Private A Light Shining in Darkness (A Dragon Age RP)

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    Simus

    An Excellent Site Member
    "The winner is...Ser Titus of Redcliff!"

    The entire Proving was silent. No one could believe what had just happened and had no idea how to respond. A Chantry Templar, a surfacer, had just defeated Harald Dace, arguably the greatest of the Warrior Caste in a duel to the death. Lord Dace was speechless. Humiliated, heartbroken, enraged all at the same time. He had brought his only son before the trial of the Ancestors and lost.

    No. It simply couldn't be. That meant the human Chantry and their "Exalted March" would take over all of Orzimmar. They may kill some Darkspawn, they may even take back some of the old Taigs but at what cost? Orzimmar would be overrun by surfacers, forever changed and most certainly for the worse. The culture of the Aeducans and the dwarves would be destroyed. He had to stop this now.

    "This is an outrage!" He bellowed from the stands, getting up from his fine cushioned seat and pointing at the bloody but victorious Templar. "He...He cheated! He used magic to fight unfairly! How can our brave sons and daughters fight with honor when these Chantry surfacers use their sorcery! We can't, that's how!"

    "I'm insulted by these accusations Lord Dace!" The Grand Cleric yelled back, the elderly woman from Denerim getting up from her seat besides King Harrowmont. "Magic was never declared banned during this Proving or any before. Your Shaperate has declared it legal in light of dwarven resistance to magic! The Warden used magic to win the Proving for then then-Lord Harrowmont! You cannot ban it now just because you lost!"

    "Please, everyone, calm down!" King Harrowmont shouted, standing up beside the Grand Cleric and putting a hand on her shoulder. His lowered his voice to a speaking level as the arena fell silent for its king. "Her Eminence is correct Lord Dace. Magic has never been forbidden in a Proving and it will not be forbidden now. The Ancestors made no such distinction when the chose the Warden for greatness. Questioning their will would dishonor them. Besides, the Chantry's Templars destroy those who wield magic, not wield it themselves."

    "But your highness! This Exalted March will bring ruin to Orzimmar! Our culture will...!"

    "Endure as it always has." Harrowmont said softly. "I regret the loss of your son Lord Dace. He was a good man and he represented your house and his caste well but the Ancestors have spoken. Ser Titus, step forward."

    Ser Titus, who had remained silent the entire time, had watched the argument with some concern but was relieved that the king had calmed everyone down. He didn't blame Lord Dace for how he felt. The same sort of thing happened whenever there was a duel in the Landsmeet, but everyone involved knew what they were getting into. Demanding that the results of fair and honorable combat be undone because you don't like them was weak and honourless. He kneeled before King Harrowmont, who had walked down into the arena to greet the Templar.

    "Ser Titus. You have entered this Proving, conducted yourself honorably and emerged victorious. You are the second surfacer to do so and that is no small honor. The Ancestors have chosen you this day and on behalf of all present I congratulate you. As per our agreement prior to this Proving the Chantry has earned the right to enter Orzimmar and begin its Exalted March into the Deep Roads. As King of Orzimmar I bid you, Her Eminence Grand Cleric Grantham and the entire Chantry a warm welcome. You and all surfacers who follow you into this great crusade have our full support, and the support of our warriors. May the Stone be with you."

    The Proving erupted in cheers. Brother Burkul and several of the Maker's faithful ran out into the arena towards Ser Titus. The pious dwarf was crying tears of joy. The Maker had answered his prayers. His light would finally illuminate the Stone. Even though most of the dwarves there worshiped the Stone and the Ancestors they were overjoyed at this change. The surface world they had never been to was coming to them. Already hundreds of surfacers were here, some in this very Proving. Their ideas, their wares, their goods and services, their stories. It was all new and exciting. And they were all here to help Orzimmar. To fight the darkspawn and to repay the debt they owed the dwarves thanks to the Blight two years ago in a way they could have never thought possible. It was a time of change in Orzimmar. Many felt it would be for the better but some, like Lord Dace, stayed silent. Change always brought trouble. The darkspawn would be defeated but at what cost?
     

    smilecat

    Active Member
    Selana was rudely awoken by the loud voices of the dwarves. She had snuck off to the Proving out of curiosity but it wasn't at all interesting. She thought about disrupting the event with some magic but decided against it. Might get her banned from the March. Instead she decided to take the time to rest.

    Apparently she couldn't even have that.

