lelιana ( ѕιѕтer nιgнтιngale ) dragon age. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nugqueen) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
driftfleet2016-09-22 06:42 pm
nugqueen) wrote in driftfleet2016-09-22 06:42 pm
Entry tags:
005 || video;
Who: Leliana
Broadcast: yes
Action: aboard the blue fish
When: now
[Aboard the Blue Fish, Leliana seems to have found herself a nice space in the kitchen with a bowl of food, a pen, and some paper in front of her as she scribbles here and there, giving pause only to address the network.]
I am curious - I've seen others on the network speak of their own history and stories from their homes, but I can't imagine many tales of Thedas's history are floating about, no? Not unless Riona or Varric spoke of them. I have a few favorites if any would like to hear them. Telling stories is a way to pass the time while feeding curiosity and knowledge.
[Leliana smiles, twirling her pen in between her fingers as Schmooples' ears make a cameo from her lap as he tries to play with the broach holding her cowl about her shoulders.]
I have heard tales of valor and tragedy and some have a bit of both. Those are often my favorite stories, truthfully. One of them is about a brilliant woman called Aveline!
It's a bit of an old story: Aveline was born to an Orlesian farmer near the city of Halamshiral. She was a large and ugly baby, and her father had hoped for a boy. Not wanting another mouth to feed, the farmer left Aveline in the woods to die from exposure. But a traveling band of Dalish elves came upon the crying child.
The elves took her into their clan and raised her as their own. They taught her archery, dueling and survival skills. When she came of age, she was larger and stronger than most women, let alone elven women. Her adoptive parents knew that she was a fine warrior, so they encouraged her to enter a human tournament in nearby Montisimmard. But women were not permitted to join the knighthood in Orlais, nor to compete in a tournament, so Aveline joined the tournament as a man. Her clan forged a suit of armor with a full helm and gave her an ironbark sword of the finest quality.
Aveline entered the competition claiming to be a knight of Antiva. She refused to remove her helmet, even during the archery competition. And sure enough, Aveline bested many other knights until, in the grand melee, she came upon Kaleva, a knight who served the emperor and was considered the finest in the land.
Kaleva was determined not to be beaten, and struck swiftly and strongly. As Aveline matched each of his blows, Kaleva grew ever more frustrated. Finally, in desperation, he tripped Aveline and threw her to the ground. The blow knocked her helm from her head, and Kaleva was shamed. He called to have the competition declared invalid, but the crowd booed and jeered. In anger, Kaleva turned and slew Aveline as she lay helpless.
The son of the emperor, Prince Freyan, was also present at the tourney. He too had been beaten by Aveline, but he recognized her skill and bravery and was saddened by the injustice of her death. Upon rising to the emperor's seat in 7:44 Storm, Freyan abolished the law that disallowed women from joining the Orlesian knighthood and posthumously knighted Aveline. Although women in the Orlesian knighthood are still a rarity today, all those who do become knights revere Ser Aveline as their patron.
[Leliana's eyes alight, she sets her pen down and waits a moment before speaking again - a story like that deserved a dramatic pause, after all.]
In Orlais, legends like that give way to song and even more dramatic tellings. Just thinking about it has me writing again. I haven't done much singing of late, myself. If anyone knows where I might find a proper lute I'd love to get my hands on one sometime. I've got a song I'm working on and it needs music to accompany it, no? That all aside - I haven't introduced myself on the network in a time or two. Should anyone wish to seek me out: I am called Sister Leliana and often times you can find me aboard the Blue Fish or in the Interfaith Center.
[Of course she's careful to omit the mention of her life as a Bard. That just opens a can of worms she's fine keeping shut to anyone who isn't already aware of her past.]
Broadcast: yes
Action: aboard the blue fish
When: now
[Aboard the Blue Fish, Leliana seems to have found herself a nice space in the kitchen with a bowl of food, a pen, and some paper in front of her as she scribbles here and there, giving pause only to address the network.]
I am curious - I've seen others on the network speak of their own history and stories from their homes, but I can't imagine many tales of Thedas's history are floating about, no? Not unless Riona or Varric spoke of them. I have a few favorites if any would like to hear them. Telling stories is a way to pass the time while feeding curiosity and knowledge.
[Leliana smiles, twirling her pen in between her fingers as Schmooples' ears make a cameo from her lap as he tries to play with the broach holding her cowl about her shoulders.]
I have heard tales of valor and tragedy and some have a bit of both. Those are often my favorite stories, truthfully. One of them is about a brilliant woman called Aveline!
It's a bit of an old story: Aveline was born to an Orlesian farmer near the city of Halamshiral. She was a large and ugly baby, and her father had hoped for a boy. Not wanting another mouth to feed, the farmer left Aveline in the woods to die from exposure. But a traveling band of Dalish elves came upon the crying child.
