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[veilstrike]

Who: Leilani Lavellan and you
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: On the Blue Fish
When: Now, after gifts have been opened!

[ The video opens with Leilani fiddling with something in her hands, but she's quick to turn her attention to the camera and focus on the people she's talking to. She's well practiced at the art of focussing her attention on people rather than things; the Inquisition had demanded it from her, and she barely had any time of her own. No time for worries or fears or sadness; only work and fighting for whatever future Thedas had left. ]

In my clan we did not celebrate the winter as the rest of the world did. I didn't recognise that there were different celebrations until I became the Inquisitor, and then it felt as though I was pretending to understand something that was completely alien to me.

[ Frowning, she drops the necklace from her hands. ]

I'd like to know more about your traditions, if you'll appease me. I've never had much time to sit and talk about these sorts of things, so anything that you might be able to tell me would be welcome. There is always time to learn something new.

[ It also distracts her, so it's a welcome relief. ]

Comments

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[fantachetic]

[ It's hard to miss when her attention is elsewhere, and for propriety's sake, he lets it go in favor of answering her question. They'll get back to what has her attention, even if he has to barge down her door. ]

Southerners don't celebrate the way we do in Tevinter, either. It's certainly something.. Of course, the blasphemous amount of food and drink is similar.

Wintersend is a massive celebration, especially in Minrathous. There are tournaments and contests, a grand feast, among other things. Typically, there are a few days dedicated to it. I much preferred it to Satinalia- it was a way to signify beginnings, even if it only meant the mark of a new year.

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[veilstrike]

[ Creators bless Dorian Pavus and his existence, she thinks. She's incredibly lucky that he's a part of her life, and she welcomes the obvious attempt at keeping her entertained and distracted. If anyone is going to recognise the symbolism of the necklace it would be him. ]

I can only imagine the grand displays that Tevinter might enjoy once the time for celebrations comes around.

[ She's absolutely curious, though, and she tilts her head, thinking. ]

Are there any particular memories that you can recall fondly?

[ She knows, after all, that Dorian loves his homeland, with all its faults and problems. ]

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[fantachetic]

Maker, yes. It had a way of making you look forward to the season and everything seemed hopeful despite what may have been going on at the time.

[ He thinks about it for a moment and smiles almost fondly. ] When I was a boy, I believe I was still quite young, but my grandparents had traveled to the estate. They didn't do it often, of course, so it was special. Everything was decorated and the halls smelled of candied dates and spice. We traveled into the city and watched the tournaments. My parents enjoyed each other's company and there were no quarrels with my grandparents. An odd circumstance, certainly.

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[veilstrike]

That is good to find, I think. We could all use a little more hope.

[ But Dorian's smile... It's soft and nice, and she likes it. ]

That sounds wonderful. Our holidays are much quieter, and it is rare that people from the clan get to see their parents. [ At least not their birth ones, especially if they're mages. ] Would you like to see if we can find some candies for you, Dorian?

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[fantachetic]

[ He's heard so very little about Clan Lavellan, it's nice that she's sharing that bit of her life with him. The question isn't expected, so it takes him aback briefly. ]

Oh. That's.. It's a generous thought, but it isn't necessary. [ Even after all this time, they're still his favorite, though it won't make or break him not to have it. He still feels a certain way about the Inquisitor's generosity. Any of them, really.. ]

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[veilstrike]

[ She just shakes her head, looking at him with a gentle fondness. ]

I didn't ask if it was necessary or not. I asked if you'd like to find some. [ She gives him a determined look; she's got you, honey. ]

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[fantachetic]

[ That gentle fondness makes him ache in the best possible way. ]

That might be nice, but I won't hold my hopes too high. There's no telling what the planet has.

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[veilstrike]

I'll try and find something like it. [ It's something for her to focus on, at least! ] I never realised you had a sweet tooth.

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[fantachetic]

Not entirely. It's only with certain things.

