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With a handful of coins and a winsome smile, one of Cullen's runners is pressed into service delivering to Pel a small package wrapped in soft paper that he's prepared to swear an oath he doesn't know the precise origin of. It contains a baby's gown in the Orlesian style, lacking some of the usual fuss (no lace, a simple cut) but with a family of bears chasing each other painstakingly embroidered around its hem. Silken and soft in dark brown, the fabric is as costly as it's maker is obviously skilled.
Gwen doesn't see the tears that come to Pel's eyes at such a beautiful and thoughtful gift. And seeing this tiny garment makes it real, more so than the purely utilitarian garments she has made herself. She is one bear in that family. And she has already demolished the first threat to her cub she has ever had to face.
More coin buys a favor from the runner, who delivers to Gwen a fine frosted glass halla figurine. Maybe Gwen will only throw it away. But Pel has so few things that are pretty, so few things made in cities by people with the technology to make things whimsical and beautiful like this halla. And the giving bears echoes of a much grander sign of friendship among the Dalish. Maybe Gwen won't realize that. Maybe she will see that she has given away a thing of true art and beauty and she has been rewarded in return with a cheap trinket. But maybe she will also see a sign of gratitude where none was expected, rather than sending a pretty thing into the void to be forgotten by all but the recipient. Maybe it will let her know that it is not only the gift that has touched Pel, but herself as well.
More coin buys a favor from the runner, who delivers to Gwen a fine frosted glass halla figurine. Maybe Gwen will only throw it away. But Pel has so few things that are pretty, so few things made in cities by people with the technology to make things whimsical and beautiful like this halla. And the giving bears echoes of a much grander sign of friendship among the Dalish. Maybe Gwen won't realize that. Maybe she will see that she has given away a thing of true art and beauty and she has been rewarded in return with a cheap trinket. But maybe she will also see a sign of gratitude where none was expected, rather than sending a pretty thing into the void to be forgotten by all but the recipient. Maybe it will let her know that it is not only the gift that has touched Pel, but herself as well.
[A gift left for Pel via an Inquisition runner; a box of supplies with something of a Chasind feel to them containing vials of oil to be added to baths to aid sleep, tonics to soothe upset stomachs and gums when such times come, and one tunic for an older child with Mythal's vallaslin embroidered on it amidst some other odds and ends. Folded below is fabric to fashion more along or to craft into a baby sling or blankets with feathers and beads of stone and glass for decoration. Wrapped inside a smaller scrap of fabric is a crudely made halla, courtesy of Kieran.]
For the months to come. I have been where you will be, and though you shall not be alone in this, you may have need of this.
Morrigan
For the months to come. I have been where you will be, and though you shall not be alone in this, you may have need of this.
Morrigan
[Pel does not have all that much to give, but she sends back two books. One is full of tales and legends of the Alamarri, Chasind, and Avvar peoples--clearly for Kieran. The other is a handwritten copy of all her notes about the dirth'ena enasalin, or the path of the Arcane Warrior, and every memory the spirit from the phylactery gave her. Every detail is spelled out, even the memories which barely seem relevant. She sends a note as well, but it is short:]
Thank you.
Thank you.
Edited 2017-03-03 14:30 (UTC)
Being with an elf-blooded human—that's not worse than being with any other human, is it? It's not something that's going to cause more problems for you than normal or—bother you, or anything, more than it would if he weren't. We're just all one big blob of shemlen and it doesn't matter.
No, but...Alistair, has someone said something to you?
[She can rant about cultural anthropology, but checks herself before she does. There's a bigger concern.]
[She can rant about cultural anthropology, but checks herself before she does. There's a bigger concern.]
No! No, nothing. No one knows to say anything. Only you and Beleth and Zevran and—Morrigan, only you know. I just haven't said to Sabine yet and I'm wondering how big a deal it is. For elves. I'm not asking more of her than I already am just by being human, right?
Oh--all right. [That's okay then.] But I think it depends on the person. It wouldn't matter to me, but I've very much known the opposite opinion. Herian's ear was mutilated over it. By an elf. But I really don't think Sabine is the sort to care very much about technicalities.
Pel - I know you are busy with little Sina and with your work - I just ...
[A heavy sigh.]
I have had a dark realization about myself, and my soul is burdened. I can see only one course of action, but it frightens me.
[A heavy sigh.]
I have had a dark realization about myself, and my soul is burdened. I can see only one course of action, but it frightens me.
Hm. Ponder it in the dark of night, let it keep you up until you realize it's been part of you all along? Then get a good night's sleep and move on with your life? That's what most people do.
...Not entirely certain I want to accept being a murderer. [The sound of sandpaper, a hand running over his face.]
But then again, what choice do I have? The facts do not re-arrange themselves for my benefit.
But then again, what choice do I have? The facts do not re-arrange themselves for my benefit.
Exactly. It'll be a burden on your soul no matter what you do about it. You can't bring back the dead. And making amends to the living will probably hurt them more than help. Why do you think I've not tracked down Pryderi's living family and made myself an example of?
Then I truly have no choice then. [Another sigh.] Listen, Sina will be taken care of, if I have your permission. Everything I possess -- it will be hers one day. I want to make sure she has every opportunity.
Wh...what are you doing, James? It sounds like you're doing the opposite of what I've been saying. And I'm giving you no permission whatever until you've explained.
I have to go put myself before the Seekers, Pel. I killed innocent mages - probably more than I want to imagine. [He will not hide behind Meredith's mad skirts.] The responsibility is mine, thus, the punishment.
[There's a brief silence, in which Pel is completely baffled.]
James? When have the Seekers ever punished the killing of innocent mages?
James? When have the Seekers ever punished the killing of innocent mages?
[Blink. Blink blink.]
Well. All the time.
[Blink.]
Or. They should. In theory. They're there to keep the Templars in check from ... misusing... their powers.
[Hrm.]
Right, well, the three the Inquisition have will do that.
Well. All the time.
[Blink.]
Or. They should. In theory. They're there to keep the Templars in check from ... misusing... their powers.
[Hrm.]
Right, well, the three the Inquisition have will do that.
James, no. That isn't how the world works. There's no person you can go to to make you stop feeling this way. And if you'll notice, the Inquisition is full of murderers. Some of them are or leaders. If you start demanding justice for every murder...
That's why we're here, James. We're saving the world and maybe leaving it better than it was before this mess. Making a system that's built less on the murder of innocents. Because if you're going to go there, there are whole murdering nations. And none of those people are willing to feel it. You feel it because you are a good man, and you bear that burden for the people who refuse it. Just as I do. Suck it up.
That's why we're here, James. We're saving the world and maybe leaving it better than it was before this mess. Making a system that's built less on the murder of innocents. Because if you're going to go there, there are whole murdering nations. And none of those people are willing to feel it. You feel it because you are a good man, and you bear that burden for the people who refuse it. Just as I do. Suck it up.
But they're not just - [Yes they are and you know it.] I'm not demanding justice for every murder, just the ones that I've committed. [And the ones you haven't?]
How can I fix a system that is in fact built on the murder of innocents? [He sounds utterly exasperated now, which is better than the grim determination from before.] And how precisely does one Suck It Up? It's murder - not a bruised knee!
How can I fix a system that is in fact built on the murder of innocents? [He sounds utterly exasperated now, which is better than the grim determination from before.] And how precisely does one Suck It Up? It's murder - not a bruised knee!
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