Pel (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mythalenaste) wrote2019-08-31 01:54 pm
mythalenaste) wrote2019-08-31 01:54 pm
Companion/Advisor relations
Cassandra is Pel's hound. Her mabari. The force Pel unleashes when she wants to wreak havoc. They went from tense coexistence to friendship early on. Cassandra is a touch conservative for her tastes, but in that way she challenges Pel's viewpoints and makes her consider other options. In the end, they are very close, their somewhat similar temperaments having finally clicked in a way that was harmonious.
The Iron Bull is a good friend. He gets her to relax, which is good for her. She gives him strong direction, which he respects. There's a lot of physical trust there, with the two of them being at the front line (now that she's a knight-enchanter, anyway). Doubtless he's put back a lot of her dislocated joints.
Varric has her back even when she's unaware of it. He became an incredibly valued party member who could put her at ease very quickly in most situations. Moreover, he was the first person to ask her if she was okay after the Conclave explosion. He's a comfort and a boon, someone she trusts with her life.
With Solas she had harmonious coexistence--they cooperated well together, and they were friends, but they had little in common. She's a practical, down-to-earth sort of hard-working Dalish, and she thought him way too pretentious. Really, when a Dalish thinks you're pretentious, you've got to step back and think.
Blackwall has always been a stalwart companion, steady as a rock. She was merciful to him because the kind of man willing to die for a crime he long since dodged responsibility for is the kind of man you really want to keep around in the world. She was pissed off about his deception, but actually became closer to him after than she had been before, especially after things went to hell with...
Sera was Pel's little sister for most of the Inquisition's time. She brought out wonderful things in Pel, and not only with the pranks. Pel fell into the habit of trolling her like an older sibling would, and found much easier companionship in Sera than in Solas. They were both earthy, no-nonsense sorts, although Pel had a tendency toward over-seriousness and Sera had the opposite. It worked so that they balanced each other. Then the Temple of Mythal happened and Pel drank from the Well of Sorrows. They had a dreadful argument when Sera decided Pel was too "elfy" and it was the only time since the Conclave when Pel had cried, albeit a very angry sort of crying. Since then they've been awkwardly trying to pretend that fight never happened, sharing some silent cookie time, both touchy about trying to be close again and yet wanting it at the same time. They'll get past it.
Vivienne and Pel did not get off on the right foot. Pel hated her at first. Really flipping hated her. Not just for her conservative viewpoints, but they just shared too many common flaws. Pride especially, as well as a degree of vanity (a secret of Pel's) and the tendency to become bullheaded when challenged. Vivienne seemed to treat Pel like some ignorant savage, something that quietly blinded Pel with rage. Then Pel saw how Vivienne was with Bastien and softened toward her. They tentatively connected over sharing the knight-enchanter specialty, and Pel had to admit she had respect for Vivienne's abilities. They were headed toward a surprising friendship when Corypheus was defeated. By that point Pel could admit that Vivienne was essentially becoming her adviser in matters of fashion--the one thing Pel knew for sure she could be trusted with.
Dorian is Pel's best friend. They were honest with each other in ways they couldn't be with anyone else. Blanket forts and flashlights and midnight confessions close. Talked long into the night about arcane theory and magic and growing up as only children and their differing experiences in growing up as mages. He draws her out and encourages her toward more lighthearted thoughts, while she steadfastly supports him.
Cole is a bit of a strange bird. She was uneasy around him at first, then protective. She's still occasionally uneasy around him, but knows he's on her side. She's just a mage and he's a spirit. There's some automatic wariness there, and it will take time for it to go away. In the meantime, she looks after him. She doesn't see him looking after her, but someone has been putting a sleep aid into her tea at night and it's nobody in the kitchen staff, or the apothecary.
Josephine is that friend Pel would go to the mall with. She almost spent more time with Josie than she spent with Cullen, learning about etiquette and rhetoric and all that bullshit she needed to succeed as a pointy-eared savage in high society. Fortunately, Josie is a fabulous teacher.
Leliana is a wonderful friend and Pel's closest confidante as Inquisitor. Pel pushed for her to follow a strict moral code, determined that the ends would not justify the means like it had with the first Inquisition and the many crimes committed against the elves. Pel supported Leliana as Divine, having seen her struggles with morality and how Leliana overcame them all, but especially that they were fought in the first place.
