closerift | (no subject)

See you at the bar.

[ It doesn't take Sharon long to make it to Delight's bar, and while she really can't stand taking from the gods, she's willing to make an exception to get smashed. By the time Cecily arrives, Sharon's already got a bottle and two glasses—some dark liquor that she didn't care to get the name of—and waves her over, pouring the warm liquid into the second glass. ]

I hope you don't mind, I already grabbed us something. [ And she's already downed a finger of the booze in her own glass. It's been a rough couple of months, and Delight hasn't allowed her to drink until recently. ]

[ She used to drink with Dorian. After he left, she'd spent more and more time in the bar, not drinking to excess (usually), but having a drink, enjoying the relative solitude, and writing notes. ]

Why would I mind? I should be thanking you.

[ The Inquisitor settles in next to Sharon, offering a sideways sort of smile for the drink that's poured. ]

What is it? [ She asks, only after she's tried it. ]

I didn't ask, just took it. [ She shrugs, taking a sip. It burns, at first, but has a delightfully sweet, if oaky, after taste. She licks her lips. ]

It reminds me a little of whiskey. [ But she didn't drink much before arriving in Hadriel, largely in part due to her age. The one time she'd gotten completely smashed at home, her father caught her, and that had been the end of her drinking days. ]

Ah. [ The taste is a good one and she's pleased with the choice, random though it had apparently been. ] I had a conscription ale once that tasted like this. The Grey Wardens have worse taste than Delight, though.

[ She takes another sip, holding it in her mouth, savoring the flavor and its burn. ]

Do you drink much? [ Cecily asks curiously. ]

[ The other woman savors the alcohol, but Sharon just swallows hers by the mouthful. The burn is pleasant, but Sharon's not interested in the flavor, or it's sweetness; she just wants the numbness that accompanies it. ]

I don't think I like the sound of conscription ale. [ No one likes conscription, and ale seems like a poor thing to receive for it. She takes another swig, shaking her head before she answers. ]

Not much, no. [ It's an occasional thing. ] You know, it's actually the first time I've been able to drink in weeks. [ She smiles. It's a small, pleased thing. ] I guess Delight wasn't happy with me after what I did.

[ In many cases, Cecily would be the same. She usually drinks to forget something or to deal with it more easily, but today is less about that and more about... company with Sharon, she supposes. And if Sharon is drinking that way, then they have a lot to talk about. ]

No, you wouldn't. No one should. [ She wrinkles her nose. ] I can't imagine much worse than being reminded you'd been strong-armed into the Grey Wardens and by drinking something called that.

[ Maybe she's a little sour with the Wardens after what they did at Adamant, and before. ]

You didn't do anything. [ Cecily replies crisply, assuming Sharon is referring to the fog and its monsters. ] Besides, Delight can't be "not happy," she has to always be Delighted. Otherwise, it makes no sense that they'd be named after one emotion.

[ No, she doesn't really believe that, but she's dodging real concerns for flippancy. ]

[ It's like some shitty, alcoholic reminder of what they've been forced into. From Sharon's knowledge of Cecily's world, the Grey Wardens sound like a bunch of asses. ]

If that were the case, then Hope would be the brightest little star of the bunch, but he's just a pompous bitch. [ He often appears more agitated than hopeful. ]

Don't get me wrong, I don't really regret what I did. I probably should, people fucking died, but... [ She takes another drink. People died. She died. And still, somehow, she'd do it again if she thought she could. ] We've been here too fucking long.

[ People have become complacent. ]

[ They're a bunch of something, that's for sure. ]

Thank the Maker somebody thinks so. It seems like a lot of the others here like him. [ She rolls her eyes, swirling her drink around in her glass before taking another sip. ] If it isn't all an act, then I'd be surprised. And the 'act' wouldn't be much to speak of, either. That ass.

[ Okay, yes, he brought her back to life, but that doesn't mean she has to like him!! ]

I... don't think you should regret it. [ Cecily says, after a pause. ] People die all the time here, don't they? You were trying to find a way out, to do something. It's more than I can say I've been able to do. That isn't something worthy of punishment, in my mind.

[ Sharon smiles into her drink at Cecily's reply, releasing a soft chuckle as she lowers her glass. It's always nice to be on the same page with a friend when it comes to an enemy. Hope is an ass, and even though he's the ass that brings them all back, he only brings them back because they're useful to him. ]

I just wanted to do something. [ Darkly, she knows she would do anything to remove them from the gods' grasp, even if the only way to do it was to bring the cave ceiling down upon all their heads. She takes another swallow of her drink. ]

I'm glad you don't think less of me for what I did. [ She'd truly feared that, upon her return, Cecily would be disappointed with her, and even now that worry twists in her gut. ]

I know. [ She says, low, but earnest. ] I've wanted to do something the whole time, especially since... what they turned us into.

[ You know, when she was transformed into a wendigo and died. ]

... But you've really been the only one able to try something. I couldn't think less of that.

