004 || video;

[nugqueen]

Who: Leliana
Broadcast: yes
Action: aboard the blue fish
When: now

[Leliana's address to the network came somewhat late - someone had gotten revenge for her prank, after all. Her cowl is pulled back resting about her shoulders and her skin and the ends of her hair are still drying after she'd scrubbed the ink off. Schmooples could be heard snuffling from her lap, his long ears making a cameo as he was cradled against her.]

I apologize. It seems I mayhap have fallen victim to a long slumber. I don't recall the ships leaving the planet we were last on, but I am to understand some time has passed.

[Guaranteed, Riona waited a good few days before daring to draw on her face.]

I will be resuming my duties in the Interfaith Center – Stefan, I apologize sincerely for my absence. I hope it has not caused an inconvenience.

[She smiles warmly, blue eyes lit up as she continues speaking.]

For those who do not know me: I am Sister Nightingale and I assist the Interfaith Center for those of Andrastian faith, hailing from Thedas. I can also be found aboard the Blue Fish, should anyone ever seek counsel from me outside of the Center. You do not have to be Andrastian to do so, of course.

Private: Riona Cousland Theirin.

[There's a bit of an evil smile on Leliana's face as she switches the feed to private.]

You got your revenge, no?

[She laughs warmly, her eyes alight with mischief]

Care to join me for lunch? I'm feeling a bit peckish after being out of sorts. You can catch me up on all the latest gossip.

[She runs her fingers through the wet ends of her red hair and Schmooples crawls up her chest into view to snuffle at the camera over her shoulder.]

I hope I didn't worry you too much.

Action

[Leliana can be found either aboard the Blue Fish or in the Interfaith Center praying silently before her own hand made totem statue of Andraste. The nap seemed to have done her at least a little good. Still she felt the lingering grief of home and the troubles it faced but she was slowly becoming more at peace in her new life. Perhaps she could finally lay down her burdens? She wasn't so sure yet. For now she moved on to the next stage of things – normalcy.

Aboard the Blue Fish Leliana makes her security rounds, stopping to take a break to make some tea and enjoy some quiet in the kitchens. Something seemed amiss, though she couldn't put her finger on it nor guess that perhaps that it was because a crew member had gone missing. Still the stillness put her at ease.]

Comments

[apurrstate]

I did what was necessary! Sometimes it's not right or good, sometimes it means blood, but it needed to be done so I did it.

[His voice held a bite in it now. He would never argue with being a bad person. He wholeheartedly believed that. He'd never argue against his guilt, he felt it every waking moment and often even in his dreams, he'd done the unforgivable. But he would never allow anyone to tell him it wasn't necessary. That things could have been better without.

Now he stood, not threatening, but refusing to kneel to her words.]

How long should I have waited, do you think? Cullen only did something when Meredith's insanity turned her on the Champion and her own men, he never once lifted a blasted finger in seven years of being in Kirkwall. How long should I have waited for the Cahntry to finally realize it's mistakes when it had been steadfastly cruel and ignorant for centuries!? Should I have waited until Hawke had the sunburst brand on his forehead? Would that have been a good time to finally cause a change!?

I know I hurt people, I know the war was my doing, but I will never be sorry for it. How many have the Chantry hurt in the name of their 'good?' How many needless wars? Have you asked the elves recently how grateful they feel towards the Chantry? If one of them had blown up a building full of innocents, would you refuse to see the truth then too?

You claim to understand, to sympathize, but all I see is how blinded you are as well. You never would have done a thing to help us.

[nugqueen]

[It was as if he'd spit her own words back at her. She could hear herself saying the exact same - or damn close to it - to Riona about her work as the Divine's Left Hand. It honestly shook her, hearing him say it so plainly. When she finally spoke, her voice was very quiet, almost a whisper.]

Killing innocent people... is never necessary.

[And she still believed that. There had been things she'd done for the sake of diplomacy that she regretted, but no one had ever died for it. She'd allowed Celine to reign in the elves during Orlais' own troubles, had turned a blind eye to it completely despite the anguish it left her with after her own dealings with elves over the years.]

The Chantry investigated Kirkwall... we never gave orders for Meredith's extreme cruelty. She did that of her own volition because the Templar Order and the Chantry are separate bodies. They merely follow our edicts when they aren't harming mages.

