Lyric didn’t feel like she had a ton of good ideas, not that she didn’t have ideas, but they usually verged on the unrealistic to the absurd. She was a dreamer after all, always dreaming up crazy things and new ideas. However, during a conversation with one Bethany Hawke, the idea of having daycare at the Circle, didn’t seem like it was a crazy idea, even Bethany thought it was a good one.
After all, with things different now than they were a decade earlier, it would be good for the Circles to be seen as being pro-family. There were no longer rules about mages having families, no more sending baby after baby to some random orphanage, sometimes not even in the same kingdom, the child growing up and never knowing their actual family.
Upon pitching the idea to Akibrus, he seemed behind the idea as well, which told Lyric that it had to be a good idea if he was behind it. He even suggested she go to the Prince and see about getting funding for such an undertaking.
Fast forward to today, she had little Aria in tow, and decided she’d see about getting an audience with him. She was rather terrified though, she’d never spoken to royalty. Royalty adjacent. She supposed since Bethany was the sister to Sebastian’s bodyguard, it was the closest she’d ever come. She entered the part of the palace that was open to guests and found her way to where people went if they wanted to seek an audience with Sebastian, but after a few minutes she felt her nerves giving out and she wandered off.
She wasn’t even sure where she wandered to. She followed a corridor, took a left and went past some rooms and then eventually found herself at a dead end. She plopped herself down on the floor and sighed. She felt foolish, what would Aki think if she didn’t go through with it, but she was so damned nervous. She closed her eyes, breathed deep, and sang a few lines of a song that came to mind.
You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged, oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
The darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small
It wasn’t making her feel any better, but Aria was enjoying the music. Lyric kept singing while also reaching behind where she had the child packed on her back, and pulled Aria out and sat her on the floor in front of Lyric. She wasn’t really paying attention to her surroundings, she wasn’t even sure if she was in a part of the palace she was allowed to be in, nope, she just kept singing.
While her absence couldn’t be unnoticed, neither she nor Sebastian had discussed it since Leaf’s return.
It wasn’t easy to admit one’s weakness in front of someone they cared for and wished to protect. He’d been a witness, too often, to nearly everything that tried to break her, and there was already enough worry lining his face when it came to her. Besides, she was fine and Bethany would keep what had gone on between the sisters, mages. People didn’t need to know every detail of her business, or how she handled it. Not if she was able to keep it in check herself. Granted, last time had taken longer, but that had been due to her own stubbornness in not seeking solitude sooner. She would confide in him eventually, after the days responisibilites were done with and relaxed minds prevailed.
[color=#c10300]You mean you don’t want to burn this place to the ground, every time that Chantry whelp opens her mouth? [/color]
[color=#0074d9]Not every time. Sometimes I imagine a giant chasm of hellfire opening up beneath her. [/color]
The demon chuckled in the back of her mind as they took a walk through the corridors. Sebastian was taking a recess from meeting people and she had leaped on the opportunity to stretch her legs from standing, carefully observing from a corner. Her path had the mage meander through various side passages and shortcuts until passing a turn the faint echo of singing came softly to her ears.
Leaf’s gait came to a halt, and with a burning curiosity, began following the voice. They weren’t far from the kitchens and various servants' passages into the storerooms, but there were a few alcoves offering a resting spot. Chancing upon the two figures seated on the ground, Leaf easily relaxed, gathering her hands behind her. [color=#0074d9]“Small yes, but babies crying can wake the dead I’m certain,”[/color] she’d chuckle. [color=#0074d9]“Not sure I’ve heard that lullaby before. What is it?” [/color]
When Lyric heard someone approaching, at first she worried that perhaps she’d be called out as being in a part of the Palace she wasn’t allowed. However, before she could turn her head to look, Aria started trying to use Lyric to pull herself up into a standing position. She’d been doing fairly well with the walking thing the last few weeks, but she wasn’t really walking fully independently yet, at least not without falling.
She sighed a small sigh of relief when it was clear the woman approaching her wasn’t upset with her for being where she was, and she immediately smiled up at them. Though her eyes probably still betrayed the anxiety she was feeling, it wasn’t something she wanted to burden on the poor woman the second they meet, so she tried to look confident and sure of herself.
Oh, you know, I’m not entirely sure. When I was in the circle the first time, before the rebellion that made the whole world go topsy turvy. There was this friend there, they’d been transferred to the Starkhaven Circle from the Anderfels. It was something they’d sing when they were scared….. Her voice trailed off. Things hadn’t gone well with her friend, they didn’t pass the harrowing and ended up being made a tranquil, not a happy memory to think about.
