faderift | A Cruel Twist of Fate [closed]

You've a lot more patience for spirits than I, then.

[Spirits and demons are things this mage doesn't care to deal with any more than necessary. Let Solas or whoever hang out with them. But her thoughts pull away from that unpleasantness as she chuckles at Beleth's last comment.]

Does that come with a free hart? I'm more of a nuggalope person, though. [One day she'll have one of her own, just wait.]

Some spirits. You could speak to them. I talked to Hope, it was very kind.

[ She laughs quietly, patting Vaharel on the flank. ]

I actually bought him from the Skyhold stables, he's been there since I came to Skyhold. I spent a lot of time around him, and eventually I saved up enough money to actually buy him. I hope you get a nuggalope, though--do those actually exist? I thought they were myths.

Katoh, from my company, swears they exist. She's not one to make up wild stories, either, so I believe her more than I would most of the others. She even said they have curved horns, like mine. It'd be badass, wouldn't it? Horses just can't compete with that.

[And dracolisks are okay, but they look too spindly for Korrin to feel comfortable on them.]

What if it has weird hands like nugs do?

[ She held her hands up, wiggling her fingers. Thing of the nug fingers, Korrin. ]

How can you ride on something with those hands?

[Korrin laughs at the idea, finding it more amusing than horrifying.]

That just means it'd have a decent grip, right? You have to admit, that could be useful. It might not, though. Katoh didn't say anything about hands, so maybe they're different.

[ Beleth has to snort at that, shaking her head. ]

You know what, Korrin? I really do hope that you find one, just so I witness that.

[ She pauses for a moment, contemplating whether it's a good idea or not to change the subject so suddenly, and so seriously. But--better now than never. ]

Korrin, before you started dating Araceli, you, like--You had a crush on her, right? You were infatuated. How did you know when it wasn't just infatuation? I mean--When did you realize that it wasn't just 'Wow she's cute', it was 'Wow she's cute and I want to date her'.

[She smirks, about to remark that she'll be sure to let Beleth know if she gets one, but the question understandably diverts her attention.]

Hm, good question. At first it was definitely 'wow, she's cute' mixed in with 'and she's cuter when she blushes'. So, I had to make that happen as often as I could. And after a while, I didn't want to stop. But it wasn't just about how gorgeous or talented she is, much as those things are true. I anticipated seeing her even when there wasn't any particular reason, and doing so always made my day brighter. It became more about wanting to get to know her and just be with her rather than only about the blushing...though I still enjoy that.

[She raises an eyebrow, curious. You can't ask that and not expect her to turn it around.]

Is there someone on your mind, then?

[ Beleth listens quietly, and she can't help but smile at Korrin's words. They sound like something out of a book--Or maybe better than a book, because they're more real. It's not a dramatic mess with tension and chaos and a climax that leaves someone dead, it's just...two people falling in love. It's not as exciting of a story, but it makes Beleth feel warmer. They really are cute, together. ]

I'm glad that you found someone who makes you feel like that. It's comforting to know that good things are still happening, even when it feels like the world is going on its ear.

[ At the mention of herself, the elf hesitates, rubbing the back of her neck. She feels sheepish, unsure--she's not sure she's ready to admit anything, not yet. Ultimately, she just shrugs. ]

I don't know--maybe. There are a lot of considerations. There's a pretty high chance that it'll go terribly and I'll ruin everything, so...I need to make sure it's worth it.

[Korrin smiles at Beleth's words, likewise glad to have something in a chaotic time such as this. If such a relationship being the eye of the storm that is everything else in Thedas, she'll gladly take the lack of drama.]

I wasn't expecting it, not here and now, but I know I'm lucky. I won't take her -or what we have- for granted.

[But she can hold back on rhapsodizing about how wonderful Araceli is, saving it for later. Right now, Beleth's hesitation captures her attention and she raises an eyebrow.]

Why do you think you'll ruin everything? You're smart, capable and you have a lot to offer. Anyone would be lucky to get your attention. Thinking otherwise only sabotages things ahead of time.

Feelings like that don't hinge on strictly positive traits. I mean--You can't make someone care for you, just by having a lot to offer.

