Too true. Glad mine is still where it is.
[There's a moment of silence as he takes in Anders' words. Frankly, Twisted Fate has conclusions about Nerva that he plans on addressing with her after what he heard, and after what he's learned of her in the past. It's not hard to put together, but there is no reason for Anders to know.
And it is far from Fate's place to tell him.
When Twisted Fate looks at Anders, his brow raises, smile gone. It would be difficult to encourage anyone to think beyond their own experiences, especially one who's been abused by Templars so much in his life. He didn't think it would be simple as a few words to suggest thinking outside his own box, granted, but he is a little disappointment.
Twisted Fate slightly disapproves.]
I suppose you know better than most, Anders.
[Fate isn't one to typically involve himself in debates. He isn't about to start. He sees no reason to.]
[There's a moment of silence as he takes in Anders' words. Frankly, Twisted Fate has conclusions about Nerva that he plans on addressing with her after what he heard, and after what he's learned of her in the past. It's not hard to put together, but there is no reason for Anders to know.
And it is far from Fate's place to tell him.
When Twisted Fate looks at Anders, his brow raises, smile gone. It would be difficult to encourage anyone to think beyond their own experiences, especially one who's been abused by Templars so much in his life. He didn't think it would be simple as a few words to suggest thinking outside his own box, granted, but he is a little disappointment.
Twisted Fate slightly disapproves.]
I suppose you know better than most, Anders.
[Fate isn't one to typically involve himself in debates. He isn't about to start. He sees no reason to.]
[The clear disapproval stings, as if he's being judged, and Anders folds his arms across his chest defensively.]
You're talking about someone who walked up to me with the confidence that she could get away with striking. If I walked up to a Templar and hit them, I would pay. Even before I destroyed the Chantry, that was the way of things. I was--
[No. He breaks off. No details, not when he's already being found wanting. Opening up is terrifying normally; right now would be even worse.]
You're a mage.
[As if that changes things, makes all the difference. It doesn't. Sometimes, though, like now, Anders wishes it did.]
You're talking about someone who walked up to me with the confidence that she could get away with striking. If I walked up to a Templar and hit them, I would pay. Even before I destroyed the Chantry, that was the way of things. I was--
[No. He breaks off. No details, not when he's already being found wanting. Opening up is terrifying normally; right now would be even worse.]
You're a mage.
[As if that changes things, makes all the difference. It doesn't. Sometimes, though, like now, Anders wishes it did.]
And an elf, a thief, Dalish, performer, con artist -- the list goes on.
If it's any consolation, arranging people into neat little categories isn't something you do especially. I know plenty of people who do it. The Dalish love their categories.
[Twisted Fate disapproves a little more.]
Anders, I'm not here to defend her. She shouldn't have hit you. I will not argue that.
But I will say, do not put me into any kind of category. It only perpetuates the issues we all seem to have. It's rather unpleasant.
If it's any consolation, arranging people into neat little categories isn't something you do especially. I know plenty of people who do it. The Dalish love their categories.
[Twisted Fate disapproves a little more.]
Anders, I'm not here to defend her. She shouldn't have hit you. I will not argue that.
But I will say, do not put me into any kind of category. It only perpetuates the issues we all seem to have. It's rather unpleasant.
[ Beleth steps into the room, glancing around with a raised eyebrow. She doesn't seem to disapprove of the changes, but they certainly make it a...unique room. She's still looking around with a curious expression, as she takes the door and firmly shuts it. The next part would be the hardest, and Beleth has learned that when she's teetering on something, the best thing to do is just leap and hope that the landing is survivable.
So she stops dancing around the subject at hand, and grabs Twisted Fate by the lapels, and pulls him to her. It is markedly easier to do this when the man in question is actually your height. Stupid tall humans. Her kiss has no gentleness to it, all hardness and hunger. She pulls away (or more accurately, pushes Twisted Fate away) for a moment, to glare at him, all saccharine sweetness gone. ]
You're a damned ass, just so you know.
[ It's with those sweet nothings whispered in his ear that she kisses him again, hands moving to grip his shoulders. Although, Twisted Fate can tell that she's careful to not be actually forceful--her grip isn't gentle but it'd be easier to disentangle himself, if he felt so inclined. ]
So she stops dancing around the subject at hand, and grabs Twisted Fate by the lapels, and pulls him to her. It is markedly easier to do this when the man in question is actually your height. Stupid tall humans. Her kiss has no gentleness to it, all hardness and hunger. She pulls away (or more accurately, pushes Twisted Fate away) for a moment, to glare at him, all saccharine sweetness gone. ]
You're a damned ass, just so you know.