As for Cullen, she knew she loved him when he dispersed the mob in front of the Haven Chantry with words alone. After that, it was just a matter of catching him. What arrested her at first, she couldn't say; his voice of reason cutting through chaos, calm and strong, his spine straight and his shoulders squared. He was an island of reason and strength in a time when the world was ending, and yet he flustered and fell apart whenever she gently flirted with him. She found in him a kindred spirit, strong as steel when tested but malleable as clay when held in gentle hands. Their shared steadfastness created a positive feedback loop of sorts between them, so they each gave each other the strength to give each other strength. His kisses made her knees weak, his bashful smiles made her grin like an idiot, the touch of his hands made her sigh at night. Her best chance in the face of her clan's possible rejection of their relationship would be to be as transparent as possible about it, showing everyone the mutual benefit and what it looks like when elves and humans are at their best together.
Blackwall, Alternate: I have done a playthrough where Pel romanced Blackwall and I loved it. While Cullen is the "canon" romance for her timeline, I love RPing her with Blackwall as well. Like with Cullen, they are alike in being hard when tested yet pliable when held gently. With Blackwall, however, came something unique: the bewildering sight of a man honest enough to be emotional and sincere with her, no stiff upper lip required. He adored and worshiped her without reservation, and the feeling of being so treasured was so unusual that she was a little worried at first. She held in her hands a heart too easily broken, a responsibility she was afraid to have. She almost called the relationship off, but found she...didn't want to. They held one another like they were made of spun glass, and Pel was amazed to find herself swept away in this impractical emotional nonsense, at last near someone who gave her permission to show the depths of her vulnerability because he showed his own. Somehow, she was less angry and betrayed by his deception and more cut to the bone, grieved beyond measure at the thought that that honesty was false and mourning the person Blackwall who never really existed. The grief eased when she learned how little he was really pretending about, and how good a man Thom Rainier has become, that their times together were as intimate and honest as she had hoped. She decided that the best thing she could do for him was to give him to the Wardens, thereby giving him the same absolution all Wardens receive with the Joining. She doubts the Inquisitor could be with him otherwise, though she will still lose him sooner or later. Till then, she treasures him as he has always treasured her.
The Iron Bull is a good friend. He gets her to relax, which is good for her. She gives him strong direction, which he respects. There's a lot of physical trust there, with the two of them being at the front line (now that she's a knight-enchanter, anyway). Doubtless he's put back a lot of her dislocated joints.
Varric has her back even when she's unaware of it. He became an incredibly valued party member who could put her at ease very quickly in most situations. Moreover, he was the first person to ask her if she was okay after the Conclave explosion. He's a comfort and a boon, someone she trusts with her life.
With Solas she had harmonious coexistence--they cooperated well together, and they were friends, but they had little in common. She's a practical, down-to-earth sort of hard-working Dalish, and she thought him way too pretentious. Really, when a Dalish thinks you're pretentious, you've got to step back and think.
Blackwall has always been a stalwart companion, steady as a rock. She was merciful to him because the kind of man willing to die for a crime he long since dodged responsibility for is the kind of man you really want to keep around in the world. She was pissed off about his deception, but actually became closer to him after than she had been before, especially after things went to hell with...
Sera was Pel's little sister for most of the Inquisition's time. She brought out wonderful things in Pel, and not only with the pranks. Pel fell into the habit of trolling her like an older sibling would, and found much easier companionship in Sera than in Solas. They were both earthy, no-nonsense sorts, although Pel had a tendency toward over-seriousness and Sera had the opposite. It worked so that they balanced each other. Then the Temple of Mythal happened and Pel drank from the Well of Sorrows. They had a dreadful argument when Sera decided Pel was too "elfy" and it was the only time since the Conclave when Pel had cried, albeit a very angry sort of crying. Since then they've been awkwardly trying to pretend that fight never happened, sharing some silent cookie time, both touchy about trying to be close again and yet wanting it at the same time. They'll get past it.
