. . . dare to speak to me . . . BY Morrigan

Grainne hesitated before taking the other woman’s hand, everything suddenly seeming too formal for her tastes.  Was this was she was going to have to get used to as a Warden?  Because being greeted like this every time she met someone new would grate on her nerves.

“Please…I don’t deserve all that, and my company is hardly distinguished.  I’d hardly even call it special.”

Morrigan smiled as she studied the extremely humble warrior in front of her. No? Hm. That seems sad. One should always think their company is distiguished and special. 'tis an ego boost. The over-confident Witch of the Wilds stepped closer to the stranger, flashing a smile.

But if you'd like, we can pretend you're nobody. She released the woman's hand, her own hands tucking behind of her back, clasped together.

Wardens do great good in the grand scheme of it all, or have you missed the big picture?

There used to be a time when Grainne was proud of herself, the work she did, and her place in the world…so proud that she though herself an instrument of the Maker.  That was back when she did terrible things that haunt her to this day no matter how hard she tried to forget.  Feeling good about herself just seemed too dangerous, too close to that mess.

“I’ll admit that it’s difficult to see the big picture, when I’m still so caught up on my own life.  I’ve…done a lot of bad things in my past that I need to make amends for before I can feel like I’m actually doing something good.”

Her heart raced, and she began to feel dizzy, immediately wanting to take back what she said.  Fucking fuck, why did she say that?

“Whatever.  Yesterday is dead.  Moping about it won’t fix anything.”  But wasn’t that part of the problem?  So much hurt caused by her own hand that could never be undone.

Morrigan tittered softly. Amends can only go so far, Grainne. You're better off accepting that everyone has done bad things. Some worse than others, but nevertheless. She reached to brush the other woman's hair out of her face, humming softly.

The witch chuckled drily. Mmm, no. Moping about it does not change anything. Unfortunately. If crying about the past fixed it; she'd be snug in Loghain's arms right about now.

Feeling Mortigan’s fingers brush her hair made Grainne’s heart race, and yet she didn’t flinch away.  It was comforting…Grainne tried to avoid feeling comforted, she thought that she didn’t deserve it, but wasn’t that more of the same.  Beating herself up wouldn’t undone any of her past evil deeds.

“Well, no need to keeping looking back, I suppose.” She answered with a sign.  “So I suppose now is the best time to think about the future and start over as Grainne the distinguished Grey Warden.”  Her tone was playful and a bit exaggerated, but after saying it, Grainne wondering if that was what she needed to move on, to have an identity she could take proud ownership of.  Another sigh.  “I don’t even know what I’m saying, I never talk about these sort of things.”

Morrigan would pet the woman's hair until forcibly stopped. Hm. Grainne, the distinguished Grey Warden, would you come to dinner with me? She'd step back to grin, shrugging at the other woman.

Clean slates aren't bad, you know. Doesn't change the past, but you're doing good, when you know you could do bad. Another shrug.

So, clean slate, would the distinguished Grey Warden have a meal with me tonight? She had no reason not to be so blunt.

Her heart fluttered with a little jolt of excitement, and her eyes got wide with surprise.  The idea of spending more time with this intriguing woman both delighted her and terrified her.  “Yes, of course!” She answered instantly and with a bit too much enthusiasm.  “I mean, yes, it sounds lovely.”  Her heart was still racing, more nervous this time.  Already gone and made a fool of herself.

Morrigan grinned at the enthusiastic answer. And then at the way the woman tried to correct herself, seem less excited.

I will see you in a few hours, then. She'd put some thought into this meal—not that Morrigan could cook. Perhaps she'd ask Cullen for help. If she could admit she needed help, that was.

[NOTE: We can close this one and start a new one.]

[qI look forward to it.[/q] Grainne offered a polite little bow, her heart fluttering with excitement….now just how was she supposed pass the time though? See you soon”

She had got what she wanted to from her walk: a bit of clarity, a better sense of surroundings, and the added bonus of a new friend…maybe more if she was lucky.

Nah, she was never lucky.