Nerva Lecuyer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
keeperofmagi) wrote2016-02-08 04:51 pm
keeperofmagi) wrote2016-02-08 04:51 pm
Fade Rift Inbox
Slip a note under her door, or come and knock.
[No, he doesn't really expect her to. That's not a topic that they're here to discuss, in any case. Twisted Fate is far less interested in Galadriel than, say, the other elves who want to worship her, and apparently everyone else from her own world evidently does the same. She is enchanting, but his stakes are different and he certainly has no reason to relate her to Dalish lore.
Suffice it to say, when compared to such, he disapproves, but that is that.
Right now, his time is with Nerva, and he intends to keep it that way.]
No, not at all. I promise, I'm here with every intent to spend it with you.
After all, you have such things to tell me. How could I plan it any other way?
Suffice it to say, when compared to such, he disapproves, but that is that.
Right now, his time is with Nerva, and he intends to keep it that way.]
No, not at all. I promise, I'm here with every intent to spend it with you.
After all, you have such things to tell me. How could I plan it any other way?
[She gave a low snort, but she did relax. She didn't want to think about Anders on any level, so she was happy for the distraction.]
Mm, yes, the conversation topic did seem to intrigue you. [She offers him a small smirk as she takes another drink of her wine.]
Keep the wine flowing, and I'll answer whatever questions you have.
The wine's flow shall be of no concern. Rest assured.
[Fate has a drink of his own.] Let's see, then. What would you consider your most interesting exploit in bed?
[Fate has a drink of his own.] Let's see, then. What would you consider your most interesting exploit in bed?
I think that generally depends on your definition of interesting... [It was said thoughtfully, not sarcastically, as she swirled the wine around in her cup.]
In Mont De Glace I was once asked to help a noblewoman conceive. That was interesting. The marriage was, I understand, more for political clout than for any sort of attraction. She required... an amazing array of contraptions.
[She finished off her glass of wine and held it out for Fate to fill it.]
I would not say it was the best experience in bed I've ever had, but it was certainly interesting.
In Mont De Glace I was once asked to help a noblewoman conceive. That was interesting. The marriage was, I understand, more for political clout than for any sort of attraction. She required... an amazing array of contraptions.
[She finished off her glass of wine and held it out for Fate to fill it.]
I would not say it was the best experience in bed I've ever had, but it was certainly interesting.
[That earns a soft laugh as he refills her glass.]
Well, what would you say was your best experience, then? That sounds like the better question.
Well, what would you say was your best experience, then? That sounds like the better question.
[She watches the glass fill, a thoughtful silence falling upon her as she considered the question. It was a surprisingly difficult one. Not because it was that hard, but because she realised she wasn't sure exactly what she wanted to tell Fate. The truth, is what she decided eventually. She only ever settled on telling him the truth.]
Remove bed from the equation, and it was the weekend I spent with one of the Templars from Val Royeaux. He had come all the way to Mont De Glace after an apostate, and I was sent to help him find her. A day's march we ended up stuck in a blizzard in the mountains for three days, and - well. Found our own ways to keep warm and amuse ourselves.
[She wasn't blushing, but she did smile. It was a fond memory, if an old one.]
But yes. That was one of the times that required a safe word. I am told that I can be - intimidating. And apparently there are those that find that an attractive quality.
[She sipped her wine, and then, in a flat tone that might have been an attempt at a joke:] We aren't all chaste. Some take such vows, but - most do not.
Remove bed from the equation, and it was the weekend I spent with one of the Templars from Val Royeaux. He had come all the way to Mont De Glace after an apostate, and I was sent to help him find her. A day's march we ended up stuck in a blizzard in the mountains for three days, and - well. Found our own ways to keep warm and amuse ourselves.
[She wasn't blushing, but she did smile. It was a fond memory, if an old one.]
But yes. That was one of the times that required a safe word. I am told that I can be - intimidating. And apparently there are those that find that an attractive quality.
[She sipped her wine, and then, in a flat tone that might have been an attempt at a joke:] We aren't all chaste. Some take such vows, but - most do not.
So that was a little... heated.
Care to chat?
Care to chat?
[She doesn't answer for a while, and when she does, her voice is gravely. She didn't sleep.]
... I had not intended to ruin your party. I am - incredibly sorry, for my behaviour.
Edited 2016-04-10 19:53 (UTC)
If it's any consolation, at least it was very, very late at night. The party was just about over, anyway.
