I have some power of my own, you know. [ Not that it's quite up to snuff with people who haven't regularly tapped blood magic for power, but it exists. ]
But...alright. I'm sorry for pouting at you about it.
...And I think it's kind of cool you blew up your old Circle. I wish I could do the same, but. Yanno.
It's his specialty. [ And theirs, as a pair. ] It's no comment on your value to me.
[ She forgets, sometimes, that they're now living in Gareth's Circle. She'd heard so many horror stories of the Gallows, but has only ever seen it filled with Inquisition agents, ice-skating across the courtyard. ]
Someday, perhaps. If the Inquisition leaves. [ or turns on them! ] I wouldn't think less of you if you preferred to live elsewhere.
[ It’s a good thing that this is over crystal, so Nell can’t see him puff up a bit in pride when she assures him of his value to her. After all, he doesn’t begrudge her taking Kostos, he doesn’t want to (and know he can’t) be a replacement. He just doesn’t want to be forgotten. ]
Saoirse lives here. She was in the Gallows too, when...it happened. But now she’s living here, in her old room in the mage tower. She doesn’t let those memories bother her. I...shouldn’t, either. [ Except it does. Except it still haunts him, changed him in ways he’s constantly reminded of. ] At least for now. How would I afford a place, anyway? I’ll just start studying the architecture here more. It’ll be trickier to bring down, I think.
[ Nell's silence lingers a long moment before she begins again, an abrupt launch back into speech. ]
It's brave of you to stay. And Saoirse, too. That's mad, staying in the same room, but brave too, in a way. Nevarra City was nothing like Kirkwall, but being back there, walking those halls again--it was like I'd never left. I think it's good, us taking over rooms in the Templar tower here. We're showing them all they don't frighten us or control us any longer. That this isn't the place it was then any longer. That it isn't the world it was then any longer.
But if you want to go, tell me, and we'll find a way. Alright?
I wonder if we could make sure that the two side towers fell on the central one? That'd take less force.
[ Not that he knows much about supports and explosions and whatnot. Maybe he should brush up on it, without looking suspicious. ]
I understand. This place has changed, but walking through the gate again, it reminded me--I thought I'd only do that once. But--You're right, Nell. It's making a statement, to be staying in the Templar tower. Though I think the statement could be made just as well on one of the lower floors...
[ Exercise is another form of mage oppression. ]
Truly? Let's move to Hightown. I want to go around doing magic on our front lawn with all the neighbors squinting from around their curtains at me.
Well, if Marisol ever really joins us, maybe we will. She wrote me some weeks ago and said she was considering a visit, and I'm sure she'd never deign to stay anywhere but Hightown, if she can bear this city at all.
She doesn't like anyone's hair or clothes, [ Nell laughs, ] she'll be after me for a whole new wardrobe if she comes. Perhaps she'll be distracted by that.
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But...alright. I'm sorry for pouting at you about it.
...And I think it's kind of cool you blew up your old Circle. I wish I could do the same, but. Yanno.
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[ She forgets, sometimes, that they're now living in Gareth's Circle. She'd heard so many horror stories of the Gallows, but has only ever seen it filled with Inquisition agents, ice-skating across the courtyard. ]
Someday, perhaps. If the Inquisition leaves. [ or turns on them! ] I wouldn't think less of you if you preferred to live elsewhere.
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[ It’s a good thing that this is over crystal, so Nell can’t see him puff up a bit in pride when she assures him of his value to her. After all, he doesn’t begrudge her taking Kostos, he doesn’t want to (and know he can’t) be a replacement. He just doesn’t want to be forgotten. ]
Saoirse lives here. She was in the Gallows too, when...it happened. But now she’s living here, in her old room in the mage tower. She doesn’t let those memories bother her. I...shouldn’t, either. [ Except it does. Except it still haunts him, changed him in ways he’s constantly reminded of. ] At least for now. How would I afford a place, anyway? I’ll just start studying the architecture here more. It’ll be trickier to bring down, I think.
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[ Nell's silence lingers a long moment before she begins again, an abrupt launch back into speech. ]
It's brave of you to stay. And Saoirse, too. That's mad, staying in the same room, but brave too, in a way. Nevarra City was nothing like Kirkwall, but being back there, walking those halls again--it was like I'd never left. I think it's good, us taking over rooms in the Templar tower here. We're showing them all they don't frighten us or control us any longer. That this isn't the place it was then any longer. That it isn't the world it was then any longer.
But if you want to go, tell me, and we'll find a way. Alright?
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[ Not that he knows much about supports and explosions and whatnot. Maybe he should brush up on it, without looking suspicious. ]
I understand. This place has changed, but walking through the gate again, it reminded me--I thought I'd only do that once. But--You're right, Nell. It's making a statement, to be staying in the Templar tower. Though I think the statement could be made just as well on one of the lower floors...
[ Exercise is another form of mage oppression. ]
Truly? Let's move to Hightown. I want to go around doing magic on our front lawn with all the neighbors squinting from around their curtains at me.
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Well, if Marisol ever really joins us, maybe we will. She wrote me some weeks ago and said she was considering a visit, and I'm sure she'd never deign to stay anywhere but Hightown, if she can bear this city at all.
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[ The WORST. ]
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But seriously, I’ll be fine for now. It’s...interesting, to see how it’s all changed.
And, um—Thank you, Nell. For checking up on me.
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[ a pause, a shrug he can't see ]
You're welcome. We have to stick together. There aren't many of us here, after all. I don't suppose your friend Saoirse is a rebel?
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But she must be. She saw the Gallows burn, how could she think Circles were a good idea after that?