"My mother is our leader. She had to think of the future of our clan. It's a heavy responsibility, but she knows what's at stake. The issue--well. There are a lot of issues with being with a human. But, ah." She's never had to explain this to anyone before, she doesn't really talk to a lot of rifters. And everyone in Thedas knows the issues at hand, even if they view them through different lenses.
"It's generally taboo for humans and elves to, ah. Have lasting relationships. It is not considered...good decorum, for a more, um. Temporary relationship." Beleth is, as always, careful to speak delicately. She clicked her tongue, giving Araceli a meaningful glance to make sure she knew what kind of relationship she was talking about, than continued.
"But it happens anyway, and most people just tut and look away. But marriage? Bonding? Absolutely not. For the humans, it is simple prejudice. Elves are inferior, so are their children. For elves, however--well, to begin with, humans are been trying very hard to kill off the Dalish for centuries. We have a relatively impressive list of reasons to dislike them. And their children--Elf and human couples will make a human. Every time. They can be called half-bloods, half-elves, but they are human." Similar to what Araceli had been told by other people, but from an elven perspective. "Can you see how that would create an issue? The Dalish in particular are an already shrinking population. If enough of us bond to humans, produce human children--We would be marrying into the race that tried to kill us off in the past, while contributing to killing us off in the future."
She's sharing more than she really ever does with humans, this is a topic of conversation she usually keeps within Dalish circles, or at least elves. It's a little odd, but Araceli is different from most humans in Thedas. The next part is a lot more personal than she usually gets with all but her closest intimates. But Araceli deserves to know, if Beleth is going to drag her into this. "I am my own person, and I have made the choice my mother made before me. My happiness, and my needs, have never been my main concern, what is the happiness of one woman in comparison to protecting my entire culture? I have always been willing to make that sacrifice. But now--" She fidgeted with her bag, feeling heat rising to her cheeks again. "--I've spent. A lot of time thinking about how I feel. About him. I didn't want to take any steps until I was absolutely sure. But. Yes. I do. I just don't know how he feels." She pauses, glancing over to Araceli.
"...I was hoping you could help with that, actually."
no subject
"It's generally taboo for humans and elves to, ah. Have lasting relationships. It is not considered...good decorum, for a more, um. Temporary relationship." Beleth is, as always, careful to speak delicately. She clicked her tongue, giving Araceli a meaningful glance to make sure she knew what kind of relationship she was talking about, than continued.
"But it happens anyway, and most people just tut and look away. But marriage? Bonding? Absolutely not. For the humans, it is simple prejudice. Elves are inferior, so are their children. For elves, however--well, to begin with, humans are been trying very hard to kill off the Dalish for centuries. We have a relatively impressive list of reasons to dislike them. And their children--Elf and human couples will make a human. Every time. They can be called half-bloods, half-elves, but they are human." Similar to what Araceli had been told by other people, but from an elven perspective. "Can you see how that would create an issue? The Dalish in particular are an already shrinking population. If enough of us bond to humans, produce human children--We would be marrying into the race that tried to kill us off in the past, while contributing to killing us off in the future."
She's sharing more than she really ever does with humans, this is a topic of conversation she usually keeps within Dalish circles, or at least elves. It's a little odd, but Araceli is different from most humans in Thedas. The next part is a lot more personal than she usually gets with all but her closest intimates. But Araceli deserves to know, if Beleth is going to drag her into this. "I am my own person, and I have made the choice my mother made before me. My happiness, and my needs, have never been my main concern, what is the happiness of one woman in comparison to protecting my entire culture? I have always been willing to make that sacrifice. But now--" She fidgeted with her bag, feeling heat rising to her cheeks again. "--I've spent. A lot of time thinking about how I feel. About him. I didn't want to take any steps until I was absolutely sure. But. Yes. I do. I just don't know how he feels." She pauses, glancing over to Araceli.
"...I was hoping you could help with that, actually."