[ Whether or not she believes that she has that doesn't matter, so there's no point to being rude enough to try arguing that with Korrin. ]

The way things are right now...I'm pretty happy. I'm already really lucky. If I admit any feelings that aren't returned, things could become, ah. Awkward. It could sour a perfectly good friendship.

[ She pauses, and sighs, running a hand through her hair. ]

Sorry, I'm not trying to be...all dramatic and everything. I guess I just want to--ah. Make sure that I'm not making a big deal out of a passing infatuation. I don't know. I have no idea if he'd even be interested? Ugh.

[Korrin shakes her head, not wanting to be misunderstood.]

I know you can't make someone care for you, Beleth. I just don't want you to underestimate yourself, that's all.

[Though she nods thoughtfully to the rest.]

It's not dramatic. I've been there, having been attracted to people without knowing where they stand. But at least for me, the not knowing was worse. I won't lie and say it went how I hoped; if it had, maybe I wouldn't have been single when I joined the Inquisition. But on the other hand, revealing how I felt didn't kill the friendship, either. I think -hope- that anyone willing to be your friend in the first place would give it a chance to continue.

[And now her curiosity is getting the better of her.]

You know, it might help if I knew who you were talking about. Swear to Andraste or whatever, I won't say anything.

I like to think of myself as realistic. I know what my selling points are, and I try to be realistic about how they measure up to other people.

[ But she listens to what Korrin says, and it sounds good--but it makes her wonder, because she's experienced it before. Where she had a crush and when it wasn't returned, it hurt just to be around that person, and know that they didn't like you like that. Maybe Korrin was just a better person than she was. She decides against revealing that she is in fact a terrible person. Maybe that time was different. Maybe she's a better person now? ]

Ah--Well, I guess you deserve to know, if I'm bugging you about this. I just--Mmm.

[ She shuffles her hands a little, glancing around nervously. After a few moments, she mumbles something that might possibly be Common, and even a name, but beyond that, it's impossible to make out. She sighs, rubs her face, and mutters again, this time loud enough to be heard. ]

It's Alistair. The Grey Warden, who is also allegedly the last Theirin, because apparently when I aim out of my league, I aim for the top.

Alistair? [Korrin raises her eyebrows at that, though she's quick to smile.] You have good taste, Beleth. I talked to him a few times, and he seemed to be one of the more decent humans around. No putting on airs or taking himself too seriously. [She didn't care for his responses to Alejandro about Anders, but no one's perfect.]

I don't think the Theirin bit matters, though. He's not king, and he's not going to be. Queen Anora made that crystal clear, didn't she? So he's just a Warden and from what I can tell, he seems to like it better that way.

He really is. He's funny, and sweet, and he has this way of talking to you when you're upset that makes things feel...not as bad. And--

[ She stops herself before she begins rambling, ducking her head sheepishly. ]

I know, I know. I'm sure that he wouldn't even like me bringing up. And that's obviously not what I care about. But I mean--He could have all kinds of women. Even noble women, apparently? [ She's not sure if Adelaide's potential suitors constituted the norm, but he was still obviously worth thought by some of them. ] I don't think that I'd really measure up to that...? Although, I don't think he's find being so doubtful very good, either.

[ She sighs, tilting her head and rubbing the back of her neck. ] I'm not sure what kind of women he likes, though. I've never seen him express genuine interest in anyone. And even if I asked, I doubt he'd give me a serious answer.

[Korrin looks thoughtful, trying to recall a time when she saw or heard something about Alistair flirting in person or over the crystal, but she hasn't been paying that close attention to him.]

He does like deflecting, doesn't he? Though I wouldn't take that personally. Wardens lead stressful lives, even more so right now. It might be that he's holding back to spare anyone dealing with all that. Or I'm full of shit and there's some other reason, like a desperate, unrequited love for Mother Giselle.

[Poor Mother Giselle. Between encouraging Taas to hit on her and now this, the woman is the butt of too many of her jokes.]

[ She can't help it, she gives an undignified snort. ]

If that's the case, I am well and truly out of luck, because there's no way I'll be able to compete with Mother Giselle.