She tried to push those thoughts from her mind, and then refocused on the fact she had no idea where in the Palace she was, because she was so turned around, so maybe she ought to ask this person. Just then Aria tried to use Lyric to pull herself up into a standing position. She’d been doing fairly good with the walking lately, but still stumbled a lot. Lyric outstretched her arm so that Aria could use it to steady herself. Then Lyric turned her attention back to the woman.
I hope it’s OK that I’m here. I got a bit lost because, well I got nervous and instead of doing what I came here to do, I wandered off and now here I am, no clue where in the palace I am, or how to get back out to the room I started in. That room being the room where people would queue up to seek an audience with the Prince, but she didn’t add that part.
Leaf liked to think she had a good read on people. This young woman and her babe didn’t strike her as the pair to cause much ruckus, unless she was trying to sleep. It was daylight though, and Aoife was taking a grateful break from being bored standing in the corner of the greeting hall.[color=#0074d9] “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna bite.”[/color] She’d smile at the child warmly, before her body lightly fell against the stone to lean, arms folding loosely across her chest while the woman answered.
[color=#0074d9]“... You’re a Starky mage?” [/color]Aoife gestured to herself with a flick of her thumb, [color=#0074d9]“Kirkwall. Though I never ended up in the Circle, my sister did. I used to sneak her romance novels..” [/color] she’d add with a chuckle. [color=#0074d9]“They are a bit different now.. Or so I hear.”[/color] She didn’t pry too much into the current politics, wishing to avoid a repeat of her last attempt at mediating two sides. As far as she was aware, the Circles here were becoming more a hub for the wider community, integrating and paving a way forward for mages and non-mages to co-exist.
While she may have had her doubts, it was working, albeit with some issues here and there. The road of good intentions, though, had its way of biting one in the ass. For Hawke, she had a great deal of experience in her decisions doing exactly that. Yet, as the woman explained, Leaf couldn’t help her grin creep further across. So that’s why she was here.
[color=#0074d9]“Don’t worry about it. At least you found the more interesting part. All those kitchen smells…”[/color] a thought came to mind. [color=#0074d9]“Would… you, or the babe, like a snack? You can tell me what you came to ask the Prince. Think of it as a practise run?” [/color]
Lyric nodded at the question about being a Starky mage. Funny thing that though, had her parents not been a pair of stuck up Orlesian bitches, she probably would have gone to one of the Orlais Circles. Instead her parents paid the Templars handsomely to send Lyric further away where she wouldn’t embarrass her parents by having a mage in the family.
She was about to say something, as her brain raced, but then Aoife continued and told her about being from Kirkwall. Lyric couldn’t help but giggle at the comment about sneaking her sister romance novels. Although Lyric didn’t read as much as she’d like to, she’d definitely read her fair share of romance novels.
There’s this author from, Kirkwall? I think? That I really like, but I haven’t read all his stuff. Then when Aoife made the comment about the Circles being different now, Lyric nodded understandingly. There were certainly a lot of people actively on both sides, mages and non-mages, who wanted things to be different, that recognised how broken things were before the rebellion, but there were also people who wanted things to just go back to how they were back then and that sometimes worried Lyric.
I’m hopeful, I mean I’m not naive either. I know there are people out there that want nothing more than to see things just as they were before and that there are some on the other extreme, that think Circles shouldn’t even be a thing. I just feel like, at the end of the day mages need a safe space to learn and grow their magic. She shrugged, then looked clearly relived when Aoife said not to worry about her wandering through the Palace.
As she thought about what to say next, Aria gurgled and tried to move towards Aoife, stumbling a bit as she walked. Lyric watched, read reach out and steady the child if need be. Then when Aoife brought up a snack and using Aoife to practise on as far as what Lyric had been there to discuss with the Prince, she positively beamed. In fact if she were standing right now, she probably would have pulled Aoife into a bear hug.
OH MY THAT WOULD BE AMAZING!!! I didn’t even realise I was hungry until the smells from the kitchen were wafting out, and I’d love to run it by you first. This seemed arguably less frightening, but also not the same as having run it by Akibrus and Ronan back home, since they were people she was intimately comfortable with so it wasn’t at all like talking to the freaking prince of Starkhaven. Just then Aria started to stumble a bit, so Lyric pulled herself up and then reached a hand down to little Aria, who was still quite enamoured with Aoife.
