i.

[serves]

Who: Cullen Rutherford
Broadcast: Fleetwide video
Action: The Marsiva
When: Now.

[It's with some hesitance that Cullen even touches the console. He knows how it works (somehow), but he's not exactly comfortable with the concept of broadcasting. His lips are set in a thin, grim line for a few moments as he thinks of what to say.]

--Maker's breath, this is absurd.

[That just about sums up his thoughts right now.]

Comments

[howcanihelp]

[ Hoo boy. Okay. Okay, she can do this. This is just like so many other things she's done. Acknowledge their reactions, explain your reactions, make sure everyone's on the same page, placate, and make sure the bottom line of "don't fuck with my people" is laid down.

She holds up a placating hand and smiles tightly ]

The last time we had any significant interaction with templars, I had to conscript him to keep them from executing him, or worse, for something he didn't do. And there are a lot of people here who are angry at him for things that he hasn't even done yet, as far as either of us are concerned, including yourself. I'm sure not without cause, but to him - to us - he's being blamed for something that for all intents and purposes, he hasn't done.

I'm sure you can understand why he might be slightly upset by that.

[ Look at this baby, all grown up and leading people and standing up for the people who follow her. ]

I trust you to not attempt anything, especially something that would be pointless without the Chantry here anyway, but he has no such trust, and I honestly don't blame him.

[ She hesitates, then adds ] For the record, however, he is under my command, such as it is, and as such is also under my protection.

I trust you, Cullen, but it's been ten years for you, you've clearly had significant negative interactions with him in the more recent past, and the last time I saw you... well. I have to say it. Just so it's all clear, you understand.

[serves]

I'm no longer a part of the order. After Kirkwall [Does she even know what happened in that city? She must not, the way she's talking. Varric is too kind.], I left. The Chantry has no bearing on what I do.

[He could explain how he doubts Anders just suddenly became a terror, but he's tired enough after trying with Jove, and he really can't mentally handle getting into an argument with Stephanie, of all people. She thinks poorly enough of him already.

and the last time I saw you...

Cullen's been far from relaxed during this whole thing, but he visibly stiffens at that.]

As I said. He's in no danger. [For now. But Cullen will be keeping an eye on him.]

[howcanihelp]

[ Yeah, she shouldn't have brought that up, and she knows it. It's written all over her face, but she doesn't really know how to apologize for being protective of Anders without making it worse. ]

Yes. I'm-- That was inappropriate, I'm sorry. Of course you'll keep your word. I've gotten used to having to defend... a lot of the people I care about, against less moral people. It's hard to get out of the habit.

[serves]

Of course.

[There's nothing left for him to say.]