February System Mingle

[thespaceopera]

Who: EVERYONE!!!
Broadcast: Possibly
Action: The Shinda BR-10 System
When: The fleet will be in this system from 1/26 to 2/23



Welcome to the Shinda system! There are three explorable planets here - Duotera, Ebrion, and Philias - each with its own current temperature state. Get out there and see the sights - but do please prepare for the extreme weather as necessary!

→ More system info is here!

Comments

[whatisright]

"Wise words," Justice says, though he does notice that her mood seems to dim as she says them. Justice squeezes her hand, because this he can deal with. She's given him guidance in the past, and he can reapply it now.

He follows her to the table without complaint, pleased with the placement. He's beginning to notice how people are staring at him, some even turning to follow him with their eyes, and he misinterprets their gaze as one of wariness. He's used to people being disgusted or afraid of his outward appearance, after all, and it has yet to become habit to expect a different reaction.

Being someplace removed, away from the eyes but within an easy exit, helps sooth his discomfort.

"I am pleased to hear you killed him. The world has enough darkspawn without them aspiring to godhood." He still doesn't let go of her hand as they sit down. He keeps a tight grip, like letting go might physically hurt. "The Wardens met a darkspawn like that called the Architect in Amaranthine. Riona spared his life." It's clear from his tone that he had disagreed with that decision, and there were some heated words exchanged after the fact, but that's not what makes him shut up immediately. It's the fact that he mentioned her offhand, and it's a painful reminder of everything he's trying to avoid right now.

[veilstrike]

"There's no denying that." Solas was always wise, and thoughtful, and clever. She had been blind to the reasons behind his wisdom, of course, but there's no way anyone can ignore how bright and brilliant his mind had been. Leilani's eyes flick up to look at Justice when he squeezes her hand, however, and some of that sad ache melts away.

People are still staring, and Leilani frowns before she shifts and moves herself a little closer, settling beside Justice with a tilt of her head up to look at him. That, at least, does something for some of the looks - she's not claimed him, exactly, but they're here together and they're holding hands and it's enough to make people think that he's unavailable. It that wrong of her? If Justice wanted to find someone to spend time with, someone for something romantic... She shouldn't stop him, really.

At least she knows he's honest enough to say it if he wants it.

"I've never heard of the Architect, but I was never involved with anything beyond the scope of the Inquisition. Before that I was with my clan, and we kept away from humans as best we could." Tilting her head up, she watches Justice for a moment, before she leans closer and, carefully, draws his hand onto her lap so she can wrap both of hers around his. "I couldn't spare Corypheus. He wanted to become something Godlike, to destroy the world as we knew it. There was no way for me to allow that."

[whatisright]

"If you have not heard of the Architect, that is likely a good sign. He wished to gift darkspawn with free will and intelligence. He said that this was to break their connection with Archdemons and end Blights once and for all, but I did not believe him."

He doesn't notice how he and Leilani must look, but he does notice that some of the staring stops. He's grateful for that, and he's grateful for her closeness and the song of her hand.

"It is good that you killed Corypheus. He was dangerous, and your actions were just."

[veilstrike]

"That doesn't sound possible. I'm not a Grey Warden and my knowledge of the Blight is only what I've learned from speaking to the Wardens and Blackwall, but... Giving Darkspawn the intelligence to thrive when they already destroy the towns and cities they come across seems like an awful idea."

It makes her think, though; Solas had always been so against the Wardens, something about the Blight that frustrated him, and she wishes he was here so that she could quiz him and learn the truth. All she can do is imagine, and even that irritates her beyond belief - to the point where she has to shrug it off and focus on Justice.

"He's the one that started it," she scoffs quietly. "He tried to use Fen'Harel's orb to enter the Fade. It's why I have the Anchor."

[whatisright]

"It worked to divide the darkspawn from the call of the Archdemons, and some proved they were capable of working together with mortals, but it made them no less dangerous."

Justice still thinks that Riona had erred in letting the Architect live, especially after he killed so many Wardens, but there's nothing either of them can do about it now.

"Fen'Harel was the one you were fighting, correct? Was he working together with the darkspawn?"

[veilstrike]

"Intelligence makes something more dangerous, I think." Sometimes, giving the people the chance to think and act alone, the smarts to do it, makes them a thousand times more deadly. She sighs, softly. "Their ability to work with mortals doesn't make them less dangerous. I worked with a Qunari but that didn't make his people less likely to kill me."

The Iron Bull definitely wasn't going to kill her, but his people? That was a different matter entirely. The conversation shifts back to Fen'Harel, though, and Leilani wonders if she can trade in their cool drink for something with a bit more bite.

"He wasn't working with Corypheus, no. He wanted to use him to unlock the power, but he made a fatal mistake. He didn't think it was possible that Corypheus might have been able to survive the damage unlocking the orb would unleash."