[ It's with those sweet nothings whispered in his ear that she kisses him again, hands moving to grip his shoulders. Although, Twisted Fate can tell that she's careful to not be actually forceful--her grip isn't gentle but it'd be easier to disentangle himself, if he felt so inclined. ]
[The forced pleasantries and flirting was all rather entertaining, but having Beleth here and now pull him into such a fierce kiss gives him pause. Oh, he is very curious about it; there is a certain passion to it, and something he can understand.
For in as much as she frustrates him, it is impossible to not respect and admire her skills, and she is lovely in her own way.
At the remark about him, he just gives her a shit-eating grin before they're kissing again. No, he doesn't push her away, and instead he reaches for her waist, pulling her near as he nips her lower lip.
No, he will encourage this.]
For in as much as she frustrates him, it is impossible to not respect and admire her skills, and she is lovely in her own way.
At the remark about him, he just gives her a shit-eating grin before they're kissing again. No, he doesn't push her away, and instead he reaches for her waist, pulling her near as he nips her lower lip.
No, he will encourage this.]
[ Well, who would have known. It worked, hard part over. At least, all the second guessing and risk seems to be over. He's actually willing to kiss her. The grin he gives her gets a disgruntled look for the half second before they're kissing again, and when Twisted Fate nips at her lip, she makes a sound that is not nearly as disgruntled as she'd prefer.
Hands tightening their grip on his shoulders, she moves to push him against the wall--Pausing for just a moment to make sure she isn't shoving him into some mask or pointy decoration or something else weird because what the fuck Fate why is your room so weird??? ]
Hands tightening their grip on his shoulders, she moves to push him against the wall--Pausing for just a moment to make sure she isn't shoving him into some mask or pointy decoration or something else weird because what the fuck Fate why is your room so weird??? ]
[The more aggressive approach that Beleth takes to this is interesting. Briefly, he wonders if she's like this with all of her partners, and he thinks he might just have to ask later.
For now, he's letting her, his back shoved against a wall. He chuckles and tilts his head, pressing deeply as he can into the kiss as his hand wanders up her back.]
For now, he's letting her, his back shoved against a wall. He chuckles and tilts his head, pressing deeply as he can into the kiss as his hand wanders up her back.]
[ With his back pressing into the wall, Beleth's hands move from his shoulders, trailing down his chest slowly, taking the time to feel the curves of his body. It was alright to enjoy this, wasn't it? Even if it was for an ulterior motive. Enjoying it just made it more authentic, surely. Definitely.
Meanwhile, his chuckle earns him a little huff, and she pulls away just enough to make vague grumbling noises, before pressing her lips to his neck. Her fingers are, meanwhile, busy trying to figure out the mystery of shemlen clothes. In other words, attempting to unbutton Fate's vest. Most of her caution is because she's not sure how delicate all these fancy clothes are, and she doesn't want to go about accidentally pulling buttons from them.
If just so that this lasts long enough for Fate to see her ingenious plot. ]
Meanwhile, his chuckle earns him a little huff, and she pulls away just enough to make vague grumbling noises, before pressing her lips to his neck. Her fingers are, meanwhile, busy trying to figure out the mystery of shemlen clothes. In other words, attempting to unbutton Fate's vest. Most of her caution is because she's not sure how delicate all these fancy clothes are, and she doesn't want to go about accidentally pulling buttons from them.
If just so that this lasts long enough for Fate to see her ingenious plot. ]
Saying that she suffered the way a Circle mage has isn't defending her? I'm not trying to pick an argument. I do not want another fight. I was simply expecting some understanding from one facet of who you are, rather than attempting to say you were just a mage.
[And now he disapproves some.]
I won't argue that she's been through something. I'll not deny that it did damage. But it feels... I'm not even sure I know the word. Hearing my whole life of struggle and fight compared to something an oppressor has gone through at the hand of a mage or mages? It hurts. I've been treated like a thing since childhood, a thing to be feared and hated. If you want to tell me her whole life since childhood has been spent surrounded with loathing and fear, then I'll allow the comparison. But one event compared to a lifetime of abuses? I don't know, Fate. Justice does, and I'm trying to not let his opinion color mine too much here, but he deals entirely in absolutes.
[And now he disapproves some.]
