entranceway | ➶ two (video)

[ It's strange, being more often out of armor than in it, but Wonderland doesn't often call them to battle in the same way that she's gotten used to. The Warden is dressed simply and more for comfort, though still in the kind of dress of Ferelden, rather than the modern clothes of much of the others in the mansion. Her hair is braided to keep it out of her face and her expression is quietly contemplative. Shutting her eyes briefly, she says: ]

"Your name is etched into my every step. I will not forsake You, even if I forget myself."

[ And then opens them again, taking a deep breath, admitting a little smile. ]

I've yet to find any kind of... chapel, or place of worship. I never thought there would be one strictly Andrastian, but any sort of quiet space for prayer would be suitable. If there is one, I would appreciate the help in tracking it down.

[ Maker knows, she's faced a lot of trials thus far and needs a little more guidance lately than usual. ]

Most of you won't have heard of the Maker or of Andraste, but I don't think the idea of solace in faith is too strange, is it?

[ Lightly, Robyn clears her throat before changing the subject. ]

I mentioned once that I was in an order called the Grey Wardens? Part of that life is nights of very bad dreams. But, I haven't had a one since I've been here, not in all those months. [ There's a pause in which she thinks back, frowning thoughtfully, almost torn between concern and relief at the lack of the nightmares. ] ... We must be far from home, after all.

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[Hawke is gonna just. Not touch the whole Chantry-esque thing because haha. Hahaha. Ha.]

The thought of having dreams without the Fade seemed impossible, yet... Not quite the same, but it's telling of how far we are.

[It's very troubling.]

I thought for sure the dreams would return, but we really are cut off from the darkspawn, here.

[ And the Fade, as he's said, and the rest of Thedas. ]

How is it that we dream at all without it? Not everything can be called Wonderland's magic, surely.

Thank the Maker for that. I've had enough Darkspawn to last my entire life, the last thing we need is them showing up, too.

[So, they will sooner or later. But what is denial if more than just a river in Egypt?]

Truthfully, I don't know. They feel different, too. It's... disconcerting. A welcome reprieve for you though, I take it?

I think we all feel the same.

[ Wardens obviously see a lot of darkspawn and Hawke came from Lothering, which was overrun. It still makes her feel incredibly guilty even though there had been little to nothing that they could have done. ]

It is. Very welcome. You can only dream of the darkspawn talking to each other for so long before it becomes repetitive. They aren't known for their conversation.

[ If only. ]

[Hawke snorts, because if they'd been known for their conversation, their escape from Lothering might have ended very differently.]

I can imagine. They could at least have the decency to change it up, maybe a few jokes here and there. [Though, do we really want to know what the darkspawn consider to be jokes?] At least with the Fade you get a variety, between the helpful spirits and the Desire Demons bent on winning you over.

My experience with the Fade and demons hasn't been very extensive. [ Thank the Maker. ] Save our time at Kinloch and the events at Redcliffe.

[ Does anyone know about the Arl's son, about the demon who'd possessed him and almost torn down the entire city? She isn't sure and isn't about to bring the specifics up, otherwise. ]

[Had Hawke been able to stay in Ferelden, it's possible he'd know more than what travels Thedas on the lips of couriers and merchants. All he really knows is that shit went down, same with Kinloch Hold.]

I can only speak for my own dreams when it comes to experience with the Fade. [Just wait til he goes home a few times, he'll have plenty of tales for you then, Robyn.] Nothing that could compare to your own adventures, I think.

[He grins as he says it, the words an invitation if Robyn wants to open up.]

Oh, I think there's been far too much talk of 'my adventures.' [ There's a pause, and then she backpedals a bit: ] ... But you aren't from that time, are you? I had almost forgotten. I hear so much from the Inquisitor and Dorian, who've come ten years past myself...

[ And it isn't fair to hold Hawke to that same (fond) chagrin. ]

It isn't so glamorous as I've heard it. [ He knows the mess of Lothering firsthand, after all. ] But... there was a lot of good, too. Places I might never have seen, people I would never have met. We were able to help a lot of them outside of just working to end the Blight. It was more rewarding than I could ever have guessed, though it was also exhausting.

Not quite. The Blight only ended about a year ago, for me. [He scratches his nose lightly as he thinks about that, and the fact Dorian and Brennan are from so far in the future.] It's strange, isn't it? To think there's so many of us from Thedas, and only the two of them share the same memories and time.

[He might be a little jealous, but it doesn't show.]

Ah, if the storytellers didn't add a little glamour, they'd never sell anything. [He grins, having heard a lot about the trade from Varric in their travels.] I get exhausted just doing errands to make some coin in Kirkwall, I can't imagine how it must feel to spend so much of your time traveling across Ferelden. Wonderland must seem like a well-earned vacation at times.

Still a year further than I am. [ She wrinkles her nose at him. ] It is strange, but... what you said made a lot of sense. And I did hear it, even though...

[ Even though she was embarrassingly drunk!! ]

... That we might all be right, rather than some of us being wrong. [ Robyn tilts her head slightly, considering it. ] I know that I exist, and I know that my life has been real. Why should anyone else be able to tell me any differently?

[ At his flattery she smiles, chuckling lightly. ]

There was a lot of travel, it's true. [ And there still is, really. ] Wonderland is... awful, in some ways, but better than a land ravaged by the Blight. I only hope that we could get others here, to... at least relative safety, rather than to leave their homes to the darkspawn.

[ Yes, Hawke, she still feels highly guilty for Lothering. ]

A year is better than ten. And you're probably the first person to admit I actually made sense.

[His smile is easy - friendly despite the seriousness of the matter.] I am glad what I said helped you. It's not something I ever thought I'd have to worry about, but it helps - me, at least - to know you aren't alone. And for what it's worth? I think you exist, too.

[That same smile is on his face, but there's more to it this time, almost grim determination in the way he says it. As if he's reminding himself as much as he's reassuring her.]

Hey, c'mon. [It doesn't take a genius to read between the lines.] Don't do that. It wasn't your fault. The only ones to blame are the damned Darkspawn.

What would you have said that doesn't make sense? Hawke, after all we've heard-... well. I think it would be difficult to surprise me, now.

[ robyn u sweet summer child ]

Well, to have your support in my being a real is reassuring. [ With others, it may come off as sarcastic, but she means it genuinely, smiling in return. ] And it is the thought that counts, isn't it? Since the others can only prove otherwise or admit they don't know me.

[ A vote in the direction of "definitely exists" is nice. ]

I know. But, with Lothering, and... so many other places, I've just thought... what if we could have been quicker? If we'd come up with a better plan, or-

[ Robyn sighs, admitting another little smile. ]

But it isn't worth much now, or here, I know.

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