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I was four, I think. I hardly remember a thing about her, except that she liked flowers.
( Quiet, a reassurance of sorts. It didn't hurt the way it would hurt another person, who had the chance to grow up with someone and have memories of how they had adored the one they lost. )
She was a servant to Lady Cecilie, an Orlesian noblewoman. Lady Cecilie might have turned me out in the street, but she... kept me. Raised me as her ward. She was very kind but very old. She ordered tutors to teach me history, and dancing and singing and how to play the harp and lute and piano. It was all very grand, but I was...
( Her expression twinges guiltily. ) I fancied myself a bird in a guilded cage. A nightingale that belonged to a wider world than the house of an old woman and should be doing more than acting as a pretty entertainment for her guests.
( Her gaze drops. )
I was ungrateful, I think. But, when I was sixteen years old, I had the-- the privilege of entertaining Marjolaine, a wealthy widow of Lady Cecilie's acquaintance. She was so grand and beautiful and--
( Leliana shakes her head. ) Everything about her was exciting. She began to mentor me. She was a bardmaster, and I became her favourite bard - the favoured weapon of players in the Grand Game. Bards are masters of spinning tales and of deception. She taught me how to spy and sabotage and... seduce. And kill. And for years that was my life. I followed her commands without hesitation, and I adored her. She taught me that when the opportunity to strike presents itself you must always take it. That we were ready blades, and the rest of the world bared their throats to us.
( hi Leliana's ex is a sociopath )
( Quiet, a reassurance of sorts. It didn't hurt the way it would hurt another person, who had the chance to grow up with someone and have memories of how they had adored the one they lost. )
She was a servant to Lady Cecilie, an Orlesian noblewoman. Lady Cecilie might have turned me out in the street, but she... kept me. Raised me as her ward. She was very kind but very old. She ordered tutors to teach me history, and dancing and singing and how to play the harp and lute and piano. It was all very grand, but I was...
( Her expression twinges guiltily. ) I fancied myself a bird in a guilded cage. A nightingale that belonged to a wider world than the house of an old woman and should be doing more than acting as a pretty entertainment for her guests.
( Her gaze drops. )
I was ungrateful, I think. But, when I was sixteen years old, I had the-- the privilege of entertaining Marjolaine, a wealthy widow of Lady Cecilie's acquaintance. She was so grand and beautiful and--
( Leliana shakes her head. ) Everything about her was exciting. She began to mentor me. She was a bardmaster, and I became her favourite bard - the favoured weapon of players in the Grand Game. Bards are masters of spinning tales and of deception. She taught me how to spy and sabotage and... seduce. And kill. And for years that was my life. I followed her commands without hesitation, and I adored her. She taught me that when the opportunity to strike presents itself you must always take it. That we were ready blades, and the rest of the world bared their throats to us.
( hi Leliana's ex is a sociopath )
Edited (moar words) 2016-07-31 11:20 (UTC)
( the bird in a gilded cage comparison feels familiar to sara, though in a different way. she'd always felt like an outsider, even if she kind of pushed herself even further away from that gilded cage that the rest of her family seemed to reside in by hanging out with delinquents and doing stuff that she shouldn't have. the first time that she felt that maybe, just maybe, she could be a part of something, was with oliver on his dad's fancy yacht.
that clearly didn't end well. but it did take her to lian yu, to nanda parbat, where ta-er al-sahfer was happy to be caged by the league.
the bards sound like they share a fair bit of traits with the assassins of the league, which is why sara doesn't so much as flinch at the vivid descriptions of deception and murder, of taking advantage of a situation even if it ends in bloodshed. from where leliana temporarily halts, though, the story is clearly unfinished. )
And did things with Marjolaine stop being what you thought they were?
( maybe she asks because that's how it had felt once she'd run away from the league to make sure her sister and dad were safe after the undertaking — the harsh realization of what she'd become, the weight of the darkness inside of her from all of the lives she'd taken. it wasn't worth what the league provided. )
that clearly didn't end well. but it did take her to lian yu, to nanda parbat, where ta-er al-sahfer was happy to be caged by the league.
the bards sound like they share a fair bit of traits with the assassins of the league, which is why sara doesn't so much as flinch at the vivid descriptions of deception and murder, of taking advantage of a situation even if it ends in bloodshed. from where leliana temporarily halts, though, the story is clearly unfinished. )
And did things with Marjolaine stop being what you thought they were?
