(closed) dh’èirich mi moch madainn cheòthar

[sulena]

WHO: Saoirse, and various others through closed starters
WHAT: The events surrounding the city's missing elves have begun to take their toll on one small mage.
WHEN: Mid-Harvestmere
WHERE: Kirkwall, various
NOTES: Possible talks of abuse, racism and general violence. If you're interested in a starter, feel free to hit me up at kaldwin or through PM and I'll set something up!

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

He's... aware that there are complicated feelings there. She's very, very far from the only person to have then, and generally he tries to stay out of her way. It's not entirely easy when they have overlap, but she's been decent and it means when she comes over the look he gives her is one of slight warmth rather than just surprise or neutral.

Her words bring some surprise into it, though, and his face brightens more. Good to see him. That's really nice. Anders sets aside the notes he's been making and nods.

"Of course. I'd enjoy the company. Please, have a seat." The further he gets from Justice the more he appreciates breaks, and yet some habits are hard to break. "Can I do anything for you?"

[sulena]

She has always tried to remember her father in times like these. Remember his words and stories, remember how he would sing Chantry hymns to her and allow Saoirse to envision Andraste so brightly. It is with her blessings, and Saoirse's own hopes, that she can help to bring some of that light to this world once more in such dark hours.

It thankfully leaves little time for anger and violence. Carefully, she sets one of the cups before him and takes to pouring it before having a seat herself.

"For me? No. I just wanted to thank you for all that you've done for the children. It has been difficult at times, finding their families if they even have a family waiting for them." Which was the sad truth of an alienage. "You've helped to provide them with a comfortable and warm place, somewhere safe. It means a lot to me."

[justice_is_blond]

He nods his thanks as he takes the cup, before shaking his head.

"You don't have to thank me for that. I wanted to help. Children shouldn't have to suffer like that." There's a short pause as he reconsiders how that came out. "...No one should. But children especially."

He wants to believe the world can be a better place, and part of that requires helping make that better place.

"It's what..." It's what he wished someone had done for him when he'd been a young apostate, really. "It's what was needed, and I like children. There's something about their joy and their optimism that makes me almost feel the same."

[sulena]

"Yes, I do." She says, firmly. No one should have to suffer like that yet here we are and the children were only the tip of the iceberg. There was still many still missing from the alienage. "My father taught me long ago to always do so especially when otherwise my words would fail me."

She holds tight onto her cup with pursed lips, staring at her reflection in the dark tea before looking upwards with a tired sort of sigh that comes from long nights, early mornings and reuniting children with their families.

"I suppose I can understand that. We were all children once, after all."

[justice_is_blond]

"We were."

For a few moments he's quiet, sipping his tea.

"I meant more that you didn't have to thank me because everyone should be doing things like this. Looking after the younger ones. But they don't. Obviously. So you're welcome, and thank you for helping out as well."

Thedas does not often fit any picture of 'should.' That just means he needs to keep stepping up.

"I'm afraid I've no wise teachings to share from my own father. Unless you want to learn how to muck out a cow stall." That's safe enough. It's far separate from what his father truly taught him - a child is important unless it's a mage, in which case get rid of it and quickly.