therookery | Sending Crystal

Current Location: Emprise du Lion

Entry tags:

Sending Crystal

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Korrin Ataash
RECIPIENT: Anyone who has positive CR with Korrin (along with Inquisition leadership)
WHAT: The mystery of the missing people in Sahrnia is uncovered.
WHEN: At some point during her scouting mission
WHERE: Emprise du Lion
NOTES: Imprisonment, death, moral dilemmas.

Those with her on the scouting mission are welcome to overhear her making the message instead of responding to it over the crystal.

[Korrin hasn't interacted with others that much over the sending crystal while away, mostly because she's too tired to be social by the time there's a free moment. But after a particularly trying day, she needs a friendly voice and an outsider's perspective. For all that she's seen so much in her time as a mercenary, this still leaves her shaken.]

Fucking Red Templars. They have huge red lyrium mining operation to the south, which would be disturbing enough all on its own, just for deliberately messing with that shit. But of course they had to make it even worse. So many of the villagers have been captured and forced to work for them, kept cages when they're not being useful. Hell, some of them have already died from exposure or overwork and just...left there.

And it's not going to stop, from what we've seen. Sure, we can get to those on the fringes and free them, but if that keeps happening, they'll catch on and there goes any chance of truly stopping this. For all we know, they could kill all the rest if they realize we're onto them. And we can't get anywhere close to those at the center; they're too well-guarded and we'd be overwhelmed in a heartbeat. Fuck.

...tell me we're doing the right thing. Or at least give me news that isn't completely horrible.

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Sirena.

[Maybe it's not just as warm as she would like for it to be, certainly not when Korrin is so far and so cold but well, things in Skyhold haven't been the best and she hasn't really been sleeping well. It's good Korrin can't see her honestly, not when her news is so dire.]

Sometimes in life the right thing and the good thing are the same but too many times they aren't, and often all things change depending on the time. Not everyone can be saved, it is...it is incredibly harsh but this is one of the few times when we have to look to the greater good.

[It hurts to say that. Because it's true but it doesn't help, not when you know you're condemning someone to something horrible; she might not fully understand but this is bad.]

[Korrin sighs but it's a sigh where some tension drains away. Certainly not all or most, but just hearing Araceli's voice soothes her a little. If only she had her in person to snuggle with.]

You're right, I know it, but it still hurts. I've never had to hold back from taking action, not like this. It's...harder than I thought.

[Unfortunately, all of the best things for at least easing the worst of it are far from where Korrin is: a hot bath, a proper meal, good mulled wine, being indoors away from the bad weather and where terrible things are talk and not almost a slap in the face.]

You never saw things as a mercenary that made you want to go against the outline of the job? You're a good person Korrin, that's unfortunately why it's hard, being a mercenary has different rules and diving right in is one of them. This is why I hate things with names and titles, you have to remember you are a part of the whole.

[A quiet sigh comes from her and a similar sound from a fox, enough rustling that it's obvious the fox is getting comfy in Araceli's lap.]

Do you want to talk through it or do you want a distraction, both I can and will do to help however I can.

Hello, Lux.

[There's a hint of a smile in Korrin's voice, brief, but still surfacing for that moment.]

As for your first question...sometimes, but not like this. Shokrakar would never have taken on a job that meant turning our backs on those enslaved. She was part of the Qun, and she knew what it was like to be one in all but name. We broke more than one contract when it was apparent that we were lied to about that. But that was easy; it was just money, not the fate of a continent.

[She huffs, then sounds like she's trying to get comfortable...but in all honesty, she's far too tense for that.]

The best kinds of distractions I can think of are best done in person, sadly. [And for once, she's not even being suggestive with that. Chalk it up to being completely emotionally drained.] I'd say you're lucky not to be here, but...I heard about what happened, back in Skyhold. Are you alright?

[A whine follows; not upset but pleased and it makes Araceli laugh, muffled though it is by a wagging tail almost in her mouth.]

Freedom is-- I've never known anything but it. Things were always my choice, always an open horizon, I don't think there are words that help in truth, just the words we use to comfort ourselves so we can sleep. But the Inquisition can help. [Just not now, she doesn't have to say that, because that's the whole problem, how slow and painstaking progress is when there are so many hurting, so many dying.] This isn't giving up. This is a tactical retreat and reappraisal.

[Not that it sounds better but she'll do what she has to.]

I wasn't near it, I thought it was better to leave it to the people who understood it best but... [With Korrin so far, with how bad things sound in this message, she hadn't wanted to say anything but she won't lie because that wouldn't sit well with her either.] It was terrifying, things feel too tense now, like walking on eggshells. Even the garden was destroyed.

The garden? Gorse and Sina must be so upset about that.

I'm so sorry I wasn't there to help when it was needed. Not that I have much experience fighting those, but I would have done...something. [What she does remember is frightening and it shows in her voice; now is not the time for stoicism. Still, freezing up isn't like her.] Would that Emprise du Lion were safer, or I'd say come here. But if the Inquisition comes any time soon, it won't be for a reprieve.

...'live to fight another day', huh? I've heard that one. If it means getting these bastards back at some point, then I'll try to hold on 'til then.

I haven't seen either of them yet, I thought it better to give them space, Sina in particular.

[Not even that long ago she'd sought sleeping herbs from Sina and now she needs something to trade back, something to make her smile because she'd spoken of the garden with such love.]

Luckily we still had many mages here but this is going to change things, isn't it? [She's no fool, she can feel tension, she knows that something is around the corner now and whatever that something is, it isn't good, not really. Not for the mages because she's scared, of course she is, but there are Templars here after all.] Maybe we should go to Val Royeaux after this, it'd be easier to pretend somewhere like that.