I think, perhaps, this is a conversation best suited in person. Do you agree?
I think, perhaps, this is a conversation best suited in person. Do you agree?
Yes. [There is almost a relieve note, to her voice.]
I am in my quarters, unless there is somewhere more- suitable-
No, not particularly. I can meet you there.
I'll be on my way.
I'll be on my way.
Mm. [She signed off with her signature brusqueness - not sure how or when to say goodbye, when his voice could come from the crystal at any time.
The room itself was tiny - a broom cupboard repurposed - just big enough for her bed, and a little side table with a candle on it. There wasn't a window so much as a corner of crumbled wall. But it was hers, and that was enough. She opened the door when she heard him in the hallway. Dressed in her tunic, but missing her armour, and there was a huge dark bruise along her cheekbone.]
Come in.
[Anders has the benefit of healing himself, but Nerva has no such ability. Still, he imagines even if he offered, she would refuse. It wouldn't be the first time someone would cringe away from the offer, so he refrains.
Instead, he steps inside, tilting his hat politely.]
How are you managing?
Instead, he steps inside, tilting his hat politely.]
How are you managing?
I'm fine. [It is so obviously a lie that she winces when she delivers it. It had been more of a reflex, than anything, and he knew better. So she cleared her throat, closing the door behind him and taking a seat on the edge of the bed.]
I am... It is not something to be concerned with. I must deal with the repercussions of my actions.
[And then, looking straight into his eyes and going straight for the point:]
You are angry with me.
Whatever I'm feeling is rather irrelevant in comparison to whatever it is you're going through, Nerva. I mean that entirely.
[He removes his hat and sighs softly, combing his fingers through his hair as he sits down beside Nerva.]
I want to know how you're feeling. What you're thinking. What you were thinking.
[He removes his hat and sighs softly, combing his fingers through his hair as he sits down beside Nerva.]
I want to know how you're feeling. What you're thinking. What you were thinking.
[It isn't fair, how understanding he is, for something that she is so utterly disgusted with herself for.]
I - am not sure I could tell you. [She turned her head once he sat down, eyes fixating on the line of light underneath the door. Mostly for something to focus on, even though she seemed to be glaring at it.]
I wasn't. Thinking. Anders - - [She cut off with a sigh.] I would explain it if I could, but I - am not certain it was even-- [She cut off again, frustrated.]
It has been a long time, since I have snapped like that. I'm sorry.
I - am not sure I could tell you. [She turned her head once he sat down, eyes fixating on the line of light underneath the door. Mostly for something to focus on, even though she seemed to be glaring at it.]
I wasn't. Thinking. Anders - - [She cut off with a sigh.] I would explain it if I could, but I - am not certain it was even-- [She cut off again, frustrated.]
It has been a long time, since I have snapped like that. I'm sorry.
[His fingers fold together as he considers a moment, still frowning to himself.]
You hit him, not me. But we'll... get to that.
You talked about someone burning people alive. It was a mage, wasn't it? A mage who killed people you cared about.
You hit him, not me. But we'll... get to that.
You talked about someone burning people alive. It was a mage, wasn't it? A mage who killed people you cared about.
It was your party. [As if she really needs to remind him of that, but - she'd made a promise. No getting into fights at Fate's party, and she'd failed that one spectacularly.
She doesn't respond to the question for a long time - long enough that perhaps she wasn't going to answer him at all. Until suddenly she stood, and before he could protest pulled her tunic up over her head. She was still wearing her small clothes, which were anything but small, really - a tight top with no sleeves, leggings - but neither of them were the point.
It was the scar, that took up most of her shoulder, and extending down her shoulder blade and her bicep. It was old - incredibly old, but the skin was still puckered in strange ways, as if it had blistered and the blisters had become flesh on their own. It was reddened, and the skin was too tight - like it had been stretched over her bones as far as it was go.
She didn't meet his eye.]
My family. My brother and I survived.
She doesn't respond to the question for a long time - long enough that perhaps she wasn't going to answer him at all. Until suddenly she stood, and before he could protest pulled her tunic up over her head. She was still wearing her small clothes, which were anything but small, really - a tight top with no sleeves, leggings - but neither of them were the point.
It was the scar, that took up most of her shoulder, and extending down her shoulder blade and her bicep. It was old - incredibly old, but the skin was still puckered in strange ways, as if it had blistered and the blisters had become flesh on their own. It was reddened, and the skin was too tight - like it had been stretched over her bones as far as it was go.
