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WHO: Cassandra Pentaghast and you
WHAT: Cassandra, in and around Skyhold
WHEN: First half of Drakonis, before the ball
WHERE: Various
NOTES: Does your character want to yell at Cassandra about Anders? About Galadriel? About her choices in general? Alternatively, do they want to celebrate her on a job well done and thank her for her vigilance in keeping Skyhold safe? Maybe try to finally get a straight answer about exactly what is going on? This is the place!

For timeline purposes: post-Anders announcement; before/in the midst of/after rifter interrogations; either pre-Galadriel's imprisonment or while she still languishes in the cells.

She might be found swinging angrily at the dummies in the yard, assisting Cullen in training what recruits they have, or nursing a large ale at the Herald's Rest. More than likely, she's dodging Vivienne and her endless preparations, instructions, and reminders for the ball. Wherever she is, Cassandra is likely not in the best of moods, and there is a certain righteous fire in her gaze whenever she is challenged. Leliana's words and the way she had looked at Cassandra still sting, but she does not regret what she has done.

Still, no one can possibly be angry all the time, right? Maybe you'll catch her on a good day...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Well, no," Merrill admits, scratching at the tip of one of her ears. "But it should be. It should be easy enough for us to say 'I enjoy spending time with you and speaking to you, and we should do it more and be friends'. I mean- assuming you feel that way."

'Enjoy' is perhaps maybe too strong a word for people who aren't used to Merrill's... everything. Still, why can't it be that easy?

Because of what Cassandra asks next, that's why. She'll start with the easier one first.

"It's about the Inquisition, actually. A few different things. The first of which is- I was wondering if maybe you would like some people to speak to the Rifters, teach them about Thedas. They don't know very much at all, other than what might come up in conversation, and the books in the library assume that they're familiar with a lot of things. Plus I don't know if all of them can read."

Or, at least, can read what the books are written in.

"I remember being new, having to learn a whole new culture -- it wasn't a whole new world, but it seemed that way. If I could help them, make sure they know why you don't call an elf a knife-ear or eat raw lyrium, I'd like to."

It's so obvious, Cassandra merely stares at Merrill for a moment. Why had she not thought of that? To be fair, by the time she had begun questioning the rifters, most of them had already been in Thedas for months, and had managed to pick up quite a bit about the world in that time. Even the last month's arrivals had had a few days to speak to people and learn something about where they were before Cassandra had talked to them herself.

And of course they could not read Theodosian script. Cassandra herself had found scraps of paper that Galadriel had left behind when she was imprisoned, covered in what was obviously her own strange language.

"That...is a good idea," she manages at last. The thought of anyone attempting to eat raw lyrium out of pure ignorance makes her wince. "A very good idea. Someone should certainly teach them."

"I know that funds are tight, but perhaps the Ambassador could send for schoolbooks? We wouldn't necessarily need to pay teachers and tutors if members of the Inquisition volunteer. I would -- and I am qualified, despite what many might think, I was the First of my clan -- and I'm sure others would, too! We could get people from every race for Thedas in general, to talk about their own cultures, and then find specialists!"

Once upon a time, Merrill said she would be a terrible Keeper. She still thinks it's true, but she's a Keeper already, isn't she? A Keeper to her alienage, to her friends, to the world at large -- learning and sharing and preserving that knowledge. It feels right.

"I'm sure there are members of the Inquisition itself who could use- um, some refreshers. I know not everyone can read, and there are misconceptions about places and people. It could be good for them to have the option to learn, too."

And then no one will eat raw lyrium or shout racial slurs. Hopefully.

Cassandra smiles, moved by Merrill's enthusiasm.

"Perhaps we should start small," she says. "I will talk to Josephine about books. In the meantime, reading may be taught with paper and quill." She pauses, tilting her head in thought. "You would really be willing to help? They know nothing of Thedas, and some of them..." She frowns, thinking, of course, of Galadriel. "Some of them can be quite dangerous. I would not want anyone to be put at risk."

"I would."

If the possibility of danger were a deterrent, much of Merrill's life would be extremely different. No eluvian, no Hawke, no Inquisition.

"I think fear and misinformation can be more dangerous than magic. I mean, I'm a mage so I'm maybe a bit biased, but- if they understand us better, perhaps they'll be less likely to act rashly? And maybe we'll understand them better, too."

Her head tilts, and she flashes Cassandra a smile. "And if I couldn't stop them myself, I have a lot of people who would be willing to help me."

"You are brave to offer," Cassandra says - but then, that is not a surprise, from what she already knows of Merrill. Cassandra approves. But she shakes her head. "Still, I would not ask you to do this alone. It would be best, in any case, to offer a variety of perspectives. Someone who can explain the Chantry, for example. Perhaps we may find additional volunteers."

"Oh, absolutely! I can draft up an announcement, maybe? And I can ask the Rifters what they would like to learn about, too."

Not that Merrill is really great at announcements, but if it's in writing, she can do a few drafts and work on focusing.

"We'll have to find a location, too -- is there a room somewhere with a lot of tables, chairs, or a place we can fill with them?"

"We will find one."

She smiles. Merrill's enthusiasm is...not contagious, perhaps, but certainly encouraging.

"The advisors will need to approve any...teachers, naturally."

"Should I write something to them, too? I've never really done anything like this- well, I did what I could in the alienage, but it wasn't an Inquisition."

There weren't soldiers and diplomats and politics to consider. There weren't even really funds to consider.

Cassandra laughs, though not unkindly. "Here is a secret, Merrill. None of us have ever really done anything like this before. We are all finding our way together." She smiles. "But yes, I think writing to the advisors would be a good start. I will be happy to represent your idea to the others."

"At least we are together. I think that helps." And so does Cassandra's support. It only reinforces her belief, her knowledge, that the Seeker is a good woman -- just one who sometimes doesn't see all the ways what she does can seem to other people. Then again, who can truly see every consequence?

"Ma serannas, Cassandra."

"I think it does too."

Her smile grows, becomes warmer.

"Thank you, Merrill. I hope to speak with you soon."

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