Aoife grew amused by the curious lass. [color=#0074d9]“Varric?”[/color] A brow arched, curious before a loud chuckle took over. [color=#0074d9]“Yeah, I know him well. Don’t read Tales of the Champion, the shortstuff likes to exaggerate, even when he was there.”[/color] Blue eyes rolled, but there was no malice hinted in her tone.
[color=#0074d9]“Well.. if they try to, I think they are going to be disappointed.” [/color]With the fall of the veil all manner of strangeness and unique things had changed the face of everyday life. The old days were done, there was no way of going back, not that anyone wished to. What mattered was a status quo, communication and listening to the various points of view. Leaf wasn’t one of those though, she did her best yes, but she had her own resentment associated with the Circles. It was still difficult to put aside. [color=#0074d9]“People seem to be accepting the new way of things though there will always be some nonce who spouts otherwise.” [/color]
Aoife was grateful that Lyric remained on the floor and not wrapping her limbs around her frame. She was not one for such displays of affection with her own siblings, let alone a stranger. Her heart had leapt though when the child stumbled, god damn kids. It reminded her of when the twins were of a similar age.
Leaf offered her a crooked grin, dipped her head into a nod. “Alright, kitchens it is.” pushing herself off the frame and turning. She paused in the hallway, [color=#0074d9]“...you need any help?”[/color] Sticking her head forward to look at the womans things. [color=#0074d9]“I can take something,”[/color] then quickly clarifying, [color=#0074d9]“not the kid though, I’m… yeah, but bags?” [/color]
Lyric nodded her head vigorously at the name Varric, and then went wide eyed when Aoife said that she knew them. Though she chose not to make a fuss about it, instead she made a mental note which book to avoid, though she wasn’t sure if curiosity would get the better of her causing her to intentionally go seeking that specific book, but time would tell.
As far as the conversation about the circles, Lyric nodded her head in agreement. Not only did she agree but she wanted to be a part of the change, not an idle onlooker. That was why she was so passionate about a some sort of childcare at the Circles, so that mages that were also mothers and fathers could practise and learn magic without worrying about their children.
Once Lyric was up and steadying Aria, she looked back at the bag sitting on the floor where they had just been sitting. She bit at her lip a moment, then looked at Aria, who was still stumbling a bit. She didn’t want to slow down their progress to the kitchens, so she decided she would pick Aria up and carry the child. Then nodded towards the bag that was primarily filled with baby supplies.
OH, I’ve got her, but if you could get my bag over there. You know, sometimes I really wished I’d learn umbramancy. I have a friend that comes through from time to time that can use it to make a pocket space to store her things as she travels, but I’ve never seemed to have the aptitude for it. She explained as she fell into step with Aoife.
The shifting expression of Lyric caused a curious crease in Leaf’s brow. Grateful, although unsure for how long, that she was none-the-wiser to her tale. It was nice being able to relax without someone hiding, stuttering as they spoke or yelling at her for the past. Varric’s book just made it all too fantastical that she didn’t recognise that person in her, not anymore.
Chuckling, she’d reach back into the room to pick up the bag.[color=#0074d9] “Not a problem. Name’s Leaf, by the way.”[/color] Reaching her hand forward, she’d gently boop the kids nose with her fingertip. [color=#0074d9]“Who’s this one?”[/color] shifting to lead them further along the hallway.
The bag would shift as she shrugged. [color=#0074d9]“Can’t say I do either. More a… lets remodel this valley, sort of aptitude.”[/color] Again Leaf would laugh, she wasn’t good at subtle magic like that. After her chuckle faded the mage would let out a sigh, [color=#0074d9]“I can knock out a wall, easy, but ask me to weave glyphs or anything above a basic healing spell and I’m afraid you’re pretty fu- I ah, I mean fudged.”[/color] She glanced down at the babe in Lyric’s arms.[color=#0074d9] “I said fudge.” [/color]
Lyric smiled at her new found friend, tipping her head slightly at the name and then also shaking it slightly. She was preoccupied and the name at the moment just wasn’t ringing any bells loud enough for her to listen to. Which she would probably feel silly about later, but for now she was just happy to have made a new friend that was going to help her get her put her nerves to rest.
