faderift | (open-ish) out of the slumbers of my head 

Entry tags:

(open-ish) out of the slumbers of my head 

WHO: Leliana & open-ish - see notes
WHAT: FREEDOM. talks about freedom/the Chantry/wherever it takes us.
WHEN: throughout late-late-late Drakonis and early/mid Cloudreach, can be after hearing some rumours.
WHERE: Default setting will be the Rookery, others possible on request.
NOTES:
1. Likely referral to imprisonment and torture in narrative, others to be added if they come up.
2. It's not exactly open-open because I'd like to be able to keep the different threads unique and avoid burn out on the topic, but if you are interested then just shoot me a pm or talk to me on plurk and we can figure it out!
tldr I am flexible with who/when/where and such, but hammering out some info first would be greatly appreciated.
3. Prose or brackets are totally fine, I'll match style :]b

Too long has she stayed her hand. First it was her ignorance that silenced her, and then it was loyalty, the belief that Justinia wished to make the world better, stronger. A more just world, where all would benefit rather than a rare few. As time has passed, though, and as the Inquisition grows, Leliana has realised more and more that Justinia's peace and her vision for the Chantry were not enough. For all that Justinia had once been a worldly woman she had not fought in the Blight, had not fought side by side with mage and elf alike. She had moved as a player of the Grand Game must, small moves, small changes, and stability had always been her first thought. It was Justinia who had threatened to deny aid to Celene in the settling of mage and Templar if Celene did not cease the elf rebellion simmering in Orlais before the burning of Halamshiral. Justinia was a good woman, a good friend and teacher and mother, and she had great vision. Even so she had been blinkered by the prejudices that ran rife throughout Thedas, the small mindedness that seemed to define each country in different ways. No one should be enslaved or punished simply for being; no one's personhood should be compromised by the simple facts and circumstances of their birth.

Most often she is in the Rookery and must be sort out between scouts and ravens bringing reports, or meetings with the other Advisors. The tower is cold, and candles flicker from a shrine to Andraste and make shadows dance. (And, if visitors come late in Drakonis and early in Cloudreach, they may find evidence of Dorian's prank, for which there will be dire consequences.)

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Hermione hardy thinks of glitter as being part of a vendetta, but then she realizes that it's a bit of over-exaggeration. "You mean someone played a prank on you?" she asks, trying not to smile. "I could help you clean it up, but I don't know that even magic can properly get rid of glitter. It's stubborn that way."

And speaking of stubborn, she can be a bit hard-headed herself, which is probably why she's allowing everything that's been said and done at the soiree to have any effect on her whatsoever. "It has been," she murmurs softly. "I've been... all right, I suppose. There are still some things I'm trying to get used to."

As though it has nothing to do with anything else, she asks, "Were you at that party a while back? There were more people there than I've seen together in one place in a long time."

"Yes," she concedes, after a moment of deliberation. "Someone played a prank on me. However, Dorian does not appreciate the perils of testing an Orlesian bard." Especially when they are the Left Hand, and more specifically, when they are Leliana.

As for it being stubborn, Leliana just tilts her head towards one of her ravens, hopping along the floor and tilting its head, peering at a corner where glitter has managed to linger despite efforts to the contrary, before the bird keels onto the ground to give it's a dust bath. A glitter dust bath. Leliana shakes her head, murmuring a reprimanding "Baroness" before the bird squawks an indignant response and continues hopping along. "I am becoming more and more aware."

But, onto more important topics: Hermione, the ball. "I can imagine it would have been difficult to attend such an event with everything being so fresh. I rarely attend such events, any more, but I was required at that one. Did you enjoy yourself?" There is a note of curiosity there, and of implied concern. "Nobles can be rather challenging, at times."

Assuming it to be friendly rivalry of sorts, Hermione mildly replies, "I'm sure this Dorian will be in for a rude awakening when you decide to strike back." All things considered, even with as little as she knows about Leliana, she doesn't exactly come off as the sort of woman whom it would be wise to cross. And glitter is always playing unfair.

It isn't until Leliana calls out to what she assumes to be a bird that Hermione notices the raven rolling about in the dust, and despite herself, Hermione bursts out laughing, covering her mouth with one hand as she pulls herself back together. "Sorry. Ravens and crows aren't exactly known for passing up a prank, if presented to them."

She hesitates before answering about the ball, giving her shoulders a simple shrug. "It was nice to see a different side of Skyhold, I suppose, even if I was forced to be painfully aware of everything I said and did. And... I got to meet people outside of the Inquisition, and hear their opinions. Often without being asked." Absently rubbing at her arm, she glances away before murmuring, "After a while, I learned to hide my shard hand and stick to topics of conversation no more magical than that of the weather."

"That," she starts, very severely, "is something of an understatement." He will pay, and all of Skyhold will know. She must simply bide her time.

