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

[fleurdesel]

...

[ That was...a great deal more forthright than Adelaide expected, truth or no. She is so accustomed to the evasions and tangential anecdotes that a real moment of vulnerability is something of a shock. ]

I consider this my fault all the same. I did the research, I translated the ritual, I did not compensate for last week's failure. This is on my shoulders.

[ At least that is both true and more or less exactly what she would say normally. ]

[hugeinorlais]

I know you blame yourself. Mages have a terrible habit of blaming themselves for everything, as if you should all be infinite wells of arcane knowledge. Unfortunately I can't help break any of you of that because literally everyone else encourages that belief so you're ultimately trapped in a really self-destructive spiral.

Which is a shitty plan considering that whole demon possession and strong emotions thing you guys have going on.

[Varric is considerably less shocked as he keeps talking and, by the end of it, just looks moderately pained.]

I would really like this curse to be over soon.

[fleurdesel]

LeBlancs do not fail. It is an absurd rule and an even more absurd standard and yet? That is what I was taught as a child. That I am a mage only makes it more important to not rather than less and the pressure is-

[ She bites her lip and sighs, trying to think of any other way to answer and coming up empty. ]

Driving me to drink perhaps more than is wise when I know I will not be needed the next day. [ A habit she picked up from Dorian but continues on her own because-

Well.

Because. ]

It only lasted a day before. At this time tomorrow, if the pattern holds, we should be able to lie and evade as much as we like.

[hugeinorlais]

I'm less worried about being able to lie than I am worried that people will realize just how much I don't.

[Varric looks a bit dumbstruck for a moment and then tries to cover that statement as he is wont to do: deflection. Given the circumstances, it works about as well as one might expect.]

I immediately regret saying that, and I think that I should probably bring up your drinking since that seems like a safer topic. It's not, I realize as I'm saying this, because I'm a hypocrite and the only reason I've pulled back on drinking is because I almost drowned myself drinking after the Herald's funeral.

I don't actually have a better solution for you and I can't even flippantly suggest sex because that's extremely personal and I can't think of a way to make light of it without expressing my own issues. Without the ability to joke about it, I might offend you and sour this friendship...like I am probably doing right now.

[Varric is just going to stand there. Awkwardly.]

Shit.

[fleurdesel]

If you don't say anything you will not say anything true.

[ Varric stop talking. Please. They are learning things they probably wouldn't otherwise and it feels dishonest for all that it is brought about by blunt, compelled honesty and she shouldn't-

She has not yet earned the right to know this. Her own choice a week ago to remain silent remains thoroughly appealing but he's there and worried and Compassion is nudging and Maker, she needs a drink. ]

You are not souring this friendship. [ Straining, simmering, yes! Souring? No. ] I do not offend easily. I become frustrated and argumentative, yes, but I do not become offended as I would have to care a great deal about many things I do not have the time to spare for in order to be offended. I would be more flattered than offended at the offer of sex and am actually somewhat curious-

[ No, no, merde no. ]

And I would give almost anything for a bottle of brandy right now.

[hugeinorlais]

[Stop talking? Have you met Varric Tethras???]

[Before he can think better of it and/or stop himself, Varric starts to correct her.]

I wasn't offering; ever since Bianca I haven--[He actually manages to catch that one but only by covering his own mouth. After a moment of extremely tense silence he lowers his hand, just slightly.]

We should go find one. A bottle. Of anything, I don't care what. Drinking makes me depressed and chatty but, present circumstances being what they are, it can't really make things worse.

Besides, I'd be more comfortable getting shit-faced if I'm with a healer, anyway.

[fleurdesel]

Don't.

[ Less for that but more for- that isn't something she should know. That isn't something he wants to tell and she doesn't want to hear it unless it is given freely. ]

I'd rather hear it if you actually wanted to tell me.

[ Which he doesn't and wouldn't and-

Right. Brandy. ]

...My mother sent a case of Marcher Apple Brandy last week. I was going to give it to Josephine in hopes of spurring along obtaining a proper meeting room from the Mage Council or perhaps an office instead of working out of the library like a first year apprentice but- I want to say we need it more even though I know we don't.

[ Merde. ]

But it won't stop me from opening it all the same.