faderift | and if I only could make a deal with God

WHO: Mia Rutherford, Cullen Rutherford, and YOU
WHAT: Councils and meetings are well and good, but someone's got to see to the damage done and the people who need reassurances.
WHEN: Haring 12, 13, 14
WHERE: Closed thread in Cullen's office. Then, all over Skyhold. Mostly wherever an extra set of hands are needed.
NOTES: Possible discussion of traumatic events.

And she'd thought Darkspawn were terrifying. They had been, certainly, every bit as deadly and in numbers that could shake even the bravest of men. The images of Honnleath falling to the horde would never leave her mind, as long as she lived.

But that creature that had gone tearing through the castle...

Of course in its wake people wanted to turn it into a point of argument. The mages were quick enough to engage the more political side of the issue to protect their people. Not unwise, when blame would shift so quickly their way. But politics weren't her concern, certainly not those of the mages and templars. There were instead many in the hold who might need help picking back up after the nightmarish encounter with the monster.

Simple things could go a long way. Bandages and herbs for the injured. Mending torn clothes. Warm food and blankets as a comfort to those for whom the effects could not so easily be mended. They were not grand gestures, they would shape nothing in the grander course of things, but someone had to look out for the little people. She'd gladly take on that role.

----

Then, of course, her mind would turn to her brother. He'd faced abominations numerous times in his life, and being here meant she finally had the chance to look him in the eye, to see if he needed anything, and make certain he was holding together. That business tended to be harder to take care of through letters alone.

So her last stop of the day was the Commander's office, where she knocked sharp and brief before waiting exactly ten seconds. Then, answer or not, she was coming in.

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Mia chuckled, giving the woman a wry look at that. "Has that ever stopped anyone?" she replied with a crooked brow. "We all do what we feel we must, after all."

And she had the feeling neither of them would be comfortable giving less than their all. At times it felt like the only thing keeping Mia sane, concentrating on helping others. There was little else for her, though she didn't mind. Truly, she didn't.

This, what they did here? Was noble enough a cause for anyone.

"And then a little more afterward." It was a sentiment she knew well- though that anyone without the ability to simply give themselves a few more hours to work does so not only baffled but awed Adelaide in no small way. Without a means to remove that exhaustion and simply powering through? It was remarkable.

"If you have need of me or of another cup of tea to rest yourself, I will be at the Orlesian healing tents for the remainder of the day- if not that? The library or Commander Cullen's office attempting to remind him to eat."

"Thank the Maker someone is. He might take it better from you than me."

She took another deep breath, surprised at how readily the spell had taken effect. Of course, it wouldn't last forever. Best to get on with things while she still felt the invigorating effects, yes?

Her head inclines towards the other woman. "Thank you, again. You've already done a great deal. I hope the next time we see one another, the situation isn't quite so dire."

"For the moment all I need to do to get him to cooperate is sit down very slowly and wince when I lean back." It is blatant guilt mongering- and yet she doesn't regret it one bit if it gets Cullen to at least listen for a few moments.

And to eat.

Even if he is just as insistent that she eat as well. Something about recovering. "You are most welcome- and I hope much the same."

At that, Mia laughs out loud. "Oh, that's terrible! I hope it works. He's every bit as stubborn as a mule, and while I trust him to take care of himself, I don't doubt he'll push himself as far as he possibly can before doing so."

Her tongue clucks disapprovingly.

"I more or less consider 'what would make me actually listen to someone else asking me to do this thing?' and do that for him. So far it seems to be working well enough." They truly are as stubborn as one another- neither of them can doubt that after the 'no you are not expendable' argument.

"Very clever. My approach was always terribly straightforward. Likely an exercise in futility, all told, but I would have been remiss to say nothing at all. Never mind that it's hardly in my nature to remain silent."

There's a small shrug there that says she's not terribly sorry in that regard.

"But Cullen's wise to my ways by now. I've only been hounding him to look after himself since he was in smallclothes."

"So you are family, then. I had heard murmurings and there are some similarities in your eyes and jaw but I was not certain and did not wish to assume." But laid out like this? She can't help but recognize it for the truth.

"Perhaps it is merely time to develop new tricks, yes?"

"We are. And I would have thought the last name would give it away," she replies with a faint smirk. "Yes. He's my younger brother. So frustration at his unwillingness to take proper care of himself comes naturally, as you might imagine."

There's a pause, a quiet little sigh following as she glances up towards the battlements. "Perhaps it is. We haven't seen each other in so long, it's...not easy, suddenly stepping back in and trying to help," she admits with a faint shrug, arms folding across her chest. "I've barely had the chance to see him since I arrived. Not that I didn't expect him to be busy."

"...Perhaps he ought to be reminded that he needs time to rest much as anyone- and that he has family here with which to spend that time. I know were I close with mine and they here- I would take advantage of it." Not that many or any of The House LeBlanc would travel to Skyhold, or were even able. But if her father came-

Well.

She might. It'd be nice to see him again.

That faintly wistful look isn't missed. It must be harder for those in the Circle, she thinks, who never get to see or hear from their families save in special circumstances, and only in some Circles. Those in Kirkwall wouldn't have had that luxury.

In some ways the templars were similarly trapped. Though that seemed an insensitive point to bring up to a mage. Mia simply nodded, her brow furrowing. "Of course. But I have no intention of imposing. And it's enough to know he's doing well. Or some approximation of it, given the circumstances."

"It is not imposing to spend a day with one's family- is it?" She honestly doesn't have a frame of reference for such things, much as she might like one. "Come up for tea one day at least. It is the one time of day where I make certain he isn't working. It is not much and it is not long but- perhaps it will be room enough for you to speak to him about spending time together outside of that?"

It's an offer kindly meant, and she can appreciate that. Her own expression softens faintly. "I do like tea," she concedes. "I might stop in for a moment and see how he feels. But it's good to know there's someone allowed to look after him. Maker knows he'd work himself into the ground, otherwise."

There's a pause and a faint smirk. "Not too different from the rest of us, come to think of it."

"We attempt to mind ourselves better than he minds his health." Even with everything as it is- she shakes her head, standing. "I think it best we divide and conquer- between the two of us we might see most of these people comforted or mended before dusk."

and if I only could make a deal with God

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