[OPEN] Be Careful Lest Your Sins Find You Out

[lifeofendurance]

WHO: Aleron Darton and Anyone in the Gallows
WHAT: Someone remembers the Seeker from days gone by. Not happy days.
WHEN: Early Justinian (backdated)
WHERE: Gallows
NOTES: None yet. Al is still a stick-in-the-mud. Although maybe no more than 4-5 tag ins so I don't leave folks hanging? Still open for any previous Kirkwall/Starkhaven mages who want to wtf at him.



It was bound to happen sooner or later.

Ever since receiving the news that the Inquisition was going to set up base in Kirkwall, Aleron has had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that his time in the city prior was going to rear its ugly head. He, of course, doesn't feel he was in any way wrong in his actions. But then making people uncomfortable is part and parcel of being a Seeker. He's used to it, in fact. And thus, the sudden outburst behind his head is not much of a surprise.

"You! What are you doing here?! How could you? How could you have brought us here and left us with that madwoman?"

The source: a woman with a thick Starkhaven accent, face red with rage and barrelling at Aleron as if to tackle him to the ground with her slight frame.

She stops short of tackling him. Barely.

Having his boots spit on? That does prove something of a surprise. And the slap she delivers across his face immediately thereafter.

Comments

[arlathvhen]

If Beleth were to be honest, her reasons for choosing to approach Aleron were far from professional. If this involved anyone besides Cade, would she have gotten involved? Would she even care? But here they all are, and here is Beleth, getting involved.

Even if her reasons are not professional, her behavior can be. Must be, if she wants to get to the bottom of this, and see it solved to her satisfaction. So when she does approach Aleron, her expression is neutral, body language carefully schooled into calm poise.

"Seeker Darton." A polite inclination of her head. "As you know, I've been honored with the responsibility of handling the information relevent to the Inquisition. Therefore, I was hoping you would be kind enough to bear with me, and answer some questions." A small pause, and she offers him a polite smile. "If I may, of course."

[lifeofendurance]

Thank the Maker. This is the first, and possibly the only, person who's sought him out today with a cool head and calm demeanor. The excess of emotionality has been wearing on his interminable patience.

Aleron sets aside his research notes again, marking his spot with an unused quill and motions for Beleth to have a seat.

"Of course, what might I assist you with?"

[arlathvhen]

Beleth takes the seat offered, though her spine remains as straight as a steel rod. Her face remains politely pleasant, as she sets her hands in her lap. Look how nice and calm and composed she is.

"I was hoping that you would give me your personal account of the incident with yourself, the ex-circle mage, and Cade. As I'm sure you can imagine, the rumor mill has been spinning quite a few interesting stories, and I would like to try to get your perspective on it." She relaxes into the chair, clearly planning on being here for a while. "Please, include as many details as you can recall."

[lifeofendurance]

For a fleeting half-second, there's a twitch at Aleron's lips that might akin to an amused smile. It's over and gone so quickly, it'd be terribly difficult to say for certain. Of course it's about the Gallows courtyard. Again. "I am hardly surprised. People are wont to talk and speculate when they've naught better to do. Though if I might take the moment to express how grateful I am that you too did not come barrelling in here in a frenzy of emotional upset."

However, he has nothing to hide about the entire fiasco and would actually prefer people acquire the facts instead of just screeching. But if he's going to provide facts, it will be done in an orderly fashion. The telling, however, is just as coldly detached as everything else Aleron does. Perhaps it implies to others that he doesn't care. Being social has never been one of his strong suits and it's unlikely to change now.

"As I was crossing the courtyard this morning, I was recognized by a mage from the Circle of Magi in Starkhaven. She ran up and slapped me." The spitting is really neither here nor there. "Harimann restrained her immediately. She began yelling at my wife and demanding to be let go. She was held long enough to ascertain if she were a threat to herself or any bystanders. It took perhaps a minute, though I would more accurately place the timing at fifty seconds. Harimann was then instructed to release her, which was done with an excess of force, for which behavior he has been restricted to quarters whilst Seeker Reed and myself review it. As to Rhona, the last I saw of her, she was being led away by my wife for tea and fruit tarts having taken no visible injury."

[arlathvhen]

Beleth is the very picture of a gracious listener, eyes intently focused on Aleron's as he speaks, nodding along with his words whenever appropriate. She doesn't interrupt, and even after he finishes speaking, she stays quiet, mulling over his words. Finally, there's a rustling of paper as Beleth pulls out a folded sheet, unfolding it and mulling over this as well.It's only after everything is fully mulled that she finally speaks.

"Of course, Seeker. I find emotional detachment to be a valuable method of handling such....volatile situations. I'm sure that this whole mess must be quite difficult to handle. Having a lapse in leadership, exhibited in such a public manner. Don't overly fret over it, these things happen to the best of us." Her tone is nothing but warm and reassuring, her smile soft and full of understanding. "Your candidness regarding it is appreciated, I assure you. I can already see several contradictions in my reports." She takes up Aleron's quill, setting her paper down to jot some notes on it. Aleron himself is free to peep to his heart's content, though the entire thing is written in code. "The woman, for example, was reported to spit at you, punch you, one even said she had a knife--obviously, that was nonsense, but it needed to be looked into." As she speaks, she jots down notes on the sheet, crossing off some parts, appending others.