( maybe she asks because that's how it had felt once she'd run away from the league to make sure her sister and dad were safe after the undertaking — the harsh realization of what she'd become, the weight of the darkness inside of her from all of the lives she'd taken. it wasn't worth what the league provided. )
( For long moments she is silent. Leliana fingers, still twisted into her slirt, flex and straighten. How can she ever explain in such a way that makes the horror of what Leliana was known? She had tried and utterly failed with Peter. )
Bards are free to do whatever they can get away with, in essence. We are welcomed into every great house, because we are a gift of the Game. To best us is so tempting that nobility will risk their own ruination. One crime was beyond blind eyes and even the realm of bards.
( Somehow she feels calm, like she's listening to someone else tell the tale. ) Treason. With Orlais so much at war, any act that might endanger the Empire or compromise it was punishable by death. Marjolaine committed such a crime, I questioned her. I feared for my life and Tug and Sketch's-- and Marjolaine's. I wanted to keep her safe more than anyone.
( Her hand twitches, and she tries to shake the tension out of it. )
Rather than undo the treason committed, Marjolaine framed me for her crimes. I had questioned, and so my betrayal was inevitable; there was a window, and she struck first.
( Without thinking, her fingertips run over the scarred gash below her ribs, fleetingly. )
She saw to her problem. I was to be auctioned as a traitor to the highest bidder, once Raleigh had his fun.
( Leliana pauses then, actually looking at Sara, regaining her awareness a little. )
I was... forced into an awareness, but before that I had adored that life. The hunt and the scandal and the victories. Marjolaine said we were the same, and if... if Cassandra and Morrigan are to be believed, it seems she may have been right.
Bards are free to do whatever they can get away with, in essence. We are welcomed into every great house, because we are a gift of the Game. To best us is so tempting that nobility will risk their own ruination. One crime was beyond blind eyes and even the realm of bards.
( Somehow she feels calm, like she's listening to someone else tell the tale. ) Treason. With Orlais so much at war, any act that might endanger the Empire or compromise it was punishable by death. Marjolaine committed such a crime, I questioned her. I feared for my life and Tug and Sketch's-- and Marjolaine's. I wanted to keep her safe more than anyone.
( Her hand twitches, and she tries to shake the tension out of it. )
Rather than undo the treason committed, Marjolaine framed me for her crimes. I had questioned, and so my betrayal was inevitable; there was a window, and she struck first.
( Without thinking, her fingertips run over the scarred gash below her ribs, fleetingly. )
She saw to her problem. I was to be auctioned as a traitor to the highest bidder, once Raleigh had his fun.
( Leliana pauses then, actually looking at Sara, regaining her awareness a little. )
I was... forced into an awareness, but before that I had adored that life. The hunt and the scandal and the victories. Marjolaine said we were the same, and if... if Cassandra and Morrigan are to be believed, it seems she may have been right.
Edited 2016-08-01 06:22 (UTC)
( sara's perceptive; the ghosting of fingers over where sara knows scar tissue resides makes an ugly feeling twist in her own stomach. the knowledge that some of them had been inflicted by such a betrayal is harsh. there's a huge amount of understanding of what had happened during that sunset on the beach that washes over her, but it doesn't feel good.
leliana isn't looking for pity — that much sara is absolutely certain of. but at the same time, she can't help the way her heart aches for her.
mouth drawn into a small frown that she can't help, she closes the distance between them, scooting over and putting an arm around leliana's shoulders, drawing her close. ) You can't help the environment that you were raised in — it's a part of you whether you like it or not. But it doesn't have total control over you, Leliana. You're not the same as she is. You wouldn't do that to someone that you cared about. I can just feel it.
leliana isn't looking for pity — that much sara is absolutely certain of. but at the same time, she can't help the way her heart aches for her.
mouth drawn into a small frown that she can't help, she closes the distance between them, scooting over and putting an arm around leliana's shoulders, drawing her close. ) You can't help the environment that you were raised in — it's a part of you whether you like it or not. But it doesn't have total control over you, Leliana. You're not the same as she is. You wouldn't do that to someone that you cared about. I can just feel it.
