Surely you don't doubt our awareness of that. Granted, some of the choices you all voted in could use more practice not being terrifying than others.
[Not naming names, of course, but if he did, they would rhyme with 'Bell Floss' and 'Aerosol Divas.']
And I can't speak for the rest of Kirkwall, but I would have hoped the Inquisition's little corner of it could be an oasis of sanity. Not so, apparently.
Please. Unless you and Julian are acting uncharacteristically, my vote was used well.
[His voice is extremely dry.]
This is the problem when popularity has as much weight as practicality. Some who are popular do not make for good representatives, some who are popular are very poor choices to listen to. Meredith was rather popular.
[Elthina too.]
And there is nothing that can overcome Kirkwall's penchant for upheaval. It is perhaps the only part of Kirkwall that is preditictable.
Five. All adults. I doubt they would come in regardless, if they have been avoiding it all this time.
I am sure they would appreciate clothes. Blankets. Traps, perhaps, so they can stop hunting rabbits with magic before they start a fucking forest fire.
But imagine how exciting a risk that must be. Will we have dinner tonight, or will we have to flee for our lives?
[If he's lucky, he won't have to explain that's a joke.]
Do you know anyone who knows how to make--Ignore that, I forgot who I was married to for a moment. Right. I can get the supplies together. You'll lead the way?
Okay so like I know our relationship seems to primarily circle around me asking you tons of questions and you putting up with my annoying ass long enough to answer them, so consider this me sticking to character.
The fuck are phylacteries? Because I'm thinkin' it's not the same thing as the Hebrew texts back home.
[If this were any other topic or day he might laugh, but this is too serious for that.]
I've no idea what Hebrew texts are. Phylacteries are Chantry-sanctioned blood magic where they take your blood and enchant it so they can track and locate someone from any distance. They've been used on mages for centuries, and it's unfortunately little surprise that they're being considered for Rifters.
[ The rest of that, though, gets a fairly lengthy silence, like maybe she might have just left it at gratitude for the reassurance and/or explanation and have that be that. After some experiences back home, being monitored is literally the WORST THING to propose. ]
Cool. I'll fuck up anyone who tries to touch my blood, especially for some bullshit reason like that.
There is still time to speak out against it, perhaps there is time to find a way to stop it. It is unacceptable that they are seeking to create more phylacteries.
I won't shut the fuck up about it if that's what it takes to get the message through. I -- I can handle a lot of the crap I've been put through since I got here because I get how freaked out people must be by the rifts but... but some things just aren't justifiable.
They are not. Treating people like they're criminals when all they've done is be pulled from their homes is unconscionable. You did not ask to be here. I...
[He sighs.]
I don't know what we can do beyond talking loudly, but I will absolutely help with that. Them having my phylactery destroyed my life. I don't want to see that happen to anyone else.
I haven't even done anything like I did back home. I've been on pretty good behavior for the most part. I think.
I'd say I'd be happy to also do talking with my fists, but I'm like... a hundred percent sure that that probably wouldn't help me out in the long run. [ Not that that'll stop her if this goes forward, but hey. ]
They didn't wait for mages to do anything either. ...Granted, I did set fire to the barn first thing, but that was an accident, the way I discovered I'd magic, and I helped put it out too.
The point is that the Rifters are not alone, but more importantly you are not, Chloe. And punching and hurting back, as satisfying as it can feel in the short term, often brings about more restrictions. If you need to work anger out, or someone to yell at, you know where to find me by now, I think. Rolling bandages in the Darktown Clinic has always helped me calm down a little, as has working with potions. I could even teach you how to make a new one.
[Anders snorts humorlessly as he leans against his desk.]
Foist a Templar from power? No, Bethany. That's a battle we can't win, and one that would take far too much energy to be worth fighting. And even if we got Coupe out of power, Rutherford and Penterghast are still holding their particular line up in Skyhold.
[He shakes his head again.]
Removing people from power is a... temporary measure at best in this political climate. Rather, removing the sorts that are pro-Chantry, pro-Circle, and the like. What we need to work on is the common people. Get them more welcoming of mages and Rifters and elves, get them used to us and wanting us around and not relying on the Chantry for everything.
Break the Chantry's hold over people, and you'll find the Templars getting weaker even as they're not officially with the Chantry anymore.
[ There's a snort at the idea of a barn getting lit up by a newly magical Anders. ] My ... ex-girlfriend back home accidentally set a park on fire once. During a drought. So I mean, it could've been way worse. [ There's something about her tone that probably suggests Rachel hadn't helped put it out, either. ]
Mm. A new potion might be a good distraction. I've also been trying to do what you said - help advance things here with knowledge I have from back home. It's slow going, but it's given me something to do with my hands, at least. Hammering stuff sounds like a pretty good outlet.
There could have been more destruction, you're right.
[Worse is relative. It had gotten him taken away... but that's a whole can of worms they don't need to open.]
Come on down. I can send Paedric, my runner, to walk with you if you'd be coming through Darktown alone. The gangs know to leave him alone if they want to be healed from their next clash. And we can talk about advancing, too. I'd like to hear about ways this world is improving.
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