[open] a little truth arrives in the dying of each day

[eolasemah]

WHO: Sina and you
WHAT: here we go
WHEN: mid-Harvestmere
WHERE: Hightown and then the Gallows
NOTES: All Sina logs from this point onward will involve discussions/dealing with death and illness, so if you're sensitive about those topics I recommend passing these by.

I. Just outside the Forest Garden [single thread please, 1-3 people max]

Sina still looks like Sina, but if Thedas had photographs, and the ability to compare a person's image of two years ago to their image today, only then would it become achingly clear how much mass she's lost. As the weather grows chill, she has to bundle up more and more just to go to work in her gardens, and even then is constantly cold. But she's been all right, all things considered; she's still upright, at least.

Until she isn't. Having felt a little strange since they found the elf children in the warehouse, Sina has chalked it up to the usual business and the gut-wrenching trauma of what they found. Her chest has felt a little heavier, her step a little slower, her hands a little colder, nothing worth calling a healer about until today: she's nearly down the stairs of the former Chantry when she abruptly loses consciousness.

Crumpling like a doll, Sina scrapes her leg on the last few steps and collapses to the ground, basket of herbs on its side, its contents splayed everywhere. She wakes up at once, but with bleary confusion, disoriented and burning with fever.


II. The Infirmary [ota]

Those who spent any significant time with the rescued elven children may also have caught what ails Sina now, but with a body already so ravaged by weakness, fighting it is clearly difficult for her. She's asleep most of the time, coughing when she's awake, and unable to keep food down.
It's not the first time she's been in this position, but it may be the last.

Comments

[samahl]

"Going to Skyhold was the best choice I ever made. It's wonderful to hear that you think the same. It feels a bit like not being alone."

[eolasemah]

Sina nods, and her weak smile remains, but doesn't stem her tears. "It wasn't a choice," she replies, helplessly. "Not for me." She looks blearily at some of the flowers in her room, left behind by the various callers. "I've--" she stammers, trying not to sound too bitter. "...I've never had a choice in any of it." Go to Skyhold and learn what's going on, or die. Go to Kirkwall with the Inquisition, or die. Maybe die anyway. "I only ever wanted to be with my clan. But at least... at least some good has come of it."

[samahl]

Cyril mentally kicked himself for wording things that way. Her situation was always so different from those from Ashara Clan and he wanted to remember that.

"Perhaps those of us here have formed something like our own Clan. A new family. And then you and Sorrel helped solidify that union."

[eolasemah]

Despite the misunderstanding, Sina doesn't seem to bear Cyril any ill will. She nods, tears still dripping from her eyes, though she wipes at them with her sleeve, trying to pull herself together. "Dahlasanor will go on," she confirms, as much of a reminder to herself as to him. Remembering something, she smiles weakly.
"Halesta, one of our hunters," Sina murmurs, "she's taken up with one of yours and may be with child." The smile grows warmer, fonder. Hopeful. Lifting her gaze to Cyril, her eyes glimmer with restrained excitement. "It will be the first baby born to us since..." A heavy pause. "...me."

[samahl]

Cyril's eyes widened a bit at the thought. Then he realized just how fortuitous the union between the two clans had been. Ashara had had an abundance of young people after the plague had killed so many of their parents.

"Then your union with Sorrel should be the start of more between our two Clans. Those could lead to more children."

[eolasemah]

Pleased to see his reaction, Sina smiles. "Exactly," she confirms, with a slow nod, "and the People will continue on as we always have." Most of them, anyway.

[samahl]

"Thank you for giving that to both of our Clans, Sina," Cyril said softly. "Your willingness to bond with Sorrel will lead to a better future for them."