Vivienne and Pel did not get off on the right foot. Pel hated her at first. Really flipping hated her. Not just for her conservative viewpoints, but they just shared too many common flaws. Pride especially, as well as a degree of vanity (a secret of Pel's) and the tendency to become bullheaded when challenged. Vivienne seemed to treat Pel like some ignorant savage, something that quietly blinded Pel with rage. Then Pel saw how Vivienne was with Bastien and softened toward her. They tentatively connected over sharing the knight-enchanter specialty, and Pel had to admit she had respect for Vivienne's abilities. They were headed toward a surprising friendship when Corypheus was defeated. By that point Pel could admit that Vivienne was essentially becoming her adviser in matters of fashion--the one thing Pel knew for sure she could be trusted with.
Dorian is Pel's best friend. They were honest with each other in ways they couldn't be with anyone else. Blanket forts and flashlights and midnight confessions close. Talked long into the night about arcane theory and magic and growing up as only children and their differing experiences in growing up as mages. He draws her out and encourages her toward more lighthearted thoughts, while she steadfastly supports him.
Cole is a bit of a strange bird. She was uneasy around him at first, then protective. She's still occasionally uneasy around him, but knows he's on her side. She's just a mage and he's a spirit. There's some automatic wariness there, and it will take time for it to go away. In the meantime, she looks after him. She doesn't see him looking after her, but someone has been putting a sleep aid into her tea at night and it's nobody in the kitchen staff, or the apothecary.
Josephine is that friend Pel would go to the mall with. She almost spent more time with Josie than she spent with Cullen, learning about etiquette and rhetoric and all that bullshit she needed to succeed as a pointy-eared savage in high society. Fortunately, Josie is a fabulous teacher.
Leliana is a wonderful friend and Pel's closest confidante as Inquisitor. Pel pushed for her to follow a strict moral code, determined that the ends would not justify the means like it had with the first Inquisition and the many crimes committed against the elves. Pel supported Leliana as Divine, having seen her struggles with morality and how Leliana overcame them all, but especially that they were fought in the first place.
As for Cullen, she knew she loved him when he dispersed the mob in front of the Haven Chantry with words alone. After that, it was just a matter of catching him. What arrested her at first, she couldn't say; his voice of reason cutting through chaos, calm and strong, his spine straight and his shoulders squared. He was an island of reason and strength in a time when the world was ending, and yet he flustered and fell apart whenever she gently flirted with him. She found in him a kindred spirit, strong as steel when tested but malleable as clay when held in gentle hands. Their shared steadfastness created a positive feedback loop of sorts between them, so they each gave each other the strength to give each other strength. His kisses made her knees weak, his bashful smiles made her grin like an idiot, the touch of his hands made her sigh at night. Her best chance in the face of her clan's possible rejection of their relationship would be to be as transparent as possible about it, showing everyone the mutual benefit and what it looks like when elves and humans are at their best together.
Blackwall, Alternate: I have done a playthrough where Pel romanced Blackwall and I loved it. While Cullen is the "canon" romance for her timeline, I love RPing her with Blackwall as well. Like with Cullen, they are alike in being hard when tested yet pliable when held gently. With Blackwall, however, came something unique: the bewildering sight of a man honest enough to be emotional and sincere with her, no stiff upper lip required. He adored and worshiped her without reservation, and the feeling of being so treasured was so unusual that she was a little worried at first. She held in her hands a heart too easily broken, a responsibility she was afraid to have. She almost called the relationship off, but found she...didn't want to. They held one another like they were made of spun glass, and Pel was amazed to find herself swept away in this impractical emotional nonsense, at last near someone who gave her permission to show the depths of her vulnerability because he showed his own. Somehow, she was less angry and betrayed by his deception and more cut to the bone, grieved beyond measure at the thought that that honesty was false and mourning the person Blackwall who never really existed. The grief eased when she learned how little he was really pretending about, and how good a man Thom Rainier has become, that their times together were as intimate and honest as she had hoped. She decided that the best thing she could do for him was to give him to the Wardens, thereby giving him the same absolution all Wardens receive with the Joining. She doubts the Inquisitor could be with him otherwise, though she will still lose him sooner or later. Till then, she treasures him as he has always treasured her.