Open: Nerva has feelings about Mages

[keeperofmagi]

WHO: Nerva and Open
WHAT: Nerva storms back into Skyhold following the Abomination
WHEN: Before / During the Mage Council meeting
WHERE: The Tavern
NOTES: Nerva is her own warning. Alcohol.

Before the Council meeting, Nerva was nothing but a ball of rage. She had not been in Skyhold when the Abomination struck - sent on a quick escort mission down to the crossroads - and had returned to the remnants of destruction and chaos. Destruction and chaos that should have been prevented. Destruction and chaos that she should have been there to prevent, not out gallivanting around the countryside.

Once the meeting itself started, Nerva had attended despite the fact that she had absolutely no vote in the outcome. She had no power, here - though that was not a difficult thing to reconcile. She'd had no power in the Circle, either - too vocal and distrustful to ever be promoted beyond being a mere grunt. She'd gotten used to the fact that she had no say in policy decisions.

Which was why she had to be as loud and as vocal as possible if she was going to influence the council's decisions at all. That she disagreed with the council existing at all was beside the point. It was reality, and she had to face it. But she didn't like it.

However - she didn't stay for the whole meeting. Once she had said her piece she left - fuming and white knuckled - and stalked straight for the tavern. She usually was careful about her alcohol intake, mostly because she disliked being out of control of herself, but today was a good day to drink until she could at least have a conversation without burning holes through someone just by looking at them. Her rage and grief - a grief old as time but torn open anew with astounding regularity - were almost physical presences around her, hunched over the bar and nursing the wine even as she looked at it in disgust.

Comments

[onlyhymns]

Cade was at her shoulder for the meeting, and continued to be so even as she stormed out of it. Before she could get far, he caught her by the arm in hopes of stopping her and turning her to face him. "Wait," he hoarsely insisted, glancing around the bustling courtyard and then back to his fellow Templar.
"Don't let them get to you," he said quietly, "mages have always had overblown ideas about autonomy, and they always will. We know better." He watched her sympathetically, seeming to even have a bit of a spine as he spoke. "You spoke well for us. The Grand Enchanter is on our side. The rest will come to their senses." Realizing he still had his hand on her arm, he shyly withdrew his own.

[keeperofmagi]

She turned immediately at the touch, her hand going straight for her blade, but upon seeing that it was Cade she relaxed (slightly) and let go of the hilt.

She let out a hard breath through her nose as her brows furrowed and she looked at the floor.

"Thank you, Cade." The words were heavy, but honest. "But I did not speak well. At least - not eloquently. And you have more faith in the sense of men than I do."

[onlyhymns]

Cade flinched back when she nearly drew her blade, but relaxed when she responded, even giving the faintest of smiles.
"You still spoke for us," he assured her, "you... were a voice of reason. Perhaps the mages will learn in time that their delusions of self-governance are just that."

[keeperofmagi]

She looks at him for a long moment, and does not smile, but she does seem to relax, and then nods slowly.

"... Thank you. Though I'm afraid they aren't delusions," She said, her frown deepening. "Tevinter proves that threat is all too real."

[onlyhymns]

Cade's look darkened, and he nodded. "Then we can't allow another Tevinter to happen," he said simply.

[keeperofmagi]

She reached out, then, putting a hand on his shoulder and gripping it tightly, her eyes unblinking as they met his - the strength of her will evident in the strength of her gaze.

"We won't." It wasn't mere platitudes. Every ounce of her fully believed her words. "Not while we draw breath."

[onlyhymns]

The sudden grip on his shoulder unnerved Cade, and he met her eyes in a moment of surprise, a pinkness rising in his face. "...in.. indeed," he agreed, feeling simultaneously encouraged and threatened.

[keeperofmagi]

Her gaze was steel, especially compared to his, but she seemed satisfied in her response and let her hand drop back to her side.

"... I only hope that we do not lose everything to their folly," She murmured as if to herself. "If we lose the Inquisition, we lose the only thing standing between Thedas and Corypheus. That they want to play <i>politics at such a time--" She cut herself off by clicking her tongue irritably.

"I need a drink."

Or eight.

[onlyhymns]

Cade continued to watch her, feeling a surge of admiration and regret that he lacked her bravery. Perhaps if he were more outspoken, he wouldn't be where he was, professionally and just in general.

When she cut herself off, he blinked in surprise, almost smiling and then not. "I won't keep you, serrah," he said, inclining his head in a small bow. He wasn't the drinking type, but wouldn't begrudge others their vices. At least not openly.

[keeperofmagi]

She let out a breath - almost a sigh.

"... Thank you, Cade." She said, not really to his words so much as his presence. "It is good to remember that I am not wholly alone." She paused, looking at him, as if she could look through him - and then, after a suitably uncomfortable length of time, turned to walk away.

"Goodnight."