faderift | [Open] Love Doesn't Discriminate

WHO: Bethany Darton (nee Hawke) and YOU
WHAT: Grey Warden doing Good Deeds.
WHEN: End of Justinian.
WHERE: Outside the crater magical forest
NOTES: Spoilers for Dragon Age 2, all the time, and Bethany just generally being Bethany

For two years, Bethany had made Kirkwall her home when she was a young girl, with her mother and siblings. Her sister became a Hero, her brother .. went his own way but he was a hero in his own right, and she? She was sacrificed on the altar of the Grey Wardens. Her life for a strength and time, precious time. Time she was going to hold onto with both hands until she could figure out a way to keep herself alive.

Now though, she was going to give back to the city that had given, and taken, so much from the Hawkes. She did that the only way she knew how - by giving to the people. So anyone, and everyone, who came to Sina's miraculous forest would find Bethany there, minding a small table with rolls of bread, fresh fish, and a variety of vegetables that she put in baskets and handed out to the needy, along with blankets and warmer clothes for the colder months.

If asked, she would smile, shrug, and state simply, "In a place of miracles, one should spread a little kindness, don't you think?"

There are times when she has no food yet to give, and those times she is sitting under one of the trees there, knitting away with her balls of yarn, humming a soft tune under her breath. She'll stop and chat with anyone who comes to see her, of course.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

At some point, such efforts attract the attention of one fellow Grey Warden. Inessa only tends to visit Hightown for the market area, but upon hearing of Bethany's table setup by the new forest, she urges Garahel onward. Upon spotting her, the mabari rushes forward and barks happily. He might just be eyeing the fish, too, but pettings are more important. Following in his wake, Inessa shakes her head and smiles.

"You'd think I never feed him, the way he carries on. How are you, Bethany?"

Bethany looked up from where she was knitting, a smile curving over her lips as she put aside the bundle and opened her arms so Garahel could run up and lick her face. God, she missed having a mabari, and she laughed as she stroked him with both hands.

"Well, he's a big boy. He needs all his strength, isn't that so?" She stroked both of his ears, before giving him a solemn look. "But this food is for the needy and the poor. Are you needy or poor?"

She looks up at Inessa, a distant look flashing across her face, before one corner of her mouth twists. "Better ... than I have been. This - here - has given me a measure of peace."

Garahel happily wiggles against Bethany, generous with the licking. At that question, he whines a little -when isn't a mabari needy?- but ultimately huffs and looks away from the food. He won't take it from someone who needs it more.

"Good boy." Inessa smiles down at him before turning her attention back to Bethany, brow slightly furrowed. "I don't mean to pry, but if we can assist in any manner, you have but to ask. I'm not so busy of late that I can't afford to make the time."

She smiles at Garahel as well, putting her hands together, folding them in her lap as she looks up at Inessa from her seated position. "I would appreciate any help you two can give -- I know there are some sick and injured who cannot come to get the food and clothes I make ... would you two be able to deliver them?"

Garahel answers before Inessa does, barking eagerly and wagging his tail. Anything to meet new people and cheer them up. His mistress nods without hesitation, just as eager to assist.

"Oh, of course. Give me what you wish to pass on and we'll distribute it accordingly. I plan to assist at the Darktown clinic later today, so if you wish I can pass on supplies there as well." Darktown as a whole she plans to avoid, but the clinic is a good gathering point for those below, so she feels confident that the supplies will reach those in need.

She laughed at Garahel's happy bark, rubbing his ears again. "You both are lifesavers - oh! Are you going to see Anders, then? Hold on, I have some herbs for him ... I went out to the Sundermount a while back."

She heaved up a heavy basket of varying herbs, humming softly. "There should be enough here to last him awhile."

Inessa reaches out to take them, nodding. "He'll appreciate your assistance, I'm certain." She then hesitates a moment before speaking up again. "You heard his recent question-and-answer session over the crystal, I assume? Or heard of it."

Here, Bethany paused as well, and then let out a sigh. "I heard about it. I am rather glad I did not participate - I would have stepped in and caused some sort of fight."

She sighs, as she turns to look at the forest behind her. "He's always been braver than all of us put together - well. Outside of Marian."

"Bravery is one thing, but he needs some self-preservation. There are those who have not forgotten or forgiven, in the Inquisition as well as outside it. I worry that being in Kirkwall once again will stir up tensions and make him a target." Garahel whines softly at that; he likes Anders as well as Purrelden and doesn't want to see either come to harm.

"Yes, self-preservation has never been one of Anders strong points... at least not as long as I have known him." Bethany stated wryly, before she gives Inessa a thoughtful look, and puts a comforting hand on Gaharel's head.

"Would you like me to talk to him?"

"If you think it would help, I would appreciate it." That Bethany has known him for a long time speaks in her favor; maybe she knows what would appeal to Anders to take better care. "Your sister has passed judgment and that should be respected...but it might be easier without Anders actively directing attention to himself. I can't see that ever ending well, however good the intent."

"Yes, she has, and yes, it should be ... and considering all the good that Anders is now doing you would think that people would be at least willing to help people see him as we do. But ... but." She sighs, giving Inessa a wry smile. "You are right. People do ignorant things. I don't want one of them to be involving Anders safety."

"Some wounds are slow to heal, no matter the passage of time. Trying to force it can breed resentment." She gestures to the new forest behind them, an excellent example of that exact scenario. "At least the presence of our new landmark might help distract from him, or at least I hope so."

"Well I suppose I can't deny that." She sighed softly, as she took up her knitting again. If only to give her hands something to do. "... I hope so. I hope this place will show people what we can do, together, if we're willing to try."

"I believe that will happen, in time. It has borne no harm, after all." Given a period of adjustment, Inessa could see the area becoming a beloved landmark. "When will you finish here, do you suppose? Would you be interested in joining us for tea afterward?"

"I should be finished here soon - I am waiting for someone to come and sit at the table." She stroked Garahel's ears once more. "If you don't mind, we could drop off some care packages along the way."

[Open] Love Doesn't Discriminate

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject