faderift | { CLOSED } Ne me quitte pas

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{ CLOSED } Ne me quitte pas

WHO: Christine Delacroix, Sam Gareth, Church
WHAT: Visiting Christine's mother to deliver some bad news
WHEN: backdated to early Kingsway
WHERE: Velun, Orlais
NOTES: The direct result of what she learned at the front in the civil war in Orlais.

The trip to Velun on the western side of Lake Celestine doesn't take terribly long thanks to the Imperial Highway being their route almost the entire way. The town is full of tightly packed houses with the Chantry being the largest building, looming in the background. Unlike Val Royeaux or Halamshiral, Velun is a place full of poorer folk, as well as an emerging middle class of merchants who send their wares across the lake or via the Imperial Highway, and from there across the Empire. The sight of two mages walking freely has some people a bit nervous, but being a trading town, they have seen mages pass through since the fall of the Circles. Most keep their distance and leave the pair of mages alone.

Which suits Christine just fine, until she says she may not remember the way to her house as it has been so long, and she needs to ask for directions. She stays calm and polite, hands limp at her sides as she asks a fruit seller where she might find the Delacroix residence. To her relief, the man doesn't make a scene and simply tells her the way. After twists and turns through narrow pebble and grass paths, the group finally stops in front of a yellow house with cheery window boxes of flowers and hanging baskets of the same out front. And now Christine finds she can't move, until she reaches one hand out for Church's and her other for Sam's.

"Oh, Maker. How do I even begin? How do I tell her? 'Hello. I know it has been over fifteen years since you last saw me, but I am here to tell you Père has died.'?"

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Christine listens and agrees with the pair that since Darcia enjoys working for Madame Delacroix so much, she should stay with her when she leaves.

"I do not know anything about my uncle beyond what my mother has already told me, but surely the money she receives from selling the house and furniture could pay for Darcia's necessities for some time, yes? She would not be dependent on my uncle for such things." She pauses to set her tea cup back on the tray. "I would like to help my mother settle in there, but she doesn't think it would be wise. My uncle is not fond of mages." Her mother had put it in slightly more dramatic terms that she won't repeat here.

"Let me take this in. She said she wants to get to know you two in order to take her mind off things." Christine settles her gaze on Church. "Perhaps you should say you are a soldier and leave it at that? I will try to change the topic if she becomes too interested in you." Little does Christine know that her mother is set on Christine marrying one of them already. She has it in her head that with the fall of the Circles, all mages will have the same rights as everyone else and she'll finally get some grandbabies to dote on.

Christine stands and takes the tray, leading the way back into the sitting room. Her mother is much like they first saw her, leaning back with eyes closed. Ponce races past everyone to jump on the sofa with her and she opens her eyes. The only thing different is now there is a small table nearby with a bottle of smelling salts on it. Her mother scoots it aside to make room for the tea.

"Ah, Darcia has gone with my letters, then? Good girl. I am sorry about earlier, gentlemen, but surely you are both romantics yourselves and can understand the pain of two lovers being parted forever." Aimee lifts a lace-edged handkerchief to her nose and dabs delicately. Christine smiles sadly and sets down the tray.

"Maman and Père were in love when they married," she tells Sam and Church as she gestures at them to sit in the two armchairs flanking the sofa, "She is very proud of that fact."

"Of course! Who would not be? He came to my father and asked to court me properly to see how we got on, and it was clear from the start that he was the man for me." As Aimee starts to pour out tea for her guests, she adds oh-so-subtly: "Now in cases where the father has passed on, asking the mother for permission to court her daughter is just as well." Hint, hint.

Thankfully(?) the hinting goes over Church's head, because, pff, who asks a complete stranger if they're gonna date their daughter? Crazy people, and also nobody, that's who. He'll awkwardly make himself cozy and not at all at home because look, this whole thing is weird. It's just...weird.

He almost, like, mouth open is about to point out that people where he's from haven't done old school courting like that in, like, hundreds of years, but he remembers and thinks better at the very last second and says, instead, "It's fine, ma'am. Lady Delacroix, ma'am. It must come as a big shock, and we would never expect you to simply be fine with the events." So far, so good. "I'm sure it was all for a good cause?" Less far, less good. Maybe he'll just drink some tea yes that sounds good take it away Sam please.

The story has Sam smiling ever so softly as he takes his seat, finding it rather sweet to hear such a thing. Finding a love like that wasn't always easy, so it must have been all the more painful for her with her husband's passing. Honestly, Sam believes that this will simply turn into a conversation where Lady Delacroix reminisces about her younger days, and telling them about her marriage. So when that last bit suddenly gets dropped - in the middle of him taking a sip of his offered tea, which he thanked them kindly for - Sam suddenly pauses mid sip, though quickly puts the cup down considering the tea is still rather hot.

