therookery | (no subject)

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Bethany Darton nee Hawke
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: A call for Information
WHEN: Middle of Solace
WHERE: Kirkwall, the Gallows
NOTES: None yet, probably something in here for cursing eventually.

Good afternoon.

[For once, Bethany Darton nee Hawke does not sound like a bubble of happiness. In fact her tone is serious, quiet but firm, and if one was in the tent with her they could see her demeanor was very much the same.]

I am looking for my sister Marian, and I know there are .... sources well outside of the range of the Inquisition. I will pay you for the information -- but only it's value. I do not want rumors, I do not want heresay. I want to know if someone has actually seen Marian, and where she might be found. Any information can be brought to my tent, or if you wish for me to meet you somewhere, I will be happy to arrange a meeting.

[In a public place, where she won't get assassinated, thank you very much.]

Thank you for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's all going to be rumors, Bethany. That's why she's been called missing. Where she's gone she doesn't want to be found.

I've a few rumors from my network, but nothing else because if someone had something else, she'd not be missing.

Well she has to be found, or they are going to declare her dead.

[Was Bethany's wry answer.] And I can't own any property.

You're...

[No. He has to be misunderstanding somehow. When Anders speaks again, he speaks very slowly.]

If this is about the estate, I'm certain Gamlen wouldn't have issue with you living in it. If it's... Are you, you can't be looking for her now because of the house?

...You know. If this was Marian she'd reply with more sarcasm but I apparently just don't have the knack -- of course it is not about the house! Over a year, Anders! With no word! I thought she would appear by the wedding but ...I am so scared.

You're the one talking about death declarations and property ownership.

Frankly, if she'd heard about the wedding she may have thought it a sort of ambush. And if she's remote, which is more than likely, she'd not have heard about it at all. I was a little surprised you'd not been searching before then.

And lately I've been... Have you been feeling all right?

Edited 2017-07-13 06:13 (UTC)

Yes, well, I might be sarcastic and bitter all at once. I haven't been this way in a long while so I might be rusty.

Yes, I know, I know ... I just. [A long sigh.] I did, but it was more of a joking sibling thing. 'You never write, you never drop in with an assassination attempt anymore'. I think something is wrong. I think she's in trouble.

Me? Moody, honestly. What about you?

Concerned, if I'm to be honest.

[He sighs.]

You stood by and did nothing as a mage was being treated roughly by a Templar, I've had someone come to me worried about your mental state because you're talking ant actually carrying a child yourself, you can see why I'd be worried about the implications of this message on the crystals.

The former didn't seem like you at all, and the child thing... [The noise is a sharp exhale, not laughter but concern.] I'll not say it to her or her child, but I can think of no way ahe carried safely to term without blood magic. We know a reputable blood mage, yes, but is that the path you'd want to go down to bear a child when there are so many without families?

I'm your friend, and as a friend and someone who went down a path they cannot un-trod, I'm worried.

[There is a moment of silence, before Bethany sighs deeply.]

All right, first of all ... I did not stand by and do nothing. I was speaking to poor Rhona when the Templar, Cade, came out of nowhere and tackled the woman to the ground. She was there for all of a minute before Aleron ordered Cade to release her, after she said she wouldn't attack him again. I spoke to her - I calmed her down - and then I took her away from Aleron and that ... that broken Templar, and I talked to her. For hours. About her friends, about the horrible things that had happened to her. I apologized, for failing her. I did what I could to ease her soul.

Secondly ... Anders. [a long sigh] I thought - I thought if I could remove the Blight from my body that I would be able to carry a child. But I can't, can I? It would take blood magic, to make me fertile again. [Suddenly, there's such bitterness in her voice, and so much sadness, a choked sob in-between her words.] So the Wardens have finally taken from me everything. They took my youth, they took my freedom, they took my hope to be a part of something good and clean and right -- and they have taken away the only chance I had to leave a piece of me behind for my husband.

[Another soft, pained sound.] I ... I need my big sister. I need her to hug me, and tell me it is going to be all right. I need to her to tell that she'll help me, that we'll find a way. I need a miracle and Marian is the only person I've ever known who can pull those out of her pocket.

[What he's heard goes differently... but he hadn't been there. He's known Bethany for some time so he swallows his doubts as far as Rhona being hurt and alone for longer than that. He even doesn't bother mentioning that he's not sure how a slap constitutes an attack.

Instead, he sighs as well. There's clearly something deeper going on here and he is, as he said, her friend.]

The Wardens kept you alive. You'd be dead, and I'd be dead, if not for them. We can still...

[He breaks off and snorts this time. We? It's far too late for him.]

You can still be a part of something good and clean and right, Bethany. You're not tarnished simply because there's blight currently in your blood. Even if there's never a cure, it doesn't change who you are or what you can do. Adopting a child will still leave something of yourself, because a parent, a good parent, pours some of who they are into raising that child, Bethany. Or you can write Aleron a book, leave him a lock of hair, learn a craft and leave something you've made, there are options that aren't carrying a life inside of you.

You're not alone. And I know that Marian is missing and you'd like her to be here, but if I were her and heard my Warden apostate sister was marrying a rich Seeker just after moving to Kirkwall, I would be absolutely certain it was a trap. I miss her too, Bethany. I... I'll not stop loving her, no matter what, and it's hard to not know where she is. But I believe she's doing what she needs to do for herself, and after all the time she's spent looking after everyone else, doesn't she deserve that?

If the house is at risk, speak with Gamlen. He's grown from when I first met him; he'll not begrudge you living there I'm certain.

[An attack isn't just only actions, but words, and Bethany would one hundred percent back that Rhona had every right to slap her husband. Just. Context. Context was always important. ]

It's not about the tarnish of the Blight, Anders ... [her voice softens, takes on the weight of her thirty one years.] It is the tarnish of the actions of our superiors. Of people we trusted to live by the code, and broke it. To pieces.

[A pause, and then a wry laugh.] Anders, you know that I know about a dozen more crafts than you do, yes? [Knitting, sewing, cooking, to name a few. But the words hit the right cord with her.] If we adopt a child ... I cannot remain with the Wardens. Nor can I remain with the Inquisition. We will need to finish Corypheus first. [Marriage was one thing. A child - children - was quite another.]

[There is a silence then, a long one, before she finally sighs.] It's not about the house. It's never been about the house. The house is just a good excuse for me to go looking for her when I should be fighting the good fight. [There's the sound of her hand going across her face, another sigh.] And she would slap me silly for doing so.

I am sorry if I am scaring you, Anders, and everyone else. I do not mean to. [Her voice quiets again.] I am just feeling ... a little lost right now.

...Lady Darton. I'm afraid I haven't any news of your sister. But if by some stray chance something viable does happen across your desk, I would ask that you contact me. I spent a good while searching the lands of Thedas for any sign of her or the Hero of Ferelden before making my way to Skyhold, with nothing but, as you say, rumour and heresay.

It is hardly any longer my duty to do so, but I would still help you should there be a direction to go in. Of course, if I happen to hear something as well, you are the first I would speak with.

... I honestly do not think it will, Seeker Reed, but if I do get any sort of hint? I will let you know. I think if I do, my sister is in a lot more trouble than she can hande on her own.

[Which would be bad. Very, very bad.]

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Private, after plenty of time has passed with no answers

Re: Private, after plenty of time has passed with no answers

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