    She hated being babysat by that stupid tranquil. Always scolding her (Well as much as a person with no emotions could scold) and keeping an eye on her. Now that she was in Orzzamar she could stray from him without fear of missing the March. It was a real disappointment though. This place was boring. She settled back down on the stone seat (Why didn't she get cushioned one like those nobles?) and closed her eyes.
     

    Sickle

    The Lucid Dream
    Ravenna walked softly through the Commons, the angry bellowing of dwarven voices could be heard from the nearby Provings. She had no doubt now, the templar that the Grand Clerics had chosen to represent the surface had won. She sighed lightly and crossed her arms, it wouldn't be long now.

    "I might as well join the rest of them."

    Ravenna mumbled to herself as she approached the proving gates, a stout looking dwarf looked her over and nodded. The large door swung open just enough to let her slim figure to slip in. Following the voice of angry dwarves, she found her way to the upper stands, allowing her a wide view of everything.

    Three dwarves, obviously casteless dwarfs due to facial markings, had started pulling the dead dwarf from the arena floor. A large bellow, most likely from the man's father could be heard although Ravenna couldn't make out the words. The three castless dwarves were pushed aside by guards, they taking the body off the floor. She glanced over at the winner, a Ser Titus, he was graciously taking the praise from the pious members that spilled out onto the floor.


    "This will end well.."

     

    Wolfbane

    Why change the past when you can own this day?
    How did she wind up in the underground stone city watching a dwarf throw a fit and blabber about cheating by magic. The case was that his son died by the hands of a surfacer, such as herself and magic was viable because of their resistance to it. The loss he suffered is hard beyond this world, that she knew. The way he died was fair and not cheated.

    She sat back in the hard grey stone seat as she mindlessly played with a copper coin. It would see, another march was upon them, and at Orzammar's front gate. Supposedly this one was a just March. Although the Divine at the time said that the march on the dales were justified. Ask two different sides of a story and you'll get two very different tales. Kenzi joined the march, because only the gods knew. Redemption? Boredom? Glory? Who knew. She figured the world needed to be normal again, so why wouldn't she speed along?

    Her eyes shot in every direction before a small chuckle left her mouth, no wonder why dwarves are always so pissy. They live underground, they're surrounded their own kind, if you're not nobility you're sod all, and you can't reach anything a little ways above your head. Still hard to believe that they face darkspawn here day by day. Two years ago the blight happened. Two years I lost them, her hands clenched the coin tighter the more she thought about it. Wounds like that take time to heal. Maybe that's the reason she was there. To finally end all of it, or at least spill some blood to starfish her rage. Either way, she was going to find out.
     
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    ♡Queen♡

    Member
    Despite the unmistakable grandeur and magnificence of Orzammar, Lyra could not help but dwell on how wrong it felt to her.

    The air was different. It was thick and heavy and she felt she had not taken a proper breath since she had entered the thaig's depths. The ground was odd, too, lacking the dirt and grass of the forest she was accustomed to. She felt as if some of her senses had been stripped away, almost blind without the wind and footprints to find her way.

    She had not prepared herself for the lack of sky. She had no sense of time without the sun or stars to guide her. Every time she looked up she had a sudden urge to escape, to somehow dig her way out of the cavern. For once Lyra didn't feel like a hunter; she felt like she was prey. Despite this, she wouldn't leave. Not now that she was so close to the Darkspawn she could almost smell them. How eager she was to bury her arrows in them.

    She had learnt a lot about dwarves in the short time she had been in the city. She had learned about their history and their caste system, and it had fascinated her greatly. For one's life to be determined by the caste in which they were born was a strange thought to her.

    She watched the Templar defeat Harald Dace with intrigue. She had many questions about the dwarven custom of the Proving, but any she tried to ask shushed her, having little interest in speaking with a knife-ear. She knew the outcries of the warrior's father were uncalled for, but she understood his protests. She too was distrustful of magic. She had never fought alongside a mage, or befriended one, and she feared what they were capable of. What use was her bow or her daggers against a mage's fire or ice? She knew she would fight alongside some of them soon, and then she would be able to see for herself what sort of people they were.
     

    Blitzz

    A Friendly Brit
    Gendrick was present at the provings, as was required of him, but he did not pay it much attention. An arena match proved nothing of an individual's abilities in battle; battle did not have an audience, no cheering bystanders to win the hearts of. The provings were a false representation, regardless of how entertaining they were. Instead, Gendrick stood in his place; at attention on the left-hand side of King Harrowmont's seat, with another Legion lieutenant on the other side. He was one of the only two present in Orzammar, and as a direct servant of the throne, it was his duty to guard the King at such events.