She didn't meet his eye.]
My family. My brother and I survived.
[Usually when a woman undresses for him, something spectacular would go along with it. In this moment, it is far more personal and intimate than he's been involved in for awhile, and it has nothing to do with sex.
This is something she is sharing with him, something he expects she's shared with few.
For a moment, Twisted Fate looks over the burn scars, his brows knitted. A moment in his mind, he remembers a human child so badly burned before, who cringed from his offer of magic and had been thrown away from the clan the next morning. Keeper Shoshanna had no sympathy for much of anything outside of the clan, and he was putting that together in that moment as a child.
But this isn't about him right now. It's about her.
Gently, he takes her hand.]
A Tevinter mage. [That, he can conclude. Nerva of Tevinter. Why she fears and loathes magic so much.]
This is something she is sharing with him, something he expects she's shared with few.
For a moment, Twisted Fate looks over the burn scars, his brows knitted. A moment in his mind, he remembers a human child so badly burned before, who cringed from his offer of magic and had been thrown away from the clan the next morning. Keeper Shoshanna had no sympathy for much of anything outside of the clan, and he was putting that together in that moment as a child.
But this isn't about him right now. It's about her.
Gently, he takes her hand.]
A Tevinter mage. [That, he can conclude. Nerva of Tevinter. Why she fears and loathes magic so much.]
A Magister. [Both a confirmation, and a clarification. Not just any mage. But the very mages that she saw the shadows of, in the Council. In the Rebellion.
In Anders, refusing to bow.
The hand surprised her, and for a half a second she almost recoiled from it, but the feeling passed almost instantly, and instead she took his hand and tightened her own around it, fingers sliding between his for a better grip.
She sat down again, not letting go, the tunic folded up haphazardly in her lap.]
A - rival of the Magister my parents served. We were an easy way to send a 'light' warning. A warning that didn't matter, whose cost could easily be covered and repaired. [There should be bitterness to her voice, but there isn't. It is a hollow emptiness.]
It had been a long time, since I have dreamed of that night. Years, perhaps. But it is my own fault that they return.
In Anders, refusing to bow.
The hand surprised her, and for a half a second she almost recoiled from it, but the feeling passed almost instantly, and instead she took his hand and tightened her own around it, fingers sliding between his for a better grip.
She sat down again, not letting go, the tunic folded up haphazardly in her lap.]
A - rival of the Magister my parents served. We were an easy way to send a 'light' warning. A warning that didn't matter, whose cost could easily be covered and repaired. [There should be bitterness to her voice, but there isn't. It is a hollow emptiness.]
It had been a long time, since I have dreamed of that night. Years, perhaps. But it is my own fault that they return.
[Of course a Magister. Why would it be anything else? He exhales and closes his eyes a moment.]
You were slaves. Or servants.
[He suspects the former. If you're just property, then there's no real loss to be killed or damaged as a warning. Something he knows far too well.]
I can't truly imagine what it is like to be in your situation. Nor can I consider that Anders would have the ability to, either.
[It's difficult. He feels deeply for Nerva, and he is fond of Anders. Fate could never hope the two of them to really come to see eye to eye on anything, and he doesn't expect them to.]
You were slaves. Or servants.
[He suspects the former. If you're just property, then there's no real loss to be killed or damaged as a warning. Something he knows far too well.]
I can't truly imagine what it is like to be in your situation. Nor can I consider that Anders would have the ability to, either.
[It's difficult. He feels deeply for Nerva, and he is fond of Anders. Fate could never hope the two of them to really come to see eye to eye on anything, and he doesn't expect them to.]
Servants. But with no magical ability or coin, there's little difference.
[She gripped at the tunic at the mention of Anders.]
He will never know. [It's sharp, and tight, and not a question.] Fa-- Tobrevas. He is happily convinced I am a monster - that all templars are monsters - and I have no inclination to disabuse him of that notion. His ignorance is not worth my effort.
Mine-- [She let out a hard breath, but did finally turn her head, to look at him, her hand still clasped around his.]
... I had once thought the same. But I know better, now.
[She gripped at the tunic at the mention of Anders.]
He will never know. [It's sharp, and tight, and not a question.] Fa-- Tobrevas. He is happily convinced I am a monster - that all templars are monsters - and I have no inclination to disabuse him of that notion. His ignorance is not worth my effort.