Still, it is a good thing to hear Hermione laugh. There is the faintest flicker of what might have been a smile, before Leliana pushes it away. "Do not be. Baroness de Plumes is particularly contrary. I believe she does it just to be difficult." Which, all things considered, was not so very different from a good many of Leliana's friends.

Leliana's expression softens a little, and she nods. "Orlesians can be particularly bracing," she says, seamlessly ignoring her own Orlesian accent. "Though nobility as a whole tend towards being remarkably oblivious, or dangerously cunning, when it comes to their opinions and voice." A pause, before she continues, and her voice becomes a little softer. "I am sorry it was not more enjoyable."

Hermione is almost tempted to offer her assistance, but she never gets involved in prank wars if she can help it. Especially when she doesn't know this Dorian person, despite having heard his name before. She'd be incredibly biased in Leliana's favor, and that just wouldn't be fair, especially when she can use magic to help her.

"Baroness de Plumes," Hermione echoes, amused by the name. She should ask after the names of the rest of the birds here, as she's sure she'd be equally amused, but instead she only asks, "Have you tried using reverse psychology on her? Telling her to do the opposite of what you want might help when it comes to someone who simply enjoys going against what they're told. I've seen it work more than once." And she might just have had it work on herself more than once, but she doesn't bother saying as much.

"I try not to make sweeping judgements about people based on what region they're from or what sort of life they're born into. But their behavior...." It had been especially difficult when she'd been getting along with someone, only for them to find out that she's either a rifter or technically a mage - or, Heaven forbid, both - and decide to end the conversation or change the tone of it in an obnoxiously pointed manner. But she only shrugs a bit before perking up, looking at Leliana with a small smile. "Oh! But I did meet a boy from Rivain at the little party outside. He told me that people from all sorts of cultures live there peacefully, so it's nice to know that something like that exists in some part of the world!"

"Oh, she does what I want," Leliana replies smoothly, "If one overlooks the glitter incident."

Admittedly that was a rather large case of overlooking, in this instance, but even so. "She and the Baron are normally extremely well behaved, no matter what my scouts say. They do not appreciate the nuances of such fine birds."

Which means to say: all the scouts think the Baron and Baroness are terrifying.
And quite aside from the ravens, there are considerable problems to be addressed, and she barely knows where to begins.

"Their behaviour is a product of their experiences and their entire lives, really, but that does not excuse it." She pauses, a moment, musing a little. "I have known Orlesian nobles who are very kind. They are so often eclipsed by their less pleasant neighbours."

Overlooking copious amounts of glitter hardly seems possible, but Hermione knows better than to say as much when it's clearly as troublesome as all that. "I'm more familiar with owls, to tell the truth. They deliver our post efficiently and only expect a treat in return. Granted, particularly long journeys might make them a little cranky, but by and large, they behave well enough."

While Hermione would have liked to hear more about the more agreeable Rivaini, Leliana chooses instead to focus on Orlesians, and she supposes she can't really fault her that. "There's a difference between purebloods and Death Eaters," she mutters quietly.

Realizing that neither of those terms would make much sense to a native of Thedas, she explains, "In my world, wizards and witches are dwindling in number by the generation, prompting more marriages with Muggles or Muggle-borns. The children of such marriages are sometimes referred to as half-blood. It makes no difference to most people, of course - a witch is a witch and a wizard is a wizard and they should all be afforded the same chance to learn about their magic - but for some people, breeding is ridiculously important. They call themselves purebloods, and they often look down on anyone who doesn't come from a 'pure' wizarding family. Often, but not always. One of my best friends comes from a large pureblood family, and they're the sweetest, most progressive people you could ever meet; it just so happens that they always end up in relationships with other pureblood families. Or, well, they used to...." Before Ginny and Harry. And Ron and....

Rambling. Again. Right.

"What I mean to say is that while some people might be born into a certain set of prejudices, that doesn't necessarily mean they can't learn better over the course of their lives. It might be a bit more slow-going for some than for others, but few people deserve to be written off entirely."

"Owls?" Leliana's mouth quirks a little, at that, an edge of amusement and interest. "That is certainly something to consider." Perhaps that is not the point of Hermione informing her about owls, but she is in such a work focused mood (she always is, these days) that it is the point she immediately leans to. "I am rather fond of my birds, however. Some of them have been with me since I first began to serve Justinia as her Left Hand."

Ravens are agile, fast, uncommonly intelligent, and can live for upwards of twenty years. It is hard to imagine not having Baron Plucky about, when they have been together so long. Birds aside, she listens carefully to Hermione, filing all the information away as the Baroness starts to hop closer, her inquisitive nature bringing her flapping onto Leliana's shoulder as Hermione stops talking. If a speck or two of glitter transfers from the bird to Leliana herself, she does not acknowledge it.