    Gendrick's face remained as plain and hard as the stone of the King's chair as Lord Dace's son was struck down by a human. It didn't bother Gendrick too much; Harald had always been arrogant in his youth, it was about time someone put him in his place. It was what happened after that affected him. King Harrowmont stood to silence Lord Dace and welcome the surfacers to Orzammar, and as the crowds cheered, nodded to Gendrick and his counterpart.

    The two lieutenants nodded in understanding and stepped backwards. The guards opened the doors and the pair left. "Surely the Lords know what their children are getting into, huh Gendrick?" Herdun addressed Gendrick with a friendly, and yet somewhat solemn, tone. "Death is not easy to accept. It is not something you can be prepared for, no matter how hard you try. It seems very few realize this."

    The two had to travel through the empty halls of Orzammar. The only time they were ever empty was during the provings. The torchlight glinted off of the Legionnaire's black plate armor, as the two passed into the even eerier commons. It was daunting; the size and scale of Orzammar was heavily amplified when it was empty. Soon enough they were among the crowds. Gendrick had never seen so many piled in; multiple people to a single seat, and people sitting on the floor or standing in gaps. It was easy to locate Lord Dace.

    "My Lord Dace, King Harrowmont has ordered us to escort you back to your quarters. If you would be so kind as to come with us." It seemed as though he had resigned himself to grief; past the anger phase faster than most. Many of the surfacers had turned to stare at Gendrick and Herdun; they had never seen Dwarven military before. Now that the March was to go ahead, they would have to get used to the sight. Gendrick was not wearing a helmet; a decision he much regretted considering the stares his tangled mess of hair was getting. Dace obliged and slotted himself between Gendrick and Herdun. "You have my thanks for making this easy on us, my Lord Dace. Come, we should move before the Commons begin to fill again."
     

    Simus

    An Excellent Site Member
    Peter was in the stands of the Proving, looking for Selana but noticing everything. He saw the was Harald Dace bellowed and taunted for the duration of the fight. The way Ser Titus of Redcliff's sword split Dace's chin, jaw and nose in an upward stroke and how the force of the blow knocked Dace's teeth into his brain. The noise in the room was exactly ten times its previous level during the cheers for the Templar's victory. There were exactly 5,432 people in the Proving with seating for 5,000, almost 9% over capacity. King Harrowmont and Grand Cleric Grantham were being guarded by two Legionnaires of the Dead, the only two Peter had ever seen. A young woman whom Peter recognized as the youngest of Bryce and Eleanor Cousland was watching the fight with only mild interest. A young Dalish girl watch it with the eyes of a hunter out of her element. Not a single detail of anything was missed.

    Peter could notice all these things because he was a Tranquil, a former mage whose connection to the face was now severed. He could also no longer dream and no longer experience emotion. Considering the circumstances Peter did not mind. Most mages became tranquils because they were too weak or too unprepared to undergo their Harrowing and were certain to fail, endangering themselves and the rest of their Circle. Apprentices with serious and untreatable mental disorders or those who dabbled or were victims of blood magic were also made tranquil. Peter was made tranquil because the things he had seen during Uldred's rebellion against Ferelden's Circle during the first blight made him go insane. Seeing the worst blood magic had to offer, seeing his friends and teachers, people he considered family, turned into abomination, seeing demons firsthand and having to kill them. It was too much for his young mind to handle and it was shattered. But the Rite of Tranquility had saved him. Nightmares that kept him from sleeping for weeks, memories that made him cry himself to sleep, dead friends he saw everywhere he went, all of these were gone now. He no longer spent his days in bed trapped his his own mind, forcing others to feed and bathe him. He was awake, productive and most of all, at peace. Tranquilty had set Peter free.

    Selana did not understand this. She could not understand this. She had only come to the Circle a year ago and the only Peter she had ever known was the tranquil he was today. She considered him boring and rigid, something to jeer and snicker at. She made fun of him behind his back when she thought he wasn't looking. She was irritated and sometimes uncomfortable around him. She mad been restless and moody this entire trip and had tried to break away from his gaze several times. Peter didn't mind. Such were the ways of children. She did not understand that Peter's only job was to look after and protect her. Someday she would appreciate his efforts.