Oh, hello! I’m Lyric, and this little one is Aria. You may know one of my partners, Akibrus. He’s the First Enchanter. She didn’t elaborate on the phrase, one of, she simply babbled on. Then she giggled at Leaf’s comment about remodeling a valley. I’m not very good with offensive magic. I mean if someone threatened one of my partners or Aria, I might go mama bear on them. She said as she walked with Leaf, and giggled at the word fudge.
I find fork also works, and sometimes fluff, but we all slip up here and there. To be honest sometimes I have more fun coming up with alternate words than using the actual words. Like, fluff you, you fluffin fluff. I mean it doesn’t sound as threatening but it does sound so funny! Her specialty tended to be basic kitchen magic and healing magic, which she felt sounded maybe a bit lame compared to what some mages could do, but it was what it was.
Aoife couldn’t help but grin. Lyric’s mannerisms and way, reminding her of an old friend back in Kirkwall. Introducing herself as Leaf allowed her true identity to remain undisclosed. People were far less forthcoming or the very opposite when they knew who exactly they were addressing. Her name and titles attracted too much extra that in many cases it became the centre of conversation and she was in no mood to regale or correct anyone who peeled off a page of that damn book and recounted her own experiences.
[color=#0074d9]“I’ll admit, I haven’t actually met the First Enchanter,” [/color]too busy and partly because she was trying to maintain a healthy distance from the inner politics. As best she could anyway. As Sebastian’s bodyguard she went where he did most of the time, but as of yet, their paths hadn’t crossed. [color=#0074d9]“My sister though, she’s probably met him a good few times I suspect. She's the smart one.” [/color]
The giggle drew her gaze back over, flashing a grin at Lyric. [color=#0074d9]“Yeeeah. I’m a hammer more than anything else. I lack the patience when it comes to the fiddly stuff.”[/color] As they ventured down the hall, she’d nod along. [color=#0074d9]“Fork is a good one, but I’d forget and go straight to the real one before that. It’s been a very long time since my siblings were in diapers.” [/color]
Her laughed deepened, shoulders shaking with the effort of keeping the volume reasonably contained. [color=#0074d9]“Oh. Oh god. Yeah. It does,”[/color] grinning as they’d turn again, taking the three into a slightly busier corridor. At the end of this hallway was a set of open double doors to the kitchens. The noise of the servants and heat of the ovens rolled through towards them had Leaf pause. [color=#0074d9]“We’ll linger at the door. Flora doesn’t like us Upstairs folks messing around in her haven.” [/color]
Lyric wasn’t fussed that Leaf hadn’t met Akibrus yet, she considered asking about Leaf’s sister. There felt like there was something obvious she was missing, but she decided against asking. She was having a pleasant time and felt whatever she was missing couldn’t possibly be that important.
She chuckled at the conversation about alternate curse words. Growing up her parents had always said that curse words were for the lower class and uncouth, that a proper lady had no place in using them. That had never stopped Lyric though from coming up with her own just to annoy.
As they lingered at the door, Aria made a few giggling noises and started playing with Lyric’s hair. Lyric poked her head in the kitchen to look around, but remained outside of it. She then looked over at Leaf and tipped her head.
Normally Aki would be the one to meet with Prince Sebastian, but since this little pet project of mine is, well not entirely my idea alone. Bethany and I talked about it one day at the Circle, and the idea just stuck with me as something I’d like to see to fruition, and Aki figures since it’s my brain child I should be the one to do it instead. She explained, though she still hadn’t really explained exactly what that brain child was yet.
The lecture and ear-pinching she used to receive from Leandra had Leaf quietly smiling to herself. Many exasperated sighs and looks of disapproval were had, but the two had never really disagreed on too many things. She had always been a rough and tumble girl, never a dainty, pretty thing, much to Leandra’s dismay, but Aoife knew she was proud of her. Even if it still stung bitterly that she hadn’t been able to reach her in time.
[color=#0074d9]“I made the mistake of entering Flora’s domain once before. Got hit with a pan, and chased out.”[/color] Leaf chuckled, glancing over to the two before catching the attention of a passing servant. She’d order a lunch, reminding them of the obvious babe to cater for and let them scurry off to see to it. [color=#0074d9]“Shouldn’t take long. There’s a small garden not far too.” [/color]
Leaf listened as Lyric explained, gaze drifting occasionally to the toddler in the woman's arms, up until mention of Bethany caught her attention. [color=#0074d9]“Beth’s always good at talking stuff like that out with. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, my baby sis. Plus, your man is also right. Better coming from the source than second hand, they might forget or miss something out.”[/color] She could understand the hesitation though. It was still intimidating coming forward with an idea, hoping and praying that it’s good enough, useful and compelling enough that change happened.
