[He listens without a single interruption, focused, leaning forward slightly from his side of the table. He's right. It sounds completely mad, and yet he's clearly not mad, and if he's a liar, he's a good one, better than most Cullen has ever met. There's a ring of sincerity to all of it.
By the end of it he's frowning, and it's a gut punch, no other way around it.]
Solas.
[For the time being, there isn't a single other thing he can say, fists curled while he processes it. And then finally...]
To what end? What did he have to gain from any of that?
Maker's breath. That part isn't reasonable in the slightest. What...what is being done about this?
[Of course he can hope the details are different for his Thedas. It's highly unlikely given what he has seen of various Thedosians here so far. He drags his hand down his mouth, enhancing the frown already resting there.]
Well, the blessed Divine Victoria and Cassandra have wagered that Solas knows the Inquisition and our allies too well for us to have much of a hand against him alone, so we're making new alliances. All unofficially, of course. I'm retired in Kirkwall, if anyone back home asks.
Tevinter was one of the main places we think will be useful, but desperate times...
Charter has managed to even make arrangements to contact the Executors. Kal-Sharok is still tight-lipped as ever but they did help us against Corypheus. We're hoping somehow we'll be able to get a message to them that doesn't risk lives unnecessarily.
Everyone will be affected if he manages to follow this path. We need those he won't expect to ally together to stop him.
[It's a bit of a relief to hear that there's a solid strategy at play, all things he could see Cadash going for as well. Yes, it makes sense to disband under such circumstances, something he favored for different reasons.
He lets out a slow breath.]
I can't pretend that hearing such a thing wasn't a blow and doesn't concern me. It's good to know things are in motion. And I'm glad you were able to buy yourself some time. I'm sorry for the cost. Maker knows, as an Inquisitor, you've sacrificed more than most in the name of saving Thedas.
There never seemed to be much love lost there. They weren't enemies, but I believe both of them rubbed one another the wrong way. He was tight lipped about his personal opinions. It seemed to help him keep a professional working relationship with anyone he needed.
Yes... [It hurts to admit how much he had trusted and admired Solas. For a moment that's clear on his face, but and rather than dwell on it he offers Cullen a small smile.]
I'm sure if you ask Bull about it, he'll have a thing or two to say.
I'll keep that in mind. Up to this point, he has been closed-lipped about his own timeline. If he's aware of all of this, I believe I can understand why.
[He eyes him thoughtfully.]
I don't suppose you play chess?
[Perhaps it's time to take them away from heavier topics.]
So when shall we play? I should warn you, I'm not above pestering my friends for games. You should come by the house soon. Meet Blade and Rhys if he's there. He's ah...I'm contracted to him, but he's a friend.
You can rest assured that I am well aware of your feelings about chess, Cullen. [He teases just a bit.] I'd love to meet everyone who has become important to you.
[It's reassuring in a way, the similarities. It does make this easier, makes all of it feel more familiar than meeting a total stranger.]
I'd like that, too. Not like we really need much of an excuse for a get-together. I'll have you to dinner, and then we can have a game if you don't mind staying up late. Perhaps a Friday evening.
Wonderful. Just give me a few ideas of what you like to eat, or alternately can't stand, and I'm sure I can do a table some justice. I'm finally getting used to how quickly the range cooks.
It is strange, though, how they have things that save real food for longer than natural, and yet they still have all of that fake stuff? Convenience comes with sacrifice, I suppose.
Yes, it's very strange. It's not even something I'd want on a campaign. Not filling enough, not something that would sustain you in a fight. Not truly food at all. It might last until it's opened. It's hardly a good trade off.
[He brightens a bit with a thought.]
They do have very nice wines here. I'll be sure to have a good one. Do you prefer red or white? And sweet or dry?
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no subject
Date: 2020-03-09 08:46 am (UTC)By the end of it he's frowning, and it's a gut punch, no other way around it.]
Solas.
[For the time being, there isn't a single other thing he can say, fists curled while he processes it. And then finally...]