"I understand the comparison. It would suit the Tevinter magisters and Venatori rather well, I think." Leliana exhales, idly strokes the Baroness' head with a single crooked finger, and starts again. "Were you hoping for more information on Orlais or Rivain? There are some recommendations I could make."

Hermione isn't sure who Justinia is, and she's only vaguely aware that Left Hand is some sort of title usually associated with the religious figure known as the Divine. She puts the two together and realizes that this Justinia must have been the former Divine that had perished just a few months before, and she puts on an appropriately sympathetic look. "Had you been working with her for very long, then? It must be making things particularly hard for you, having a personal stake in all of this."

Really, keeping track of all the different people in Thedas and their affiliations and stereotypes is a taxing job. It takes her a moment to place where she'd heard about Venatori, and she can't help wrinkling her nose a bit, having likened them to Death Eaters in her mind. Still, she understands why that might not be fair, and so she only murmurs, "I hope there's at least one person or group among them who will come to learn better."

Pleasantly surprised by the offer of information, Hermione shakes her head and replies, "I wouldn't turn my back on more information, regardless of what sort it is. Rivain simply interests me because it had been painted as a land where everyone can be free and equal, and I had yet to hear of any such place hereabouts."

"A personal stake, yes." Though that is not really the full story, and she is quite happy to let Hermione be at least a little aware of that, even if she does not immediately elaborate. Dorothea had saved her, had shown her that there was redemption, and Leliana had squandered that redemption. In Justinia's name, yes, and for her cause, but slowly giving away more and more of herself as she immersed herself back in the role of the bard and casting aside those beliefs that were so precious to her in the name of love and loyalty.

"When she first ascended the Sunburst Throne she reached out to me, but... we had known each other some years before that." Leliana pauses for barely a moment, confirming the dates in her mind. "It must have been 9:27 when first we met, although she was a Revered Mother, then. Dorothea." Her expression becomes, for a moment, hard to read. "in 9:34 she was named Divine, and it was then that I became her Left Hand. Cassandra - Seeker Pentaghast - had been the Right Hand of Divine Beatrix the Third, and Justinia requested that she stay on in the role."

Leliana had suggested, had written letters, had persuaded Cassandra to stay.

"We can hope. Tevinter magisters and their kin are not inherently terrible. Although," and there is a slight smirk, "an inclination to such villainy would account for Dorian's willingness to use glitter, no? He is still the son of a magister, for all that he left that life behind." To help us, she could add, but does not feel the need to.

A nod, and Leliana thinks for a moment. "I have not spent as much time in Rivain as other places, in large part because Rivain has so little interest in the Chantry. The Circle is a gesture to appease the Chantry, and there are elements of local culture that embracing the Chantry would violate almost inherently." Leliana lets her expression echo her unhappiness, just briefly. "I have no doubt that the Chantry's lack of influence there is a great part of why elves lives there so peacefully. I believe there are a good many people there who have joined the Qun, aside from the Qunari born to it, although my knowledge on that front is limited. The Iron Bull might be better equipped to tell you." Or, and she grimaces a little, because she is still annoyed: "Or Isabela. Rivain is a great haven of pirates and crooks, as well."

The salt is strong in this one. "So far as 'free and equal,' though, that truly depends. A different frame of reference, perhaps. Not all in Rivain live a life of freedom, I do not think. It is not so idyllic as that."

As usual, the dates take some sussing out on Hermione's part, especially in relation to the present date, but in the end, it doesn't matter. What Leliana is saying is that she had known this Divine for a long time, before she'd even been the Divine, and so yes, the loss must have been felt on a personal level for her. "I'm so sorry. I haven't heard much about Divine Justinia, but I'm sure you likely considered her a friend more than most people who'd only known her in a religious capacity. It's never easy to lose someone." Hermione's had excellent practice in losing people through the years, and she still hasn't gotten much better at it.

For what little she'd heard of this Dorian fellow, Hermione clearly hadn't known much about him at all. "Dorian is Tevinter?" Of course she'd heard that there were a few people from Tevinter hereabouts, but.... "I hadn't... sorry, I don't mean to generalize, but Tevinter hasn't exactly struck me as being a land of pranksters." Slavers, blood mages, and the Thedosian version of those wizards most likely to have become Death Eaters, certainly. Pranksters? That makes them sound too innocent. She might have to meet this Dorian after all, just to get a more well-rounded impression of what his people are like.

The more Hermione hears about the way Rivain seems to clash with the Chantry, the more she frowns. Though Kas had mentioned pirates, he'd also been very clear that he wouldn't bat an eye at the fact that Hermione is both a rifter and someone who considers herself a witch. That sort of acceptance had seemed like a godsend (and not just because she'd had quite a bit of wine that evening).

