OOC || Inbox

[aestivation]

 
  

[  crystals, letters, private scenes  ]

Comments

[aestivation]

[ it’s not strange that nell reappears so suddenly. people come and go. more often than not, they go. ]

I hadn’t considered. [ since the other month, at least. ] As I understand it, the Chantry would usually retain possession. To find me, if needed.

[ it took a different tone, once he'd the freedom to leave. ]

I don't know whether the Inquisition would look.

[galvanising]

What if it could be destroyed? [ She pauses, reconsiders his answer, and decides more specifics are necessary. ]

The Inquisition has a number of phylacteries in its possession now. I don't know if yours is among them or not, but for the sake of the hypothetical, say that it is. Do you care what happens to it? Do you see value in keeping it--either yourself, or the Inquisition? Would you object to its destruction on any particular grounds?

[aestivation]

It should be kept.

[ and if he's difficulty articulating why — ]

I wouldn't be here if Hasmal hadn't lasted. So long as they have it, there's some record that I should be.

[ here. a pause of its own, longer this time. a guess: ]

This isn't about mine.

[galvanising]

It could be--could have been. I didn't know you already knew where yours is. Most don't.

[ she stops then, starts to pause and think it through, but stopping means grappling with the idea of him, and how he's been changed, which she's been doing her best to avoid thus far. ]

What do you mean about Hasmal? And the record? I didn't follow that. Do you think that without the phylactery they would leave you behind somehow?

[aestivation]

I apologize, I misspoke; I was discussing in the hypothetical.

[ always a dicey proposition ]

I don’t know where it is — but if the Inquisition has it, as the Chantry did, then they know where I am. They know where I’m not.

I’ve already been left behind, Nell. [ it doesn't have the capacity for unkindness: ] Do you think I would have survived the war?

[galvanising]

There are mages here from Hasmal who seem to claim to be your friends. Would they have forgotten you so easily? [ does he think she would, now? (fair, maybe) ]

The phylactery could be used to hurt you, or to control you. The Chantry has already used Tranquility to take parts of you and make you easier to control. Do you-- is it-- [ framing questions like this in terms that are not emotional is hard ] Isn't that sufficient? Is another leash really necessary, when weighed against the added risk of harm?

[aestivation]

Yes.

[ would and have forgotten. he understands; not everyone can be myr. (it's for the best they aren't) ]

The phylacteries could be used to hurt, or to help us both. But it's not the same risk. If I'm searched for, it won't be because I'm a danger.

[ as she said: sufficiently controlled. ]

I don’t wish you harmed. [ what's the purpose in that? only a waste and an ache in his skull ] Neither do I wish myself lost.