To what end? What did he have to gain from any of that?
no subject
Date: 2020-03-09 09:02 am (UTC)It sounds reasonable, perhaps even a worthy cause, but... He told me that in order to restore his world, the current world, our world, must die.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-10 02:49 am (UTC)[Of course he can hope the details are different for his Thedas. It's highly unlikely given what he has seen of various Thedosians here so far. He drags his hand down his mouth, enhancing the frown already resting there.]
no subject
Date: 2020-03-10 03:24 am (UTC)Tevinter was one of the main places we think will be useful, but desperate times...
Charter has managed to even make arrangements to contact the Executors. Kal-Sharok is still tight-lipped as ever but they did help us against Corypheus. We're hoping somehow we'll be able to get a message to them that doesn't risk lives unnecessarily.
Everyone will be affected if he manages to follow this path. We need those he won't expect to ally together to stop him.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-10 05:38 am (UTC)He lets out a slow breath.]
I can't pretend that hearing such a thing wasn't a blow and doesn't concern me. It's good to know things are in motion. And I'm glad you were able to buy yourself some time. I'm sorry for the cost. Maker knows, as an Inquisitor, you've sacrificed more than most in the name of saving Thedas.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-10 05:50 am (UTC)That may be true, but even knowing everything I wouldn't change it for the world.
Still, I hope Cadash fares better.
Do you know if he and Solas were close at all?
no subject
Date: 2020-03-11 09:22 pm (UTC)There never seemed to be much love lost there. They weren't enemies, but I believe both of them rubbed one another the wrong way. He was tight lipped about his personal opinions. It seemed to help him keep a professional working relationship with anyone he needed.
[A practicality he admired.]
Were you?
no subject
Date: 2020-03-12 12:42 am (UTC)I'm sure if you ask Bull about it, he'll have a thing or two to say.
A milion years later. I am so sorry!
Date: 2020-04-12 12:18 am (UTC)[He eyes him thoughtfully.]
I don't suppose you play chess?
[Perhaps it's time to take them away from heavier topics.]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 12:24 am (UTC)I have a chessboard here that doesn't get used nearly as much as it should.
[He used to play a lot with Solas, but saying so brings the topic back to depressing things, so he doesn't.]
You and I should play a game or two.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 05:42 am (UTC)[If he'd have expected anyone to cheat, it would have been a Carta dwarf.]
And I have a couple of sets now as well. People here figured out I liked to play and gave them to me as gifts. Very kind of them.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 05:49 am (UTC)I'm just saying, I've seen some very well endowed knight pieces.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 05:51 am (UTC)They're quite classy. I suppose I should consider myself fortunate.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 05:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 05:58 am (UTC)So when shall we play? I should warn you, I'm not above pestering my friends for games. You should come by the house soon. Meet Blade and Rhys if he's there. He's ah...I'm contracted to him, but he's a friend.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 06:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 06:14 am (UTC)[It's reassuring in a way, the similarities. It does make this easier, makes all of it feel more familiar than meeting a total stranger.]
I'd like that, too. Not like we really need much of an excuse for a get-together. I'll have you to dinner, and then we can have a game if you don't mind staying up late. Perhaps a Friday evening.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 06:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-12 04:24 pm (UTC)[Campfire cooking it is not.]
no subject
Date: 2020-04-13 04:32 am (UTC)It doesn't taste like food.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-13 04:44 am (UTC)[He feels exactly the same way about some of what passes as food here.]
I'll keep it simple. I'm less likely to ruin it or send you running that way.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-13 05:13 am (UTC)I appreciate your thoughtfulness.
It is strange, though, how they have things that save real food for longer than natural, and yet they still have all of that fake stuff? Convenience comes with sacrifice, I suppose.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-13 05:41 am (UTC)[He brightens a bit with a thought.]
They do have very nice wines here. I'll be sure to have a good one. Do you prefer red or white? And sweet or dry?
no subject
Date: 2020-04-13 05:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-04-13 06:00 am (UTC)[He pulls out his phone and texts him an address.]
Now you know where I live. Barring any strangeness the city may throw our way, I'll put this together, and we can have a proper dinner soon.
((OOC: And I plan to put up a catch all log for Cullen in the next couple of days if you'd like me to do something for this.))
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