faderift | [OPEN] Long Was His Silence

WHO: Aleron Darton and YOU
WHAT: Pre-Orlais Catchall for July
WHEN: Start of Solace up until it's time to head out.
WHERE: Skyhold, various
NOTES: If any of these don't work, feel free to wildcard or PM me for a starter. Prose or Brackets a-ok, I'll tag to preference.

Aleron is nothing if not a creature of habit. There are reasons his twin has heckled him all their lives about how dull he is; he's not loud, excitable, or given to doing things which are not part of his daily routine.

Morning and evening, he may be found in the Chapel attending to his devotions. At least an hour upon rising, and before sleep, is spent in prayer. Following his attention to matters of the spirit, he then attends to honing of physical training. Where the training ring has been set up in the Courtyard, he works through sword and footwork forms, old and sometimes new. Just prior to lunch, he visits the Stables to see how Valiente fares. Taking the horse out for a ride isn't all that out of the ordinary. However, almost every outing takes him the direction of the Warden's Camp. That destination in itself is a deviation from his routine, but a sharp eye might notice that he never fails to travel there without either a book, a basket lunch, or a handful of wildflowers.

Of an afternoon, he's easily found in the Library, engrossed in research of some variety or another, or enjoying casual reading of wholesome volumes such as The Sermons of Divine Hortensia III. Sometimes he can be observed attending to his correspondence, though there too is an oddity. For a change, each letter received is read, though it can be discerned from his facial expression that he's dreading some of them. Usually those sealed with a ram's head on green. Evenings before vespers, he sits quietly in the Herald's Rest. He never indulges in more than a single ale and listens with quiet appreciation to the music and conversation around him. The Seeker still hasn't quite worked up to initiating social interactions, though he welcomes others who opt to join him and break up his solitude.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"It pertains to Bethany Hawke."

Direct and to the point. Aleron sees no need to hem and haw about the business at hand.

"She has given me your name as near family to her." Blood or not, she sees Aveline as such and he'll accord the woman the respect due for that consideration. That and there's nothing to be served by belaboring that both of Bethany's parents are gone and her elder sister missing, presumed dead. Her family is family, regardless of natural affiliation. "I've come to seek permission to court her."

Of course, his tone is as steady and calm as it ever is. If one is to read his unwavering wall of emotionless as uncaring rather than trained formality, it wouldn't be unmerited. He is far more stoic than one would expect out of a potential suitor.

At the mention of Bethany, Aveline puts her gear down. The man in front of her has her full attention, now. "Family isn't always about blood. So yes, that'd be right." It can be bourne in times of trial -- and escaping the Blight with the Hawke family and those first years in Kirkwall certainly counts at that.

When he gives his intention however... "You're asking me if you can court her. I see." She has to give it to him for seeking her out. Looking at him, he seems presentable. But it's not anyone that he's asking her about, it's Bethany. Aveline can't judge based on appearance alone -- there are things that need to be known. With Marian who knows where and Carver being lousy at keeping in touch, it comes down to her judgement.

It's nothing personal, but it kind of is.

"Very well. You're a Seeker aren't you? What's your name?" Neutral and pleasant, nothing given away.

"I am, yes. My name is Aleron Darton." He pauses there. Praying against all hope that his sister's wild parties and rumored string of lovers since her husband's death haven't reached Kirkwall. Aleron knows better. Even Bethany knew of his sister and her antics. Ravonild's becoming rather notorious in the Free Marches. Best he can truly hope for is that his twin won't be held against him.

Maybe it would be better to provide more information without being asked. Not that he wants to pull out his pedigree and use it. Quite the contrary, he'd much rather be taken on his own merits and not that of his lineage.

"I've served with the Seekers of Truth since I was nine years old." And he looks to be in his mid- to late-thirties now. "My general placement was transferred from Orlais to Nevarra when I was twenty-two." Yet his accent sounds like a Marcher. Not the only obvious contradiction about the man. He's asking to court one woman but is still wearing a wedding band.

"Aleron Darton." A small nod, before something dawns on her. "You wouldn't happen to have a brother, would you?" The name was familiar, but in honesty - Aveline has kept busy and rumors circulated - but in honesty, there were only few that she paid much mind to.

Particularly the ones about friends.

There are a few things of note, just from the first impression. his accent, firstly. It doesn't particularly matter, his lineage, place of birth -- but if he is interested in Bethany, than she isn't going to let him go without knowing a bit more about him, having a few words. "Perhaps we could continue this conversation somewhere a little more private? I only wish to ask you a few more questions -- a quiet word. Nothing serious."

[OPEN] Long Was His Silence

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