He can feel the slight tinge of heat at his cheeks at the suggestion, which he quickly tries to hide by raising his hand up to his mouth, coughing just slightly. For a moment his eyes dart over to Church, having expected some sort of reaction, but seeing that he is staying so calm it is clear he hadn't quite picked up on that - was that a good or bad thing? Well this would be interesting.

"Is that so?" Christine was this what you meant by 'getting to know you' back in the kitchen? "May I ask how you met your husband?"

He's not the only one surprised by Aimee's sudden mission. Christine's lips are pressed tightly together and her eyes dart from Church to Sam. This is not what she expected when her mother insisted the two men come back in to talk to her.

"Oh, there were always little social gatherings happening in the town. Weddings, holidays, that sort of thing. I had seen him, but was not formally introduced until a Summerday celebration. After that, we danced, talked, and he asked to court me." She sighs softly, running the edging of her handkerchief between two fingers. "It seems like only yesterday. How time passes..." Her gaze is distant for a moment before she comes back to herself and takes a sip of tea.

"This will brings tears again, I just know it. Please, tell me of yourselves. Titine's letter said nothing about either of you, but you must know her well to travel all the way here with her, yes?"

WHO DOESN'T KNOW SOMETHING'S GOING ON HERE? Just sipping his tea and wishing it was spiked the way Adelaide makes it... "Oh, uh. I'm just a...soldier. Kind of stumbled on the Inquisition, and they took me in."

Look, he's not the best liar in the world. At all. But if he can take the facts and make them imply something else without lying? That he will gladly be able to do without completely giving himself and his glove-covered hand away. "It's no easy thing, running around the continent closing rifts, slaying demons, negotiating with people who'd rather bicker than focus on the real evil in the world, but we manage, mostly. Christine's one of our best healers, and she's always knee-deep in some kind of research. Some dangerous stuff, but nothing she can't handle."

Nothing like heaping praise on someone in front of their mother, right? Always gets points, right?

Even if it was praise, and saying Christine can handle herself - which she can, he agrees with that - mentioning 'danger' to her mother was probably not the best route to go. At least not right after having told her about her recently deceased husband. Sam takes a sip from his tea again, eyes darting over to Christine, hoping that her mother wouldn't start going off on her on that.

"I'm also a healer for the Inquisition, so Christine and I work together quite often - as Church has said, your daughter is very talented. Besides that I help our soldiers, like Church here, with crafting their weapons and armor in the forges."

Church's part of the conversation has Aimee turning suddenly towards Christine and gripping her hand tight while wearing a worried expression, but she doesn't interrupt Sam as he explains what it is he does in the Inquisition. When there is room to speak, she immediately goes: "Oh, my child! You do dangerous things? But who looks after you and protects you?"

"Maman," Christine says patiently, patting her mother's hand. "I take care of myself. I am a mage; I have spells at my disposal." Of course there's no need to bring up how she and the others were recently electrocuted by crazed Red Templars, right?

Her mother doesn't look convinced, clearly of the mindset that her daughter needs a big, strong man to protect her. Her gaze shifts towards Sam and Church. A soldier means he's strong. But a healer who doubles as a blacksmith? Well, it's not the most glamorous profession but blacksmiths have steady work and must be strong too, right?

"We hear such rumors about the Inquisition. It has amassed quite the following, no?" She slowly releases her daughter's hand, not really over the "dangerous stuff" thing, but willing to set it aside for now. She's had her life overturned today and there is only so much she can take at once. It has to be shuffled back for now. "Tell me, where do you two come from? What are your families like?" Innocent enough questions on their own, but coming from her? She's definitely fishing for marriage material.

Something something 'seems like being a mage is dangerous enough', but Church knows better than to actually say that out loud. Don't make things worse for once! Though he feels a phantom twinge in his shoulder where a high speed shard of red lyrium dug in.

The continued digging questioning is starting to make him a little suspicious, though. "You could call where I'm from the middle of nowhere, and, um, I'm not very close to my family?" Teeechnically all true. "I don't have any exciting answers about my personal life, on that front, sadly. Or maybe thankfully. Leads to less family drama that way."

Believe him Church, there are plenty of aches, pains, bruises, and various other things he's feeling - not to mention Fortitude buzzing quietly in the back of his head - but sometimes less is better in situations like this. Mostly since Sam didn't want to have to possibly deal with Christine's mother suddenly deciding that her daughter should leave immediately and come live with her.