I won't argue that she's been through something. I'll not deny that it did damage. But it feels... I'm not even sure I know the word. Hearing my whole life of struggle and fight compared to something an oppressor has gone through at the hand of a mage or mages? It hurts. I've been treated like a thing since childhood, a thing to be feared and hated. If you want to tell me her whole life since childhood has been spent surrounded with loathing and fear, then I'll allow the comparison. But one event compared to a lifetime of abuses? I don't know, Fate. Justice does, and I'm trying to not let his opinion color mine too much here, but he deals entirely in absolutes.
Anders, I drew a comparison so you could attempt to have a concept of empathy outside of your own experiences. We've all suffered something, but your pain? Your pain, apparently, is going to come before everyone else's.
As I said, I will not defend her actions. I offered a suggestion of what likely happened based on what I know of her, but her story is not mine to tell. Nor are your woes mine to tell her, when all she can see is a villain who began a war.
I know better than that, and I am -- rather foolishly, apparently -- attempting to bridge an understanding. I don't assume to know what it's like to have a bloody spirit color my perspective, but do try to have a different one.
[He releases Anders' hand and stands up.]
Happy Birthday to me, hm? And a good evening for you.
As I said, I will not defend her actions. I offered a suggestion of what likely happened based on what I know of her, but her story is not mine to tell. Nor are your woes mine to tell her, when all she can see is a villain who began a war.
I know better than that, and I am -- rather foolishly, apparently -- attempting to bridge an understanding. I don't assume to know what it's like to have a bloody spirit color my perspective, but do try to have a different one.
[He releases Anders' hand and stands up.]
Happy Birthday to me, hm? And a good evening for you.
There's no call to have an understanding with someone who punched me until and unless she apologizes and means it. In fact, being that vulnerable to someone who has that much power is something I've been well-trained to avoid. I've plenty of empathy for those who do not assault others.
[Anders stands.]
You've the shield of your hidden identity and past. I've no such thing. Perhaps do not judge me so quickly. Or perhaps do. Your actions are your own to choose. Good evening.
[And with that, he's turning to go. No empathy, his perspective is entirely wrong? He has enough self-doubt after slipping with control; he doesn't need this on top of it. Fate will speak with him again sometime or he will not. That is up to the elf.]
[Anders stands.]
You've the shield of your hidden identity and past. I've no such thing. Perhaps do not judge me so quickly. Or perhaps do. Your actions are your own to choose. Good evening.
[And with that, he's turning to go. No empathy, his perspective is entirely wrong? He has enough self-doubt after slipping with control; he doesn't need this on top of it. Fate will speak with him again sometime or he will not. That is up to the elf.]
Sending Crystal, while he's headed to Weisshaupt [1/2]
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justice_is_blond
2016-05-30 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
I've an idea. A project, even, though there's no way it would succeed with my name attached. But it seems there's a great many feelings around here and a great lack of any sort of skill working them out. I could use help with that.
[A couple of minutes later.]
I've only just realized how that sounded. Not... violent sorts of feelings or working out. The softer sort.
I've only just realized how that sounded. Not... violent sorts of feelings or working out. The softer sort.
[Twisted Fate chuckles.] Is it sex? I hope so.
But truly, I am listening.
But truly, I am listening.
Well, if you want to sleep with half of Skyhold I won't stop you. It's fun. But I was thinking more along the lines of helping people who want to have sex with each other actually get to that point.
Or the ones that just want to kiss, or hold hands, or take long walks on half-frozen lakes that may shatter beneath them, whatever is popular among those who fancy themselves romantics. I was thinking of offering advice. Letters they can drop off anonymously, which would then be answered anonymously, and posted on the board by someone who is most definitely not me.
I could use help with the gathering the letters, the posting, and the advice-writing, if you'd be interested.
Or the ones that just want to kiss, or hold hands, or take long walks on half-frozen lakes that may shatter beneath them, whatever is popular among those who fancy themselves romantics. I was thinking of offering advice. Letters they can drop off anonymously, which would then be answered anonymously, and posted on the board by someone who is most definitely not me.
I could use help with the gathering the letters, the posting, and the advice-writing, if you'd be interested.
If I weren't an occupied man, I'd have considered it.
But yes, actually. I would enjoy doing that very much. Watch love or lust develop among fellow Inquisition members, maybe people would unwind more.
[Twisted Fate's romantic side certainly is into it. Thus, he greatly approves.]
