(no subject)

[in_death_sacrifice]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Kain
RECIPIENT: Everyone!!
WHAT: A dreaded wedding invitation has arrived!
WHEN: Now-ish
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Warnings doubtful

Tell me... if you had to come up with a really good excuse to avoid attending a wedding, what would you say?

[Oh, yes, sure, of course this is a purely theoretical question. Yep.]

Comments

[circleprodigy]

That's an...oddly specific hypothetical.

Why avoid it?

[in_death_sacrifice]

[Welp. This is a dilemma. He feels like he really ought to tell Inessa, because he'd just gotten through promising not to hide things anymore, not too long ago.]

Let's just say it wouldn't be very pleasant. It's my closest childhood friends, I believe I've mentioned them before.

Private

[circleprodigy]

You have, though not for some time.

I've made this confidential, so please continue. When is this wedding?

Private

[in_death_sacrifice]

I've not heard from them in a while... but we've all been wrapped up in our chosen paths.

It's at the end of the month. I really don't want to go, but I can hardly say that, now, can I? Perhaps I'll say I've come down with something contagious...

[blessedmaiden]

[Oh. Ooooooh! Rydia suspects she knows what's going on, it's not the first time a Kain skips a certain important wedding, but... she is still giving him the benefit of the doubt. For now.]

... explain, please.

[in_death_sacrifice]

Well, it... Fine. It's two friends of mine. I've known them since childhood, but I think... we've drifted apart since then. [Or, uh, something like that, this is his random attempt to find an excuse.] They may not even miss my presence there... perhaps I needn't respond at all.

[blessedmaiden]

[Someone is nervously tapping her fingers on a certain urn right now. Maybe he's not lying, but...]

Why shouldn't you take it as a chance to rekindle your friendship with them? They certainly care if they sent you a proper invitation.

Private forever

[circleprodigy]

...Kain. That is beneath you. These are not party-goers to avoid, but your friends.

[doneisdone]

"I hate weddings."

[easy!]

[in_death_sacrifice]

It's... all very complicated to explain. But it's probably for the best if I stay away, even if I do appreciate the gesture.

Private forever

[in_death_sacrifice]

[At least he can always count on Inessa to be honest with him when he needs it. And oh, does he need it now.]

But Ness...

[He pauses.]

I'm sure they just invited me as a mere courtesy and nothing more. They don't really need me there. They- they have each other now.

[in_death_sacrifice]

If it were most anyone else, I might try that. [It's worked for most of the things he's ever been invited to back home, anyway.] These people will be more difficult to turn down, though...

Re: Private forever

[circleprodigy]

They way you spoke of them, I sincerely doubt it just a courtesy. You being there would mean much to them. A wedding involving a Circle mage, during a time of upheaval? They need all the support they can muster. Do not deny them that.

[Of that she is absolutely certain. The fate of mages hasn't been truly decided, after all. Perhaps he's not realizing how this could turn out, under a new Divine.]

Private forever

[in_death_sacrifice]

[He sighs.]

I know... I know it's a very important step for them, with him as a Templar. I know. It's just... complicated. A lot of things happened between us all that I can't undo. You know... the whole situation with that blood mage.

[issala]

Ain't you a Warden? Just say you have duties.

Re: Private forever

[circleprodigy]

I do, and that's all the more reason you ought to go. The past has had its hold over you for long enough, don't you think? Show them that you're stronger than that, as I know you are.

[blessedmaiden]

How are weddings complicated? [She probably knows the answer but... oh, Why is she still pretending not to know?]

You have a crush on her, don't you? And, let me guess, she's some kind and lovely healer from home who is marrying your other childhood friend who has also been your rival for ages. I don't know the sitaution but this isn't the first time I hear this story...

[... please tell her she's wrong?]

[in_death_sacrifice]

Believe me, I'm considering that one. Though I've used that excuse a lot with these people... I don't know if it'll always work every time.

Private forever

[in_death_sacrifice]

But I hurt them so terribly, by what I did. I know my actions were not my own, but even so... I can't face them yet.

Besides, there's... there's another reason.

Private

[in_death_sacrifice]

What-

You-

How...

[Kain has enough sense to make this private now, because no way does he want to broadcast the truth throughout all of Skyhold. But he's freaked out for a moment because everything she's saying is completely accurate.]

[blessedmaiden]

[Rydia isn't even replying, she just places the urn in front of the crystal so he can see it and points at the dead man with a tilt of her head.]

He didn't attend the wedding. Twice.

[Now, she's still not sure about the multi-similar-world thing but her point remains. Darn, how can you guys be so similar?]

I mean, you are you, not him, but I've already seen something similar happen before.

Re: Private forever

[circleprodigy]

Since they sent you an invitation to their wedding, they obviously forgave you.

And that is...?

[stabsbooks]

Is it a marriage for love? Or some horrible political match, in which the bride and groom hardly know each other, or worse, cannot stand one another?

[in_death_sacrifice]

It's... very much for love. [Which he is happy about, even if his voice sounds anything but happy. He sighs.] Which I know is a rare thing for a wedding in Orlais. It's usually some awful political arrangement. They're very fortunate.

Private forever

[in_death_sacrifice]

Well... and they did say it directly, too. That they forgave me. It's just hard for me to accept.

[There's a long pause as he gathers his thoughts. This is... hard to admit. It's even weirder telling Inessa for some reason.]

I have... feelings. For her. Rosalie.