[ The communicator shifts, distorting the video before it goes black. Not a moment later, there is a knock on Leilani's door before it opens and Dorian steps through before closing it behind him. He's carrying a small box that's been opened, doesn't seem keen on letting it go. ]

I had a bet going with Varric before I left. I told him if I won, that was how he could pay me.

[veilstrike]

[ She doesn't look too surprised when she sees Dorian coming in, and she hums quietly, tilting her head to look over at him. There's a gentle fondness that overcomes her, and she shuffles over to make space for him to join her. ]

Varric would be able to get you whatever you wanted.

[ Tilting her head, she glances at the box. ]

Though it seems like you have a present already.

[fantachetic]

So it seems have you. [ He sits next to her, crossing his legs. He watches Leilani, and his eyes can't help but wander over the wolf jaw in her hands. It's more than familiar. ]

Our hosts believe they have a sense of humor.

[veilstrike]

I'm not sure I'm laughing.

[ She sighs, shifting and pressing her face into his arm. ]

You can ask.

[fantachetic]

It belonged to Solas. I can imagine you meant a great deal to him for you to end up with it. I can't pretend to know how it happened, or your dynamic.

[ He reaches a hand up to lightly stroke the hair at the back of her head. ]

[veilstrike]

I loved him. [ There's... No need for her to say more, surely? But her stomach is in knots. ] And he loved me, or he said he did. [ A pause, and then... ] No. He did.

[fantachetic]

Solas doesn't take me as the type to say things he does not mean. He may have broken his own heart as much as yours?

[ A pause, quickly followed by being indelicate. ]

You deserve a better lover than that, and you have the opportunity to find one.

[veilstrike]

No, perhaps not. I don't think he was particularly happy with the arrangement, but it was still his choice.

[ She snorts, though, tilting her had up to smile at him. ]

I'm not sure I want anything quite like what I shared with Solas.

[fantachetic]

There's no need for such emotional attachment. Something like that.. you don't necessarily want to do it twice- despite how it may have been the first time. Good idea in theory, but different in practice.

[ Not as pleasing the second time around, maybe. It's difficult to build something like that up again. ]

[veilstrike]

[ She hums, quiet and noncommittal, before she reaches out and brushes her fingers against his. She'd rather like to hold his hand, but she's not going to press for intimacy. ]

Was one threesome not enough?

[fantachetic]

[ He reaches to close the distance between their hands, threading their fingers together and laughs lightly. ]

Maker, I should hope not.

[veilstrike]

[ That has her actually laughing, leaning forward to rest against him, squeezing his hand. ]

You are utterly ridiculous.

[fantachetic]

Perhaps you need a dose of it.

[ He's glad to have made her laugh, at least. It's better than the forlorn expression she had been wearing. ]

[veilstrike]

Things have been a little serious of late. [ Her spare hand is still thumbing her necklace, and she frowns again for a moment before her eyes flick back to him. Much nicer to look at, she thinks. ] Were you given a gift as well?

[fantachetic]

Not without reason, though I will admit I'm glad to be rid of it. [ Everyone was glad to get off the planet, though.

He glances to the bed on the other side of him to the box and nods. He can't really express how grateful he was, seeing what he'd been given. ]

I didn't expect to see it again. [ He simply passes her the box so she can look. Even if she doesn't understand the meaning behind it. ]

[veilstrike]

Are you telling me you didn't love the planet that was literally trying to eat us alive? For shame. [ Healthy humour makes all the pains disappear, surely?

Still, it's easier to look over at Dorian's box, to reach out and take it as he hands it over. She's careful with it, even as she's unaware of what it is, what the significance is to him. ]

It's lovely. Can you explain what it means?

[fantachetic]

My birthright. It signifies my place in my family as heir.. Though I'm not certain what good it would do me now. I just.. [ He brushes his fingers over the golden surface with a brief moment of awe. ]

It was a pleasant surprise.