Briefly, she wonders if Aleron even recognizes her from that brief meeting, where she testified on her own personal experience with Cade's...moments of temper. It feels like a very long time ago, and she feels like a very different person than the scared elf that had spoken before him. He, however, doesn't seem to have changed at all.

"Now that we've got that out of the way, I have a few questions I have to ask you." She pulls out a blank sheet of paper, settling it on top of the other sheet. "If you don't mind, of course. No one is holding you against your will." Another polite, pleasant smile, and Beleth sits back in the chair. "You described Ser Harimann as using excessive force whilst releasing the mage, though no visible injury was seen. Has the mage seen a healer? Were there any injuries that weren't visible that had been sustained from this...excessive force? If you haven't ensured she's seen a healer, you needn't feel guilty over it, I know that things have been rather hectic." Again, with the soft, understanding smile. "I can take care of checking in with her and making sure she's been taken care of."

She jots down a few of the odd symbols that make up her code, before returning her gaze to Aleron, tapping the quill to her mouth absently, expression calm and contemplative. "Additionally, I'd like to know what steps you will possibly be seeking for his punishment, as well as what manner of counseling and personal aid for him that you have been considering." With that, she sets the quill down, leaning expectedly in towards him. "I'll have a few more questions after we square these away, but I don't want to badger you more than strictly necessary." Her lips twist up into a gently teasing smile, as though inviting Aleron into their own little joke.

[lifeofendurance]

"No, there was no knife," he confirms with a singular nod. Does Aleron look as if he's fussed or flustered by anything? Nope. Not a bit. The reassurances come across as condescending or ill-informed to him, but nonetheless, he ignores it all. But he does provide further confirmation of lacking situations which tells just how many people have been in and possibly how exhausted he truly is with hoopla. "Nor was there a fist fight, blood magic, a hidden shard of red lyrium used as a blunt weapon, or sexual intercourse between the two of them in the courtyard, consensual or otherwise."

People talk. And exaggerate. Aleron is not fond of people concocting falsehoods to make things more thrilling.

"No visible injuries, though you might have to wrest her away from my wife's tender care if you wish to have that checked. She might need something for her stomach, however, as Bethany has been baking again and I cannot speak for Rhona's sweet tooth or if she's given to gluttony. If there are any others, you'd have to consult with her." There's a reason he doesn't do people, he's very bad at it. Bethany is a beautiful counterpoint to his shortage of soft skills.

He folds his hands and places them in his lap. "As to Harimann, we have yet to determine what sanction is called for under these circumstances. Before the Conclave, he'd have been considered rogue and subject to execution. However observation of his behavior leads us to conclude he is gone mad. Though I regret to disappoint you, it is not within the scope of my job to provide counseling or personal aid. Pitiable though his situation is, the whole of my responsibility is to ensure he is not abusing his position and that he is fit to serve. Clearly he is not."

[arlathvhen]

"He would be executed, for trying to protect you." There's a visible struggle to keep up the nice and polite attitude--though Aleron, not knowing just how much of a grip Beleth usually has on her outward expression, probably can't truly understand just how angry she must be. The struggle resolves itself into a chilly smile that doesn't reach her eyes. Eyes that are intently boring into the Seeker.

"Found mad and executed, for doing what he was trained to do. For doing what all Templars are told to do. Using excessive force that miraculously managed to not injure the woman at all. That's worth killing a man for. But slapping you...Well. That's not excessive force, is it?" She leans forward, almost out of her seat, and her hand is clutching onto the the pen in a way that might make anyone not fond of pen stabbings nervous. "Hitting you is punishable by fruit tarts, but you would kill someone for having the mistaken impression that you are someone worth helping."

She manages to control herself enough to stand, slamming the pen down, which is a step down from stabbing Aleron, so props to that. "But you're not, are you. You're not worth anything. It's not in the scope of your job to aid him? Well, it isn't in my job description, either, and you know what? I've been doing it anyway." Hands on the table, she leans forward. Her voice remains contained, quiet and hissing, lavender eyes alight in righteous anger.

"Because your pathetic excuse of an organization was warned that if you didn't help him, the incident would repeat, and you ignored it. Because Cade deserves help. Because Cade is not beyond redemption, and you know what? He's gotten better. I've seen Cade at his worst, and I have the scars to prove it. What scars does that mage have? He's improving, and with no thanks to you, Seeker. I helped him, because you are a blind, ignorant fool, who would rather throw him under the wagon and go back to eating fruit tarts with your pretty little wife, than put any work into a man who would die for you."

She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes for a bit. Count to ten. She's still pissed, but her voice sounds a little calmer, at least. "And you know what else? He's a better man than you. Cade is unwell, but--he tries. And he tries, and he tries, and he needs people who believe that his trying will pay off. And he deserves that. He's kind, and considerate, and he wants to do right by the people around him. And by his superiors, even when they don't give a snuff for him. He's a good person, and you prove your poor character more than his with your words."

She steps away from the table, and moves to walk past Aleron--stopping right at him, to rest her hand on his shoulder. Her voice is again low, and pleasant, with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "And to ensure that my position is clear: If you even try to execute or hurt Cade? I will bring you to your knees. And I'll destroy you." She leans in, smile widening. "Don't test me. Bethany is a lovely woman, I would hate to see her upset over something as trivial as you."

And with that, she steps away again, and takes her leave. Seeya.