    Today however she was making things difficult. He had been out shipping for groceries and herbalism supplies and had instructed Selena to remain in their room at Tapsters until he returned. She of course did not listen and had run off to the Proving. Peter had to drop off his groceries and go look for her, not necessarily angry but frustrated. Tranquils didn't like to be inconvenienced any more than anyone else and even though they couldn't feel anxiety for someone they had to look after like a mother or father would but it would constantly be on their minds until they resolved the issue or determined that it was impossible. Peter needed to find Selana and instruct her, again, that he couldn't protect or take care of her if he didn't know where she was.

    Soon enough he found her on one of the lower rows. She was laid out on the hard stone bench dozing off amidst several cheering dwarves. He gently shook Selana's shoulder in an attempt to wake her, his hand cold as ice even through her robes.

    "The Proving has ended child. It is time for you to depart." He said in his deep monotone voice, the voice that would better fit a rock or a table than a man.
     

    smilecat

    Active Member
    Selana forced her eyes opened and groaned at the sight of the Tranquil. Time for yet another lecture on her protection.

    She sat up and yawned. "Thank the Maker it's finally over. I can't believe they call this entertainment. So I suppose your going to drag me back to that dusty tavern?"

    She stretched and without waiting for an answer walked down the aisle toward the exit.
     

    Sickle

    The Lucid Dream
    Ravenna watched as the crowd slowly poured out of the proving ground. The Dwarven King and the Grand Cleric were escorted back to the Diamond Quarter by what she presumed were legionaries, however she couldn't make out them out from the distance she was at. She dug around in a side pouch and pulled out a note.

    Dear Ravenna of Orlais

    Please make your way to the Tapsters after the Proving.

    Yours In Faith
    Grand Enchanter Fiona


    Ravenna scoffed at the note, it was bad enough she was forced in close proximity to Templars on the way to Orzammar but now she seemed to have a new babysitter. Folding the note and placing it back into the pouch, she stepped her way out of the now empty Proving and onto the bridge that lead the way to the commons. The commons were now flooded with people, most were talking among themselves although the chant of light could be heard by a few Sisters.

    Ravenna eventually found Tapsters, the smell of potent ale had led her there. She placed her hand on the door and pushed her way inside.
     

    Wolfbane

    Why change the past when you can own this day?
    "Well that was fun. Might as well get a drink. To Tapsters!" She shot up while flipping the coin back in her pocket before making her way through the dwarven commons. It seems every way she looked they're merchants haggling, buying, selling, and playing risky while beggars were plotted in dark corners. To them this place is home; a place of comfort and general happiness. To her, this place made her sad, constricted, dark. The first time she visited the city she couldn't get used to the feeling of not being able to breathe.

    Close to as being buried alive as I want to be, she ran her fingers through her hair as she continued down the path she's walked before, then arrived at the tavern for a casual drink. The wooden door, surprisingly, creaked open as a landslide of noise of voices, cheering, mugs clanking, and cheers ran over her. Without skipping a beat she took a seat at the bar and ordered a mug of the house drink, then waited to see who came in that day.
     

    ♡Queen♡

    Member
    Despite her best attempts to avoid it, Lyra found herself surrounded by crowds of people exiting the Proving and spilling out into the Commons. The stench of sweat and dwarves ale would have made her feel ill, if not for her experience with Darkspawn. Now that was a smell to turn even the even the toughest stomachs.

    As the crowd began to thin out, Lyra took the opportunity to explore. She walked around, curiously staring at the architecture and the people with no regard for whether her actions would be taken as rude. The dwarves stared back at the elf, too, for it was not often that they saw one with a face covered with Vallaslin. To many of them the blood writing looked like the branding that mark the casteless in their society. Though she was aware of them, their stares did not bother her and so she spent some time getting lost in the dwarven city.

    Getting extremely lost, actually, with little idea of which direction she had come from. She walked into the nearest building, which was a tavern and was not surprised to find it filled with dwarves. She had fought alongside dwarves in her mercenary group and was familiar with their fondness for ale. She had tried their beloved ale on several occasions. The first time she took a large swig of the stuff, promptly sputtering it out and swearing never to touch it again. She gave it other chances, however, and the taste moved from foul to almost bearable.

    She asked the dwarves closest to her where she is and the ones that are coherent enough to answer tell her she is at Tapsters. The word didn't mean much to her, but she assumed it to be the name of the tavern. Seeing an opportunity, she began to question the dwarves that had answered her about Orzammar, and whilst at first their answers were filled with their pride for their city, they quickly grew annoyed at the little elf.
     

