Maybe we are the damaged ones

[failedfirst]

WHO: Velanna, a furry guest, and YOU
WHAT: Catch-all for Velanna
WHEN: Solace 10- onward
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Content warnings, OOC notes, links to other relevant posts, etc.

i. Unwanted Companion

Shortly after Hercules's wake, Velanna can be seen walking around camp with a tiny white and orange shadow. She seems mostly annoyed the the constant presence of the animal, who occasionally meows and gets a glare directed in his direction, before she continues on with what she's doing.

Eventually she gets exasperated and turns on her heel, pointing sharply in the general direction from whence the kitten came.

"Go away, I don't want you!"

ii. Library

The cat follows her, even to the library. She's seemed to grudgingly accept his presence at this point, and while she's reading or writing the cat is curled up on the chair next to hers, enjoying the sunlight streaming through the window she likes to sit near. She still pointedly avoids looking at the cat more than she has to, and it's quite obvious she isn't touching it. He's so cute though, what kind of monster is she for ignoring that little white belly?

iii. Camp Shady

She's accepted the inevitable. The cat is now hers, it won't leave her alone, and she has tried to push it off on others. It's mother is nowhere to be found, and someone has to take care of him, so the burden has become hers.

At least he seems content to curl up on top of the furs draped over her lap while she sits in front of the fire, her book propped up against his back while he purrs thunderously, her free hand absently scratching his chin. It's almost like she likes the little furball.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Inessa chuckles as Garahele wiggles a little at the belly-rubbing, then yawns before rolling over to nap. A fond head-stroking and she'll leave him be, to dream about killing darkspawn or chasing shiny balls or both. He'll no doubt pester Velanna for petting when awake.

"Nor have I, though I can't fault his taste in companions. That stubborn streak has served him well." She smiles and stands so she can settle down near Velanna, respecting personal space bubbles but still wanting to get a look at her new feline friend. "I remember the Circle Tower had a cat or two, but they were mousers, not pets. They didn't bond with anyone like this."

[failedfirst]

Fen seems pleased that Inessa is sitting down and he stretches his paws out of Velanna's lap before standing and moving over to her lap. Clearly he knows he's adorable and people shouldn't be able to resist petting him.

Velanna for her part smiles slightly, shifting her book back down onto her lap now that there's not a cat there.

"Anders has mentioned the cats in the Circle. You might have found he bonded with them."

[circleprodigy]

Mention of Anders has her perking up a little and she nods. "He was from my Circle, though we didn't really cross paths then. I was still a child when he escaped for the last time." Given what happened there, it's undoubtedly for the best. "I assumed I would favor them more, but I suppose I'm more Fereldan than I realized."

Well, at least in terms of mabari. Garahel would undoubtedly be smug if he were still awake, but that slight leg-twitching tells Inessa he's already jumped headlong into naptime. That said, she seems perfect content with feline company now, smiling and offering her hand for the kitty to sniff at before reaching up to stroke his head. "Hello, Fen. It's nice to meet you."

[failedfirst]

"He's a fine looking mabari, and they are renowned as fearless companions, regardless of nationality," Even if they were most popular in Ferelden, she had seen a few in other places as well.

Fen squeaks in response to Inessa's greeting, bodily bumping his face into her hand. He isn't shy about demanding affection.

[circleprodigy]

Inessa smiles warmly at the compliment to her mabari in particular. She may always struggle with how to respond when compliments are directed to herself, but Garahel is different. "Very true. Even in Orlais, they may not have been fond of him, but they were also reluctant to antagonize." She just shakes her head. "I don't see what's so awful about being a 'dog lord' anyway. There are far worse fates."

Okay, the squeaking is adorable. Inessa's expression softens again, and she responds to that demand with gentle affection, petting wherever he seems to enjoy it. She didn't think he'd care for the lingering mabari scent on her person, but is happy to be proven wrong. "Such a handsome fellow. And confident, too."

[failedfirst]

While technically speaking Velanna was born in Ferelden, she's usually hesitant to say she herself is Ferelden. She understands the dog lord thing well, however. She'd spent several years working side by side with Fereldens, after all.

"Humans attempting to further segregate not only other races but even their own. Elves rarely get so particular," she's seen it, of course. But as they're all fairly uniformly repressed, further repression based on where one was born (aside from the obvious disconnect between city elves and the Dalish) seems foolish.

Fen is content to continue rubbing up against Inessa's fingers, flopping over after a beat, his purr practically thunderous. "Yes, he seems quite fearless."

[circleprodigy]

"I've met a few who were of the 'at least we're not Fereldan' mindset, but for the most part, that's been true of my experience as well." She shrugs, more puzzled by such things than offended since, yes, repression is rather universal. Even as she's detached from many things elven, Inessa just doesn't see the point of further segregation.

That thunderous purring is a welcome distraction from such thoughts, and she chuckles, not daring to stop giving Fen attention. "Indeed. I suppose he's not as interested in belly rubs as Garahel? I'd rather not be clawed for attempting to find out."