[When everyone wears a physical mask, you feel better about your own.]

When you do, if you go, I will make every effort to be there with you. You shouldn't be alone for that. [Or after, it's always the after that cuts deepest.]

[And her voice trembles a bit in response.]

Thank you, Araceli. That means more to me than I can say. But if we get the chance for that Val Royeaux trip, I'll do my best to make it up to you.

...and you're right, it will change things. I can already hear the loud calling for Harrowings from the Templars and Loyalists. And then they'll want to give us Templar babysitters, as though that will make it all better. Fuck that.

[But it's all said without her usual fire, as she has no energy left to spare after what she's seen today.]

[Hearing Korrin sound like that is like a knife between the ribs and she swallows carefully, more grateful than ever that she has Lux to press her face to for comfort.]

Don't be ridiculous, you don't have anything to make up to me Korrin. I care for you, you're hurting, I wish to make you smile again, it's as simple as that. There are no debts between friends. But you and I in Val Royeaux, the talk of every tavern, behaving scandalously.

[Pretending that there isn't something terrible lurking in every shadow, in every land.]

You know I'll stand with all of you. The voice of someone who has never known magic until now and doesn't fear it should count. [What a Harrowing is, she isn't sure but the name is bad enough that she'll ask around. Asking Korrin now would be cruel.] You should rest. Sleep won't make it go away but lying still, relaxing as best you can, trying to dream of happier things - it will be one less day until you can return.

Then I'll dream of you.

[Said simply, not even a spark of suggestiveness at the moment. That will resurface later in spades, though. Wait for it, Araceli.]

Thinking of that farewell dinner and more pleasant days to come will keep me sane and away from mission-destroying inebriation. [Because if she loses sobriety right now, Korrin is positive everyone involved will regret it.] Your support means more to me than I could ever say. But I'll try, when I have the mind for it.

[A shame Korrin can’t see her smile, because no matter how small it is, it’s still there.]

Whenever you need to talk, I’m here, I’m around, even if you just want to rant. [Sometimes she needs that herself, wound up so tight she could explode though fortunately it hasn’t happened here. Yet.] Let me know before you’re back, I’ll bribe the cooks again and make something for you. [Again though, she almost falters, words on the tip of her tongue because she hasn’t lied exactly but now it feels out of balance, holding something back when Korrin has told her all of this but it’s not the right time for it. Not now.] Get the rest you need, make sure there’s at least one person with you who knows if and when you need to take a moment to come up to the surface and breathe. And don’t think ‘one more day’ when you wake up, just think ‘one more sleep until I’m back’. It goes better that way.

Another meal? You spoil me, Araceli.

[Korrin's not going to protest, though, having very much enjoyed the last one and figuring Araceli might need the distraction anyway.] I'll try...on the information and the rest, though I make no promises that the latter will go well.

[She sighs, and there are sounds on her end to indicate getting more comfortable, perhaps laying down.]

This is far easier with a tiny human next to me, you know. Even one who wakes me up in the middle of the night giggling about titsicles.

You've earned it and I did this at home. [Did. She's better at past tense with home right now.] My closest friends, the people I loved, my kitchen was always a safe space with plenty of food and drink, somewhere the rest of the world didn't have to exist.

[Not that she has a kitchen exactly but last time, well last time Korrin kissed her and it made the whole world disappear for her so clearly it was more than enough then.] Some things twist us up inside, the only way out is through and we emerge. Not unscathed but we emerge. Here, I think that is more than most can say. [This isn't something that can be joked about the way Araceli had with corpses in the Mire, with her own personal situation and her voice is low and rough, the way it sounds after finishing a report from a sleazy tavern.]

You should never have told me about titsicles then! How could I not laugh about such a ridiculous thing? I'm sure I would have them out where you are whether I wanted them or not!

...thank you, now I'll image lingering in my mind constantly. [Well, when those images aren't of the quarry cages. Admittedly the former is a lot more pleasant.] I actually did see some earlier, though they were on a statue, so I doubt that counts.

[There's a noise that could almost be amusement, if Korrin were in a better mood. Though hearing Araceli's voice takes much of the sting away, and the Vashoth mage is increasingly more certain she'll manage not to snap and go on a suicidal mission.]

And hey, emerging -with scars or not- always counts. We both will, and when I'm back at Skyhold, we can work on turning these moments into distant memories.

[Aka, she hasn't forgotten that kiss and definitely wants more. Araceli's lips are addictive.]

The size would count, statues are big after all. [Actually that might have gotten her to go places; she likes architecture and she knows Skyhold intimately by now.] If I had a chance to find them before you returned then I would.

[Still, better that she's not because she knows herself. Knows how she gets angry to the point of tears when she sees people suffering and can do little or nothing, temper snapping like a sail in a hurricane, ready to tear right down the middle. Here where she's tired and warm, she can be a quiet voice over a crystal, she can be the calm Korrin likely needs.]

I will endeavour to make sure you can put it to the back of your mind until a true rescue can be organised.

[Her bed is definitely lonely right now - there are few people she trusts, and you know, she needs to figure out the customs of the country. Plus she'd been hoping for that kiss since they were coming back from the Mire.]

[And though Korrin has her selfish moments, she wouldn't truly wish for Araceli to be here, with what the current situation would do to her. It's bad enough that one of them is helpless before this mess. That quiet voice over the crystal in no way compensates for hearing it in person, but it still helps, more than Korrin's capable of articulating right now.]

I have complete and utter trust in your capabilities, Araceli. If anyone can make that possible, it's you. You make everything better. Give Lux a cuddle for me, alright?

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Sending Crystal

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