    Skyrimosity

    Well-Known Member
    Arthur was walking through the streets of Orzammar. He did not attend the proving, being fully confident that Ser Titus would defeat Harald Dace. Besides, the chants of the proving could be heard from anywhere within the city. As he heard the booing of dwarves, he knew Ser Titus had won.

    Arthur did not much like to be around a multitude of Dwarves. Being six foot four inches tall, Arthur felt like a giant who could step on the Dwarves heads. He imagined he was quite a sight, in his large armor with a giant shield, walking through the streets of a city such as Orzammar. Arthur had come to the city to join the Exalted March. He wanted to be among the heroes who would charge in as the first wave to get rid of the Darkspawn once and for all. He had spent all his time during the Fereldan Blight fighting the Darkspawn as a mercenary, so he had some experience killing them.

    The March would be full of Chantry members; Templars and Circle Mages. But Arthur wondered who else would be joining. There would surely be others with as interesting a life story to tell as his, whom were not simply joining the March because it was their obligation. As for Arthur, he did not really know why he wanted to join so badly. Perhaps it was to have a feeling of finality, to no longer have the Darkspawn remain as an underlying threat. But Arthur's thinking was stopped when he heard hushed voices speaking from a nearby house. He approached the opened door to the house.

    "Are you sure all this stuff is worth taking?" said one dwarf.

    "Yeah. This is not exactly a nobleman's house, but with the proving having just ended, nobody will be around. This is easy loot."

    Arthur found it hard to believe there were robbers looting houses in this lowlier part of Orzammar. But with the proving going on, there was nobody around to stop people like this. He knew what he had to do, so he stepped into the door. "I'd ask you to return everything you stole before things turn ugly."

    "You have no reason being here, human. Orzammar is a dwarven city, so leave dwarven business to the dwarves."

    The dwarf apparently had no idea who he was dealing with, so Arthur decided to brandish is blade and shield. He knew at this point that the dwarves would not be leaving with any stolen goods.

    "We dwarves have been fighting the Darkspawn for more years than you can contemplate. And all of a sudden you surface dwellers think you can come down here, to the dwarven domain, and do a better job fighting them than us?"

    At this point, both the Dwarves had pulled out a sword. Arthur had hoped they would not fight, but with the frenzy they were worked up in, he could tell it was going to happen. Arthur stepped closer to them, shield raised. The Dwarves charged at him, swinging wildly. He blocked the sword of the first Dwarf, sending him rearing back, and he swung his shield into the face of the second which knocked him out in an instant. The first dwarf saw the second's body crumble to the ground. Arthur saw the defeat in his face, and the Dwarf raised up his hands in surrender.

    "Okay, okay, we'll leave all the stolen stuff here. Just... no more." The dwarf walked out of the building, and Arthur picked up the knocked out dwarf and put him outside the door, closing the door on his way out. As he walked away, he saw the conscious dwarf simply walk away from his knocked out friend.

    By this point, Arthur had decided he needed a drink, and he remembered that he had walked by a bar named Tapster's not all too long ago. He decided he would head there.
     

    Simus

    An Excellent Site Member
    Peter watched carefully as Selana got up and walked out of the Proving arena, not even looking back to see if he was following. She was dreading another lecture on her safety and how it was Peter's job to guarantee it. Peter would prefer she remain safe and well-behaved but could no longer become angry over it. Instead he was confused. Puzzled. Why did Selana seek to defy him? The ground rules he had set were not unreasonable and Alice adhered to them quite readily. In fact, Peter would prefer it if Selana took Alice with her when she went on an unexpected sojourn. The poor child had been trapped in a nightmare for so long and needed as much life experience as possible now that she was whole again. Peter made a note to talk to both girls about this and then proceeded to follow Selana back to Tapsters, watching her like a hawk all the way.

