Unless you require anything out of the ordinary, I am suitably prepared. [ Does Cassandra mean for a fight? For guests? Intruders? Lavellan will learn soon enough. ]
[ She was going to offer to bring wine or something strong but... ]
All right. I'll see you soon.
[ And it is perhaps an hour later when Lavellan finally arrives at Cassandra's apartment, brushing off her pant legs before she knocks on the door. She feels fidgety, like she's under scrutiny from Cassandra, though she's known her the longest of anyone else and trusts her implicitly. But she doesn't remember her and if what Cullen has told her of Adaar is true--
Well. Cassandra has no reason to trust her. But she stands there, prepared, if not apprehensive. ]
[ Cassandra doesn't have a reason to trust Lavellan besides Cullen's vote of confidence. Varric had placed a word or two, but having learnt her lesson, even after their date, those are taken with much weight. It has been difficult for Cassandra to strip out of her armour as of late, to remove the plating and the metals that regularly adorn her, but she's managed it here for Lavellan, a button down shirt tucked into a pair of jeans, denim, whatever they are called. Her sword belt remains at the doorside, as does her shield, but the both of them remain within arms distance when Cassandra opens the door. ]
[ In truth, with how formal Cassandra had been, she had wondered if she wouldn't be greeted by her in full plate. But no, she's as dressed down as she is, though her posture is no less rigid and intimidating. Lavellan gives Cassandra a smile and a duck of her head as she steps inside the apartment. ]
Thank you.
[ She takes a quick moment - very quick - to assess all that she sees. The apartment is bare save for very few things, as if Cassandra might vanish and move elsewhere any day. She says little about it, instead turning to look at her. ]
I'm surprised you wanted to meet here instead of elsewhere.
And where would we go? A stroll in the park? It is doubtful that whatever you contacted me for will be friendly. [ Cassandra closes the door after Lavellan enters but does not leave the post as the position leaves her close to her weapons. There is only a widening of her stance, crossing of her arms to signal any change. ]
[ The studio apartment is barren and Cassandra enjoys it that way well enough. Lavellan is free to explore. She will find nothing of note. ]
[ Cullen was right; Cassandra is dour indeed, and Lavellan frowns, the expression tinged with sadness rather than with frustration. She is here to speak to her about what Nathaniel said, of course, but she is also here for her own reasons. ]
And if I did come on friendly terms? If I simply wanted to see you and talk, to see how you've been settling in?
And yet I doubt that is truly your intention. [ Cassandra assumes Lavellan would have spoken to her much sooner should concern be her primary goal. There is no loosening of her stance, no drop of her shoulders or relaxation of the expression she wears. ] So tell me why you are here.
[ She wants to be honest. Truly, she does. But how Cassandra is acting, how she's so defensive, just makes her want to do the opposite. Cassandra is her friend, was her friend before she even met Nathaniel or Anders. All of that can come later.
Lavellan takes a seat on Cassandra's bare couch, folds her arms across her chest. ]
I came to see you and to talk. You don't know me and don't trust me, and I'd like to fix that.
If you insist. [ Cassandra's voice drips with suspicion and she keeps her jaw tight, even as Lavellan makes herself at home on her couch. ] What do you wish to speak of?
[ What little tone she had of authority vanishes. She looks up at Cassandra the way she did when the Seeker dragged her through Haven, with wide eyes and an imploring look. ]
I want to know how you are, how you're settling in. How you like this place. [ A beat. ] Anything, Cassandra. Whatever you're comfortable with talking about.
[ Cassandra only gives Lavellan a stressed scoff, a roll of her eyes as she shifts her weight again. At least Cassandra finally moves away from her weapons. ] Fine.
[ Adaar would never ask her those questions, and if she did, Cassandra's answers would only be met with scorn and distaste. Cassandra finds she adopts Adaar's distaste and mirrors it back at the one asking the questions. ] Eudio has proven to be endlessly frustrating. If it was not for the city's offer, I would not stay.
[ Lavellan wills herself to be stubborn, like Cassandra, because if she backs down now, she'll only continue this cycle of misunderstanding. If she keeps asking questions-- Well, it could just infuriate her further. But it might lead to some answers.
When Cassandra says she would go back, she forces herself not to react as she might. Fear clenches in her gut, not simply for Cassandra's safety and her world - Adaar sounds like a cruel Inquisitor to return to - but because she does not want to see a friend disappear as Solas already has, with so many unanswered questions and open wounds.