"I was born in a small fishing village in the Coastlands. My mother passed when I was born so it was my aunt and father who raised me. I was learning to work the forge from my father at a young age, but then we had to uproot to Ostwick. After that I was in the Circle for a while. I was close with my father but he passed away recently before I could see him again. I'm still rather close with my aunt... she's still living in Ostwick and has some kids of her own."

Christine finally has time to drink her tea as her mother listens intently, filing away all this information. Or lack of information in Church's case. Her eyes narrow as she grows a little suspicious as to his origins. Is he perhaps a thief, hiding within the Inquisition to avoid the hangman's noose? Or has he abandoned a wife and four children to have adventures with the Inquisition? She has a very active imagination and can think up a hundred scenarios here.

Then Sam speaks and her brow furrows in thought. She leans towards Christine, eyes darting towards her daughter.

"Titine, the Coastlands. He does not mean the Coastlands of Ferelden, does he?"

Oh, dear. Christine lowers her cup and smiles gently. "I believe he does, Maman. Sam is a Fereldan, but has lived in the Marches some time."

"I see." Well, that does it for Sam. You're off the hook! No marriage between her precious baby and a dirty dog lord. "Ah, Leonard," she continues, feeling like this isn't going well at all. "What country gave you such an unusual accent?"

Christine's eyes dart from her mother to Church, then back again. "I believe," she starts quickly, sitting at the edge of her seat, "That he has spend some time around dwarves, yes Church?" She nods her head at Church to get him to agree with her. "Dwarves speak in such a way."

And Christine for the save! Because, it's true, around Skyhold most anyone that sounds American as fuck is a Rifter orrrrr a dwarf. Occasionally other people, but mostly dwarves. So just take that and run with it, Church.

"Yep. You spend enough time around a people, you pick up their accents and their ways of speaking. Hopefully I don't reflect too poorly on dwarves, in that case. I don't wanna--"

Waaaaait wait just one second here. Hold on. "--I'm. sorry, ma'am, but, just, sorry, it sounds like you're expecting...something. from one of us." It might be way too forward to just say 'it sounds like you expect one of us to be dating your daughter', but he's actually catching on.

He understands all too well what is going through her mind based on the lowered tones, furrowed brow, and quick dismissal. It actually has him grinning behind his cup a bit - amusing considering as Dog Lord he's never owned a dog and here she has one running around.

Honestly he could have gotten away with just saying he was from the Free Marches, he had enough of an accent from there to do so, and he had lived there long enough. It had been tempting to play into what he knows Christine's mother is doing, but he had come here to support Christine, not cause any issues. Perhaps if they had come under different circumstances he would have, but with how she must be feeling right now, he just couldn't do that to her.

Suggesting that Church had spent time with Dwarves was actually a rather clever idea. Granted he hopes Lady Delacroix doesn't press for where Church is from even after that. Course they might not have to worry about that considering Church seems to have finally caught up... and asked bluntly what is going on.

He's just... going to drink his tea for the time, eyes darting between everyone to see how this goes.

Now Christine gives Church a look that clearly says he shouldn't have said that. It's tight-lipped and serious, but it lasts only a moment before she quickly says, "I am sure Maman simply wants to know more about you both."

Her mother doesn't really see Church as such a great prospect anymore. No manners, this one. Now the Fereldan; she's surprised that one has manners.

"Is it so wrong to want to know the character of two men who have been traveling alone with my daughter?" Because when she was hoping one of them might marry her it was fine that they'd traveled alone together. But now? People might talk.

He blinks wide-eyed at Lady Delacroix. "...Wow." Church, whatever you are about to say, don't say it. "Inquisition boys taking time to accompany your daughter all the way here because we like her, to make sure she's okay, and you're okay, and everything here is okay." Church. He opens his mouth to keep going, because he's about to go on a roll here in a second.

But now is not a good time for that. Not with the look Christine is giving, and not with the whole...stupid fucking situation as it is. He settles further back in his seat, eyes in a nice middle neutral ground not boring a hole in anyone, and sips his tea.

Loudly.

See, he can be subtle like an Orlesian too.

Oh no. Sam's own eyes widen a bit when he sees the look on Church's face and the tone he's starting to take. Church, don't do it, he mentally says, hoping that somehow the Rifter can read his mind. Now he regrets not sitting next to Church, simply so he could give him a nudge or something so that he didn't go off. Which he's completely expecting with how many times 'okay' is being said.

