therookery | (no subject)

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Herian Amsel
RECIPIENT: everyone with a crystal
WHAT: Deep Thoughts & Dogges
WHEN: during Nevarra stuff, prior to the dragon hunt & Necropolis Thriller Reenactment.
WHERE: Nevaaaarra
NOTES: content warning for themes of loss & death. Also just a heads up that Herian is (still) a big jerk about the Dalish and rebels/eager apostates

Inquisition,

( she starts, and then there is a moment of pause. Her accent is stronger than it was before her trip to Starkhaven, renewed by proximity even if it has already softened from what it had been there. She speaks with that same, inevitable control, but she does not sound quite the same type of calm as usual. )

How do you best honour the dead? Recently or long departed. I would be glad to know.

( Just a casual question, nbd.

She sure doesn't sound like "glad" should be a description of her ever, but maybe given the content she can be forgiven. There's a small bark, and though it cannot be seen, rest assured that Herian is frowning at the source. There is a measured pause, before Herian adds, )

And if any could advise me what to do with a small canine that sees fit to prance about wherever I go, I'd be grateful.

( Quietly exasperated, to the dog as she moves to end the post, ) You're too short for the stairs. Accept it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ This probably won't end well, but here she is, doing it anyway. ]

If we have the body, the Dalish bury it, and plant a sapling over the remains. Death nourishes life, and gives their loved ones a testament to their memories.

[ There's more to it than that, but she's not going to just spill all their practices. ]

If there is no body, than we simply pick a spot that we think the deceased would like, and plant the sapling there. Even without the body, there is still life, and still a marker of a life well lived.

Edited 2017-12-06 01:54 (UTC)

( On the one hand, how dare she. On the other, Herian is not so far gone as to think this is inherently malicious, she knows her own rage, her disgust, but— )

Thank you. Is there ever fear of possession, even so entombed?

I've never heard of it, though the bodies are rarely disturbed. I can't imagine it would be appealing to a spirit, however. They're buried deep down, too far for a possessed corpse to free itself.

That is something.

What do the Dalish consider a life well lived?

( does she get bonus credit for not asking it totally scathingly and sarcastically )

[ Gently puts a banana sticker on Herian’s forehead. ]

That differs between each individual Dalish, I’m afraid. Just as with others.

Still, I’d like to think there is some overlap. If you can look back on your life, and see that the impact you made—upon your family, your friends, your clan—was positive, that you made their lives better for being in it...

But, that’s for each person to decide on their own.

If you were to look upon the life of another and judge it, what would you consider to be of worth?

( How many they tortured, perhaps? She holds her tongue on old barbs that have no place here. )

How do you value the life of a healer, for example?

I’m afraid that is far too vague for me to guess—and even were it not, I am not Falon’Din, nor Mythal. It is not for me to judge another’s life.

[ That’s bullshit, Beleth judges each and every single person she’s ever met. But like hell is she talking about that with Herian. ]

What about yourself? Do you consider what is the value of the people around you?

( There is a slight huff of breath, but it's very quiet. It probably wasn't a show of very restrained incredulity. Probably. )

I consider those who claim themselves righteous or honourable or claim knightly titles and how their actions reflect the Knight's Code. Beyond that, I spend a good deal of time considering the repercussion of action upon action. It is hard to weigh a laugh, without considering the impact that it has had on those about it, whether it inflicted more hurts or been one to heal them.

[ There are a number of things that Beleth can think of in response to that, but they are all either too friendly, or too hostile. From 'You must not get a lot of sleep' to 'Gee, do you hold yourself to that standard??'. It takes a few moments of reflection for her to attempt something neutral. ]

To everyone, their own measure, and how they scale it. I wish you peace in your quest.