If anything, her eyes hint at the sadness she feels, but she keeps her expression as neutral as possible, if not surprised. ] Why? What's happened?
You know exactly what happened, Inquisitor Lavellan. [ Cassandra scoffs, disgusted with how the Inquisitor plays stupid with her, as if Cassandra some bumbling child. She shifts her stance again, moving back towards the door and her weapons. There is a great many things that Cassandra dislikes about Eudio but what stands out so intensely is the feeling that she's wrong, different, incorrect. Anders stands, protected and wanted by his peers, and wherever Anders' touch has reached, lies follow. ]
[ But perhaps Cassandra is wrong. No one seems to see what she sees. Everyone trusts this woman sitting in front of her and yet she only smells a snake. That makes her the odd woman out. ] Do not try and play coy, I can see through whatever falsities you are trying to feed me.
I'm not attempting to play coy, Cassandra. I want to know from you what's the problem.
[ She's not getting anywhere with this, is she? Lavellan frowns and says nothing for a time, simply watching Cassandra, seeing her go towards the door and her weapons. If she meant to strike her down right there, would she have the time and the capability to stop her before a blade ends up in her chest? Perhaps that's what's most upsetting, that Cassandra might even be contemplating physical action at this point and talking is just making her feel worse.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, as the case may be), she knows of at least one core issue Cassandra must have, considering what Nathaniel has told her. ]
I didn't know Anders was here when we arrived. Like any apostate, he's good at hiding and running off. [ She does not say that with any mirth. ] I went to speak to Nathaniel Howe, to assure him of what the Wardens had done and that we were giving them a second chance by keeping the Warden Order together. That's...when I found out he was there and that they lived together.
[ In hindsight, perhaps she should have left and gone to get the others before making decisions on her own. ]
Anders' life was put into Hawke's hands by the leaders of Kirkwall - Knight-Commander Meredith and First Enchanter Orsino - and Hawke was to make a decision regarding his fate. I think that effectively keeps us from making any real decisions against him. I have asked that he be left alone here, as we have no authority to punish or judge him. [ Her gaze lifts to Cassandra. ] That was before you arrived. And you didn't know who I was, didn't trust me, and still do not.
[ It's as Lavellan speaks that Cassandra suddenly realizes why she is truly here. It is as Cassandra expected-- it is not simply to speak. What Lavellan is saying it's... reprisal, like she has the authority to do so. Cassandra has already made promises to Varric and Nathaniel that Anders will remain safe and unharmed from her hand and here is a woman Cassandra does not respect trying to shame her. The anger that flairs in her chest is like wildfire. ] Unbelievable.
Lies sound like honey on your tongue, I should have known. You are not here to speak to me about my time in this city, you are here to chastise me-- as if you have right to do so. I have made my promises that Anders will see no harm fall to him from my hand already, and I will not restate myself to you.
[ And that's Cassandra turning and pulling open the door, glaring at Lavellan. ] Leave. Go back to your companions that do not see you for what you are.
[ The anger she feels rushes within her, boiling hot and festering, and she nearly lashes out at Cassandra for it. Nathaniel has encouraged her to speak to Cassandra and for what? To push her through on a promise she had already made? She feels like a fool, like she's been led astray, and now what little progress she might have made towards anything resembling comfort around Cassandra has fallen away.
The heavy resentment pushes her to her feet and when she might have said something else, might have stood up for the people she calls friends...it's useless at this point. And what do you see me as? A liar, a murderer? A knife-eared heathen?
But that is not fair to her. That isn't what she means. Lavellan shakes her head and simply walks past Cassandra, out the door, and away. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
voice;
[ An irritated noise comes from Cassandra at the offers. ]
Just come to my quarters, it will be easier for the both of us.
[ Have some handy directions, Lavellan! ]
voice;
Oh, well. Better to just. Go along with it. ]
I'll be there shortly. Can I bring anything with me?
no subject
no subject
All right. I'll see you soon.
[ And it is perhaps an hour later when Lavellan finally arrives at Cassandra's apartment, brushing off her pant legs before she knocks on the door. She feels fidgety, like she's under scrutiny from Cassandra, though she's known her the longest of anyone else and trusts her implicitly. But she doesn't remember her and if what Cullen has told her of Adaar is true--
Well. Cassandra has no reason to trust her. But she stands there, prepared, if not apprehensive. ]
no subject
Come in, Inquisitor.
no subject
Thank you.