And then Church stops. And sips tea.

Loudly.

Well... that could have gone better, but it certainly hadn't gone worse. Christine were you thinking of them spending a night here? They might be sleeping in the yard or something after this.

Aaaaaaaah... "It is completely understandable that you would want to know. You're concerned about Christine's welfare after all." Sam pauses for a moment to put his cup down. "As soon as Christine had found out about her father, your husband, she wanted to come here immediately. We wanted to make sure she was safe, but bringing an entire group of Inquisition soldiers through the town seemed like a bad idea - people would grow concerned and perhaps fear something was amiss even though that wasn't the case. Which is why Church and I were the only ones to accompany Christine. To make sure she was safe getting here, and if you required any assistance in anything while we were here."

Is Church sassing the lady of the house? Is he? Because Madame Delacroix can outsass anyone and follow it up with a pitiful wail to gain sympathy. Just you watch her. She already looks completely affronted, handkerchief squeezed tight in her hand. And she's about to give him what for when Sam starts to speak and somehow makes everything seem all right. Is he truly a Fereldan? Or can it be that living in the Marches bestowed him with the manners of a gentleman? She smiles pleasantly at him, grip on her handkerchief loosening and any rant she was about to start put on hold.

Christine quickly stands up and keeps her eyes fixed on Church.

"Would you please come out into the hall a moment? There is something important I forgot to tell you." And whether Church actually wishes to comply or not, she heading for his chair to rip him up out of it and drag him if he doesn't come willingly. Her mother hardly pays them any mind as she continues smiling at Sam.

"Such a gentleman! What was the location of your Circle again? They bring up their apprentices well."

Aaaaand he's in trouble. He's not apologizing. ...Yet, he's not apologizing yet. He might not be sorry right now, but he probably will be sorry. She doesn't have to drag him; Church will come willingly. Pouting the whole way.

He even keeps his voice low in the hall, jumping in on the whole thing before Christine even says anything. "I'm sorry your mom lost her husband, but I don't really appreciate her questioning our character, and also acting like we're contestants on a dating game. It's not like we're dating."

Oh dear Maker, Christine are you leaving him here alone with your mother?

It's actually not that bad, he can clearly handle it, but it doesn't mean he couldn't internally be dramatic considering this entire situation was rather dramatic - he's rather glad it hadn't turned into a shouting match. Better him then Church he supposes, still wanting to put his face in his hands at that last bit the Rifter had pulled, but refraining.

His eyes dart up to watch as Christine drags Church away, before returning to Lady Delacroix, brows raising a bit at the fact that she was interested in him once more. "Ostwick, Madame. I was fifteen when I... joined, so practically half my life."

She seems to like you, Sam. Please do it for Christine.

Out in the hall, Christine manages to settle for slightly annoyed as Church speaks, which is better than being really angry with him. She pushes her fingers back through her hair, releasing a slow breath.

"I could not know in coming here than this would suddenly be her goal. I think this is how she is coping." Her gaze settles on his chest for a moment. "She is my mother, yet I hardly know her. But I would like to. I am sorry she is being harsh, and I will try to get her to stop, but you," -- and here she points a finger at him -- "Do not talk back to her. I will handle it." For a moment it seems like that is that and they can head back in, but then she changes her mind and her eyes meet his.

"How is your shoulder? Are you having any sharp pains?" As long as they're alone, she may as well ask, and she's going to stay vigilant until she's sure she succeeded in taking all the red lyrium out.

Meanwhile, her mother sighs sadly at Sam, playing with her handkerchief. "My little Titine was only eight. Can you imagine? I wanted to hide her away so she could stay with us, but Luc said no. He said she would be safer in the Circle and could learn to use her magic properly. Oh, how I wept! But now she is free and I can see her again. I have often dreamed of this." Perhaps not the part about a Fereldan and a loudmouth raised by dwarves of whatever his case is, but still.

She's not mad, per se, which is a lot better than he was expecting, honestly. "She doesn't have to cope by trying to find you a husband out of the sorry sacks of shit that came with you. Does she really think one of us is going to ask if it's cool to date you, a grown woman?"

But he has to actually...consider it. Because, well, it's...different. She's different. They're kind of different, right? There are women here he cares about, obviously, but not many he's so physically close to, and, look, if Araceli asked, he totally wouldn't say no to sleeping with her because he's not blind, but--kinda not the point. He's frowning in thought. "But I won't sass her. Even if I have to drown myself in tea. The shoulder's okay." He gives it a little rotation. "Little stiff." That's called scar tissue, Church. "But nothing sharp." After living with his hand now, most aches and pains are nothing. "Like I said, I've had worse."