( for a moment Leliana is shocked to be drawn into the embrace. She's startled, blinks a moment, before her arms wrap around Sara, loose and gentle at first, and tightening, hands pressed to Sara's back. Slowly, her fingers curl into Sara's shirt, and she tucks her head against Sara's neck, eyes shut. It is—
it is a mercy, this. A reprieve.
Or perhaps it is false hope. )
I don't think I would. I like to think that I can find an alternate approach to any situation if only I search hard enough.
( And yet. Her hands pull tighter against Sara. )
I'm scared of what I can do to people, when I set my mind to it. That's why I had to leave, because— I'm like handling a sharp knife, as if you were holding it by the blade with an exposed hand. And if I hurt you, of all people, I would not forgive myself.
it is a mercy, this. A reprieve.
Or perhaps it is false hope. )
I don't think I would. I like to think that I can find an alternate approach to any situation if only I search hard enough.
( And yet. Her hands pull tighter against Sara. )
I'm scared of what I can do to people, when I set my mind to it. That's why I had to leave, because— I'm like handling a sharp knife, as if you were holding it by the blade with an exposed hand. And if I hurt you, of all people, I would not forgive myself.
YOU BET YOUR STARS AND GARTERS ITS REAL, SISTER
( this is a series of rapidfire texts: )
What in the hell is he doing???
First of all, cops hate vigilantes.
Second of all, vigilantes get stressed out by cops.
Third of all, nobody has any right to look so handsome wearing something so completely and utterly ridiculous.
( she's done now. maybe.
nope, just kidding. there's another: )
Okay and fourth of all, Oliver Queen has never willingly held a real job in his entire life. I feel like I'm in an alternate reality right now. Help me Cisco I need answers.
What in the hell is he doing???
First of all, cops hate vigilantes.
Second of all, vigilantes get stressed out by cops.
Third of all, nobody has any right to look so handsome wearing something so completely and utterly ridiculous.
( she's done now. maybe.
nope, just kidding. there's another: )
Okay and fourth of all, Oliver Queen has never willingly held a real job in his entire life. I feel like I'm in an alternate reality right now. Help me Cisco I need answers.
I know a little more about knives than you might think, ( sara responds quickly, fingers carding gently through leliana's hair, slow. the distance between them — metaphorical and literal, at the beach and right here and now — had felt immeasurable and she's glad to finally hold her like this again. it's far easier, makes her happier that she can maybe provide some comfort to leliana.
what isn't easy, without a doubt, is trying to explain herself. all sara can do is try, even if it means she stumbles a little bit. )
I know what it's like to feel like a danger to the people that I care about. I know what it's like to kill without remorse or even a second thought. ( she takes a breath, to gather her thoughts, maybe. ) We're more alike than you think.
what isn't easy, without a doubt, is trying to explain herself. all sara can do is try, even if it means she stumbles a little bit. )
I know what it's like to feel like a danger to the people that I care about. I know what it's like to kill without remorse or even a second thought. ( she takes a breath, to gather her thoughts, maybe. ) We're more alike than you think.
( It is a relief, all this. To have Sara's fingers in her hair, and this closeness back. Leliana does not—
She has come to realise she is not close with people easily, for exactly the reasons she told Sara. Friendships are easier, but they aren't easy. Charming people is one thing, manipulating them another, but for someone to truly like you simply for you are? To make the acquaintance of those whom understand you well? That is more challenging. Alistair and Zevran are as brothers to her, Kallian and Shale her sisters, Sten a grumpy, grumpy uncle. Wynne— she is not Dorothea, but there is something of the motherly in her. (Morrigan she would have been glad to call sister, but they have ever been too much at odds.) The party she travels with are family, wounded as she finds her self feeling at their hand. )
I know.
( She says it very quietly. ) Not about the killing, ( she clarifies, although very gently. Staying hugging Sara is too easy and too tempting, and so she makes no move to, well, move. ) I knew you and I had certain things in common. Or, at least, that there was something more to you.
