[video]

[songofvalor]

[ A FEW MINUTES AFTER THIS THREAD. Leliana's voice is shaky and her accent heavier than usual, too much anger bubbling inside her. ]

Anders! Where are you, you fiend?

I can't believe I thought you were a good man. You were one of Elissa's friends, for Andraste's sake! To find out this out from someone else while you walk around like you didn't... you didn't...

The blood of Kirkwall's grand cleric is in your hands. Grand Cleric Elthina! How could you murder one of the holiest people in Thedas!? What have you to gain!?

[ ANDERS BRO GET YOUR ASS IN HERE BEFORE SHE HUNTS YOU DOWN HERSELF ]

[ ooc: I am so sorry for spamming! Important development that can't be delayed and stuff. ]

Comments

[video]

[arlathansgrace]

[She watches, quiet, hands to her lips, eyes wide as they dart back and forth. With a quiet sound, she ducks her head.]

You shouldn't be ashamed, Anders. You did what you thought you had to.

[birdhousesoul]

And yours was one of the very few voices that didn't call for my head.

[That rankles, a little. It shouldn't, but it does; that a blood mage, the doom of her whole clan, should be the one to say he should live. Even as he's absurdly grateful, he can't help but feel somehow tarnished by her support. Because she thought he should live, to do what he could to put things right -- not exactly an endorsement of his actions; well, there's that. She isn't on his side, not really.

But however compromised her judgement may be, however tainted, she is a mage, and she has been his friend, in her way.]

I don't expect you to see why I had to do what I did. But as a mage yourself, perhaps you can see more of it, a little more clearly, than others.

[Or perhaps she simply doesn't like to see anything die, or anyone, no matter how low. Perhaps to her, Anders at the Gallows was a kitten in a sack. How can he know, really, what she thinks?]

As a mage raised free of the Circle, I should add. I wasn't taken there until I was twelve -- I don't think I ever told you this. Being raised free, it makes a difference. So many of the Circle mages I met were so young when the Templars brought them there, they couldn't remember what freedom had been like. Couldn't remember the faces of their fathers, or mothers.

[arlathansgrace]

Yes. I know.

[Her voice is quiet, almost ashamed. Some part of her feels guilty that she didn't help more. Mages are her people, too, but she's still a blood mage. And they'll still hate her as much as her own clan.

In her own way, she lead an easier life than he. And she feels guilty for it. That guilt paints itself across her face. Her head hangs low.]

I understand why you did what you did, Andes. And I would still stand beside you.

[birdhousesoul]

I ... suppose I should thank you for that.

[arlathansgrace]

[She gives him a tiny smile and a nod, and then disappears, the video feed turning off.

She needs some alone time to cry out her feelings.]