OPEN: Like the High Tide Takes the Sand.

[keeperofmagi]

WHO: Nerva and OPEN
WHAT: After swearing an oath to Cassandra, Nerva has foresaken her title as Templar, and sworn to serve the Inquisition only.
WHEN: Over the next couple weeks so that whoever is wherever can still come bother her.
WHERE: Either Emprise, directly after her oath, or in Skyhold after they return
NOTES:The Oath, also warning for Nerva and her Opinions....

There is something uncharacteristically quiet about Nerva, these days. A solemn silence where the passion should be, a held tongue instead of the lash. After returning from Nevarra, after trudging through the snow of the Emprise, she retreated further and further into herself.

That didn't mean the passion was gone. Rather it was turned inward - almost self-flagellating in its intensity, ripping through everything she believed, and the things she thought she believed, until her soul was left at it's most raw, most pure state.

She needed a purpose. She needed a path.

And so she made one.

Any doubts she had, she did not voice. Any doubts she had, were gone, after she made her oath.

She did not have room in her heart for doubt. She did not have room in her heart for the wretchedness that had been there, for months. No. She only had room for commitment, for the cause. And if she could not fully live one, she would live the other.

If she could no longer be Templar in word and deed, then she would be no Templar at all.

She would turn herself into a sword for the Right Hand.

Over the next few weeks, her downtime was used to carefully and painstakingly remove all symbols of the Templar Order from her armour, her clothing, her weapons. Everything she had owned, had come from the templars, and she had no funds with which to simply replace them, so she worked. Mostly on her own, removed from others. She had no desire to make a big display. Her faith - her purpose - was her own, no one else's. There would be no announcement.

Just the careful and purposeful continuation of Duty.

Comments

[wickedchase]

It does take him a moment, but this time he picks up on it. There's no real indication of it, but he recognizes her intent easier than he has before. A smile is formed, faint and curious.

"Yes, maybe that would help," Twisted Fate says wryly. "And speaking of dancing, don't suppose you're in need of any further lessons? Always happy to."

[keeperofmagi]

"I--"

She wasn't. She had absolutely no reason that she needed further dancing instruction.

"I am, yes." The lie felt weird and thick on her tongue, but her tone was still flat and even. "If you find the time."

[wickedchase]

"Well, now that we're both back at Skyhold, I think I can find the time. Just let me know when."

The smile he wears now is a bit more genuine. "Just let me know when. I think I'm easy to find, hm?"

[keeperofmagi]

"Generally, yes."

It wasn't quite a smile - just the barest upturn of her lip on one side, just the slightest crinkle at the edge of her eyes.

"And I will."

[wickedchase]

It's a small change in her expression, but Twisted Fate notices it. He grins, and pushes himself back to his feet.

"Well. Until then, Nerva." He tips his hat faintly. "I'll see you later."

With that, he takes his exit.