( Though Leliana does not draw back, she shifts just slightly, so she can press a kiss to Sara's cheek, her left hand curling at the back of Sara's neck, thumb brushing over her skin. ) I think you're wonderful, no matter what you've done in the past.
( Pots and kettles? Pots and kettles. )
She has come to realise she is not close with people easily, for exactly the reasons she told Sara. Friendships are easier, but they aren't easy. Charming people is one thing, manipulating them another, but for someone to truly like you simply for you are? To make the acquaintance of those whom understand you well? That is more challenging. Alistair and Zevran are as brothers to her, Kallian and Shale her sisters, Sten a grumpy, grumpy uncle. Wynne— she is not Dorothea, but there is something of the motherly in her. (Morrigan she would have been glad to call sister, but they have ever been too much at odds.) The party she travels with are family, wounded as she finds her self feeling at their hand. )
I know.
( She says it very quietly. ) Not about the killing, ( she clarifies, although very gently. Staying hugging Sara is too easy and too tempting, and so she makes no move to, well, move. ) I knew you and I had certain things in common. Or, at least, that there was something more to you.
( Though Leliana does not draw back, she shifts just slightly, so she can press a kiss to Sara's cheek, her left hand curling at the back of Sara's neck, thumb brushing over her skin. ) I think you're wonderful, no matter what you've done in the past.
( Pots and kettles? Pots and kettles. )
all i know is, i was getting a coffee and there he was, shorts uniform and all.
maybe he decided to go straight while hes here?
idek. what is the world right now?
maybe he decided to go straight while hes here?
idek. what is the world right now?
( the kiss is sweet, the idle brush of leliana's thumb equally so. this woman in her arms is kind and caring and, perhaps, above all else, ridiculous. it makes sara shake her head even as she smiles. )
You need to give yourself the same forgiveness that you give to others, ( she insists as gently as she can, dropping a kiss onto the top of leliana's head and rubbing a hand reassuringly against her back. even sara knows that she's a pot calling the kettle black by trying so hard to instill this within leliana, but sara's working through her own demons, too, trying to accept her past but not to let it tarnish her present.
how could she, when things are as they are in eudio? teammates, friends old and new, her sister. but eudio's provided sara a chance to separate herself from her past, and it offers the same to leliana. )
You need to give yourself the same forgiveness that you give to others, ( she insists as gently as she can, dropping a kiss onto the top of leliana's head and rubbing a hand reassuringly against her back. even sara knows that she's a pot calling the kettle black by trying so hard to instill this within leliana, but sara's working through her own demons, too, trying to accept her past but not to let it tarnish her present.
how could she, when things are as they are in eudio? teammates, friends old and new, her sister. but eudio's provided sara a chance to separate herself from her past, and it offers the same to leliana. )
I do.
( Well. She exhales, and exhales unhappily or maybe just dissatisfied with the words she is using, when she is meant to be better than this. )
I did. I— I thought that joining the Chantry and serving the Maker would change me. And I think it did? I believed I was different.
( And then she came to Eudio, and perhaps that is the painful difference between them. Leliana in her own world had found it easier to have faith in herself and her purpose and everything else, but in Eudio she was presented with the possibility of a future that went against all of that. It echoed Marjolaine's words all too easily. For a moment she is silent, head tucked against Sara, and it might feel slightly ridiculous to be like this when she's taller than Sara, but she opts that it's definitely not. )
Alistair told me once that I frighten him. We were joking around at the time, but... with everything that the others have said, I just keep going over and over what our party have said. Foolish comments made while travelling or around the campfire, or... we see a lot of terrible things. I wondered sometimes if that prompted them to certain words, and even to actions, but that does not mean that I am not a deceiver, or frightening, or simply a graceful killer.
( Her words are spoken softly, but it does not mask the emotion in them, a degree of fear. ) I don't know what to do.
( Well. She exhales, and exhales unhappily or maybe just dissatisfied with the words she is using, when she is meant to be better than this. )
I did. I— I thought that joining the Chantry and serving the Maker would change me. And I think it did? I believed I was different.
