(closed) some days I don't know if I am wrong or right

[fightingale]

WHO: Cassandra, Gavin & Leliana; closed
WHAT: interview chat times
WHEN: I think backdated a little, specifics to be confirmed
WHERE: A room adjacent to the dungeons
NOTES: I'LL DO THIS LATER but also don't try to write logs while listening to kpop, the urge to dance makes productivity really hard

The need to speak with Gavin and see him released had already been a pressing matter, and her brief conversations with Maxwell and Sina had only served to compound the fact that the scout needed to be released sooner, rather than later - so too with Galadriel, and perhaps that was a matter that would come up, although Leliana found herself rather suspecting that was not the case. One thing at a time.

She has asked Cassandra to meet her to interview Gavin and see to his release, and a guard to collect him. The room is adjacent to the dungeons, but not in the dungeons themselves, well lit, and while it couldn't really be called welcoming or comfortable, it certainly does better than the dungeons on both counts. (The guard is ordered to be especially polite in cold, quiet tones, and even if one would hope that is the standard for all Inquisition agents, it never hurts to be thorough.)

There is a table in the centre of the room, and Leliana stands with her back to one of the corners, hands behind her back, expression difficult to read at best. When the guard ushers in Gavin, Leliana nods for him to release the shackles on his wrists that were required to bring him hence from the dungeon (standard protocol) and looks between he and Cassandra both.

"Thank you both for meeting with me. We have a good deal to talk about, the three of us," she starts, rather evenly. Galadriel, Gavin himself and his actions, his release. As a scout, Gavin fell under her authority, and in essence that meant that his insubordination had been against her as much as the Inquisition itself, for all that she agreed with the sentiment behind it. "Shall we start with why you are here? Scout Ashara, do you understand why you were imprisoned?"

It can be interesting to hear explanations on such things, from time to time.

Comments

[stabsbooks]

She looks to Leliana as she speaks, frowning, but listening. It's easy enough to guess where Leliana is heading, what sort of resolution she is hoping to achieve. Release. And Cassandra doesn't necessarily disagree. She looks down at the elf cowering before them, his head, his ears - every part of him - sunk low.

He is a pitiable figure. Not a threat, certainly - he had not even come close to succeeding in actually freeing Galadriel, and she cannot imagine him trying the same thing again. Weeks ago - days ago, even - she would have been content to let him languish, her fury at his insubordination and betrayal overriding all else.

Now, looking at him, she can only think of Leliana's righteous anger on behalf of all that had been done to the elves - her pain on their behalf - and of course, the letter. Her confrontation of Cassandra with it, and Cassandra's own shock and guilt as she realized what she had done by replying to it on her own.

She bends down, enough to meet Gavin's eyes.

"Do you wish to remain in the Inquisition's service, Scout Ashara?"

This first. Treason is a heavy word, yes, but the dereliction of his duty and his actions against the Inquisition cannot be denied.

[fightingale]

The situation between her and Cassandra remains tense - tenuous - and so she does not presume to speak for Cassandra or make any grand claims. If she could read Cassandra mind, though, she might find some comfort in it, that Cassandra is calling to mind so much.

Leliana stands back, granting Gavin space, room to breathe, and to Cassandra that she can speak.

[slipshot]

"Yes."

It wasn't a question, and he didn't waver when he said it.

He thought about not saying anything else, hesitating, but he needed them to know it.

"... I - Everything I have done, I've done for the Inquisition," He continued quietly. "And I - I know I should have - should have gone to you," His eyes flickered to Leliana, there, rather than Cassandra, "And I won't... I swear I won't do anything to undermine your efforts again, I just--"

The ears drooped a little lower. "... I wish only to continue the Herald's work and uphold what she started. I - I'll accept whatever punishment you think is necessary."

[stabsbooks]

She might have questioned it, how he could possibly claim that his actions have been for the Inquisition when he had so blatantly disobeyed orders, when he had attempted to liberate a prisoner of the Inquisition itself, but she holds her tongue. It would accomplish nothing but to scare him, and he is scared enough.

And he invokes the Herald, and her jaw tightens. It's not the first time in all of this that she has wished that Evelyn was here, that they could rely on her judgement and her leadership.

But she is not. It is up to them now, and Cassandra nods.

"I propose this," she says. "You will be released. You will resume your duties as a scout, but on a probationary basis. You will perform all of your duties under supervision, and will be barred from missions outside Skyhold until Leliana and I, and your assigned supervisor, deem otherwise. You will be docked a month's pay, in addition to the cost necessary to repair the broken window." She frowns. "And should you be caught anywhere near the prisoner again, or act against the Inquisition in any way, you will be removed from duty permanently. And your punishment will be much more severe."

She glances at Leliana for confirmation. It is...not quite a peace offering. But it is important, all the same. A recognition of the fact that she does not act alone, that she will not issue decrees from on high without the Left Hand's input and approval.

"Leliana?"

[fightingale]

"I agree," Leliana surmises, rather simply, offering Cassandra a nod before looking back to Gavin. This has not been handled perfectly, but they can do better. They will do better, even though things remain tenuous and complex.

"We are not without sympathy to your concerns, Gavin, and your willingness to take responsibility for your actions does you credit. However, I will order you off your duties for three days. We will find an appropriate supervisor, and you can take the time to be with those dear to you."

And to recover, if only a little, from being in a dungeon.

"In the future if you are troubled by matters of the Inquisition, I would request that you bring these concerns to me."

And she looks back to Cassandra, then, eyebrow raised in a silent, does that cover everything?