    Meanwhile, at Tapsters, Alice had taken advantage of the Proving by taking some much-needed alone time. It was 7:30 p.m according to the clock in the room she shared with Selana and Alice was already in her pajamas. White footy pajamas with black skulls. Very warm, very comfortable and very cute. Alice loved them and had two other pairs of different prints with her. She was already in bed, sitting up against her pillows and headboard, tucked in up to her waist and reading a book. A steaming cup of generously sugared tea was on the stone nightstand next to her, resting on a saucer with a small silver spoon. Ample lamplight lit up Alice and her bed in the far left corner of the room and Selana's empty bed in the far right. Peter's own room was smaller and was through an open metal door on the right wall, to the right of Selana's bed. The door was in the middle near wall, across from the girls' beds. Right now it was closed to keep the heat from the lava pumps and fireplace directly across from the door, directly in the middle of Alice and Selana's bed. It was a roaring fire and the lyrium in the fireplace fixture directly above the fire gave off an enchanting blue glow. Overall, Alice was very comfortable. Downright cozy in fact. Her belly was full of nug sausage, fried potatoes and sweetened goat's milk, Maker praise whoever combined Dwarven and Orlesian cooking. She was warm and comfy and completely ready for bed. Whenever she got tired she could curl up under her thick covers, rest her head on her large deep pillows and go right to sleep. Alice was in her element and there was no one to bother her. She was content.

    That's when Selana pulled the door open and stomped into the room, letting in the increasingly raucous noise of the tavern downstairs. The stone walls and metal door of their room were excellent sound dampeners, until you opened them. Alice had been taking a nap when Peter left but was half-awake by the time Selana left. Still curled up in bed with no desire to get up but awake enough for her ears to work. Selana wasn't quite as clever as she thought she was. Alice knew she was going to the Proving because that's where everyone else was.

    As she came in, Alice looked up from her book and took a sip of tea. "Hey Lana." She said with a content smile. "How was the Proving?"
     

    smilecat

    Active Member
    The entire way to Tapsters she ignored the Tranquil. It was pretty easy since the Tranquil attempted no form of communication.

    Alice was sitting in their room drinking tea and reading. Alice was Selana's only friend. Normally Selana wouldn't be friends with someone Alice. Selana didn't want to be friends with anybody. Or at least she pretended to. And most people believed it.

    The real Selana craved positive attention. She just had to settle for negative most of the time. Most other mages in her age group (Or anybody of any class or age group) avoided her at best and were cruel at worst. Alice was the only person who didn't care how Selana acted or how her magic worked.

    Selana told herself that she only hung out with Alice out of curiosity. But she knew that wasn't true.

    "Hey Lana. How was the proving?" Alice asked. Selana flopped down on the bed on her normal melodramatic style.

    "For the parts I was awake during? Boring. Very boring. I'm gonna buy myself something to eat."

    Of course Selana didn't have any money. She didn't know how she was going to get food just yet. She'd figure something out. And whatever it was it would probably end up turning some heads her way.

    As she walked out the door she bumped right into the Tranquil babysitter, Peter.
     

    Simus

    An Excellent Site Member
    Selana flopped down on Alice's bed with her usual attitude. Alice scooted over some under her covers to give her friend some room, her smile replaced with an indifferent look. Alice loved Selana, she was her best friend and the only person besides Peter and a few staff members she was comfortable with. Certainly the only person she could have fun with. But sometimes she could be such a drama queen and on a trip like this it was getting on Alice's nerves. Hard as she tried, she empathize with Selana when she got like this. So what if she was bored and Peter was following her around for her own safety? Alice had lost eight years of her life to her own madness. She was treated like an invalid, or worse, a living doll. And she remembered all of it. Ever since her recovery and release from Tranquil's care, not to mention the dark little wing of the repository they called the "Mental Health Asylum", she'd lived as much as she possibly could. She had no idea what it was like to be bored.

    "At least you can feel bored Lana. I never go the opportunity to be so while in the Asylum." Alice's tone was nastier that she meant it to be. It was supposed to be sarcastic but came off as venomous. Alice immediately regretted it and put her hand to her mouth in shame. Selana's history of mental illness wasn't as severe as Alice's but she'd been to the Asylum for treatment before and it was a miserable place. Dark, cold and deep within the Circle Tower's repository. The Chantry and First Enchanter insisted it was merely a quiet place to treat those with madness but to Alice it always felt like a prison that they carted you off to when you became too much trouble. A place for you to disappear. The inmates, whether Templars who'd seen too much, mages who spent too long in the Fade or sick common folk who's families had the coin to keep them there, were disturbing and noisy at best and violent at worst. Cackling, crying, screaming, shouting, all day and all night. The Templars who watched over the inmates and the Mages and Acolytes who treated them were always so dour and sober, or had a sense of desperate penance. Alice always felt so hopeless in her rare lucid moments and any time she got to spend in the rest of the Tower or outside on the grounds, no matter how long, was always too short.