( And then she came to Eudio, and perhaps that is the painful difference between them. Leliana in her own world had found it easier to have faith in herself and her purpose and everything else, but in Eudio she was presented with the possibility of a future that went against all of that. It echoed Marjolaine's words all too easily. For a moment she is silent, head tucked against Sara, and it might feel slightly ridiculous to be like this when she's taller than Sara, but she opts that it's definitely not. )
Alistair told me once that I frighten him. We were joking around at the time, but... with everything that the others have said, I just keep going over and over what our party have said. Foolish comments made while travelling or around the campfire, or... we see a lot of terrible things. I wondered sometimes if that prompted them to certain words, and even to actions, but that does not mean that I am not a deceiver, or frightening, or simply a graceful killer.
( Her words are spoken softly, but it does not mask the emotion in them, a degree of fear. ) I don't know what to do.
[A small box arrives at her apartment - left on her coffee table because Len can totally break in and it's not like he's going to just leave it on her doorstep or entrust this to a mailman. What is he, an amateur?
It's a small, slender, wrapped package, with a card on it - he doesn't want her to think it's a bomb or something. The card is Christmas themed, with a red-nosed reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh through a snow-filled sky. It's the kind you write your own message inside, and he's written in a neat script: For: Sara, From: Leonard. Saw it and thought of you.
The wrapping is neatly done, also Christmas themed in blue with silver snowflakes, wrapped by an imperfect, but careful and precise hand and tied with a black ribbon.
Inside is a hand-crafted hunting knife with an inlaid handle of snowflake obsidian. It's well-sized to her feminine hand, but also extremely functional and wickedly sharp.]
It's a small, slender, wrapped package, with a card on it - he doesn't want her to think it's a bomb or something. The card is Christmas themed, with a red-nosed reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh through a snow-filled sky. It's the kind you write your own message inside, and he's written in a neat script: For: Sara, From: Leonard. Saw it and thought of you.
The wrapping is neatly done, also Christmas themed in blue with silver snowflakes, wrapped by an imperfect, but careful and precise hand and tied with a black ribbon.
Inside is a hand-crafted hunting knife with an inlaid handle of snowflake obsidian. It's well-sized to her feminine hand, but also extremely functional and wickedly sharp.]
( sara may have missed it entirely if it weren't for the metallic silver snowflakes that catch the light as she enters her apartment after a long night at pandemonium. immediately, she's got a pretty good idea of who left it there — it's a thought that gives her pause; not because leonard had broken into her apartment, but because he'd left her a present.
needless to say, sara doesn't remain in her apartment for very long.
sure, it's almost two in the morning, but here she is anyway, knocking loudly on the door of len and mick's apartment. she's just waiting there with her hands hanging lamely at her sides, but with a brand new, way too fancy, obsidian-handled knife in its sheath strapped to her thigh.
hopefully the correct rogue answers the door, because sara is most definitely — literally flinging herself at him. it doesn't really matter if he catches her or not, because she's just gonna wrap her legs around his waist, arms hugging his neck, murmuring against his ear, ) You romantic asshole.
needless to say, sara doesn't remain in her apartment for very long.
sure, it's almost two in the morning, but here she is anyway, knocking loudly on the door of len and mick's apartment. she's just waiting there with her hands hanging lamely at her sides, but with a brand new, way too fancy, obsidian-handled knife in its sheath strapped to her thigh.
hopefully the correct rogue answers the door, because sara is most definitely — literally flinging herself at him. it doesn't really matter if he catches her or not, because she's just gonna wrap her legs around his waist, arms hugging his neck, murmuring against his ear, ) You romantic asshole.
I think that you're sweet and beautiful and a little ridiculous sometimes, but you're so completely genuine and caring that I can't even process it sometimes, ( sara insists, a hand cupping her jaw even if she can't quite see her so her thumb can brush reassuringly against the apple of her cheek. quickly, she adds: ) And I'm not just saying that to make you feel better.
Even with all that, at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what I think. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, either. You have a right to feel afraid of whatever's in your future, and nobody can stop you from feeling like that, but —
( there's a small frown as she recounts her captain's words and finds herself repeating them: ) Sometimes time wants to happen, and it does. I'm pretty damn sure you'll fight your way through it and be who you're meant to be.
