LET NO SOUL HUNGER FOR JUSTICE: SONG FOR THE SOUL

[fleurdesel]

WHO: Anders, Bethany, Nathaniel, Leliana, Kallian, Sina, Beleth
WHAT: The First Ritual
WHEN: 1st of Bloomingtide (May 1st)
WHERE: half an hour outside Skyhold
NOTES: plotting thread.

The clearing is not all that far from Skyhold- only half an hour's ride. They don't anticipate anything going wrong in this particular ritual but familiarity with the location and a fear that something might go wrong in the future is more than enough to give it a solid once over before they begin. On it's own the ritual is absurd- but there'd been notes enough to make it seem, if not entirely credible, worth a shot. After all it will work or it will not.

Won't it?

Comments

[arlathvhen]

[ She stares down at her hands, as if they needed examined under the scrutiny of Anders' healing. She knows that Leliana is right, and Beleth had been as quick to leap to the defense of her teammates, as well. But people saving her, it...felt different. It's hard to think of herself as worthy of risking life and limb for. But Leliana doesn't need her issues, so she just nods. ]

So am I. But I understand, Sister Nightingale. I want to work alongside Araceli, as well, and I believe she feels the same. I think that it would be far more preferential than trying to fight against here.

[ Pause. ]

Partly because she'd win.

[fightingale]

Good.

( Although she is curious about what might be going unsaid, about opinions Beleth might hold that conflict or are a little more complex when matched up with Leliana's own.

Leliana exhales a breath that might almost sound like a laugh. )

In some fights, yes. In others you would find yourself with the advantage.

[arlathvhen]

Really?

[ Beleth looks genuinely surprised by the appraisal, turning to look curiously at Leliana. ]

The only advantage I have on her is that I am a resident of this world. But as far as natural knowledge goes? Up until I came to Skyhold, I'd been isolated enough that she could easily make up the difference if she set her mind to learning.

[fightingale]

If you are determined to be defeated, by all means.

( The gesture she means with her hands could be a please, after you sort of thing if given to someone else at a doorway. The tone is not unkind, and yet the point of one of her eyebrows ticks upward. )

Defeat is always a possibility. It is your responsibility to do all that you can to counter it, not accept it and grant it a place at your table.

[arlathvhen]

I'm being realistic.

[ But she murmurs it quietly, almost sullenly, feeling like a scolded child. She's not trying to be defeatist, she's not even upset with Araceli about it. She's just accepting the facts of the situation at hand. Araceli is the better bard, and Beleth won't do herself any favors pretending that things are any different.

That's what she tells herself, at least. ]

I'm not giving up, and I'm going to try to keep improving. I know I can do better. I just know--Araceli is already better.