"I'll have to find Iron Bull and ask about it sometime, then," Hermione murmurs. "I don't think I know Isabela; I had been speaking to a young Qunari boy - the race, not necessarily a follower of the Qun, I don't think - named Kas, so he might have been a bit biased towards his home." She pauses, then, before hesitantly bringing up, "While I'm sure most lands would want to avoid being open to pirates and other such criminals, can it be that the Chantry is a little too... well, biased in their own ways? It does seem to be needlessly severe whenever anyone who isn't a non-magical human is involved."

"Friend, sister, mother, teacher. She was the symbol of lasting peace, slowly built but ensured longevity through the care and stability with which it was to be crafted. Dorothea saved me, but Justinia was to save Thedas. And now she is dead." And it was for nothing. All the sacrifices, all the lives lost to caution and to following Justinia's every plan was for nothing. Her fists tighten, and the leather of her gloves creaks a little. "But it is what it is. We must carry on."

She smirks a little, and nods. And the rest of what she might say about Dorian is swept away by Hermione's question about bias, about her very caution in raising it with Leliana.

"Without doubt. The Chantry," Leliana starts, quite bluntly, "has lead through cruelty. It has reprimanded and punished, forcing people into line. Mages and elves are not the only people to suffer for it - anyone who is different, anyone who does not conform to their idea of what is good and virtuous is scrutinised and punished." She shakes her head. "That is not the Maker's will. I cannot reconcile what the Chantry is to the very woman whose legacy and belief it is meant to uphold, and the god whose word it is meant to share. Faith should be-- it should be a gift, freely embraced, not shackles to bind and imprison."

Leliana shakes her head. "'Needlessly severe' is, unfortunately, the perfect summary. It must be changed, if Thedas is to have any true hope at lasting peace."

People die, is the first thing that comes to Hermione's mind, but she knows she can't say anything as blasé as all that. It's not what she means to say, anyway. People die, but that doesn't mean they're dead. "And yet her impact on you clearly lives on," she says instead. "She would want you to do something with that, rather than spend the rest of your days in mourning."

There have been times that Hermione has likened Thedas to living during the time of the Crusades, given the impact the Chantry has had on the state of the world. Hearing it echoed in Leliana's words simply solidifies that, especially given how passionate she gets over the whole thing.

"I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject," she says softly, given that religion has never been her favorite topic. "The major religion in my world, Christianity, has fallen into similar pitfalls in the past. In the end, whether you believe in a Maker or God or anything else, it's not always possible to know what their will is, given the length of time between now and Creation, not to mention the various language barriers and biases that have muddied things up in that time. A bit of leniency, giving people a chance to be who they are, is necessary when you don't have true, absolute fact to guide the way."

"How do you suppose this Inquisition began? It was of Justinia's own devising. If the Conclave had not worked, then we were to declare the Inquisition reborn." Her voice is soft, at that. It might have been easier, in some ways. They would have had the leadership of the Divine, and the Chantry would have been more compliant - not completely, of course, but more.

She shakes her head, reassurance that she is not disturbed by Hermione's words.

"On the contrary, Hermione. I think it is important to acknowledge the reality of the Chantry's impact." Leliana stills, for a moment, fingers curling towards her palm in a loose fist. "I had believed... for a long time I thought that serving Justinia was my way of bringing about the Maker's will, that through her I was His instrument. The reality, I fear, is far more complex. Serving as Left Hand has given me much insight to how the Chantry works and the very depths of the corruption within it. All the better to better change it for the good of the people we are meant to help, no matter their faith. I think that the Chantry should be a means to making the world better, of showing that strength and compassion are not mutually exclusive, and that kindness is not only to be offered to those who fall within a set standard that has evolved through Ages of bigotry."

A faint smirk, and she rolls her eyes. "I apologise for going on."

The idea of Thedas' Inquisition having a religious affiliation reminds her too much of the Inquisition from her own world's history, and Hermione isn't entirely sure that's an Inquisition she'd feel at all comfortable being associated with. Of course, saying as much would require something of an impromptu history lesson, and she'd already done that the first time she'd spoken with Leliana. There's no point in making her think that Hermione is simply spending all her time comparing and contrasting the two worlds rather than viewing Thedas for what it is.

"No, no, don't apologize!" Hermione quickly says. "It's a lovely sentiment, really. I'm afraid I can't really speak much on matters of faith - similar though your religion might be to religions with which I'm more familiar, they're not exactly the same, and I don't actively practice any anyway so it's not for me to say. All I do know is that I respect any attempts to change the organization of things so that the scales are a little more even. After all, even if someone isn't a practitioner of a particular faith, they can always be swayed by seeing how well those who do practice live their lives. So if the Chantry were to change to be more accepting, they'd likely see a surge of people more open to hearing whatever they might have to say. That sounds like it's more in line with any decent Maker than simply punishing others deemed different, if not necessarily evil."

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(open-ish) out of the slumbers of my head

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