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]

Cure him.

[ Wait- no. Yes? Merde. ]

You speak in the past tense, was tortured. Do you not see how Justice continues the same within his very bones? How he pushes, how he argues? I never knew him before but you cannot look at him and see someone that has found true peace.

[pinprick]

Justice is the worst thing that ever happened to him, it's true. Justice holds him hostage. Anders blames himself every time Justice acts out.

But sooner or later, one way or another, Justice will be gone, and Anders will need you more than ever, and not as his healer.

[The seed has likely been planted, and he doesn't need her admission yet. He can see her squirming, and that might be indication enough.]

The hollow left from Justice will have to be filled by something.

[fleurdesel]

[ What she needs, now, is another glass of wine. That she needs it at all is slightly concerning but it gives her time to look away as she pours, to give herself a break from Nathaniel's gaze.

Of course with an opening like that she ought to keep silent. She knows his meaning well enough. But by drink, by work, or by some weird twist of fondness she's come to harbor for him as well, Adelaide cannot quite stop herself from murmuring. ]

I'm fairly certain you've the filling covered, Nathaniel.

[pinprick]

...I can't tell if you're joking or not.

[fleurdesel]

I am quite serious.

[ Even if she's hiding a smirk in her wine. ]

[pinprick]

[He watches her closely. After a second, he gives a tentative smile.]

I am...afraid, that I'm going to make him as dependent on me as he is on Justice. It's why he needs other friends.

[fleurdesel]

He has them.

[ Fewer than he had as Detlef, yes, but he was not so isolated as Nathaniel might assume. ]

After he is rid of Justice....I will give it consideration, but I promise nothing.

[pinprick]

That's all I ask.

[Anders has some friends. But Anders is prone to losing friends. Much like he lost Adelaide.]

Thank you. You've been a good friend. That you've pursued this against your desires, against your interests, shows you a woman of honor.

[fleurdesel]

It is hardly against my interests. Curing Abominations so they do not need to be put to the sword? That is worth much. The more alternatives we have for 'oh no, this mage cannot be controlled, to the void with them-' the better.

It looks well for him to be willing to do this. I am not one, normally, to put bias in work I mean to publish but...I hope to paint him in a gentler light. It helps him to do this. While it will not undo everything that came before, it will offer some redemption.

Besides. LeBlancs keep their word. There are not many of my family's rules I mind, but that? I hold to.

[pinprick]

I haven't known many Orlesians who held to held to such ideals. My old master was a chevalier, he spoke a great deal of honor. I think he was the only one.

[fleurdesel]

The motto of my family is Sans Tache. It means 'without stain'. As such we are held by one another to terribly high standards.

[pinprick]

A terrible motto to live by. And you needn't translate, I know what it is you're saying.

[fleurdesel]

Not so terrible, no.

You're Fereldan. It seemed a safe enough assumption to make you did not understand.

[pinprick]

A safe assumption, yes. But the noble families of Ferelden do tend toward a little mixed blood, thanks to the occupation. My grandmother was Orlesian.

[fleurdesel]

Please do not actually speak Orlesian. I have had to listen to Alistair do so and his accent pains me.

[pinprick]

I don't speak it as well as I understand it. And I don't like speaking it anyway. You have nothing to fear.

[fleurdesel]

It is not a terribly forgiving language, no.

[pinprick]

It makes me think of Mother. She grew up speaking it as her first language. Most people thought she was Orlesian, hearing her speak.

[fleurdesel]

Perhaps given proper exposure you may make better memories of the language. It is not so terrible.

[pinprick]

I can't rule out the possibility. But I rather like having something I can hate in her place.

[fleurdesel]

Hate for your mother, or hate instead of your mother?

[ a beat ]

That was intrusive- you do not need to answer.

[pinprick]

...Thank you. [It's a relief not to have to elaborate.] Although knowing what you know now, you can probably guess.

[fleurdesel]

And I know what it is to want to not think of such things, or have them spoken of quite so honestly.

[pinprick]

Speaking of it to mages, or people who aren't human, it always feels like I'm complaining about my privilege. Like since I've nothing better to complain about, I'm...never mind.

[He shakes his head.]

It doesn't--damn. It doesn't--Andraste's blood, I'll take this over singing, but it's a pain. And I've always thought myself an honest man.

[fleurdesel]

[ Adelaide gives Nathaniel a moment more to settle himself before pouring him a glass of wine and offering it over. ]

We could speak of something else.