[closed-ish] we live and dream in an ancient hallowed land

[eolasemah]

WHO: Sina with Nari, and with Korrin and Araceli (let me know if you want a specific starter)
WHAT: the aftermath of this thread
WHEN: the following night and a few days after
WHERE: the Dahlasanor tent, the tavern, wherever others want
NOTES:The third prompt is open to all!

Directly after her argument with Pel, Sina made a beeline for the tent she shared with Nahariel and all but dove inside, immediately flattening herself against her bedroll and burying her face in her modest pillow. Small, angry crying sounds emanated. (Nari)

The following day, Sina went to the tavern of her own volition for the first time. Not to drink, of course; perhaps it was because it was the last place anyone would look for her. She sat by a window with a cup of tea, her knees drawn up to her chest, melancholy emanating from her very being. (Korrin + Araceli)

Over the next few days, she could be found ghosting around Skyhold, avoiding most people, particularly Clan Ashara. When not out and about, she threw herself into her gardening with a tenacity unusual even to her. (errbody else)

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

Ah, Dalish politics. Korrin's still struggling with the mage version, so she's not even going to pretend understanding at that. Seeing Sina in such distress makes it difficult to just shrug this aside, though and the Vashoth glances to Araceli, uncertain what approach to take.

"I don't want you to share more than you're comfortable with, Sina. If you can't pass on details, at least let us know how we can help you. Anything to bring a smile back to that face, alright?"

[foxsays]

Tricky, definitely trickier than it would be had she come here with a cooler head but she will do her best as it is to breathe and to figure out how best not to step on toes. Her own culture is so used to everyone overstepping, to your business so rarely being yours that keeping too many secrets is rude. Your business is your business true but you share it, you vent and rant and complain, you brag and boast.

"We do not wish to make you more uncomfortable but we wish only to help, and that is difficult without knowing what upsets you. A remark we make that we think might help could only cause further injury. Is there anything at all you can tell us so we know which topics to steer clear of?"

[eolasemah]

Korrin's words bring tears to Sina's eyes, though they manage not to spill just yet. She smiles at her, grateful for her kindness, and for Araceli's as well.

"Well I... I've had a row with someone very important to me," she says, finding that this is the best way to start, "she's doing something that's... detrimental. To our way of life. And she and I, our duty is to uphold..." She sighs and gestures vaguely. "...everything, our culture, our history, our ways. I think she's letting herself be blinded by what she wants, instead of what needs to be." Sina rests her chin on her hand, chewing her lower lip. It's difficult phrasing it in a way that won't offend her non-Dalish friends; they will never understand all the details of it, nor should they.

"...I'm... furious with her," she says with a small, helpless smile, a single tear falling, "because her actions are against everything we stand for, as Firsts. Or.. former First, in her case. But I..." She wipes the tear away and looks sheepishly back at the others. "...I don't like being angry with her. I love her. I don't know what to do."

[gatheringstorm]

No, Sina, don't cry. Korrin is helpless when it comes to tears. But the plight presented to her...well, it certainly explains why the Dalish mage would be so upset. She sighs, gathering her thoughts. "Duty was never really a factor in my life; I've always lived exactly as I've pleased and that was that. But my people, those free of the Qun, don't really have a set culture the way yours do. Given all that your people have endured to keep their identity, seeing others break away from it must be hard."

If her people had actual traditions and a way of life worth keeping, would Korrin feel the same way as Sina? She has no idea; the version of herself who would have all that would be a completely different person, most likely. Getting up from her seat, she moves it over so that she can sit beside Sina, slipping a comforting arm around her. "You don't have to support what she does to still love her, you know. Perhaps she'll change her mind...and if she does, it would help if she had someone to turn to."

Her eyes meet Araceli's over Sina's head. Cuddle sandwich?

[foxsays]

"Duty and passion are entwined where I hail from: we follow our hearts but they belong to the sea. The sea may be still and calm or rough and wild. I understand wanting to cling to something tight because that is what you know, that is what is done," and how she knows that now, so far from being able to keep any of the routines that pass as normal. She heaves out a sigh as she nods to Korrin, slipping from her seat to kneel at Sina's side, hand on her knee.

"In the end, we must decide what we can and can't live with. We can offer advice if we worry for someone that we love but her wants are her wants, her needs are her needs; I have only ever followed my heart to whatever place it has decided to lead me. Perhaps giving each other time and space will help. If our friends truly are our friends, they understand that we only want the best for them and friends can argue."

Araceli and the other guards can bicker constantly over little things but no one goes to bed angry, that's always the rule as she leans over to grab a stool so she can embrace Sina without pressing her face into her side, a hand rubbing circles on her back.

[eolasemah]

Outside of talking Dalish specifics, this is possibly the best advice someone could've given Sina, and she seems genuinely amazed by it. She's never had more than the same two friends, who were also protectors, and agreed with her on most topics. Being here with the Inquisition has meant more than just learning about the world, it's been learning about the people in it, and how they interact when not members of an insular camp.

She flinches in surprise when Araceli hugs her, but then relaxes into it, slowly allowing her head to drop onto the woman's shoulder. She's never been touched this way by a shem before-- or anyone but Nari, really-- and although the gesture isn't unwelcome, it's unfamiliar. Still a little teary when she glances back over at Korrin, Sina nonetheless offers her a small, grateful smile from where her head leans against Araceli's.

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin returns the smile, hers tinged with sadness for Sina's plight and that of her people, but she has no solution to offer. Not that this was about solutions, though, just giving Sina the outlet to vent. Her smile lingers at Araceli's tenderness; she gives the best hugs, in the Vashoth's biased opinion, and her gentle hands sooth even the most stubborn tension.

"Araceli's right. Some time and space will do you both good. You're not required to see her every day, are you? So take the time to let yourself heal, too. You've said your peace, now it's time to let her think all that over."

[foxsays]

Don't sell yourself short there Korrin, hugs from someone so tall can't help but make a person feel safe and warm, like nothing in the world could ever touch them.

"If there is a place you like to go that's quiet and peaceful, go there, take a breath. Do whatever makes you happy. Scream and shout and kick things if it helps." Araceli veers between the first and last herself, usually doing the latter first until she's so tired that she can't possibly maintain her anger, heading off to clamber up a skeletal prow jutting from the water to stare out into nothing until she feels like herself again. "You have other friends, a girl like you, and speaking for myself, I have few plans beyond lessons. If you need me, just come find me and I will make as much time for you as you would like."