faderift | (no subject)

WHO: Kain, Inessa, and Bethany
WHAT: Test Cleansing Ruins on the Blight: aftermath discussion
WHEN: Late this month
WHERE: The Western Approach
NOTES: N/A

Well, that had gone rather well, all things considered. They could have done without that darkspawn ambush, but at least they'd all sensed it coming, giving them a bit of time to prepare. More than any non-Warden would have had, anyway. They'd at least gotten to finish their observations before that happened, which was the important part.

With night falling, they'd made camp in the Approach, planning to save the travel for the next morning. After doing his part to help set up, Kain finally settles down by the fire. He's got one of the cleansing runes in hand, turning it over in hand thoughtfully as he considers the way the Blight had behaved.

"So... what do you two think that reaction meant? Are these runes a potential answer to getting rid of the Blight?" He feels like it's only the start, personally, a hint that there's still much more to be found out, but he's curious what they think.

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He'll definitely have something worthwhile to report back to Christine about this. Though it wasn't as overwhelming as he'd have thought, it was still something, it was still a reaction. That counts for something, right?

Kain takes the tea in hand, smiling back at Inessa as he sees she's making good use of that teapot. He'd done well in giving it to her, he knows. It seems even more special, knowing that she's using this heirloom of his, something that would have just sat around otherwise.

"Hm… yes, it's something. Though it's unfortunate that it didn't make the Blight entirely dissipate. I don't think we came very close to seeing that, in any of our tests, did we? Still… it's something. Someone more involved with the research end will have to figure out where to go from here, I'd expect."

A reaction against a darkspawn? Against a completely Blighted creature? Bethany would whole-heartedly agree. She holds her hand for her own cup of tea, using the movement to also stir the stew appropriately.

She takes the cup in her hands, and looks over at Kain, "It's true - but it could allow us to live longer. I shall even pin the desperate hope of perhaps having children, if the research develops within the next ten years. Either way, I am content for every minute longer I can hold on."

She doesn't want to think about when she might start hearing the Song. Not with the younger Wardens here. "Of course, this could change the entire outlook of the Order. If we can hold back the Blight with these runes, and in ourselves? We might be able to start seeking outside help." She arched an eyebrow, "We might be able to sway whatever remains of the Order to our side."

Sipping at her tea, Inessa strokes Garahel's head as she listens to them both. "Dissipating, no, but they were still very effective. I'd almost say we worked about twice as quickly as normal. The darkspawn stood little chance against us."

Her expression softens as she glances to Bethany. Of course she would have a more personal reason, as a would-be mother and one who has undergone the Joining years before them. "We might, yes. It could end the civil war, or at the very least shorten it. The nightmare in the north could see an end, at long last. And I hope this comes to help your own quest; you and Aleron would be fine parents."

Edited 2018-04-27 00:17 (UTC)

Kain had long ago accepted his fate, at least for himself, personally. He understands that others may not feel the same, but there's something to knowing exactly how his life will end, if it's not cut short before that. Though there are some good sides to this...

"Perhaps I can die under the open sky if there's a cure one day." Because of course he goes right for the morbid thoughts before even considering having a life. He himself is not one for kids anyway, but he looks at Bethany, his expression softening as much as it can. "I hope you have a family, one day... who knows what may become possible as the Inquisition researches this further..." They'd only gotten to see how it affected the blight clinging to those rocks, after all, at this point. Trying it out on some infected creature... it'll probably make sense as another step. They're probably a ways off from trying it out on Wardens, of course, but still...

He sips some more tea. "What a time it may become for us Wardens... between this possibility and the griffons, we're seeing a truly exciting era unfolding..."

She looks over at Kain, and honestly, something that simple seemed like a huge relief to her as well. To die with sunlight on her face, not down in the dark and the cold dampness of the dwarven tunnels.

She blinks herself out of the reverie, giving a quiet, tired smile over to the two of them. "I put no false hopes but ... it is something now that can be considered."

A quiet laugh, "It is, rather. I wonder what is in store for us next."

Cleaning up our mess in the north, I hope. It's a wound that has festered for far too long.

[Inessa sighs, starring into her cup. She knows Ciri's mind has been straying to the north more often lately, and is itching to return. Inessa feels less of a pull, but it's still there, knowing what they left behind.]

At any rate, you should have enough to make a decent report. Christine will be intrigued by our findings, I believe.

"It's about time we settled all of that, isn't it? I wonder how we'd even start to make reparations for all of that...?"

Kain's whole life has been pretty much about making amends, for personal reasons, though this goes much further than that. It's beyond any one single person to deal with. The Wardens still deserve to regain their honor, Kain is thoroughly convinced of this fact.

He nods thoughtfully, looking at the weapon with its rune that he'd been using. "I think so, as well. We're on to something, here. The taint isn't invincible, its effects not inevitable... We just might need to find some better way to harness the power contained in these runes. Some way to outright destroy the taint..."

"Honestly are we really the ones who have to make amends?" Bethany sighed, as she started to fill their bowls with food. "Honestly, right now, I think the Wardens might be the low-men on the blame stick for what is going on in the world. Templars are still at the top of that particular list - changing places with the Chantry politicians daily. And let us not forget the First Warden and Clariel, who dragged us down this rabbit hole to begin with."

She handed out spoons after she had dished them enough food. "What I am saying is - perhaps we ought to stop flagellating ourselves. We're Helping."

Taking a spoon, Inessa shakes her head. "I didn't mean it as self-flagellation; I place the place squarely where it belongs, on the First Warden and all who follow him. I won't deny that we are being productive, but the sooner they fall, the better. Every day they continue lessens our chances of defeating another Blight in the future.

...and yes, I worry for Ciri and what she might do in the north without me."

Garahel lets out a whine until Inessa pauses to give him his meal, upon which he promptly ignores all else for the time being.

Kain takes the bowl in hand, digging right in without waiting for it to cool. He's always preferred his food as hot as it can possibly be, finding that oddly more satisfying somehow.

"Hm. This is true, about where the blame lies, but not everyone realizes that. We still have to ensure that our reputation improves... I personally think showing off the griffons could earn us some favor. How can you say no to those faces?" Ok, so he's biased. Just a little.

He glances over toward Inessa, putting a hand just over hers for just a moment, meant as a supportive gesture. "If there's anyone you needn't worry over, it's Ciri. She's more than capable of taking care of herself." Better at it than Kain, though he's loathe to admit to his own failings when it comes to that sort of thing.