(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

[fightingale]

“We both of us are problematic at best,” she replies, rather wryly, summing up their situation and their distrust - both justified, perhaps. “But at least we would sooner see something done than not.”

It means little that her eyes were first opened in Kinloch, those many years ago, that she had thought mages were kept in worse conditions than she would see an animal live in, when it had taken her so long to raise her voice. But now she had the strength and position to use that voice more fully, more powerfully, and that is something. She has learned more facets of the game, become better at what she does, and perhaps that will make her a more valuable ally than she would have been even when she went to Kirkwall. Leliana loved Justinia still, but she wonders now if love and loyalty had… blinkered her to the brutal reality of Justinia’s tactics and their dire lack.

“Words mean little, and that is why I will be pressing harder, henceforth. Too many sacrifices have been made of mages and elves alike. Their lives cannot be cast as less worthy and less precious.” It is still just words, that she know, but the are sincere. “I will make you no vows. People have heard enough of those, I think, and suffered for them all the same.”

However, she does disentangle her fingers, flexing her hand so it it balled in a loose fist, before leaning forward with her shoulders back and offering him her hand to shake. It is not much, but it is… something, at least. Respectful.

[justice_is_blond]

If she means any part of what she has said, mages (and elves, and potentially even rifters,) have gained here today. If she does not, they have not lost anything as no vows are being asked for just as they are not being given.

Anders exhales and takes the offered hand. His grip is easy. There's no competition in it, no attempt to squeeze or crush because he's never seen the point in such empty gestures. True actions have meanings. This shake? May in time, depending. Those who still know how to hope can do so.

"I'll make you no vows either. Deeds will cover the ground needed, and seeing how the other furthers their goals. Until we speak again, Leliana." He releases her hand and steps back, glancing around and taking a breath. Politics are not easy, he's going to have to get better at them, but at least now that move's been made. "I should say I'm glad you never took me up on having a cat around your tower, considering the havoc glitter would cause in their system after they clean themselves. I personally intend to go wipe all of this on someone I know it will annoy before bathing, before holding my cat."