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

Re: Aftermath: Adelaide LeBlanc - OTA

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Yes, Justice could have come out and killed us all in a bloody rampage. That we're not dead should be considered a blessing.

[Bethany murmured from over her book - then closed her eyes before pressing one hand to her forehead.]

... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that outloud.

Aftermath: Adelaide LeBlanc - OTA

[fleurdesel]

No, that is only a likely outcome of the last ritual.

[ Wait that-

Shit.

Without another word she pours a measure of wine into an empty teacup and offers it to Bethany. ]

It is better than singing.

Re: Aftermath: Adelaide LeBlanc - OTA

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Maker's Breath ...

[Bethany breathed out, leaning back to stare at Adelaide for a moment. Then she leans over to take the teacup, and drinks at least half the measure down.]

... Yes, but that depends on who we're speaking with. For example? I really don't want to talk about this in front of Anders, knowing that he will know if that fails? ... I will have to kill him.

[fleurdesel]

The fate of all abominations is to be put to the sword. Whether to protect those they might harm otherwise or to protect themselves from doing monstrous things- that is what we were taught, that is how the Chantry saw it best.

[ Adelaide sips from her own teacup of wine. ]

Hence, uncharted territory. This will work or there will be blood.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

It has to work.

[Is Bethany's quiet statement.]

I cannot stand to have another person's blood on my hands. Not from failure. Not from my magic not being able to help....

[Oh, Mother, if only she had been there - ]

[fleurdesel]

The first thing you learn as a healer: You cannot save everyone. You will fail. Patients will die. This is no plague nor broken bone that needs mending- but it is no different.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

He's my friend. He saved my life. If I kill him because I cannot save his ... what good was it that he saved me at all?

[Oh, this honesty thing was not what she wanted at all. She rubbed her face a little, then took another sip of wine.]

There's something we're missing here.

[fleurdesel]

Hanging your worth on your failures is only going to leave you frustrated, upset, and more likely to fail. Not less. We failed. It is frustrating. We have three rituals more. W are likely going to fail again before we find what works. And if we go through all five, if none of them work? I will travel to the Imperium myself and dig through their libraries to find what we need.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

That's stupid.

[ARGH.]

... I mean, they are as likely to imprison you or enslave you than help you. You're a mage of no little talent. In fact you're one of the smartest mages I know.

[She folded her hands together.] I don't base my worth on my failures. I base it on whether or not what I have done shows the best in me. I don't want to kill Anders if these five rituals fail -- but I don't know if I have the stomach to imprison him while we figure out to fix this.

[fleurdesel]

It is foolish and unwise, yes, but it is not the worst plain should this fail. The worst plan is pinning him down and cutting off his head.

[ a beat. ]

And I would rather you not tell him about this conversation.

[ He knows she is working to find an answer. He does not need to know why or the depth of her conviction. Especially since the depth of it surprises her as well. ]

If he was going to be jailed it would have happened already. He is minded by a warden or myself while in the hold.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

I swear the first Templar who tries to do that is going to fry slowly from inside his armor.

[Bethany stated grimly, then sighed.]

I won't. Mostly because this is a truth neither one of us wants to talk about.

[She knew she would do anything to protect him, to help him.]

Yes, but I don't trust the Inquisition to keep their word to let us handle it.

[Shit. Shit shit shit.]

... could we not bring this up to Leliana either?

[fleurdesel]

The Inquisition that has been supporting and even, as much as they have been able to spare, funding the research that has gone into these rituals?

[ Did anyone know that? She might not have mentioned it. ]

I trust Leliana to see this through.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

[She had ... not mentioned that. Which was why Bethany's eyebrows shot up, and her mouth curved into a surprised smile.]

They funded this? Leliana, Lady Montilyet, the Seeker ... even Cullen?

[She shook her head in faint amazement.]

I never would have thought it. I knew they were good people, but this is fulfilling faith in a whole new way.

[fleurdesel]

When I was questioned about Anders, I mentioned my research. Leliana was more than happy to support it.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

[Bethany's lips curved into a warm smile at that.]

I am more than happy to hear that.