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

[fightingale]

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.)

Comments

[eolasemah]

Though proud, Sina is still frail, and she nods her thanks as she moves to sit in the chair, trying not to exhale too loudly with relief. But when Leliana prompts her onward, she sees no need to beat around the bush.
"I am First of Clan Dahlasanor, and our representative in Skyhold," she begins, "and my clan has much distrust of humans. We were nearly exterminated, twenty years ago." She clasps her hands in front of her, betraying the insecurity she feels at confronting such an important member of the Inquisition. "...since arriving here, I have learned that some of our fears were misguided. Perhaps overwrought. Nahariel and I were not killed on sight. But I have also learned that some of our fears remain as valid as ever. Two of our own have been imprisoned without trial, for causes of which I am still not certain. Several of our own have been attacked within the walls of the Keep, with their assailants walking free."
She clears her throat uncomfortably.
"...but I hear you have spoken out in our favor. ...in my favor, in many ways, but I come to you about the Dalish." After fidgeting for a second or two, Sina catches herself and looks up again, meeting Leliana's gaze. "As liaison to my clan, I need to hear from you directly that we will not come to any harm from the Inquisition. I do not speak for Clan Ashara or the remaining outclan Dalish individuals, but Clan Dahlasanor cannot pledge loyalty to an organization that does not protect us from the real dangers we face in integrating with so many humans."

Finished, she sighs again, closing her eyes for a moment. There was nothing about the speech that needed rehearsing, as it was all quite sincere; however, the unspoken fact is that if she leaves Skyhold, she will almost certainly die. The shard in her chest will make sure of that, sooner or later, if left alone.

randomly mashes keys and hopes for a coherent tag :'))))

[fightingale]

There are so many points to respond to, and so much to address, and Leliana pauses a moment before replying to assess Sina; how she holds herself, the motions of her hands or her eyes, the steadiness of her breath or any slight indicator of feeling past her words themselves. “I do no think, she starts, “That any caution or suspicion that the Dalish or any elf has towards human is without justification.”

It is a far cry from what she believed some ten years ago or so, a young woman raised with elven servants who she loved dearly, but with prejudice and ignorance tempered by being raised as a noble in Orlais. She never was a noble, truly, but she benefitted from being the child of a human servant rather than an elven one.

"Any person can be imprisoned without trial," she replies quietly, remembering her own experience, remembering countless others she has witnessed. "Those with power abuse it as they see fit, oftentimes." It is not at all combative, nor condescending; rather it is the acknowledgement of a sorry truth. “I do not believe the imprisonment of Galadriel was right, and it is my intention to see it ended as soon as possible, though if you wish to know the reasons for their imprisonment they can be briefly summarised. She was imprisoned for making dire threats against the Inquisition.” Her lip curls with scorn, anger. “A preventative approach to protect the Inquisition. Gavin was imprisoned for trying to liberate her.”

Leliana shakes her head, letting her aggravation with the matter shine through. “The Inquisition has no agenda against the Dalish, or any elves. Unless an attack was made against the Inquisition, or Clan Dahlansanor allied themselves with Corypheus, I cannot imagine a scenario where such a thing would ever be considered. I intend to press for further action and clarification from my fellow Advisors to clarify our position, when we have acted so— so reprehensibly in the imprisoning of Galadriel.”

[eolasemah]

Sina's demeanor shifts when Leliana begins to speak, her head tilting, her eyes narrowing with intrigued surprise. It's true, then: this human, at the very least, understands where she's coming from. Although Cassandra wasn't overly unkind when they spoke, this is more than she had expected.

The news that Galadriel had made threads seems to surprise her, and she blinks a few times, hoping for elaboration. "What threats?" she asks, a bit uncertainly. She has sworn to speak for Galadriel, thinking it a result of the woman's helping to close the rift she opened. She's still displeased by the situation with Gavin, but decides to sort one thing out at a time.

[fightingale]

At that, Leliana grimaces, the displeasure of one whose desire to speak is confined.