[ Really, she thinks more of Sharon, but she's not good at Emotions and therefore doesn't go on to say that. ]

[ Her expression tightens at the mention of the Wendigo event. There's no way to forget what Fear, and Rage did, and how it affected Cecily, how she fucking died because of it. One day, the gods will pay for their manipulations. ]

Maybe we'll get lucky, and whatever killed them the first time around will come back and finish the job. [ Darkly. There is no mistaking the venom in her voice. She takes a sip, and then looks at Cecily, expression a little gentler. ]

I'm... I'm really lucky to have you as a friend here. [ Her first one, really. ] Thank you, Cecily.

That's another thing. [ The Inquisitor heaves a sigh, wrinkling her nose briefly at her drink. ] What did kill them? We have so little information and... really not many ways to get it...

[ It makes her deeply uncomfortable, considering the extensive resources that the Inquisition had had and the talented spymaster at their disposal. Leliana is here now, true, but without the same network.

Cecily is drawn from her musings by that admission and her cheeks redden just faintly. ]

I... Thank you. [ She doesn't think she's so great, so the compliment catches her off guard. ] I feel the same way. I'm glad that I've had the chance to get to know you.

[ When they would never, ever have met otherwise. ]

[ Sharon finishes off the liquor in her glass, and smiles, looser now than earlier. There is something lifting about telling that to Cecily, and more so to hear that the feeling is mutual. Friendship has always been such a tough thing for Sharon, so used to pushing everyone away out of necessity, but she finds that for all it's toughness, it's worth it. ]

[ She dips her head in almost shy agreement. ] Me too. [ It can be the one thing she's grateful for about this place (but, in reality, there are many things she's found she cherishes here, many people). She continues on, as she pours another finger of booze into her glass, and offers to pour for Cecily as she returns to their previous topic. ]

Do you think it might have been another god that did them in? It could explain why they're so avoidant discussing it with us.

[ Cecily accepts the fresh pour with a smile, one made more slippery by their continued consumption. ]

It'd have to be one more powerful than the rest of them, don't you think? [ She frowns, considering it after taking a sip. ] To off them all... Though, frankly, if they know who - or what - did it, they should come out with it. We'll be woefully unprepared to face whatever it is if it does show up.

[ Which won't be a good thing for the citizens or the gods. ]

They won't tell us, Cecily. [ even if them knowing could change the stakes. ] We're fucking cattle to them, and no one tells the cattle when the storm is coming.

[ And Sharon knows there has to be a storm coming, or, at the very least, brewing on the horizon. ]

Maybe not to all of them.

[ She frowns harder, raising a hand to her chin thoughtfully. ]

Most of them are indifferent at best, but some - like Delight - might just not understand us. We may be able to get some answers from her.

[ Something telling, maybe, about how best to combat the others. ]

You might be able to get some answers from her, but I don't think she'll trust my intentions. [ The gods have shown a wariness with whom they share sensitive information. A sigh through her nose. ] Do you think you'd be willing to speak with her, maybe build a rapport?

[ start slow, build up. ]

Maybe not. [ After Sharon brought Silent Hill in. ] Though, I've not been exactly supportive of their lot.

[ Both regularly decrying them as a whole and smashing up some temples... ]

I'll try. [ Cecily confirms, nodding once. ] And... the worst that can happen is that she doesn't share much of value, isn't it? 'Delight' doesn't seem likely to inflict a lot of punishment. It'd go against what powers her.

[ Sharon smiles. The other woman has been a bit of a thorn in their side, and while all that they've done has been nothing more than a minor annoyance to their deity overlords, it's been enough to relieve the pressure of rage that builds after all the shit they're tossed into. ]

You're right, the worst I think she'll do is clam up. But she's... she's Delight, I bet if you appeal to that need, she'll open up.

Worth a try, isn't it? [ She replies lightly, with a sideways sort of smile. ] Wish it were as easy as telling her how delighted we'd be to just go back home.

[ If only. ]

Oh, if only things here were ever easy. [ It would be a blessing, but nothing here has ever really been a walk in the park. ]

But if you can handle Delight, I've been talking with Fear, maybe something will come from one of them. [ Eventually. ]

It wouldn't be as interesting if they were, though, would it?

[ Cecily nudges the other woman playfully with her elbow. ]

All right. Just... be careful, with Fear. He isn't like Delight, obviously, and he may be better at manipulating us than she is. I don't want to see you hurt.

[ Sharon laughs. She's right, it wouldn't be nearly as interesting, but sometimes she wonders if easier wouldn't be better for them all. ]

Don't worry. He's... [ She pauses, hesitant, uncertain how to discuss it. She lowers her voice, brows curling down, torn between confusion and concern. ] He told me he likes me. If he's not pulling my leg, then it may give me an advantage with him.

If Fear "likes" you, then I'm absolutely worried. [ People who think they've got a leg up on gods are usually wrong, thinks the pot about the kettle. ] I don't fancy the idea of him have an interest in you.

[ Him of all people. That bastard. ]

Promise me you won't let your guard down around him, no matter what he says?

[ Her expression turns steely, and she lowers her voice a fraction, but the lack of volume does not detract from the edge. ] I don't trust a single fucking thing he says, Cecily. Trust me, he's not going to get the better of me.

I hate him. [ a vicious, violent, bone-deep sort of hate. she swallows the rest of booze in her glass. fuck. ] I hate them all.

[ And she won't trust a single one of them. Ever. Even if they end up right, even if they end up protecting them, or saving them, or freeing them. She won't trust them. ]

(no subject)

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