[CLOSED] take all the courage you have left

[amygdalae]

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 fancy room quarters
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.

Comments

[amygdalae]

Bruce frowns a little at Solas's response, mostly due to his mind running at these answers and what they meant for the Rifters - and in a way, for himself. Somewhat. Demon possessions were, after all, something he had a personal stake in.

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."

[singularwill]

"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."

[stabsbooks]

This is doing nothing to reassure Cassandra. She had come for an explanation and a proposed solution, not unhelpful observations like unfortunate and much more worrying.

"You believe this will keep happening?" she asks. "Is there any way to stop it? To make the shards less...attractive to spirits?"

[amygdalae]

"It's hard to say. Maybe a rift had opened while he was alone, but the initial reports that the team was asked to investigate was unnatural deaths. There had been nothing at all about a rift." Though of course, now there was no real way to know the truth. Did Highwind encounter a rift by himself? Or did a spirit just pass by like Solas thought? Either way, it was still worrying.

...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.

[singularwill]

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."

[stabsbooks]

"Dim them."

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."

[amygdalae]

Bruce listens to Solas's response, mulling over it and considering the possibilities of his words. Bruce doesn't know a lot about the shards and what they meant - the nature of his studies in the past were focused on lyrium - so there's not much reason for him to see why it won't work. Especially since Solas is the expert here. If he couldn't manage it, then nothing would.

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.

[singularwill]

He gave a have shoulder shrug and a look to Cassandra as if to say: It's the best I've got. Then he nodded.

"Very well. Do you wish me to speak to them with you? Or would you prefer to handle this on your own?"

[stabsbooks]

Cassandra shakes her head. "I will tell them myself. You should prepare to begin meeting with the rifters and other shardbearers immediately."

She glances from one of them to the other. "If there is nothing else?"

[amygdalae]

That was that, then. Bruce couldn't help but wonder what exactly would come out from all of this, though he supposes he will find out soon enough.

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.

[singularwill]

Solas nodded, but then added, with a whirled eyebrow,

"Unless you have any other questions, seeker...?"

[stabsbooks]

Cassandra shakes her head. "Not at the moment. Keep me appraised of your progress." She nods to both Solas and Bruce before taking her leave. "Thank you both."

[amygdalae]

"We will." Or well, at least Bruce will - he isn't going to speak for Solas. "Thank you both for handling the situation." At least there was something reasonable that could be done instead of trying to lock them up, or something. The rifters especially had enough going on as it is to warrant yet another round of deep scrutiny.

[singularwill]

"Of course," He says, both to Cassandra and Bruce.

"However, I will need some time to think on this, if you will excuse me."

[amygdalae]

Bruce nods. "Call me anytime should you need help." He certainly hadn't planned on this, but if Seeker Pentaghast asked for it, then he had no real reason to say no. Besides, it was true that Solas was going to need all the help that he could get anyway.

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.