(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

[dreadinquisitor]

Maxwell blinked, and slowly his brow furrowed, head tipping.

"How much more pressure? I know the elves were speaking for Galadriel after she was arrested. Now there's been an attempted escape, and people are discussing it all on the crystals."

He hadn't heard every word - he was a bit distracted, planning this meeting the Spymaster - but he'd have had to be been deaf to miss it entirely.

"It's clearly not a secret that there's unrest."

[fightingale]

"Scandalised words? Displeased muttering over the crystals? That is hardly sufficient." No, Leliana shakes her head, dismissing it.

"Cassandra is practical. She needs to see that people will not accept this." It was Leliana and Josephine who were concerned with words and perception - the Seeker operated differently. "Scattered murmurs will do nothing. Frustrated communications between members of the Inquisition assume that she would put the time and energy into browsing the crystals, rather than seeing to pressing matters in the war. The sad reality of leading, Maxwell, is that there will always be those dissatisfied with actions taken and decisions made. Displeasure means nothing if it does not have a pressing consequence for the Inquisition, something to demand attention."

She muses a moment. "The trick is to strike on something that will not truly weaken us or jeopardise our mission in the long term, but will force Cassandra and Cullen's hands." It was, after all, Cullen who had stood by Cassandra. "Do you understand?"

[dreadinquisitor]

"...Stubborn, you mean." Maxwell's mouth pursed, lips pressing together, and he leaned back in the chair, a hand lifting to rub at his face. "But yes, I do."

He just didn't immediately know what to do about it.

[fightingale]

"Stalwart suits her better," Leliana starts, the faintest hint of amusement in her tone, "but 'stubborn' is apt, yes."

Leliana leans forward, hands steepled. "The pressure is mounting as it is, but it is something to consider. I intend to further lean against Cassandra, as well. We will persevere, of that I have no doubt."

[dreadinquisitor]

"In the meantime, they remain imprisoned, alone." His hand dropped and he looked at Leliana pleadingly. "Which is likely the worst punishment Cassandra could have unwittingly set on Gavin. Is there any chance I, or perhaps a member of his family might be allowed to see him, if only long enough to keep him from losing his mind?"