entranceway | ➶ tenth ( video )

Greetings. [ Inhale, exhale. They still have time. ] For those of you I've yet to meet, my name is Robyn Cousland, one of the Grey Wardens of Ferelden. You don't have to know anything about the Order, but know that I have... some experience in leading others, and a great amount of exposure to war.

[ Between Ferelden's civil war and the Blight... it was a lot, she thinks. ]

I know that everyone here has their own strengths to share with others, so I thought that I might make an offer of my own. Since diplomacy has failed us, we must be ready for battle. I have experience creating traps, some basic poisons, and, perhaps most importantly, healing potions and poultices. I am a practiced archer, and I fight with my mabari - a war hound - at my side. If any of these things would be useful to you, I would be happy to give lessons for whichever of the above you would like to learn.

[ Her jaw is tight, her expression strained. The Warden sighs, dropping her gaze. ]

It sounds a bit - bleak, really, but I wanted to add that... you may want to think about the people and things most important to you, and the lengths to which you'd go to protect them. There may come a time when you have to place yourself in harm's way to keep them safe, and it's easier to be ready before that time comes.

[ Speaking from experience? Definitely. ]

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[Minato knew that he could count on her for so many things. He did owe her a lot and knew that she was capable of lot.]

Thank you for offering.

[There was an advantage to having experience, but having that experience be actual war had to be hard on her as well.]

If there's some way I can help you too, then I will.

It's the least that I can do. [ She smiles lightly, inclining her head. ] I know that you can fight, Minato, but I hope that you'll be careful, even so.

[Minato nodded. He would have to take care of himself too while his priority was looking out for other people.]

I'll have to be. But I'd still like to take you up on some more of those archery lessons, if that's okay.

Of course. Just say the word.

[ They can pick a time and head out to the range. ]

I forget: did you have a preference for the type of archery? Longbow, et cetera...?

[Awesome, he would love to have more practice. It had been a while since he last did.]

I think longbow is good. If it's a crossbow, I think I'd be worried about the mechanics failing, if that's a thing.

They can get jammed if you don't take care of it. A longbow is just fine, then.

[ She smiles, making a note to herself of this on paper nearby. ]

What time is workable for you?

Any time that's convenient for you. I don't want to trouble you.

[Other people would want her time too, so he wanted to be as flexible as possible.]

I've already given you enough of that, from the last event.

It's no trouble at all. Really.

[ She chuckles at the memory, shaking her head. ]

Oh, stop it. You were positively adorable. I'm only sorry that I didn't have other songs to play for you!

[Congrats, Robin, it took a lot to get Minato to even have the faintest blush on his face, but he's got one now. He smiled.]

Thanks. And it's okay. You helped me when I needed it most.

[And she still would again! He really owed her.]

We'll trade. I can teach you some new songs while I learn the longbow with you?

We help each other. [ She stresses. ]

All right! ... I would really enjoy that. [ If her expression is any indication. ] You really wouldn't mind? I'm afraid I'm a slow learner when it comes to the piano.

[Minato smiled again, knowing what she was getting at and appreciating that she reminded him of one of the lessons he had learned from home.]

I'm happy to teach you no matter how long it'll take.

[He figured he'd be slow at the longbow too and she'd probably outpace him soon enough on the piano.]

I don't have a longbow of my own though, so is it okay if you help me get whatever is best?

Of course! I can find one in the closet and make sure it works as well as it ought to. [ beat ] You'll just let me know when you want to go out to the range?

Is now okay? I don't want to take away from anything you're working on.

[Since she was offering to help everyone over the network, so he didn't want to take up her time if she had other obligations.]

Now is just fine. I'll need a few moments to find you a suitable bow, but then we can meet. Is that all right?

[ He's said as much, really, but she tries not to assume. ]

Sure, and thanks. Is your mabari coming too?

[Minato was looking forward to seeing her and learning from her. And to see the war hound if it was accompanying her.]

If you like. Not everyone is fond of bigger dogs.

[ The insanity! ]

But I know that Oren would enjoy it.

I like dogs. I had one at home that had a Persona.

[Aw, it made him miss Koromaru. He had such a soft spot for dogs.]

You did? ... It did? [ She looks a little awed, and certainly curious. ] I didn't know that animals could have Personas, too.

I only knew of the one, but he had a strong resolve to protect his shrine.

[He had to check if he still had a picture of him on his cell phone.]

Your war hound is probably similar in his loyalty to you?

I think so. Even the Wonderland one. [ She smiles fondly over to where Oren is snoozing away. ] That's very interesting. ... Why did he - it? - have a shrine?

His master was a priest at a shrine. After his master passed away, he stayed and followed the same routine there as if he were still alive.

[He smiled too, seeing Oren there.]

I wish he were here to meet you both.

I wish that, too. He sounds-... admirable.

[ A loyal companion to the end. It makes her heart hurt, though, as she thinks of her true mabari: Calen. ]

Maybe one of Wonderland's events will bring him to us, someday.

[Minato nodded. He'd like that. He had his share of pets here, but it wasn't the same.]

It'd be nice. I take it that your Oren isn't your war hound from home too?

[Unless the mabari had been right with her when she was brought here, but he hadn't remembered her talking about him (her?) before.]

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