For the Council. So we're not embarrassing. They were trying pretty hard to insist on shoes, and Ellana was agreeing with them. Am I supposed to be rewritten so people forget I'm an elf savage?
[Cyril thought about that a moment.] Did you want to try to take out the soles?
[The mention of Ellana made the corner of his mouth point downwards just a bit, but it's impossible to read what that reaction means. Most people who weren't Pel, Merrick, or trained to read people would probably have missed it entirely.]
There's nothing wrong with liking human things. But we're not supposed to be voting based on what we like personally. If the Dalish see me dressing like a shem, how approachable will I be?
'Round Skyhold, it's supposedly for identification, though a badge or a chain of office were considered too subtle. At court, it's so we don't embarrass the Council. I wouldn't have a problem with uniforms at court, but at Skyhold? The only purpose I can see is control.
[Suddenly Pel is a lot less angry, hearing this. Mythal save her, she was giving herself fits wondering if she was crazy to object to these uniforms.]
The only one who understood a word I was saying was Korrin. At least Vivienne is letting me look at the designs. She actually wants to use me to model them. Probably parade me in front of the council to show how civilized she's made me.
I already agreed to it. I'll be able to keep an eye on how this uniform is developing that way. If some concrete problem presents itself, I can try...I don't know. Something. I doubt the Council would mourn much if I left. They'd still have a pet elf, one more cooperative than I am.
What's not fair? She didn't have my back. Or her own. Maybe she'll start developing her own opinions eventually, but so far all she wants is for things to be agreeable and amicable.
I think she's new to being able to have a voice at all. [He explains
this carefully because he knows that Pel knows this too and doesn't want to
make it seem like he's lecturing her. It's a gentle reminder more than
anything.] She was Hearthmistress and the Clan's little secret for
a long time, after all. The extra mage that had to stay by the fire lest
the templars or other clans discover her and claim our Keeper broke the
rules and put us in danger.
If you'd like, I could talk to her about it? See if you too can find an
agreement on what would be best? If they are concerned about conformity,
perhaps Ellana can offer that face and give you a bit more leeway to be
true to our roots.
No, don't...don't talk to her about it. Put like that, she didn't do anything wrong. She did well. You're right, she's just...timid, probably. Elgar'nan help me. I'm so used to fighting everything that I never can tell when I've started fighting my own side.
[She rests her head on his shoulder and goes quiet, relaxing for a moment.]
Actually, [she begins slowly,] it went quite well, all things considered. We made some sensible decisions. Mages to be trained with templars so they might be more cohesive in battle, that sort of thing. The only real worry I have is this talk of Harrowings. We didn't decide anything, but I am not making any of our people fight a demon in the Fade for the edification of people who won't trust them anyway.
Harrowings happen in Circles of Magi. They're done to prove a mage can resist temptation from a demon. If they become possessed, they're killed. If they refuse to take the Harrowing, they're made Tranquil. Why they think tempting fate keeps people safe, I have no idea, but that's what some people want of all mages here, even the Dalish ones.
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You meant for the Council?
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[The mention of Ellana made the corner of his mouth point downwards just a bit, but it's impossible to read what that reaction means. Most people who weren't Pel, Merrick, or trained to read people would probably have missed it entirely.]
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I said I wanted shoes to be optional instead of compulsory.
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[Though given how humans are, it's not entirely surprising. He also is going to keep the thought to himself to himself.]
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I just. How dare they. They're not worried about Dalish mages being able to find us in Skyhold. They just want to decide how we dress.
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Did they give you a reason for it? Is it to make it easier to tell who is on the Council or do you think it's to spy on you?
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'Round Skyhold, it's supposedly for identification, though a badge or a chain of office were considered too subtle. At court, it's so we don't embarrass the Council. I wouldn't have a problem with uniforms at court, but at Skyhold? The only purpose I can see is control.
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I see. That's... concerning. [Putting it mildly.]
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[Suddenly Pel is a lot less angry, hearing this. Mythal save her, she was giving herself fits wondering if she was crazy to object to these uniforms.]
The only one who understood a word I was saying was Korrin. At least Vivienne is letting me look at the designs. She actually wants to use me to model them. Probably parade me in front of the council to show how civilized she's made me.
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[He frowns a bit at that thought.] Can you turn her down at all?
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[That small frown again.]
That's not entirely fair, Pel. [Said very softly and carefully.]
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[His eyes narrow a bit.]
Pel...[He shifts a bit closer.] You're frustrated right now. It's possible what you're saying is misdirection from that frustration.
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A huff.]
You think she kept quiet because I was arguing enough for us both?
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I think she's new to being able to have a voice at all. [He explains this carefully because he knows that Pel knows this too and doesn't want to make it seem like he's lecturing her. It's a gentle reminder more than anything.] She was Hearthmistress and the Clan's little secret for a long time, after all. The extra mage that had to stay by the fire lest the templars or other clans discover her and claim our Keeper broke the rules and put us in danger.
If you'd like, I could talk to her about it? See if you too can find an agreement on what would be best? If they are concerned about conformity, perhaps Ellana can offer that face and give you a bit more leeway to be true to our roots.
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Actually, [she begins slowly,] it went quite well, all things considered. We made some sensible decisions. Mages to be trained with templars so they might be more cohesive in battle, that sort of thing. The only real worry I have is this talk of Harrowings. We didn't decide anything, but I am not making any of our people fight a demon in the Fade for the edification of people who won't trust them anyway.
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Wait... what? [Cyril had never heard what exactly a Harrowing was before and he starts a bit, though not enough to push her head off of him.]
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How does that make even a little bit of sense? [Cyril asks, still frowning deeply.] Wouldn't you want to keep mages away from demons?
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