Araceli has had a lot of reactions to her body. To her sexuality in general. To her preference for women. She has never had that one before and when it had come from a Templar, and thus someone connected to the Chantry, she would prefer to joke about it since it does unsettle her at times. (There are many who would seek to shame her at the very least for simple facets of her very existence, of that she has no doubt, some would openly condemn her, others would seek to discredit her. She will change nothing but she notes all of them, just to be safe.)
Listening to the whole story for the first time after hearing it in other places - Araceli goes to the taverns or by the campfires to drink and gamble with anyone that will have her for a reason, because people will talk to her or near her, and she knows how to read their tells in that - she's reminded of things she did once. Duels she got into because she lost her temper. When a man was rude. When he insulted her, called her terrible names, said what she should do to him. The things said about her parents. The satisfaction of forcing them to yield before her blade in front of a crowd. But duels have rules. Duels are laid down. Duels are still carefully controlled. Araceli might have been hurt in them but it was her thieving that could have hurt her far worse but that had some noble intent behind it as much as her rush for adventure, to see if she could do something, so not quite the same. It does make her worry since Orlesian nobles are likely to be far worse than Cade, and bards have to behave a very certain way. One slip in a muscle in their faces even masked could give them away.
"No one deserves to be beaten, Beleth." For all that it's said quietly, it does nothing to lessen the convinction in her voice, nor that she holds Beleth's gaze. "No one," she repeats, to make the point clear.
"There's a satisfaction in antagonising people, in trying to get even with them but as you said: Templars have been told they are righteous for their actions, even if that is not the case with Cade, you are elven and Dalish. It would be very easy to condemn not only you but to condemn many others. How dare you strike such a man. Proof you were no better than the worst sort of things they believe. People like to group everyone together even if we are individuals and say that we do not represent the whole of our peoples, and resent when that duty is thrust upon us. It is the way of more than one world." Her smile twists, bitters, old arguments and painful discussions about rifters that she will carry with her. "You must think about what you wish to accomplish. Sometimes to allow a cooler head to prevail. We can't expect everything but as a thief? I planned half a dozen routes home, with places I could stop and hide, I made sure I knew as many ways in and out of a buildingas I could - I could never predict what would happen." The smile softens, head tipping to the side to see if Beleth follows what she's saying: Araceli for all that she comes across at times as carefree in her nature, is practical in her dealings. She would be a dead thief if not.
no subject
Listening to the whole story for the first time after hearing it in other places - Araceli goes to the taverns or by the campfires to drink and gamble with anyone that will have her for a reason, because people will talk to her or near her, and she knows how to read their tells in that - she's reminded of things she did once. Duels she got into because she lost her temper. When a man was rude. When he insulted her, called her terrible names, said what she should do to him. The things said about her parents. The satisfaction of forcing them to yield before her blade in front of a crowd. But duels have rules. Duels are laid down. Duels are still carefully controlled. Araceli might have been hurt in them but it was her thieving that could have hurt her far worse but that had some noble intent behind it as much as her rush for adventure, to see if she could do something, so not quite the same. It does make her worry since Orlesian nobles are likely to be far worse than Cade, and bards have to behave a very certain way. One slip in a muscle in their faces even masked could give them away.
"No one deserves to be beaten, Beleth." For all that it's said quietly, it does nothing to lessen the convinction in her voice, nor that she holds Beleth's gaze. "No one," she repeats, to make the point clear.
"There's a satisfaction in antagonising people, in trying to get even with them but as you said: Templars have been told they are righteous for their actions, even if that is not the case with Cade, you are elven and Dalish. It would be very easy to condemn not only you but to condemn many others. How dare you strike such a man. Proof you were no better than the worst sort of things they believe. People like to group everyone together even if we are individuals and say that we do not represent the whole of our peoples, and resent when that duty is thrust upon us. It is the way of more than one world." Her smile twists, bitters, old arguments and painful discussions about rifters that she will carry with her. "You must think about what you wish to accomplish. Sometimes to allow a cooler head to prevail. We can't expect everything but as a thief? I planned half a dozen routes home, with places I could stop and hide, I made sure I knew as many ways in and out of a buildingas I could - I could never predict what would happen." The smile softens, head tipping to the side to see if Beleth follows what she's saying: Araceli for all that she comes across at times as carefree in her nature, is practical in her dealings. She would be a dead thief if not.