"It is a sensitive matter, and thus not one I can speak of freely." The nature of spy business tends to be sensitive information that cannot be shared, after all, though she does not imagine that makes it any easier to follow. "It was based in the using of her abilities to endanger Thedas. More than that, I cannot say. However, while I do not believe those who make threats should be dealt with lightly, I find it hard to reconcile that with what I know from my admittedly brief meeting with Galadriel. We have no proof - only the word of Seeker Pentaghast. An admirable woman, and one trained to assess threats - and yet. It does not seem enough."

[eolasemah]

This explanation is... less than satisfactory, and Sina's troubled expression conveys this. She watches Leliana pensively, for a time, her young face furrowed in a look of diplomatic consideration. Finally, she speaks again.
"On behalf of the Dalish, I request a more thorough investigation," she decides, her words slow and measured, "...and I would like to speak to Gavin Ashara. With Beleth Ashara, who, in the absence of a Keeper or a First, I believe would be the most sensible representative." She purses her lips and sighs through her nose, struggling a bit with maintaining a sense of authority while being 1) the second-youngest Dalish present and 2) sitting face-to-face with Sister Nightingale.
"...his clan is worried sick," she adds, "and we all find it cruel and unnecessary to have imprisoned him without trial or visiting rights. For all we know, he is dead." Her face naturally darkens at this, a glimmer of actual anger in her large eyes. The Dalish do not easily let go of grudges.

[fightingale]

"Actually," she starts, and she allows just a hint of brightness to enter her tone, a cautious optimism. Finally she can offer more concrete good news. "Cassandra and I will be meeting with Gavin shortly. I fully anticipate that he will be released before the day's end. I can certainly press for a private audience, though I suspect it might be beneficial to have him out sooner rather than later, and free to speak with all of you outside cell walls, no?"

"But in terms of Galadriel's imprisonment, further review is certainly in order, and I have already pressed for it. Matters are... complex, but progressing."

As quickly as she can push them to progress, when dealing with everything else that demands her attention, at least.

[eolasemah]

Sina tilts her head, intrigued but still suspicious. She nods slowly, making a mental note to personally check that Gavin is either released or allowed visitors by day's end./
As for Galadriel, for the time being she relents, sensing that pushing too hard on her end will only make things more difficult for Asha'dhea. "...if there's any way I can be of assistance, please let me know," she quietly decides, "having... opened the rift myself, I feel somewhat..." She fidgets a little, betraying her nervousness, "...responsible for those it affected."

[fightingale]

"Galadriel's imprisonment does not rest on you, Sina, nor does Gavin's." On that point Leliana is stern, although her tone becomes a little gentler. "You cannot hold yourself accountable for the actions of others, and certainly not in this. You are not solely responsible for the actions of those around you, especially not when your rift was an accident." As all accounts insisted it must be, and which she accepted. Sina was not a puppet master playing at strings and manipulating as so many were - as Leliana was.

"Neither of them being locked away is right. And--" This is not easy, and she pauses, taking a breath, glancing away from Sina and to the window. "I am well aware that oaths and vows made by humans to elves have a miserable history, so I will not insult you by making promises, but please know that I will do all I can."

[eolasemah]

Although Sina is trying to retain her business face, she can't help but be reassured by Leliana's words, and even smiles a little. She nods respectfully, appreciative of all the consideration she's being given.

"Your dedication means everything," she says quietly, "and I will keep it in mind." As seems to be her catchphrase lately, the Dalish don't forget easily: but that goes both ways, for ill or for good. "Thank you for giving me your time, Harth'anorean." She carefully gets up to go.

[fightingale]

"It's my job," Leliana replies, the faint edge of a smile touching her mouth. That discredits her to a degree, perhaps, and yet she means it sincerely - protecting people is the role of the Advisors. It is why she joined the Inquisition, in part.

Her brow quirks just faintly, curious as to the meaning, and she makes a mental note of it so she can try to find out its meaning later, rather than holding Sina up with more questions. Leliana stands when she does, and nods her respect. "Contact me when you have need. With luck I will have positive news for you soon."

Although luck, as a rule, had very little to do with anything.

[eolasemah]

Sina understands the role well-- it is similar to what hers will be, when the time comes for her to replace Keeper Thalia. She smiles again, offering a small nod as she measuredly descends the stairs. At least it's much easier in this direction.