Even with all that, at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what I think. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, either. You have a right to feel afraid of whatever's in your future, and nobody can stop you from feeling like that, but —
( there's a small frown as she recounts her captain's words and finds herself repeating them: ) Sometimes time wants to happen, and it does. I'm pretty damn sure you'll fight your way through it and be who you're meant to be.
[When Len left the gift, he hadn't known that a certain scarlet speedster would be crashing on his couch that night. He also didn't actually expect the strength of Sara's reaction. When the door knock wakes him up in the middle of the night ,he expects Lisa, and then suddenly Sara is slamming into him.
He catches her in mid-leap and drags her close, kissing her soundly with a soft, pleased hum.
Still carrying her, he backs into the apartment and kicks the door closed. He breaks the kiss long enough to glance at the sleep-rumpled Barry on his sofa.] Sara, you know Barry Allen. He's crashing for a couple days.
He catches her in mid-leap and drags her close, kissing her soundly with a soft, pleased hum.
Still carrying her, he backs into the apartment and kicks the door closed. He breaks the kiss long enough to glance at the sleep-rumpled Barry on his sofa.] Sara, you know Barry Allen. He's crashing for a couple days.
Edited 2016-08-17 16:16 (UTC)
[between the knocking on the door and the subsequent open and slam, barry is already sat upright on the sofa by the time leonard reappears. or...okay. there's actually two of them in that mess of limbs? scrubbing at his eyes it takes him a while to work out just what he's seeing here. though the moment it does click is all too obvious.
stumbling to his feet, he grabs his blanket and the pillow, holding them close to his chest as he edges away from the scene in front of him. he may not have any issue with what is clearly about to happen here, but he's definitely not sticking around to be a witness to it all.]
Hi. Bye. [and then he's off (in a flash), the door opening and shutting a second later as he hightails it out of there.
...maybe one of the others will let him borrow their sofa for the night instead.]
stumbling to his feet, he grabs his blanket and the pillow, holding them close to his chest as he edges away from the scene in front of him. he may not have any issue with what is clearly about to happen here, but he's definitely not sticking around to be a witness to it all.]
Hi. Bye. [and then he's off (in a flash), the door opening and shutting a second later as he hightails it out of there.
...maybe one of the others will let him borrow their sofa for the night instead.]
Hey — ( she starts to say, but barry is quite literally gone before she can even finish that one word. the resulting gush of wind makes sara laugh as her hair settles back down; she probably has that same look on her face that everyone does when they see the flash in action for the first time, a healthy mix of delight and wonderment and disbelief.
her grin gets smothered by another stolen kiss, and her eyes are bright when she pulls away, keeping her forehead touching against his. ) The kid's pretty impressive. Actually hadn't met him till just now. ( considering she was pretty dead when he came into his powers. ) Some first impression. ( which clearly doesn't seem to faze her at all.
nope, too busy feeling more affectionate than any ex-assassin has a right to be, too busy feeling things about this crook that she would've laughed off a few months ago. )
her grin gets smothered by another stolen kiss, and her eyes are bright when she pulls away, keeping her forehead touching against his. ) The kid's pretty impressive. Actually hadn't met him till just now. ( considering she was pretty dead when he came into his powers. ) Some first impression. ( which clearly doesn't seem to faze her at all.
nope, too busy feeling more affectionate than any ex-assassin has a right to be, too busy feeling things about this crook that she would've laughed off a few months ago. )
[Len's surprised that Sara doesn't know Barry. He assumed the opposite, clearly, as he knows for a fact that the Flash and the Arrow are deeply connected.
But he doesn't question it right now, having other far more delightful considerations. He just laughs as he continues backing up, right into the bedroom.]
Well, you can get to know him later. Apparently he's gonna be around for a while.
[He turns and dumps her on the bed, making it bounce as he clambers on top of her, her legs still akimbo and pressed wide by his body. His expression is as smug as a cat who just downed an entire bowl of cream and got the canary.]
So... I'm guessing you got my gift?
But he doesn't question it right now, having other far more delightful considerations. He just laughs as he continues backing up, right into the bedroom.]
Well, you can get to know him later. Apparently he's gonna be around for a while.
[He turns and dumps her on the bed, making it bounce as he clambers on top of her, her legs still akimbo and pressed wide by his body. His expression is as smug as a cat who just downed an entire bowl of cream and got the canary.]
