let's get deep

[champions]

FORM: crystal
SENDER: Marisol Candelas Ximena Odalys Esmeralda Hierro Asturias de la Nieve Vivas
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: a question
WHEN: whenev
WHERE: Kirkwall (Hightown, probably)
NOTES: don't hate her because she's beautiful

You know, I feel it has been too long since I have had a chance to speak with many of you. That is the way when we are all working so much, no? The coming and going makes it so easy to work with people and never truly know them.

( Imagine her, if you will, reclined on a fainting couch, a glass of port lightly held in one hand, a cigarillo balanced between the fingers of the other, and wearing something appropriately luxurious. )

So, I am wondering, what does responsibility mean to you? More what you consider your responsibilities, than the offerings of a dictionary. Understanding one another is key, I hear.

Comments

[champions]

That is a great burden and privilege. What is the nature of the knowledge you seek?

[chainlightning]

The history of the elves - even the things that we would rather not remember. It's our history, and it should be told, so that we can learn from it.

[champions]

Remembering your shame as much as your pride?

( Interesting. ) Do you anticipate much of that?

[chainlightning]

Arlathan fell. There were surely faults that led to that.

[ There's a soft hum. ] We've lost so much that I don't know what to anticipate, really.

[champions]

( She likes this one. She might keep her. )

I feel that way as a mage, at times. Oh, I have a good deal of advantages that many do not, but there is still much taken from us, you know?

[chainlightning]

[ do it ]

Oh, yes. [ A little more excitement in her voice, now. ] I've heard stories about the Circles. It's a bit different, being Dalish, but- well, I left the family of my birth to join a different clan at a very young age.

[ It didn't work out. ]

I wasn't really old enough to understand what that might mean, what I was doing.

[champions]

( Her eyes narrow, thoughtful. )

I would have thought that the Dalish clans were... a matter of pride. ( From what she has gathered. It's not like she spared the Dalish much thought at all, for much of her life. )

Why did you decide to join a different clan?

[chainlightning]

It was decided for me, really. The clan I joined needed more mages.

[champions]

Did you clan get anything in return?

[chainlightning]

Oh, most likely. I never did ask.

[champions]

( If Marsiol did not so firmly believe in the importance of family, in doing that she could to protect her family and those dear to her, she might be more outraged. There were times when sacrifice, when enacting a role dictated to you, was necessary. It might not be your ideal path, but it would make the family stronger, and in that it was worthwhile and something she would have chosen. Even now, there were things she would not ideally like to do, but they would further the family, and that made them something she wanted.

That this Dalish was traded for being a mage, specifically, that grates. )

Please forgive me - I haven't asked your name. I am Marisol, and you?

[chainlightning]

[ If it helps, it didn't work out well for the clan that she went to. ]

Oh! Sorry, I got a bit carried away. I'm Merrill.

[champions]

Merrill, lovely to meet you.

( She rolls the cigarillo between her fingertips, watching the trail of smoke slowly twist and warp in the air. )

It rubs me the wrong way, Merrill, to hear of a fellow mage being traded like a commodity.

[chainlightning]

You too!

[ There's a faint hum. ]

It's... well, it's an honor and a heartache, all at once. Our history says that all of our people could do magic, once. Our Keepers are always mages, and a clan needs a Keeper. A Keeper needs a First, to take over for them. With no mages in the clan... they needed someone who could fill that role.

But it's also a lonely existence, being the First.

[champions]

Do you believe the history? It is very strange to think of magic simply disappearing, when we know it can be carried in the blood. ( Tevinter and their proud bloodlines, and so on.

Perhaps this is not the point. )

Because you are a mage surrounded by those who are not, or because of your duties?

[chainlightning]

So much of what we know has been lost- it could be partially true. We clearly still have mages, just... fewer.

[ The issue is just that: Merrill doesn't know, and she wants to. ]

My duties. I was learning many other things, while they all learned together.

[champions]

Did they isolate you?

[chainlightning]

Not purposefully, but it was isolating nevertheless. They know you will be the First, that you might be their Keeper someday.

[champions]

Jealousy, or at the very least caution, I'd say. That is foolishness, on their part. Why not befriend those with whom you'll be working to ensure the clan's best interests?

[chainlightning]

I'd tell you to ask them, but- well. [ They're all dead. ] It isn't that way in all clans, but I'm also... not the best with people.

[champions]

I find that hard to believe, Merrill. You're charming.

[chainlightning]

It's funny how many people say that.