[Her hands curl into fists and it was all she could do to stop herself from slapping him. He had been in Kirkwall. He had seen the burned bodies in the streets, the ashes of the chantry building as it smoldered and screams echoed in the night.]

Murder isn't Justice. Murder is only murder. You can pretend all you like that your hands are clean, but they never will be. What you did was not for the good of others. Thousands of mages have died because of what you've done and what will you say to them? That you started a war so that they could die fighting it? How is that Justice?

[apurrstate]

[He was losing control. He could feel it like an earthquake rumbling low in the distance at first, but growing stronger. He clenched his teeth and tried hard to calm his pounding heart and the buzz in his mind.]

I've already talked to them, told them, I know how stained my hands are, I don't need you to tell me anything. Who are you to even try? You are no mage, you hold no one close to your heart who would break it if they suffered the abuses faced in the Circles.

[It was a losing battle. Half of what came out of his mouth wasn't even his anymore and he could taste the sharp tang of the Fade in his entire being. He couldn't-

Blue cracks spread from a burst of light in his eyes. The energy of the Fade swirled in them and the blue cracks spread like shattering glass across Anders' face and neck, down to his shoulders to his hands. When he spoke, his voice boomed and echoed, no longer Anders' voice at all.]

What do you know of Justice? They speak of you, cruel and uncaring. The Left Hand knows no compassion, no kindness, no justice. You will have your vengeance and you speak to me as a better. You are foolish.

I will not allow the beliefs you hold higher than individuals to harm those here. You are no better.

welp shit just got real...

[nugqueen]

[Leliana didn't notice the shift right away but when it came it was like an explosion of energy and it took every ounce of energy not to take a step back. The last thing she wanted to portray was fear.]

I'm not the one who is a danger to those here.

[Her voice is soft, her gaze unwavering.]

What's to stop you from wanting to correct some perceived injustice in the fleet and take it too far again? You claim I am the one holding myself higher than others and yet you slay hundreds of innocents in the name of righteousness. I may have no compassion for you but I have known the Maker. I have felt his presence in the remains of the war your avarice wrought.

[Justinia had been so, so close to finding a peaceful end. Had Corypheus not destroyed the Temple, perhaps she would have been successful.]

[apurrstate]

The Maker is absent in all things. You mortals claim He is perfect and makes no mistakes then claim in the very next breath all mages are mistakes. If this is so, then the Maker is not a god at all and the loyalty He demands is Unjust.

[He still doesn't move. Perhaps, years ago, he would be advanicing on her, threatening, but something stills his feet. Anders stills him and it frustrates the Spirit beyond words. If he will not defend their justice then he would.]

You claim I murdered innocents, but all who were hurt by me were criminals themselves. How many in that Chantry knew of the injustices and suffering around them and willfully turned away if not outright supported it? Their tyranny could not continue.

I am Justice, I know no avarice, not like those who rule over the poor and helpless with an iron fist.

I saw what mortals would not and I sought to cure what they would let fester.

[nugqueen]

You cured nothing. You only opened the festering wound further. The Chantry may have committed wrongs but they were nothing to what your cause has done. Mages and Templars dying in the streets, burning, crying out - you caused that. That isn't justice. How many other mages now suffer for what you have done? How many roam aimlessly, no home, no safe havens, because of the actions of one mage and his Spirit companion?

[It's as if something inside her heart snaps loose and she steps forward, grabbing Anders - no, Justice - by the collar with both hands.]

Justinia tried to find a peaceful way, a better way. There was a cure for the Rite of Tranquility and she had me investigating it to help the mages. You lied to my face, Anders. I came to Kirkwall, remember? You may have even met me, if you do. But I remember. I remember you and I remember the Hawke I met. She had no idea what you were planning and you betrayed everyone you cared for to do it.

[Almost as if she remembers herself, remembers that it isn't Anders she's talking to, and where she is, Leliana lets him go.]

Change happens from within. Justinia knew that. I know that. You're a fool if you think your justice has helped anyone but your own self serving vengeance for the wrongs you felt. Yet I cannot judge you. Only He can do that. He's allowed you to live, to continue as you are. I cannot kill you for what you've done because of that. Riona would hate me for it and part of me doesn't care, but I care what killing you here would mean.

[She takes a breath, shaking her head as she restrains herself from acting out again.]

Be very careful what you allow your Spirit friend to do in the future.