KONI/AUBREY DRAGON AGE AU WRITTEN FOR WIFEY BECAUSE I'M HORRIBLE
**Placed in an unnamed, vaguely Kirkwall-ish setting, though the Circle there starts as a lot more relaxed than p much any in the series except maybe any Circle in Rivain..... and I guess Tevinter if you even count that**
There were terrible rumors circulating the city, as they often did, but recent ones in particular struck Aubrey very close to home. There was word of a crackdown on mages in the city; that the circle was tightening its hold, increasing restrictions and skirting -almost blurring- the lines of Chantry law. Thinking on it, he realized this was probably the reason he hadn't heard as much from Koni in the last few months, and though he knew he shouldn't be, he was worried. Ever since she had been taken by the Circle, fear always nagged in the back of his mind.
Years of running and hiding with his father made it easy for Aubrey to live undetected as a mage, and he quite often used this to his advantage. When visitation was still commonplace, and even relaxed, he'd dare to go to the Circle as often as he could to see her, and no one was the wiser. Dangerous as the Circle had become, still he dared to brave the looming presence of the ever-watchful Templars as he waited for acceptance into the courtyard.
It was not the same as the last time he had been there - nearly two months ago, he recalled - and cold dread settled in his gut. Though the day was bright, it still felt as though dark clouds had settled over the area, and the usual sounds of life filling the air were replaced with a quiet murmur; the number of Templars present on duty had more than doubled. The stands where the Circle sought to peddle their wares still remained, though few had turned up to peruse the stock that day, likely due to the oppressive atmosphere, and Aubrey didn't blame anyone in the least. He felt as though he should leave lest the Templars catch even the slightest hint of unrestrained mage, but he had a purpose in coming and he would not leave until it was fulfilled.
It did not take long to find her. Her red hair glinted in the sunlight and his heart rate increased; she was safe. She was on rotation to work the stalls, crouched down next to a crate of potions that she was preparing to lay out for sale. He smiled softly in relief, jogging over to her stand.
"Koni!"
She paused in her work to glance up at him momentarily, quickly returning to sorting her various bottles. "Hello, Aubrey. It's been a while."
He paused to catch his breath and laughed quietly. "Yes, I came to see you as soon as I could, but with all these new restrictions it's been harder to get visitation and -"
She had not looked up at him for more than an instant, and he felt a little hurt over the cold shoulder she seemed to be giving him. He frowned. "Look, I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner, but I can't risk the Templars catching wind of me. And you could have at least said something - or, actually, have they put limits on letters also?"
She did not pause in her motions, bottles clinking gently against one another - elfroot balms and Lyrium droughts. "I apologize. I did not think to write you."
Aubrey was ill at ease with her tone, the feeling of dread increasing with each moment. "Koni?"
At her name, she glanced up at him again. "Do you require anything?"
All words froze solid in his throat and made it difficult to breathe. The Chantry sunburst peeked out from beneath the wisps of her bangs, still hanging in her face as they always did, as though nothing had outwardly changed (yet he knew everything had). He searched her eyes, still the same deep blue, and found them vacant, staring at him as one might stare at a wall. There was nothing there, hardly even recognition.
"Maker, why?" he choked out, barely more than a harsh whisper.
She stood and made a soft sound, which would have been considered almost inquisitive if not for her current state, and began laying the potions out in orderly rows. Frustrated, he grabbed her arm to stop her, gain her attention once more, and only succeeded in having those vacant eyes of hers on him for nothing but a moment. He quickly relinquished his grip.
"I thought you said you passed your Harrowing!"
"Yes. But there was an incident. I sought to defend myself. The Templars were displeased with my actions." Clink. Clink. "They were likely also displeased with my deception. Abominations are not to be tolerated. I would have been killed outright were it not for the intervention of the Knight-Captain."
"You were not an abomination!" Anger began to cloud his eyes. "And you certainly weren't dangerous. You had control of it!"
She showed no response to his increasing anger, and simply continued working. Aubrey's hands were shaking and he fought to keep his magic held in.
"There was a demon inside of me and I could no longer be controlled," she stated so calmly, as though commenting on the weather. "This outcome was preferable, as in this way I can continue to be of some use." And then, almost as an afterthought: "Do you require anything?"
He pulled her hands from the rows of glassware and squeezed tightly; if it hurt her she gave no sign of discomfort. She waited patiently for him to speak.
"Something has to be done about this," he ground out. His eyes stung and he found his vision blurring suddenly. "I will fix this."
Carefully, as she likely did everything now, she extracted herself from her grip and straightened out her rumpled sleeves. A few strands of hair had fallen into her eyes. "It would be wise to calm yourself before the Templars take notice. You seem displeased at the idea of remaining here longer than necessary."
"And you aren't?" he snapped.
"I am content," she said, making no move to push her hair from her face.
As Aubrey felt his magic bubble up to the surface once more, he knew she had a point (as Tranquil often did) and forced it down, along with his anger, which remained stewing in his gut unpleasantly. She stood impassively behind her stall, her impeccably arranged sets of potions. He turned away, so that his eyes would no longer be drawn to the sun between her eyes.
"If it is any consolation, I have been told I will be permitted to return home soon."
He paused for a moment, but said nothing. Either home or caged by Templars, she was as far away from him as she'd ever been.
"It isn't."
But it would be easier, knowing she was at least safe.
"I am sorry," Koni offered as he walked away.
So am I. Aubrey thought.