Mine-- [She let out a hard breath, but did finally turn her head, to look at him, her hand still clasped around his.]
... I had once thought the same. But I know better, now.
I know.
[Creators, he knows.]
Anders, from what I understand, has found himself in the abuse of Templars. I understand that not all the Circles were as wretched as his experience. [Not that he's a fan of the idea of Circles, but that's not a political discussion he's interested in having ever.] But what he knows is all he knows. I don't excuse it, I'm just... establishing.
But I know different. I know you. And I know you are doing your best. You regret what happened, and so does he.
Typically, when such a thing happens with two regretting, I might ask that you two apologize to each other. I will never ask you to try to befriend him, like him, or forgive him. All that is impossible. But he is part of the Inquisition, and that is the decision that was concluded by the Wardens and the advisers.
He has the right to feel safe, as a fellow Inquisition agent. Is that something we can do?
[Creators, he knows.]
Anders, from what I understand, has found himself in the abuse of Templars. I understand that not all the Circles were as wretched as his experience. [Not that he's a fan of the idea of Circles, but that's not a political discussion he's interested in having ever.] But what he knows is all he knows. I don't excuse it, I'm just... establishing.
But I know different. I know you. And I know you are doing your best. You regret what happened, and so does he.
Typically, when such a thing happens with two regretting, I might ask that you two apologize to each other. I will never ask you to try to befriend him, like him, or forgive him. All that is impossible. But he is part of the Inquisition, and that is the decision that was concluded by the Wardens and the advisers.
He has the right to feel safe, as a fellow Inquisition agent. Is that something we can do?
I heard. About Kirkwall. It was inevitable, with that systemic abuse, that they would break everything. But he killed innocents. No abuse - No abuse justifies that.
[There was a hitch to her voice. No abuse justified it, and she knew that. She knew that all too well.]
[She doesn't reply immediately, weighing her words before responding to his - an effort she certainly didn't give Anders the night before.]
I don't regret him. [She decided, firmly.] I regret breaking my own oath, and I regret - upsetting you. And I regret losing control. But I am not so certain the advisers all completely agreed with the Wardens, so much as had no choice. They have precedents, to take criminals.
[Her voice is stiff, and she will not waiver. He is no innocent, and remembering how victimized he had made himself sound made anger flash in the back of her mind, but -
instead, she sighed.]
I will not approach him again. That, I will swear to you.
[There was a hitch to her voice. No abuse justified it, and she knew that. She knew that all too well.]
[She doesn't reply immediately, weighing her words before responding to his - an effort she certainly didn't give Anders the night before.]
I don't regret him. [She decided, firmly.] I regret breaking my own oath, and I regret - upsetting you. And I regret losing control. But I am not so certain the advisers all completely agreed with the Wardens, so much as had no choice. They have precedents, to take criminals.
[Her voice is stiff, and she will not waiver. He is no innocent, and remembering how victimized he had made himself sound made anger flash in the back of her mind, but -
instead, she sighed.]
I will not approach him again. That, I will swear to you.
Edited 2016-04-11 01:49 (UTC)
I am not justifying his actions. Just as I am not justifying yours. But I understand.
[Maybe it was too much to expect that they could swallow their differences and actually apologize to one another. Fate thinks to himself, and he considers. With time and effort, he could try to bridge something.
But he doesn't know, ever know if he's here long enough to make that matter.]
I don't think the advisers are happy with the choice either, nor am I dismissing what he'd done. But if he truly is looking for a second chance, then I will give it to him, Nerva. No one else has to, or are obligated to.
But he is obligated a chance to be safe among his fellow agents. And you aren't the only one who has struck him. Granted, he was an ass, and I'm not excusing that.
[Fate stands up and sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.] This is a difficult matter, but I won't ask for more than you can give. If that's what it is, then I understand.
[Maybe it was too much to expect that they could swallow their differences and actually apologize to one another. Fate thinks to himself, and he considers. With time and effort, he could try to bridge something.
But he doesn't know, ever know if he's here long enough to make that matter.]
I don't think the advisers are happy with the choice either, nor am I dismissing what he'd done. But if he truly is looking for a second chance, then I will give it to him, Nerva. No one else has to, or are obligated to.
But he is obligated a chance to be safe among his fellow agents. And you aren't the only one who has struck him. Granted, he was an ass, and I'm not excusing that.
[Fate stands up and sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.] This is a difficult matter, but I won't ask for more than you can give. If that's what it is, then I understand.
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