Closed

[mythalenaste]

WHO: Mia Rutherford and Pel Ashara. Also Cullen, later on.
WHAT: Mia heard a rumor about her brother. She wants to know what's up between him and Pel.
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Possible talk of drug withdrawal. Will update.

Pel's not in Cullen's office every day, but often enough. Now she's leaving it, having provided him with a fresh cold compress with analgesic herbs. She's still pulling her shawl on as she closes the door behind her and starts at a brisk walk along the wall.

Comments

[mythalenaste]

"She confronted me and said I'd be your ruin whether it's true or not. I expect she's not wrong, but what are we to do about it? You can't spit in Skyhold without it potentially ruining three families."

[perseverances]

"Whom I see in my personal time is of no one's concern," he says flatly. But he knows what she means. He's the Commander, in a position of great importance to the Inquisition. He's never been one to listen to rumors, so anything that he hears goes in one ear and out the other.

He takes a moment to sigh, rubbing a hand down his face. "I'll speak to Mia and let her know what is going on." He shakes his head. "Pel... I am sorry."

[mythalenaste]

"Don't be. I'm not complaining. I just wanted you to know. Though frankly, there are worse interpretations people could have of this. So long as we don't rule out the thought that you and I are sleeping together, people aren't wondering why I'm really in your office."

[perseverances]

"I'll not have anyone thinking we are sleeping together. I'm not in the business of ruining anyone's reputation, least of all a friend's."

Nope. He's not having any of this.

[mythalenaste]

"It's not my reputation that's at stake. If anything, sleeping with the Commander of the Inquisition earns me respect. You're the one who can get hurt. And like I said, it's better this way. They'll mutter rumors but nobody will know. Those who are curious will be satisfied enough not to ask further questions, and those who are wiser will mind their own business."

[perseverances]

"I don't want anyone thinking I give preferential treatment." He moves to stand, to walk around and clear his mind.

"Perhaps..." No. He really shouldn't be thinking this. Anything is better than the thought of having people sleep around. "Perhaps it is time for me to tell everyone. It is better for everyone to know than to keep secrets."

[mythalenaste]

"You know that's not true. If you do that, everyone will question every decision you make. Your men will wonder if you're putting their lives in danger even though you're not. This way, at worst, people are only questioning whether the Council of Magi is receiving leniency from you."

She hesitates.

"And I can step down from the Council. Ellana has come into her own, she can handle the Dalish Council seat by herself. Then, nobody will have any excuse to leverage anything against you."

Her eyes are drawn to the narrow windows behind his desk. There's snow all year round in these places. Does that mean it's going to be cold in the summer, too?

...Oh for.

"Or," she says flatly, wishing she could kick herself, "I could teach your sister how to make the compresses without using magic. If she's in on the secret already."

[perseverances]

"No. You are not stepping down. The Council does good work around here, and I would see that it continues to do so. If people think that the Council receives leniency from me then they should continue to think so." A beat, "I will not give anyone leniency."

He'd apologize about the cold, but truthfully, it doesn't bother him. He's grown up with Ferelden winters, and the cold they bring. He's quite used to it now. And, a bonus, his armor keeps him warm.

"Mia knows about what is happening. If you wish it, teach her, but I hope you don't stop coming around just because of some stupid rumor. I will not have friends scared off."

[mythalenaste]

"I'll teach her." Pel feels relieved that Cullen thinks so highly of the Council, and of her. "And when I visit, I'll leave the door unlocked. That should be enough, don't you think?"