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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...

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"Ser Trevean."

He is a stranger to her, but that is a more and more common occurrence, with the flocks of people entering Skyhold these days - more nearly every week, it seems. Cassandra nods, lowering her training sword as she turns to face him. Stranger or not, she can at least do him the courtesy of hearing what he has to say. "Of course."

"It's in regards to Lady Galadriel." It seemed best to be honest, and direct. He held his ground even as his heart kicked anxiously, concerned where this talk might take him. "I've heard some concerning things regarding her arrest, I was hoping you might be able to clear some it."

Cassandra frowns.

He is not the first to approach her regarding Galadriel. But he is the first to do so in person. She sets the sword aside, giving him her full attention. Still polite, but more wary now, her defenses just slightly raised.

"What exactly have you heard?"

"Can you tell me why she was arrested?" he asked, concern clear on his face. "Because what she says, what she's telling people is that it's because she refused to give an oath to the Inquisition. Which, forgive me Seeker, most of Thedas would be guilty of that - including the refugees we are currently sheltering here."

Cassandra makes a disgusted noise in the back of her throat. It does not surprise her in the least that Galadriel had twisted the story to make herself out as an innocent.

"They would," she agreed, "if they also refused to take the oath that Galadriel would not. But how many of them have overtly threatened the Inquisition, and refused to swear not to endanger its people?"

His head pulled back slightly, eyes blinking, once, before widening.

"She threatened the Inquisition?"

"Yes." Simply put, because it is a simple matter. "She threatened the Inquisition, and when I gave her the opportunity to retract her threat, to swear she would not put all of Skyhold at risk yet again, she refused. She knew what would happen if she did not reconsider her actions."

It was clear this was a new twist for him. Not that he'd expected that Galadriel's version was all there was to say on the matter, but Gavin had been so insistent. A part of him was validated, relieved even - his faith wasn't misplaced, he'd been right to tell him to wait - then, quickly on its heels, came guilt. A worry.

"What did she say she was going to do exactly?"

Edited 2016-03-22 00:14 (UTC)

"Does it matter?" Her tone is perhaps a bit sharper than it needs to be, her brows drawing down in disapproval. What Galadriel had said she would do...Cassandra does not wish to speak of it so openly. "I have told you. She threatened us all - it would not have been safe to allow her to walk free."

"Does it do any harm to explain?" he asked, looking at her plaintively. "With everything that has happened lately, with all the tension among the varying peoples of the Inquisition, isn't being clear, doesn't answering concern honestly do more good?"

Cassandra opens her mouth to rebuke him instantly, then pauses, considering his words. She bristles instinctively at the thought of her every decision being scrutinized and second-guessed by all of Skyhold, of her own judgement being questioned. The way Leliana had turned on her, scolded and condemned her for her actions without allowing her to explain, has made her particularly wary - touchy, even, regarding Galadriel. The angry reactions regarding Anders, when she herself chafed so at being forced to hand him over entirely to the Wardens, have done nothing to help lower her defenses.

But she can see his point. She is a Seeker of Truth; she does not deal in secrets, nor wish the Inquisition's decisions to be shrouded in mystery, suspected of injustice and abuse of power, subject to rumors and lies. Would it not be better to get it all out in the open, for people to know the truth -

Still. This.

Reluctantly, she shakes her head.

"I understand why you ask," she says, her voice calmer now, more patient. "I would do the same, in your position. But this - " She hesitates. "What she has done - claimed she would do - I would not have it widely discussed. It is...dangerous, a dangerous idea, and if others knew that it was even possible -" She bites her lip, already wary of saying too much. "I am sorry. I cannot explain further. Not...not at present." When, if ever, she does not know. She has not thought that far ahead, nor of what to do with Galadriel herself, long-term.

He listened quietly, intently, and perhaps she did say too much. There was flash, a wrinkle, as something came together quietly in his mind. Galadriel had said it the argument had come over the rift that had opened in Skyhold.... It wasn't enough to know exactly, but it was enough to speculate.

It was enough to deepen his concern.

"I can recognize that it's a difficult position, and I certainly envy you or the other advisers. I wish there could be more--" He'd feel better, going to Gavin (because he would have to with this) with specifics, "But I do appreciate your understanding. That you can see why I'm asking- is comforting."

Cassandra makes a noncommittal noise, frowning slightly at the expression that seems to pass momentarily over his face. Had she - no. Galadriel had clearly given a biased account of matters; she would not have explained things so plainly. Maxwell can know nothing for certain.

"Of course." She nods, watching him carefully, and hesitates. "If you do have any - speculations, I ask that you keep them to yourself."

He arched an eyebrow at that, something like bemusement crossing his face.

"You know that's already begun?" he told her. "Galadriel isn't unknown to the members of the Inquisition. There are some-- who are quite fond of her, and with what she's saying... I'm not the only one with questions."

He was, to his knowledge, simply the only one who had come to her with them.

Cassandra's expression darkens. Maxwell is not the first to approach her, after all, and she does not need the reminder.

"I am well aware that there are questions," she snaps. "What I am asking is that you do not contribute to any...any rumors. This matter requires discretion."

He held up his hands, quickly, palms out, placating.

"I'll try to help," he said, wanting to believe her. Wanting to believe in the Inquisition and its purpose. "But, Seeker... I believe the silence will only make things worse. Please consider it."

"Not worse than the alternative, I assure you."

Her voice is grave, her expression serious. She sighs, trying to compose herself. He does not deserve her rudeness.

"Is there anything further?"

"I hope so."

He didn't look entirely certain of it, but he could do that. Hope.

"No. That is my only concern at the moment."

There was, after all, nothing to be done about Anders.

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