Maybe one of these days he might even tell her about the whole sordid weird as fuck history he's got, but, haha, maybe not ever, who knows. "Hey, um. Would you want someone to ask you mom's permission? If someone wanted to date you. Court you. Whatever the vernacular here is."

"Hm. My father and aunt wanted to keep me out of the Circle. I wasn't harming anyone, I worked at the forge with my father. It was easy to keep quiet in a small village, but in Ostwick it was harder, I got caught - protecting my aunt." Sighing a bit, Sam pours himself some more tea then holds up the kettle, silently inquiring if she wanted more herself.

"Oh, how sweet!" It seems despite this young man's unfortunate origins, Aimee finds him rather lovely. Not quite marriage material, but he'd do for a Fereldan shepardess perhaps. "Titine protected a cat." Here she laughs. "Not quite as important, but she takes after her father that way. Such big hearts." And of course saying that has her expression falling as she thinks of him again, eyes filled with sadness. But she lifts her gaze and nods, holding out her tea cup.

"I am very glad my daughter has someone like you in her life. You have a gentle heart."

Meanwhile in the hall, Christine shakes her head no. "I do like that she cares for me, and she must think this is what she has to do now that my father is gone. I will talk with her privately later, but no, I will court who I please and then bring him to meet her." But surely Church isn't asking for himself, right? They both know that would be a terrible idea. He's a rifter. He could disappear at any moment. Not to mention they're very different. He's probably just curious, right?

She reaches out to touch a hand to his shoulder, placing a small healing spell there to hopefully make his muscles feel loose. It isn't worth getting help from her spirit friend to do since it's just a little thing, and good thing too, because Darcia suddenly comes through the front door and Maker knows what she would have thought had she seen Christine's eyes glowing blue. As it is, she does look like she's thinking something, looking between the two and grinning widely.

"You have delivered the letters?"

"Yes, Mistress Christine. You will all be staying for dinner, won't you?

"Yes, and overnight, if there is room?"

"Oh, yes! There is enough room if the two gentlemen don't mind sharing a room!"

Christine smiles and pats Church lightly on the shoulder. "I am sure they would be fine with that. Let's head back in."

Okay, so, this seemed like a moment? It seemed like maybe there was a moment happening. Despite the situation, he smiles at her and her magic hand of magic. Aaaand whatever seemed like a moment is totally gone.

And it's fine! He wasn't...asking for any particular reason. Just, they're really close? Closer than just fuckbuddies since they haven't actually done the do in forever. But if she thought they were dating, and obviously she wouldn't!, but if she did, then it's good to know nobody, not even him, needs any permission. So.

Yeah. Ahem. "The gentlemen will be perfect gentlemen and share a room without incident. Nothing will get set on fire, no arguments had, scouts honor." Church you are not a boy scout. Little awkward wave of hi to Darcia and then back to...awkward mom times.

Sam rather doesn't mind that he isn't seen as marriage material, probably better that way - honestly Lady Delacroix didn't have to worry about his relationships. As long as they can get along, especially for Christine's sake, is enough for him.

Pouring her some tea, Sam gives a soft sigh, feeling the conversation turn just a bit at the mention of her husband. It was understandable.

"Probably why the two of us get along with each other rather well," he says softly with a smile. "We're very passionate about the work we do, helping others."

It's at that point that Sam looks up, hearing voices on the other side of the door. "Sounds like Darcia has returned."

"Oh! She's such a good girl, that Darcia." Her brow furrows at the thought of not having Darcia around anymore if her brother won't allow it, but surely he must see sense and know that Aimee needs Darcia.

The door opens and Christine enters with Church while Darcia continues on to the kitchen to start making dinner.

"Maman, Darcia has returned. She mailed your letters for you." Christine comes to sit on the sofa with her mother once more, and no sooner does she take her seat than her mother grabs her hand in a firm grip.

"This is all happening so fast. I know it must, but the thought of leaving all this behind..." She trails off and looks around the room. "You must help me pack after dinner. I cannot leave behind anything precious or it will be sold."

Christine nods, forcing a smile. Only a few hours here in her home again and now she has to pack it up and know that most of it will be gone soon.

"Of course. Have you been enjoying your chat with Sam?"

"Oh, Sam is a dear," she replies, looking on him with an admiring expression. "I am so pleased you have someone in your life like him." Her mother is just blatantly ignoring that Church came back into the room. It's pretty obvious and Christine tries very hard not to cringe.

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