Let No Soul Hunger For Justice: Nothing But The Truth

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Adelaide, Alistair, Anders, Bethany, Nathaniel, Varric, Vasran, Velanna
WHAT: The Second Ritual
WHEN: 10th of Bloomingtide (May 10th)
WHERE: half an hour outside of Skyhold
NOTES: Plotting post.

They've kept to the same clearing as the last, because the location's good. Far enough away that no one could stumble upon them by accident, near enough in case something went seriously wrong, it works.

He has scarcely more hope this time than he did the last, but at least there's no singing involved. This can't go as strangely. In theory.

Comments

Aftermath: Nathaniel Howe - OTA

[pinprick]

[Nathaniel would like to think he has nothing to be dishonest about. He's Fereldan, he's always tried to live up to it. But there's something incredibly unnerving about knowing he has no choice now.

He sits back and lights up his pipe, hoping he can make it through this with a little more dignity than when he had to sing.]

Re: Aftermath: Nathaniel Howe - OTA

[sunshinethroughgrey]

[Bethany flops down next to him, giving him a faintly miserable look, but keeping her mouth firmly shut. Maybe they can spend the next few days communicating just by looks? They had gotten fairly good at it, over the years.]

[pinprick]

Got something to hide from me, then? [Nathaniel doesn't look greatly concerned by this development. He's just avoiding Alistair.]

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Nathaniel you've known me for over ten years. [Bethany gave him a wry look.] You probably already know I'm worried this isn't working and what we'll have to do if it doesn't.

[She sighed, hugging her knees, before her mouth twisted.] Unless you want me to talk about my hopeless infatuation with a Seeker and a Jedi Knight? Just the teenage girl drama you were looking for? Or I could ask you about Anders.

[pinprick]

No point in chasing after Seekers. Or knights of any kind. And you may ask anything you like about Anders--anything you are comfortable with hearing.

[he's pretty sure that will shut her up.]

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Oh, touche, my big brother Nate.

[Her dimples flash with amusement, before she asks quietly.]

Are you happy?

[That is always the most important thing.]

[pinprick]

Deliriously.

[He knows it's too early to let his guard down. He knows Justice could still ruin everything. But it's true.]

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Then I am absolutely deliriously happy myself.

[She smiled softly, folding her hands together.]

[justice_is_blond]

[He finds Nathaniel and leans against the man, shoulder to shoulder, before giving Nate a small, tired smile.]

Is this when I reaffirm that you're handsome, or ask you to tell me that I'm pretty? I can't remember. I'm not asking if you love Purrelden or not. I don't want that answer to break my heart.

[pinprick]

I love Purrelden. Against my will. Not given much of a choice.

[But Anders said he is handsome even though he has to tell the truth. That's nice. He puts an arm around Anders, rubbing his shoulder and resting his head against the top of golden hair.

There is only one bit of conversation he has to avoid with Anders, and he doesn't think it will come up. Other than that, he isn't especially distressed by this state of affairs.]

Purrelden loves you, though, so we have common ground to work from.

[justice_is_blond]

Against your will? I would lie here and say I didn't hear any protests except I did every time I stuck her on you.

[Nate's chin feels good there, but he could feel something better. Anders shifts, laying down so his head is in Nate's lap and pulling that arm down to play with his hair.]

But your life is better for her love.

[Maybe not for Anders' love. That's dangerous.]

And mine is better for yours. So there's the good news. The bad news is that we can't tell any Oghren stories until this wears off because I only half-remember what's true and what's not anymore.

[pinprick]

[Nathaniel smiles and strokes that beautiful hair, smoothing over it gently and admiring its gleam.]

I have plenty, if you really want to hear them. Which I doubt.

[justice_is_blond]

Mm. No need.

[He gives Nate a small smile back. This could have gone so much worse, and while at least for Adelaide it's some sort of technical obligation, the accompaniment by Nate and Bethany is sentimental. He doesn't know what he'll do if it all goes wrong like life always does, though a cruel part of his mind says that he'll simply continue, again, and wrong more people as he goes.

The smile falters a little and he looks away.]

Tell me a story you'd like to tell me? A childhood tale, or something from your life, or something from the Wardens after I ran away. ...And pretend I said something other than ran away, please.

[pinprick]

I don't remember enough from my childhood to have any stories. [It rolls out, and he's not sure why it came out like that. But he doesn't. The things he remembers about his childhood aren't stories. They're snapshots, where they're there. Little acts of kindness from servants. Conflicts with siblings. Oh--that's right.]

Delilah used to put bugs in my bed. [...That's Nathaniel's equivalent of a childhood story. He wracks his brain.] I once tore the arms off her doll and put them in places she'd find them.

[Yeah, that's...not the way it sounds when other people tell stories from their childhood.]

[justice_is_blond]

[He looks back at Nate, expression a mix of amusement and upset for Nate's sake.]

I suppose that's what I get for asking about childhood. Was it... I've no siblings, that I know of. Was it a friendly rivalry thing, or resentment? Though there's no need to delve more into the topic if you don't want to.

[fleurdesel]

Were you not a warden I would make mention of how that smoke will lay a wasting sickness in your lungs in ten years time.

[ Adelaide mutters from where she is nursing a glass of brandy. ]

But as you are a Warden, I do not suppose it matters half as much.

[pinprick]

It matters very little. I've been ten years a Warden already. I'll not have another ten.

[It had seemed like a wealth of time, once. Now that he has someone to really live for, it feels far too short. Far too little time to have with someone.]

[fleurdesel]

All the more reason to make the most of what time you have.

[ She sets her glass aside, extending a hand. ]

And make what time you do have comfortable. Let me.

[pinprick]

[He looks a little puzzled, but he sets the pipe aside.]

What are you going to do?

[fleurdesel]

...I am a spirit healer, Nathaniel. What is it you think I am going to do?

[pinprick]

I meant less generally. Am I supposed to take your hand, or...?

[fleurdesel]

You could and I might cast in that way but-

[ It would be more efficient, she would like to say. That is not what comes out of her mouth. ]

I have been waiting for an excuse to feel your muscles for some time and would rather rest my hand on your chest.

...

Merde!

[lifeofendurance]

[Yes, Aleron's gotten wind of what they're attempting to do, and whether or not he agrees with it (which he does not), he is still concerned. There is a reason possessed people are put to the sword and it has to do with safety. And mercy. Still, knowing he has an old friend in the thick of it is... concerning.

When he hunts up Nathaniel to check up on him and their lack of success, the Seeker's come armed with two mugs of ale, one of which he holds out for the taking.]

How does it go?

[Still alive is a promising start.]

[pinprick]

Not well enough.

[That should be pretty obvious.]

[lifeofendurance]

Clearly.

[It's not snark, just affirmation of the facts.]

If there is difficulty, I am willing to come and assist.

[Be a pal, Nate, and don't make him spell out particulars. Neither of you probably want to think on that.]