The elves took her into their clan and raised her as their own. They taught her archery, dueling and survival skills. When she came of age, she was larger and stronger than most women, let alone elven women. Her adoptive parents knew that she was a fine warrior, so they encouraged her to enter a human tournament in nearby Montisimmard. But women were not permitted to join the knighthood in Orlais, nor to compete in a tournament, so Aveline joined the tournament as a man. Her clan forged a suit of armor with a full helm and gave her an ironbark sword of the finest quality.
Aveline entered the competition claiming to be a knight of Antiva. She refused to remove her helmet, even during the archery competition. And sure enough, Aveline bested many other knights until, in the grand melee, she came upon Kaleva, a knight who served the emperor and was considered the finest in the land.
Kaleva was determined not to be beaten, and struck swiftly and strongly. As Aveline matched each of his blows, Kaleva grew ever more frustrated. Finally, in desperation, he tripped Aveline and threw her to the ground. The blow knocked her helm from her head, and Kaleva was shamed. He called to have the competition declared invalid, but the crowd booed and jeered. In anger, Kaleva turned and slew Aveline as she lay helpless.
The son of the emperor, Prince Freyan, was also present at the tourney. He too had been beaten by Aveline, but he recognized her skill and bravery and was saddened by the injustice of her death. Upon rising to the emperor's seat in 7:44 Storm, Freyan abolished the law that disallowed women from joining the Orlesian knighthood and posthumously knighted Aveline. Although women in the Orlesian knighthood are still a rarity today, all those who do become knights revere Ser Aveline as their patron.
[Leliana's eyes alight, she sets her pen down and waits a moment before speaking again - a story like that deserved a dramatic pause, after all.]
In Orlais, legends like that give way to song and even more dramatic tellings. Just thinking about it has me writing again. I haven't done much singing of late, myself. If anyone knows where I might find a proper lute I'd love to get my hands on one sometime. I've got a song I'm working on and it needs music to accompany it, no? That all aside - I haven't introduced myself on the network in a time or two. Should anyone wish to seek me out: I am called Sister Leliana and often times you can find me aboard the Blue Fish or in the Interfaith Center.
[Of course she's careful to omit the mention of her life as a Bard. That just opens a can of worms she's fine keeping shut to anyone who isn't already aware of her past.]
Video
He can't quite manage a smile, but he doesn't look on the verge of misery for a change. ]
Sounds much like the woman she became a namesake of. Of course, she was less keen on the story, knowing it was based on her father's hopes for her. I'd like to think the Aveline I know did rather better for herself, than her namesake.
[By not being dead, for a start. ]
Thank you for the story. It's a welcome one.
Video
[He might not be able to smile but she was doing so enough for the both of them - a rarity for anyone who has known her in recent years. She only ever truly smiled for Riona.]
You're welcome. I have others, of course, but that one is one of my favorites. It's nice to imagine that even in death, her life had a purpose still.
[Just as she hoped for Justinia.]
Video
[She's family. But hey. it's nice to see Leliana smile.]
Perhaps. It seems some things just won't change without the right person suffering for it.
video
Ah, this brings me back. But you're working on a song? [Now that really brightens her up.] It's been too long since I've heard you sing. What will it be about?
video
[Mostly she likes seeing Riona squirm in embarrassment because it's hilarious.]
I'm a romantic at heart, as you well know. I drew inspiration from a story of young lovers I read in the library.
[A half truth at best. She did draw inspiration from a pair of young lovers.]
At times this fleet seems so cut off to me at times - from the outside world at any rate. It reminds me of those stories of lovers separated and doomed to loneliness. Tragic but very beautiful, no?
[The song she has in mind is a tad more embarrassing and true to real life for her but not everyone need know that.]
Video
You chose that on purpose didn't you, knowing how many of us are friends with the woman named for her?
[He leans back a bit, still caught in the memories of her. In stupid copper marigolds and her eyebrow twitches during Wicked Grace nights; in her bristling at Isabela like a ginger cat and her stalwart dedication to the safety of the people under her charge; in how she'd been the only one to ask how he was on that ship from Ferelden to Kirkwall, she'd taken the time from her own grieving to try and alleviate his. He doesn't blame Carver and his mother for not trying. It's just not how things are done in their family, and he's certain if either had tried it would have been too raw and ended with bloodied feelings. But Aveline, with her direct way that can still be soft around the edges, she'd been a Maker-sent balm to the loss of his sister. He feels he may not have made it so far without her, and Andraste only knows just how much he misses her and their late night conversations in the Guard Captain's office about literally everything. Misses how her real smiles dimple her cheeks. Misses just having her there, a steady presence, always supportive even in the worst of times. Even when she didn't agree.
