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[stabsbooks]

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...

Comments

[stabsbooks]

Cassandra glances up immediately, pausing as she looks over Aleron. He has changed, of course. He has grown - grown into a man, and a fine figure of one, though the faintest trace of a smile touches her lips as she notes his eyes, still so blue, and the familiar, serious set of his jaw.

"Seeker Darton." She rises from her desk, gesturing somewhat impatiently for him to come in. She has never been one for ceremony, and certainly not with someone she once knew so well. "Please. I trust you have recovered from your journey?"

[lifeofendurance]

"I have, thank you. The view was magnificent. I'm surprised to learn that such a stronghold was nestled in the mountains." For all that Skyhold has sections in need of repair, it's in remarkable shape. How it came to be left unoccupied and forgotten about is a marvel. If only the circumstances prompting him to come had been different. If the world were not being turned upside down and torn apart. Alas.

He does come further in as beckoned. It's still awkward to reconnect with someone from so long ago, knowing she's a public figure and one to be both respected and admired. "Thank you for taking the time. I hope this isn't too much bother for you."

[stabsbooks]

"Of course not."

She hesitates awkwardly as she stands, still with her desk between them. Should she go around to meet him? Offer a hand to shake? Embrace him?...no, probably not that.

In the end, she stays where she is, and merely gestures to the chair before her desk.

"Please, sit down." She smiles as she does the same. "We were all surprised, but very grateful. I do not know where we would have gone, if - if not here." She does not speak of Solas, the name catching in her throat before she can voice it. There has been no sign of the apostate for months, and Cassandra is still caught between shock, anger, and a little lingering resentment at the way he had disappeared before Evelyn had even been laid to rest.

She smothers the thoughts, focusing instead on the Seeker before her. Solas is gone and she does not expect to see him again, but Aleron is here before her now. "Skyhold has been exactly what we needed."