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Entry tags:
[CLOSED] take all the courage you have left
WHO: Cassandra Pentaghast, Solas and Bruce Banner
WHAT: Three people sit around a table and talk about Serious Things like Rifters and demon possessions.
WHEN: 9th Kingsway
WHERE: Solas's fancyroom quarters
NOTES:
WHAT: Three people sit around a table and talk about Serious Things like Rifters and demon possessions.
WHEN: 9th Kingsway
WHERE: Solas's fancy
NOTES:
Bruce had been surprised when Seeker Pentaghast said that she was going to join him. Not that he minded in the slightest, but... it did make some of the more personal questions he wanted to ask a bit harder. He supposed he could always ask them at another time. Besides, the incident with Highwind and what it meant was a far more pressing matter.
Standing outside the door to Solas's quarters, he glances back to the Seeker and gives her a nod to make sure that she is ready before he turns back and knocks to signal his presence.
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"I wasn't expecting guests this evening. Please, come in."
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She has manners enough for that, as she takes the lead and steps into Solas' room. Not quite manners enough to keep herself from glancing around curiously, taking in...well, not much. Even the house where he had stayed in Haven had had slightly more than this.
"I hope this is not inconvenient for you." Her tone suggests that it would be in his best interests to make it convenient. "Bruce has an urgent matter to discuss, and we are in need of your expertise."
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"It'll be easier to show you," he says, before taking out a copy of the report that he had submitted over to the advisors prior to this meeting. He passes that over for Solas to read through. "I think you'll understand the situation once you see this."
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Silas read the report carefully, his eyes narrowing and his lips thinning.
"I did not know the man," he finally said, "But this is... Concerning. If not particularly surprising."
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Cassandra's tone, predictably, is sharp, as is her expression as she looks at Solas. "You predicted this happening?" And said nothing, she doesn't need to add.
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"Would you mind explaining to us, Solas?"
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"Not predicted, no," he admits. "As far as I am aware, this is the first time that beings have ever been pulled here from - other worlds. Predicting how the Fade may react to them is virtually impossible." He meets Cassandra's eyes, his own gaze steady, though also a little sad. It is not just Kain's death he is mourning. "But with their connection to the fade - with only a fraction of the anchor's power..."
He trailed off for a moment, frowning. "In retrospect, it makes complete sense that they would be susceptible to demons. Spirits may even be drawn to them, in the fade. Was there a rift, when you found him?"
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A rift? She doesn't recall one mentioned in Bruce's report, but she glances at him, waiting for confirmation or denial.
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That's something for himself to think about later though. He catches Seeker Pentaghast glancing over to him, and it doesn't take much to know what she's asking for.
"No, there wasn't," he replies with a shake of his head. "It was just the demon who possessed him along with a few of its own compatriots."
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"Unfortunate. That would have been the easiest explanation. That he had opened a rift and they had come through to him. But it is unlikely that he would have managed to close it, and yet still become possessed."
He rubbed his brow and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"It is much more worrying that they would have had to come through on their own. Perhaps the attraction to the shards is stronger than I thought... The full anchor would have probably afforded a measure of protection, but the shards aren't nearly as powerful. So instead of being seen as something potentially dangerous, the spirits only see them as objects of curiosity... And suffer the consequences of it."
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"You believe this will keep happening?" she asks. "Is there any way to stop it? To make the shards less...attractive to spirits?"
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...not that it was helping Seeker Pentaghast, clearly, judging by her next words.
"We have a fair number of... the Rifters here now," he adds on with a frown of his own. "And most of them have been of help here, from what I've seen. This incident may be isolated for now, but it still shows that the possibility is present. It would be best if there was a way to somehow safeguard the other Rifters from another incident like this." The situation of the Rifters was still rather nebulous at best, even after the time that's passed - should the Chantry know of this--well, who wasn't to say them labeling the Rifters as 'demons' once more - or maybe something worse.
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Solas fell quiet for a long moment, seemingly only half listening as Bruce spoke, the gears behind his eyes moving rapidly.
"There may be." He said finally, before meeting Cassandra's eye. "I may be able to... 'dim' them, as it were, but I would need to see each rifter individually. And it may only buy us time, rather than be a permanent solution. The magic of the anchor is... Far more unpredictable, in its current state. But I believe I can help safeguard them. And training in how to resist demons - similar to what the Mage council is implementing for its own people - may also be helpful."
He gave Cassandra an odd look - a mix of weariness, concern, and sympathy. It was the latter feeling that surprised him.
"At the very least, if I see each of them individually, I should be able to ascertain which are more vulnerable."
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Cassandra studies Solas for a long moment, her brow furrowed. Finally, she nods. It's not perfect. But it is...a start, at least.
"All right," she says. "You will meet with the Rifters. Anything you need, you will have. Bruce, you will help him. Find what Rifters are here, and arrange for them to meet individually with Solas, as soon as possible. Report back what you find. I will speak to the Mage Council."
She glances from Bruce back to Solas. "You will continue to study the shards. If this solution is not permanent, we must find one that is."
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It was surprising though that Seeker Pentaghast was asking him to help Solas. It showed on his face briefly, but it passes by quickly and then Bruce gathers himself back together, giving a nod to show his assent.
"I will do whatever I can," he returns.
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"Very well. Do you wish me to speak to them with you? Or would you prefer to handle this on your own?"
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She glances from one of them to the other. "If there is nothing else?"
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He gives a shake of his head too in response to the question. "I think we've covered the important stuff." The questions he still wanted to ask Solas lingered at the back of his mind, but... now wasn't the time and place for such personal things. There was always another time.
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Solas nodded, but then added, with a whirled eyebrow,
"Unless you have any other questions, seeker...?"
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"Of course," He says, both to Cassandra and Bruce.
"However, I will need some time to think on this, if you will excuse me."
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With that said, he inclines his head to Solas politely and then proceeds to take his leave as well. At least now, there was a plan. Not the best plan, but it was still one nonetheless.