His best and oldest friend.]
It's a good choice, regardless. Thank you.
[If he knew how similar Fenris' response to Leliana was, he might have refrained, but thankfully he doesn't bother being nosy, wrapped in nostalgia as he is.]
video
Leliana...
[YOU'RE UP TO SOMETHING. SHE KNOWS IT.]
Surely you don't mean the song we were discussing on our way to the theater a little while back?
Voice
I wish the Guard-Captain was here to offer her opinion on the story.
[It was likely to make for an amusing interaction. Plus, he'd be lying if he said there wasn't a part of him that missed that Aveline. They never saw eye-to-eye, almost as badly as Fenris, but she was someone he knew and someone he knew would have his back all the same. If only for Hawke's benefit. And, certainly, Hawke would be overjoyed by her presence.]
Riona used to tell us all about your stories. Why don't you share them more often?
Voice
[As for his question... that gives her pause. She can almost feel her heart sink into her stomach. Truthfully, back home she hadn't had the time. Her work had kept her busy. Here? She had more time than she knew what to do with oft times. Not as much of late with Robb ill but he was on the mend. She remembered Riona's reactions to her stories, the care she took in listening to her enthusiastic retelling of her favorites and of great histories and lore she had acquired over the years from childhood to adulthood. She had always and would always love books.]
I suppose... I never truly had the moment to spare for it.
[Part of her still weighed with grief and she kept that part locked tight, just like anything else she didn't want others to see in her. Stories were for happier times, times where war did not tarnish the joy in the world. Not all of her stories were happy, but she had put so much of herself into the work Justinia had set for her with her death that she'd never had a moment to give that part of herself attention.]
Now seemed like a good moment for it, I suppose. The quiet can be hard to find, no?
Video
[And stories were the best way she knew to share things with others. Not that she couldn't do that naturally, but why shouldn't she share something she loved with those around her?]
Or... as lighthearted as cold blooded murder can be.
[She laughs a bit, smiling. It wasn't the same level of natural enthusiasm and lightness that she often bestowed upon Riona but it was a start. Hawke was becoming slightly more in her good graces of late. He was a good man when it came down to it and she saw no reason for further animosity, not with something so easily broached as a story.]
video
[Damn, she was hoping you'd forget that.]
No one will be the wiser, I promise. I haven't even written it yet!
['No one' being people who weren't Riona or possibly Anders who knew her just as well. Oh she did enjoy picking on her favorite Warden...]
Video
All the best Thedosian tales end with murder. It's inescapable!
[He smiles at his stupid joke, even if there is a ring of truth to it that's quite sinister.]
Re: Video
But of course! I have a few more Ferelden tales I could dredge up sometime that have it in equal measure.
[She gives him that boon, smiling as well just a bit.]
Video
[It's interesting, the whole story of Aldenon and his apprentices fighting against the newly formed Circles of Calenhad's day. In his most idle thoughts he sometimes imagines that Aldenon and Anders are perhaps somehow connected through history. There's no way to find out, but the idea that throughout time there are those to stand up for the rights of mages is a comforting one.]
I mean, not now obviously, but next time. Or!
[He gives an amused laugh even before expressing what made him do so.]
Or there's always the Tale of the Champion.
[It's a big joke to him, honestly.]
video
[WHY U DO DIS TO HER. WHAT DID SHE EVER DO TO YOU]
Re: video
[Yes she will. She just admitted she will.]
I told you it's a romantic love story. I promise I won't even use any names.
[Oh, she's just milking this now just because she's squirming so much.]
video
You are incorrigible. And horrible. And evil.
[What did she do to deserve this]
video
[She's joking, of course.]
You worry too much.
Voice
[The Mage-Templar war aside, the Conclave and the Inquisition and a massive hole in the Fade was sure to take precedence over something as simple as story time. Leave that for the bards and minstrels and not for the spymasters.]
It can be. Especially if you don't go looking for it.
[He'd never gone looking for quiet in Kirkwall, reveling in the times it fell into his lap while simultaneously holding his breath during it for how fragile it seemed at the time. He'd been right, it was fragile, but it hadn't been nearly as hard to come by as he'd made it out to be to himself. On the run, even when they were helping mages in Circles or helping villagers in the places they stopped, there was always quiet to be found for themselves. They had simply needed to open themselves up to it.]
I'm sure there's plenty here who could benefit from a well told story now and again and we come upon so many new places, I'm sure there's new stories to be picked up as well.
video
[RUDE. Gosh Leli.]
Well, when my best friend is writing questionable ballads about my husband's and mine wedding night, I should be worrying!