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

[lifeofendurance]

[Immediately, Aleron feels like a right ass asking a personal question when Bethany has no choice but to tell the truth. That feeling is compounded as he weighs the full depth of her answer. There's a reason the women in the family consider him a hopeless mess. This is one of those reasons why.]

Forgive me. I should not have asked such a personal question. It was unkind of me.

[Knowing that he's very much in the wrong for prying prevents him from asking if leaving the Wardens is even an option for her. He has done enough damage. Though he's remarkably surprised that they have a past sense of resentment in common. Not something he openly discusses, but in the spirit of fairness...]

I resented my sister for years. [No, Al, you still do, buddy.] It was not my choice to be sent to the Templars, nor then given to the Seekers. I was in the way, a complication, to her inheritance so I was sent off as a boy. It made life far more tidy for her.

For what it is worth, I am grateful your life was spared, though I should never wish a loss of agency on anyone.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

[Bethany shook her head slightly, her smile and tone wry as she squeezed his arm.]

It's not any less than what I have told others, Aleron. Well, except the parts about my sister, and wanting to leave. I ask that you keep that between us, though. The other Wardens don't need to know I've thought about that.

[Now she's the one who looks surprised, because he doesn't seem the type to hold grudges.] ... I'm sorry. I can't believe your family did that to you. That's horrible. [They had never thought to send Carver away, not for a moment, and for all his complaining he never wanted to really leave. That was what family was supposed to do - stay together.]

[She squeezed his arm again, smiling up at him.] Thank you -- and I'm glad, as odd as it sounds, that you joined the Seekers. Otherwise we never would have met.

[lifeofendurance]

[Aleron's so uncertain what to do with Bethany being so kind and gracious in light of his prying. He dips his head once, acknowledgement of her request and further unspoken apology.]

I give you my word, I shall never speak of it.

[Her smile is disarming, however, and he knows even less how to react to it. It takes him a moment of blatant gawking and then at twitch at the corner of his mouth before he remembers how to words.]

Thank you. I... I am most grateful for circumstances allowing us to meet. You are a bright light in dark times.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

[She looks up at him then, brown eyes searching his face. A lot of people would say that with a wink and a smile so you weren't sure if they meant it. She had a feeling that Aleron meant it to the bottom of his soul.]

Thank you, again.

[Now that was a curious thing right there - curious and intriguing, as she watched him gape at her like a school boy, then that corner of his mouth lifting up into - yes, a smile.

Which honestly just causes her smile to deepen, and herself to flush.]

I - well - I'm glad you think so.