ataraxion | voice.

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voice.

[ It's taken her a while, but her meetings with people have finally made her curious enough to ask. ]

I was wondering how many people here are from or familiar with Thedas.

[ And for those that are... ] And where you might be from within it.

Also. Um. Lady Galadriel, it's late, but I wanted to thank you for your suggestion. The garden was... a good place for him.

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It was 9:32 Dragon last time I checked.

No, I meant--

[ Wait.

She had meant where in Thedas they were from, but this is suddenly far more important. ]

...You think it's 9:32 Dragon. It's 9:42, to my knowledge.

Tevinter, by way of Kirkwall.

[ And since he can see the above conversation as well: ]

It was 37 Dragon.

[ ...Someone else from Tevinter. She's not altogether happy with this, though that the person moved to Kirkwall says more about them. ]

I... see. I've never been-- To Kirkwall. I know more of Starkhaven.

[ But again there is a discrepancy. She questions rhetorically, more off-balance than before. ]

A five year difference... But why?

[ It's cool, he's not altogether happy with it either. ]

You don't sound like a Marcher.

[ What exactly she does sound like, he can't say. Accents are Varric's area of expertise. ]

The ship does what it pleases with time. I doubt anyone here could guess why we are taken when we are, or why we are taken at all.

You're settling in well, I hope?

.....that's quite the gap.

It was 32 Dragon though. I remember that well enough.

I can tell you your history.

[ Her voice shakes before she pushes it from her tones, trying to maintain an air of calmness. ]

It's 9:42... Or maybe even past that. Apparently they have access to time magic.

I'm not. I'm from the Anderfels. At Weisshaupt. I just... research.

[ That resigned reply is quickly shifted into surprise at the man's other remarks. ]

It controls time as well? [ A mutter. ] This is seeming more and more like something from the depths of the Fade....

[ Oh. Video. Hitting reply makes Valya respond in the same way. Have a surprised and irritated looking elf. ]

...Are you checking to make sure I haven't done anything?

Perhaps something like it. There are people here from worlds that lack a Fade entirely. Even mages who have never heard of it. [ He doesn't like them, either, despite the apparent lack of sacrifice-fueled blood magic or demonic possession. It's a matter of principle. ] Many of them seem to share a god, but they haven't heard of the Black City or Andraste.

[ ...This person seems a lot more knowledgeable than others she has spoken with. Other than Galadriel. The elf had mentioned the multiple worlds--something Valya had promised to accept. Still, Valya is instantly more attentive. ]

How would a mage access magics without the Fade? It's so-- [ Interesting. Unsettling. ] ...Strange.

[ He's been here a long time. He's grouchy about it/everything. ]

They probably would like to know how our mages access magic with it. [ There's a hint of good humor in that—he knows it isn't a good answer. He doesn't have one. ] For what it's worth, they seem marginally less dangerous.

[ ...After meeting the templar, she was waiting for someone to show a distrust of mages. This person apparently harbors some, at the least. Still, she tries for civility. ]

Mages aren't any more dangerous than a sword in a knight's hand. It all depends on how magic is used.

[ Oh, she's one of those. ]

Knights with swords do not level entire villages because of a single moment of weakness.

[ ...Oh. Less "some distrust," and more likely intense hatred. How bigoted. It's been a while that Valya has heard an argument like this. Even the two templars she interacted with did not state these old arguments. It's... hurtful. She hadn't thought it could still hurt. ]

A templar, however, can very easily slaughter a group of apprentices--children, really--when they decide that mages are "dangerous."

...Should we play this game? A mage can turn to blood magic and destruction, and a warrior or templar can kill a village's worth of innocents if the mood strikes them. No one is blameless.

[ ...She couldn't say otherwise anymore. Not after befriending Reimas. ]

[There is a long pause.]

......Do I want to know my history?

There hasn't been another blight has there?

[ His exhale is audible, frustrated. He knows; he defended Kirkwall's Circle, even if he did it primarily for Hawke's sake instead of for the mages—even the children—in the Gallows. But mages were a problem before the Templar Order ever was formed. Before the Chantry was formed. Andraste was an answer to Tevinter, and without her—

He doesn't say any of this out loud. I promise I'll give Valya a chance to argue with him properly later, if she wants one. He only exhales, and in the background there's the sound of movement, shuffling. He's moving again. It's dismissive: she no longer warrants enough attention for him to pause his patrol and stand still. ]

Weisshaupt. [ The subject change is abrupt. The alternative is accepting her olive branch, and he'd rather not. ] With the Wardens?

[ ...He's not pushing it. That's better than most she's dealt with. She breathes out quietly, and tries to focus. She was the one who originally asked, after all. ]

Yes. I'm one of their recruits.

[ ...This seems like something she shouldn't bring up lightly. Valya laughs a little, the sound forced. ]

No return of the blight. Which is the reason I'm still a recruit, supposedly. The Joinings apparently have a lot of death involved.

Well that's one thing at least.

[She passes it off as light relief but she is actually very relieved. Because she would have to have words with the Architect if he'd started another blight and they would be words with swords and arrows.]

Yes. They like to leave that detail out usually. Along with all the other downsides that might make it seem less then ideal.

I knew a Grey Warden in Kirkwall. [ The way he says knew, his frown is nearly audible. ] I hope he was not representative.

I only know the ones in Weisshaupt. And even then, not many.

[ Still, she shakes her head. ]

Kirkwall... seemed like a lot of things were wrong. From what I know. [ Aka crazy mage towers and knight-commanders and people blowing up chantries. =| ] So many a lot of things were wrong there--Grey Wardens included.

[Next time she will simply ask "How are you?"]

No, I was of the opinion you could handle yourself. But this is not a familiar place for many of us and settling takes time. I was only asking after your well-being.

[ Probably a good idea. Valya looks suspicious for a moment, then fights with her nature. ]

I'm... fine. Fine enough. I don't have to worry about my life too much here.

[She nods along, despite not fully understanding what may be meant by 'my life'. The Wardens, maybe. That's supposed to be troublesome, isn't it?]

I'm glad you're doing well. And it seems you've met others. If you should need anything, do not hesitate to ask those here. More than a few are always willing to assist.

[ ~~Life is templars, obv. /killed~~ ]

It's strange. That people are so willing to check on others.

[Where is the lie though?]

The ship itself is large, but the population here is much less so. When the number of people are so few, I don't find it so strange.

[A short, if slightly wry smile crosses her lips.]

But then, I do work for security. It may just be part of my job that has me inquiring after others.

[ She stares for a beat, then gives a sardonic look. ]

...You do have to understand, that when you say "security," I hear "templars."

[The background suggests that she is the gardens as they speak- the flets, if Valya recognizes them. Simple, little houses built into sturdy trees. They are nothing like the telain of Lórien, of course, but they were the closest to home she was likely to get here.]

I am glad. [That it was a good place. That she was able to help at all.] May I ask how you have been?

[ The response surprises her, even as she is the one who called out. Perhaps it is still yet-- That this great woman would deign to speak with her, and treat her kindly. ]

I've... I've been all right. I'm trying to get used to... Well, everything.

[A nod] It is difficult, particularly at first. I do not think I will ever be entirely accustomed to it, however long I may stay. But it does become easier to adapt.

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voice....... i am all about the mages really. this hurts me.

voice. fenris is so tolerant and loving.

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