[color=#0074d9]“Nothing gets done, or changed, by not speaking up. It’s how those shadows get bigger, and more shadows means a greater chance someone's purse is about to get nicked.” [/color]
She was slightly head bopping to a tune in her head as they talked, then suddenly froze when they said baby sis. Wait, this was THAT FUCKING HAWKE, suddenly she was torn. The stories she’d heard, she could easily ask like a hundred questions. Wondering which rumours were bull shit and which were true alone. She also didn’t want to seem like some crazed fangirl either. Come on Lyric, pull it together and say something before your silence and wide eyed expression starts to feel creepy.
Oh, so Bethany sister is your? Why the fuck did she say that, it didn’t even come out in the proper order, she cleared her throat and tried again, trying desperately not to look too eager or too excited or like she might attack Aoife with a hundred questions.
I mean, that’s cool! You’re sister’s pretty great, I mean I’m sure you are too. Er, I mean from what I’ve heard. Not that I’ve heard much really. Aria started giggling at Lyric, not that she understood in her tiny baby brain what was going on, but they found it amusing nonetheless. Lyric was doing her best to digest the information about who she was talking to, without acting like a total moron. She took a deep breath and forced herself to get back onto the topic at hand.
You’re right though, if we’re going to do things different, right, we can’t afford to hold back and keep quiet, or else we’ll only have ourselves to blame why things aren’t different this time She’d never imagined she’d be out pushing ideas and trying to make a difference. Back in the old circle she’d always just kept her head down and tried to be average. Nothing special but nothing below average either.
Leaning against the doorframe, Leaf’s gaze travelled off into the kitchen idly watching the servants go about their various tasks. She’d glance over at Lyric, sensing some change in her, noting the tension growing in her shoulders. Was she alrig- ah… the cogs were turning, the connection about her identity made. Leaf offered a sly grin, arms folding lightly over her chest.[color=#0074d9] “Yeeeah.” [/color]She chuckled. [color=#0074d9]“That sibling. Our brother is.. Somewhere with the Wardens.” [/color]
At least Lyric was kind enough to stay her questions, though Leaf had no doubt they were on the tip of her tongue. The fact she complimented Bethany’s skill pulled her grin higher. [color=#0074d9]“She was always the smart one, I’m the one who just attracts trouble and gets into fights. Not so much these days, but yeah.” [/color]
Their lunches were brought in a small basket, and Leaf took the handle with a nod, turning to take a different route out.[color=#0074d9] “We’ll go this way, the garden’s not far.. But seeing you about to bounce with excitement,”[/color] another chuckle, before nodding to herself, [color=#0074d9]“…You get three questions. Use ‘em wisely.”[/color] Maybe it was the good mood Leaf was in, or the cute babbling face of Aria mocking her mother. She allowed the rare indulgence of being questioned.
Guiding them down another passage the trio would come to a servants garden, pots of herbs and various vegetables were sectioned off but there were a few upturned pots and wooden beams built into makeshift bench.
Lyric hadn’t really met anyone that was well known before. Except for meeting Bethany, but that was more well known adjacent. She was doing her best not to act like a silly fangirl, because she imagined that it would probably make Aoife uncomfortable, at least it would her if she were in Aoife’s shoes. Though she also felt a bit silly for not having realised it sooner, especially since they were in the palace.
Oh, I’m sure you’re smart too. I mean there’s skill in fighting, sure anyone can figure out where to point the pointy end of a sword, but it takes smarts to fight someone and know tactics and such. Maybe not the same kind of smarts, but smarts is smarts. She babbled a bit, then nodded as they made their way to the garden.
Despite the fact that learning she was talking to THE Hawke from Kirkwall, she was a lot more at ease now and wasn’t fretting over her pitch to Sebastian as much as she had been. Then her eyes went wide as Hawke said she could ask three questions. Her brain suddenly went into a scramble, she adjusted Aria on her hip and thought, her face in a sort of scrunched up thinking pose.
Hm, ok, first question. Was the Arishok really over twelve feet tall? The stories I’ve heard he sounded ginormous even for a Qunari. Not that she’d been around many Qunari in her life, they didn’t generally end up in the Circle, but from what little she did know she expected them to be around eight feet tall.