[ She takes a quick moment - very quick - to assess all that she sees. The apartment is bare save for very few things, as if Cassandra might vanish and move elsewhere any day. She says little about it, instead turning to look at her. ]
I'm surprised you wanted to meet here instead of elsewhere.
no subject
[ The studio apartment is barren and Cassandra enjoys it that way well enough. Lavellan is free to explore. She will find nothing of note. ]
no subject
And if I did come on friendly terms? If I simply wanted to see you and talk, to see how you've been settling in?
no subject
no subject
Lavellan takes a seat on Cassandra's bare couch, folds her arms across her chest. ]
I came to see you and to talk. You don't know me and don't trust me, and I'd like to fix that.
no subject
no subject
[ What little tone she had of authority vanishes. She looks up at Cassandra the way she did when the Seeker dragged her through Haven, with wide eyes and an imploring look. ]
I want to know how you are, how you're settling in. How you like this place. [ A beat. ] Anything, Cassandra. Whatever you're comfortable with talking about.
no subject
[ Adaar would never ask her those questions, and if she did, Cassandra's answers would only be met with scorn and distaste. Cassandra finds she adopts Adaar's distaste and mirrors it back at the one asking the questions. ] Eudio has proven to be endlessly frustrating. If it was not for the city's offer, I would not stay.
no subject
When Cassandra says she would go back, she forces herself not to react as she might. Fear clenches in her gut, not simply for Cassandra's safety and her world - Adaar sounds like a cruel Inquisitor to return to - but because she does not want to see a friend disappear as Solas already has, with so many unanswered questions and open wounds.
If anything, her eyes hint at the sadness she feels, but she keeps her expression as neutral as possible, if not surprised. ] Why? What's happened?
no subject
[ But perhaps Cassandra is wrong. No one seems to see what she sees. Everyone trusts this woman sitting in front of her and yet she only smells a snake. That makes her the odd woman out. ] Do not try and play coy, I can see through whatever falsities you are trying to feed me.
no subject
[ She's not getting anywhere with this, is she? Lavellan frowns and says nothing for a time, simply watching Cassandra, seeing her go towards the door and her weapons. If she meant to strike her down right there, would she have the time and the capability to stop her before a blade ends up in her chest? Perhaps that's what's most upsetting, that Cassandra might even be contemplating physical action at this point and talking is just making her feel worse.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, as the case may be), she knows of at least one core issue Cassandra must have, considering what Nathaniel has told her. ]
I didn't know Anders was here when we arrived. Like any apostate, he's good at hiding and running off. [ She does not say that with any mirth. ] I went to speak to Nathaniel Howe, to assure him of what the Wardens had done and that we were giving them a second chance by keeping the Warden Order together. That's...when I found out he was there and that they lived together.
[ In hindsight, perhaps she should have left and gone to get the others before making decisions on her own. ]
Anders' life was put into Hawke's hands by the leaders of Kirkwall - Knight-Commander Meredith and First Enchanter Orsino - and Hawke was to make a decision regarding his fate. I think that effectively keeps us from making any real decisions against him. I have asked that he be left alone here, as we have no authority to punish or judge him. [ Her gaze lifts to Cassandra. ] That was before you arrived. And you didn't know who I was, didn't trust me, and still do not.
no subject
Lies sound like honey on your tongue, I should have known. You are not here to speak to me about my time in this city, you are here to chastise me-- as if you have right to do so. I have made my promises that Anders will see no harm fall to him from my hand already, and I will not restate myself to you.
[ And that's Cassandra turning and pulling open the door, glaring at Lavellan. ] Leave. Go back to your companions that do not see you for what you are.
no subject
[ The anger she feels rushes within her, boiling hot and festering, and she nearly lashes out at Cassandra for it. Nathaniel has encouraged her to speak to Cassandra and for what? To push her through on a promise she had already made? She feels like a fool, like she's been led astray, and now what little progress she might have made towards anything resembling comfort around Cassandra has fallen away.
The heavy resentment pushes her to her feet and when she might have said something else, might have stood up for the people she calls friends...it's useless at this point. And what do you see me as? A liar, a murderer? A knife-eared heathen?
But that is not fair to her. That isn't what she means. Lavellan shakes her head and simply walks past Cassandra, out the door, and away. ]