    "Lana, I..." Alice started but she was interrupted by Peter, who had walked through the door and was blocking Selana's path.

    "If you are leaving for something to eat Selana then that is unnecessary. I procured bread, cuts of nug and sliced cheese in the marketplace while I was out shopping. Please partake in these if you are hungry. We must also discuss your unauthorized attendance of the Proving. I would prefer you not leave when I specifically tell you and Alice not to. I do not understand why you do this to me. It is unhelpful."
     

    smilecat

    Active Member
    Selana pretended she didn't hear Alice. She didn't care. She couldn't care. She was to crazy to care. She had to be. But she wasn't.

    Alice didn't understand. Selana never talked about her life before the Circle. She didn't talk about the abuse the Templars caused behind closed doors. She kept them to herself.

    Selana groaned as the Tranquil told her they had to talk. And to think she had gotten her hopes up about not having to deal with his lecture. At the very least this would give her an opportunity to be moody and forget about what Alice had said.

    "I dunno. Because I actually have emotions." She looked boldly into the eyes of the Tranquil and laughed. To some it would seem and odd time for a laugh, but to Selana it came naturally.
     

    Simus

    An Excellent Site Member
    "That is not an excuse to disobey my instructions. I am responsible for your safety and well-being and should anything happen to you the blame would be placed upon me. You should understand that by now." Peter's tone was just as flat and monotone as usual but he fixed his glare directly upon Selana. She was becoming a problem and he needed to deal with it. She was his responsibility. "Do not forget Selana, that I too had emotions at one point. I was still able to do as I was told. If I could still feel such things I would be worried about you. I spend a significant portion of my time considering how best to look after you and you do not make it easy. What do you think would happen if you were hurt and I was unable to help because I did not know where you were? How do you think that would reflect upon me? Upon Alice? We are here for nothing less than a war against the darkspawn. All of us may die. I would prefer to know that I can trust you in battle. I cannot do this if I cannot trust you now. I would prefer you think of others before you act."

    Alice stayed quiet and watched from bed, wanting to stay out of it as much as much as possible. There was no yelling but the way Peter drilled his message of safety at Selana with such calm made her very uncomfortable.

    "Please consider what I have said. Do not leave this room until morning. If you do I will move you to my room and lock the door until morning. I am going to go to my room and read now should either of you need anything. Goodbye."

    Peter walked away as if nothing had happened and closed the door behind him. After a few minutes of awkward silence Alice decided to speak up.

    "Lana? Lana, I'm sorry about what I said. It was a cruel thing to say given both our histories. It's just...This city is so crowded and noisy. I have no privacy beyond this room and so many of the dwarves resent our being here. I feel very unwelcome and well...afraid. This place is too much like the Asylum for me. And the caves, the Deep Roads? I'm afraid to go in there. I've been in too many dark places to go into such a place. I'm not sure I can do this without you.

    And I know Peter sounded harsh but please try and understand his viewpoint. He cares about you, he really does, he just can't show it. And I think he wants do. Just promise me you'll try and think of him okay?"

    Alice got out from under the covers and moved over to sit next to Selana, giving her a long, gentle hug.
     

    Sickle

    The Lucid Dream
    Ravenna walked through the door into Tapsters, the place smelled roughly of cooked nug, overly potent ale and a trace amount of dwarven sweat. She walked towards the back of the tavern, going past a Tranquil along the way. She stopped momentarily to slightly nod her head at him and then continued to an open booth. Ravenna pitied Tranquils, they who forgot the delicious taste of magic and drea ms.

    Ravenna fell into the cushioned seat and sighed in relief. It was the first time she actually relaxed since leaving Orlais. She lifted her head and noticed a small dwarven girl, most likely a servant.

    "A fifth of Ungoli Black."

    Ravenna's accent sounded much like a viper, the young girl quickly scampered off back to the bar and just as quickly brought back a medium-sized bottle and placed it down on the table. Ravenna tossed 90 silver on the table and poured a small amount into a silver goblet.

    The liquid was amber in color and smelled liked roses and cinnamon. She sipped slowly on it, the taste was that of drinking wildfire. She coughed slightly but held it back as she finshed it off. Ravenna poured more of the amber liquid into goblet and swished it around.
     
