that-'
'Just what?' asked James looking back at the mage.
'It's confusing and strange and-' he stopped.
'And what, Anders?' James asked turning fully towards Anders.
'Amazing...' finished the healer, to softly for James to hear.
'Speak up.' said James
'I just didn't sleep very well, and I guess I'm a bit irritable. I'm sorry.'
James closed his eyes and sighed. 'In my world, music plays a huge part in everyday life. Some people make a living from music, while others use it to relax. It breathes life into almost anything.'
'What do you use music for? Are you a musician?' asked Anders.
James opened his eyes and chuckled. 'I wish... I can't hold a note to safe my life.' He smiled again. 'I need music when I work because that's often where I get my inspiration. Many of my best pieces were made while I was listening to my favourite songs.'
Anders didn't say anything. He was staring intently at his boots. 'Anders? What's wrong?' asked James stepping closer.
'In all the time that I've known you... I've never actually asked you what it is you do. I've just been so focused on getting you prepared for your life here, when I should-'
'Anders, stop.' James said suddenly. 'It doesn't matter. And if you hadn't been obsessing over my training and studies I would most likely have died a long time ago.' He felt Garrett kick at him, probably a bit offended that James hadn't taken him into account.
'But if you must know, I'm an artist. Well I used to be'
Anders raised his eyebrows.
'I used to work for a publishing company, specializing in illustration.'
Anders smiled. 'I would never have guessed that the great Hawke would turn out to be an artist...'
'Yes well...'
'Would you draw something for me sometime? I would really like to see some of your work.'
James was a slightly taken aback. In truth he had kind of forgotten about art. Everything here was just so busy that he barely had any time to even consider drawing.
'I'll think about it... I guess after three years I would be a bit rusty.' He said with a smile.
They stood there in silence for a while. James suddenly cleared his throat. 'Anyway, I should get going.' He said and turned once more to the door. 'Bye, Anders.'
Anders watched him go. 'What's the name of that song? The one you just played.' He asked just before James closed the door.
'Blinding.' James said softly and shut the door.
This is getting way to emotional for me... Whispered Garrett as he walked away.
I really don't like this chapter... And I'm sorry if I ruined it for you.
If there is anything that you would like to say about it, please review so that I can make this a better story.
P.S: After a long conversation with a friend, I have finally worked out the main plot, including the main love interest. It's... Wait for it... Wait for it...
ANDERS!
So if you like it, please keep on reading, If you don't, well thats your problem.
I'll update soon, I hope ;)