But yes, actually. I would enjoy doing that very much. Watch love or lust develop among fellow Inquisition members, maybe people would unwind more.
[Twisted Fate's romantic side certainly is into it. Thus, he greatly approves.]
I'm not certain how to start the solicitation of letters, but I'm assuming once it's started we could meet once, perhaps twice a week and figure out how to unravel various people's hangups and complications?
Potentially we could begin it with a notice on the board telling people who could use advice to leave an unsigned letter... at some location we figure out. And then as long as enough letters are given, we should be able to gain and maintain momentum. Or not. It may be overlooked.
Potentially we could begin it with a notice on the board telling people who could use advice to leave an unsigned letter... at some location we figure out. And then as long as enough letters are given, we should be able to gain and maintain momentum. Or not. It may be overlooked.
Thank you. I'm sorry about the aftermath, but I appreciate the assistance.
You must forgive my presumption,
( must he? such a charmingly affable voice, accented distinctly Nevarran - not one often heard on the crystals, even back in Skyhold, )
but your reputation precedes you and I would be remiss as a friend to Ser Lecuyer did I not inquire as to your health, and, indeed, hers.
( The prompt is obvious. Where is her friend. )
( must he? such a charmingly affable voice, accented distinctly Nevarran - not one often heard on the crystals, even back in Skyhold, )
but your reputation precedes you and I would be remiss as a friend to Ser Lecuyer did I not inquire as to your health, and, indeed, hers.
( The prompt is obvious. Where is her friend. )
Benevenuta. It's been too long.
[Fate knows this kind of tone. He's heard it often enough, and usually he'd play it back, but concerning Nerva...]
I'm afraid Nerva was killed in the field.
[It doesn't get any easier saying it, telling himself that it's true. But nothing can undo what has been done.
And he won't play games concerning her whereabouts for those she'd call friend.]
[Fate knows this kind of tone. He's heard it often enough, and usually he'd play it back, but concerning Nerva...]
I'm afraid Nerva was killed in the field.
[It doesn't get any easier saying it, telling himself that it's true. But nothing can undo what has been done.
And he won't play games concerning her whereabouts for those she'd call friend.]
( It takes a longer time than she'd like, coming back to answer him again. It isn't as it was, with Hercules, she'd had- not enough time, there could never be enough time, but some, some time to learn the shape of what was to come. To expect it, as if that would brace her heart.
Nerva is not here, of course, but she had thought-
She hadn't been here, either, she hadn't died anywhere- )
How like her,
( that thoughtless Templar, forever haring off in her own bloody direction, stubborn as a mule. Benevenuta looks up at the ceiling above her and presses her lips together and doesn't weep, because Nerva was her friend but her lover is a stranger, and she bends but never breaks. )
Nerva is not here, of course, but she had thought-
She hadn't been here, either, she hadn't died anywhere- )
How like her,
( that thoughtless Templar, forever haring off in her own bloody direction, stubborn as a mule. Benevenuta looks up at the ceiling above her and presses her lips together and doesn't weep, because Nerva was her friend but her lover is a stranger, and she bends but never breaks. )
[Out in the field, they were finally aiming to return to the rest of the Inquisition, their mission done. Twisted Fate teased her, as he always did, suggesting that he'd get up to all kinds of mischief in Kirkwall, and Nerva giving her flat look -- but he'd never miss the love in her eyes.
He will remember that, before hearing her shouting, ordering him to run as they were attacked. He searched for days after, trying to find her, and--]
It was too much like her.
[Fate feels much too sober.]
I'm sorry. For what it's worth.
He will remember that, before hearing her shouting, ordering him to run as they were attacked. He searched for days after, trying to find her, and--]
It was too much like her.
[Fate feels much too sober.]
I'm sorry. For what it's worth.
As am I.
( The delay between that and the end of the message is
what it is. Finally, quietly, )
It is a loss I understand well. If such understanding is what you need, you will not find me difficult to locate.
( The delay between that and the end of the message is
what it is. Finally, quietly, )
It is a loss I understand well. If such understanding is what you need, you will not find me difficult to locate.
I... I don't--
[He isn't sure if he'd ever be ready to talk about this personally. Not to that level. But wouldn't it be nice, for a change, that someone who loved her to any degree would talk to him?]
In time. Thank you.
I offer you the same.
[He isn't sure if he'd ever be ready to talk about this personally. Not to that level. But wouldn't it be nice, for a change, that someone who loved her to any degree would talk to him?]
In time. Thank you.
I offer you the same.
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