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    smilecat

    Active Member
    Selana felt tears threatening to spill out. Here she was, trapped. Just as trapped as she was in the Circle. She could leave, but she knew she wasn't skilled enough to not get caught until morning. She wouldn't even know when it was morning. How did these dwarves tell time?

    She listened to Alice's apology and nodded her head. She laid down on her bed, not even bothering to change and closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of drunk dwarves. It was louder than before. People here for the March must have come.

    She remembered when she had been brought to the Circle Tower for the first time, a small child standing in front of the entrance. She had nothing, except for the clothes on her back. She had been crying. Her family had been cruel to her yet...she missed them. She would have given anything to be back home.

    She had already tried to resist the Templars. Right before they started their journey she had tried to run away. They had dragged her with them, kicking and screaming.

    It had only been a few days living in the Tower and the Templars wanted to make her Tranquil. The thought terrified her to this day. The First Enchanter had seen great talent in her, and insisted they not. It may have been better if he hadn't done anything.

    The Templars started beating her, locking her in small rooms and other, even more terrible things. Some of the Enchanters told them to stop the abuse. The Templars responded by telling them they had to "keep the monster under control somehow".

    The more mistreated she was, the more erratic she became. She began developing poor sleeping habits. She was woken often by nightmares, if she was able to sleep at all.

    Her peers were terrified of her. The crueler ones abused her even worse than the Templars at times. Even the Enchanters became afraid of her, still keeping her alive, but never offering comfort or reassurance.

    Her condition worsened. During Uldred's rebellion she had been locked in the Asylum. When they looked for mages down their, they had overlooked her. They knew how powerful was. They didn't want to risk it with her. They left her their, screaming and crying. Not even demons wanted to be near her.

    When Alice woke up she was the one person who showed no fear. No hate. Just kindness. They bonded.

    Now she was here. And she was wondering if coming had been the right decision.

    Slowly she drifted off to sleep, hoping that she wouldn't be woken up by her dreams.
     
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    Simus

    An Excellent Site Member
    Selana soon got up and went to her own bed. She tried to go to sleep and eventually got there. Alice expected to have a restful night herself since she had turned in so early but she couldn't. The March was to begin tomorrow. Everyone on the surface who was even somewhat important was down here or would be in the next few hours. And they were all supposed to work together to...what? Cleanse the Deep Roads of darkspawn? Destroy them once and for all? Could that even be done? There had been five Blights in the last four thousand years and not once had the world been able to marshal enough strength to strike back. Not even the Gray Wardens.

    But this time was different, wasn't it? The Fifth Blight had barely begun before it was ended. Against all odds Ferelden had gotten its act together and followed the Warden and King Alistair to victory against the Archdemon. The rest of Thedas was barely even aware of what had happened but when they did learn they were dumbfounded. Orlais was the only other country that had even responded. Now she was backing an Exalted March. The greatest counteroffensive against the darkspawn in human history. It was exactly what the world needed but would it work?

    Alice knew that Ferelden, Orlais and the Tevinter Imperium had contributed the most to the Exalted March and they made up the bulk of its forces. But just how would they work together? They had all been at war with each other at some point before. There was hatred between all three of them. They were all here for a common enemy but would that really be enough? Who's to say Alice's native Fereldens would abandon the Orlesians at a critical moment? Or they betray the Tevinter army? Or the Tevinters betray both? There was a great schism in their worship of the Maker after all. Who's to say the "White Divine" of Orlais and the "Black Divine" of Tevinter weren't planning to destroy each other down here and the sole survivor take all the glory for the Maker? What about the Circles of Magi in each of these nations? Could they work together? Ferelden's Circle was independent now, the Templars only advising now. Would the Templars from Orlais trust this? And what about the dwarves themselves? Or the Gray Wardens? Or the Dalish who followed them out of duty to the Warden and his sacrifice? Or the Legion of the Dead? Was this whole operation doomed to failure? Alice had a terrible feeling it was. Her dreams had been dark lately. Filled with mist and shadows. She was lost in them. They were no longer a refuge from the world, her little corner of the Fade was no longer her own. She hadn't told Peter or Selana about this. She was too afraid.

    And what about Selana? Would she behave when Peter needed her to? Would she know when to stop herself or, Maker be willing, know when to shut up? Selana was Alice's only real friend and she was terrified of losing her. All these things kept Alice awake. She laid in bed, all covered up, and stared at the ceiling. She eventually started to cry, softly sobbing into her pillow and praying to the Maker that she wouldn't wake Selana.
     

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