So... I'm guessing you got my gift?
( sara's certainly curious about the circumstances that got the flash himself sleeping on leonard's couch — considering as far as she knows, good old captain cold and heat wave are adversaries of his — but it'll have to wait for later. leonard deposits her onto his bed and she lays there, happily tangled up with him. )
Wasn't really expecting Christmas in August. ( his expression is way too smug and way too infectious; she can't help the smile that tugs at the corners of her mouth as she looks up at him. god, it makes sara feel like a silly teenager, the feeling that she gets just by laying eyes on him. her hand settles on top of his, guides it until it's on top of the knife's holster around her thigh. )
It's stupidly nice and you're ridiculous.
Wasn't really expecting Christmas in August. ( his expression is way too smug and way too infectious; she can't help the smile that tugs at the corners of her mouth as she looks up at him. god, it makes sara feel like a silly teenager, the feeling that she gets just by laying eyes on him. her hand settles on top of his, guides it until it's on top of the knife's holster around her thigh. )
It's stupidly nice and you're ridiculous.
( Leliana can't help but draw back just a little, with the kind words. It's not incredulity that sparks the need to look at Sara, some interrogation done with just a look. No, there's not on that, or the criticism that might come with it, veiled or otherwise. Leliana wants to look at Sara, to see her, because—
Because for all that it boggles her mind that someone can think that of her after what she has said about being a bard, and for all the doubts that these past months have started to make creep upon her with the inevitability of time passing (time, it always seems to be time that they get tangled up in, Sara and she), Leliana believes her.
Her hands draw back, but only so that she can bring them to rest at Sara's shoulder, sliding inward until they rest where neck meets shoulder, fingers gently curling over Sara's skin. )
I believe you.
( First of all, that should be said. Perhaps it could also be said that Leliana is easily persuaded, and that she can be gullible at times in her eagerness to place faith and trust and push away what it is to be a bard, but she does trust Sara. Without hesitation. ) You don't really strike me as the type to skirt the truth.
( Said fondly, though she would be hard pressed to not be fond of Sara, truthfully. It takes a moment, what comes next. A leaning forward, a hesitation, because the beach and all the time that stretched between feels like a hurdle that was not there before. Leliana does not quite kiss Sara— she means to, and moves closer, and there is the undeniable shift before she cuts herself short, still very close but realising the presumption. )
I— would it be alright if I kiss you? If you wanted, I mean, not simply you enduring it for the sake of being fond of me, or— yes.
Because for all that it boggles her mind that someone can think that of her after what she has said about being a bard, and for all the doubts that these past months have started to make creep upon her with the inevitability of time passing (time, it always seems to be time that they get tangled up in, Sara and she), Leliana believes her.
Her hands draw back, but only so that she can bring them to rest at Sara's shoulder, sliding inward until they rest where neck meets shoulder, fingers gently curling over Sara's skin. )
I believe you.
( First of all, that should be said. Perhaps it could also be said that Leliana is easily persuaded, and that she can be gullible at times in her eagerness to place faith and trust and push away what it is to be a bard, but she does trust Sara. Without hesitation. ) You don't really strike me as the type to skirt the truth.
( Said fondly, though she would be hard pressed to not be fond of Sara, truthfully. It takes a moment, what comes next. A leaning forward, a hesitation, because the beach and all the time that stretched between feels like a hurdle that was not there before. Leliana does not quite kiss Sara— she means to, and moves closer, and there is the undeniable shift before she cuts herself short, still very close but realising the presumption. )
I— would it be alright if I kiss you? If you wanted, I mean, not simply you enduring it for the sake of being fond of me, or— yes.
[He shows teeth in a happy grin, though he's still trying to play it cool. He shakes his head, fingering the holster, his eyes bright with pleasure that she's so happy about his gift.]
Well, if you expected it, it wouldn't be much of a job, would it? [He teases lightly] But that's not nice. Ridiculous? I think you mean that I'm the greatest.
Well, if you expected it, it wouldn't be much of a job, would it? [He teases lightly] But that's not nice. Ridiculous? I think you mean that I'm the greatest.
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