[ She thinks for a moment, fingers tapping against her side. She hadn't been trying to think too hard on it before this, worried about even voicing it out loud. But now that Korrin has her mind on it... ]

Zevran would be the best person to ask. He'd be the most likely person to know, and he would be the most likely person to actually spit the information out. But--I don't want to ask him directly, not yet. In case he doesn't, ah. Approve.

[ There's a small pause as a light bulb goes off in her head, and she slowly turns to look at Korrin, expression pondering. ]

Although, if someone else asked--?

[Seeing where this is going, Korrin's eyebrows shoot back up. Beleth wants her to ask? Well....]

I could, though I'm not at all subtle. He'd suss me out in a heartbeat, Beleth. Perhaps Araceli? They get along well, and she has the charm to pull it off, if anyone can. [Araceli could get anything out of anyone, she has no doubt about that.]

[ There's a bit of trepidation at the idea of involving someone else, especially someone that Beleth doesn't know as well as Korrin. But didn't Leliana say that she was supposed to trust Araceli? ]

Well--That might work too. Even better, possibly, because I'm not as close to her. It'd be harder to guess that I asked her. And she's dating you, so Zevran wouldn't think that 'asking for a friend' is a joke. And she knows a ton of people too, so the pool of potential people would be big enough that it wouldn't be obvious who it was.

[ She's calculating like it's a chess game, or--well, a bard game, perhaps. It probably counts as over planning, but this--this needed careful planning. It had to be perfect. ]

So, yeah, if Araceli would be willing. If not, I can figure something else out.

[Korrin nods, relieved that Beleth sees the logic in going to her fellow bard. It's not that Korrin herself wouldn't help, but she knows when she's out of her depth. That's not a conversation that would end in any other way than if she'd just asked directly.]

I'm still all for the direct approach, usually, but you do what you're most comfortable with. Besides, I guess you might learn more this way, so it's not a waste if all goes to plan.

[She pauses, then has to ask:]

It doesn't bother you that he's human, then?

[If it was almost anyone else, Korrin wouldn't even think to ask. Whatever the race/gender combination, it's all good to her as long as everyone's a consenting adult. She's not even judging now, but given Beleth's firm Dalish stance, it does make her wonder.]

Like I said, the direct approach wouldn't work with Alistair. And Zevran--he'd want to Discuss Things. And I don't want to discuss things. Not yet. Not when I'm not even sure if I'm actually going to--to do anything.

[ She sighs, running a hand through her hair. Everything is complicated!!! At Korin's question, she hesitates. Because...it's an issue. It's an issue that she will have to address, eventually. ]

He's...a lot more respectful than most humans. The first time I met him, someone called me a rabbit, and he looked like he was about to hit them for me. Didn't even know me or anything. And--I don't know. No. It doesn't bother me. Very little about him bothers me.

[Korrin nods, agreeing with her assessment on Alistair. She doesn't know him nearly as well, but the times they've spoken, she never got the impression that he saw he as just an 'oxman'. He listened, was kind.]

You wouldn't be returning to the clan if you did hook up, though. Is that what you want? Or did you already decide against doing that anyway?

[Plenty of the local Ashara brood seem to be leaning in that direction, so in the end, Korrin shouldn't be that surprised. She just hadn't thought it'd be Beleth. But again, not judging. If it happens, she'll still give her support.]

I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

[ She doesn't want to assume too much, and she doesn't want to plan for something that will probably never happen. But Korrin deserves--some kind of answer. She crosses her arms, uncrosses them, then recrosses them, shifting uncomfortably. Finally, she shrugs. ]

I've been...thinking. I don't know. I guess I'm on the fence about my clan. But--If it came down to it, and he was willing--I think. I think it'd be worth it. To stay here. But that's assuming a lot.

[She nods, her tone gentle.]

It's a lot to ponder, and there's no reason to rush through it. The war's not ending any time soon, I'm sure. See how you feel when it's over and go from there. Whatever you decide, though, I'll support you.

Thank you, Korrin.

[ And Beleth gives her a warm smile, reaching out and patting the qunari's arm. ]

That means a lot to me, it really does. I don't know how things will end, but--as long as I still have my friends, I think it'll be okay, no matter what.

A Cruel Twist of Fate [closed]

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