hadriel | voice;

Can those out exploring the oceans receive messages from the islands? If so, have a safe and lovely trip, and try to stay out of the water: I'm not sure I want to imagine what lives down there, but I doubt it's anything friendly. [ There's a small, stained pause. ] And... if Aren Brosca is still out there, somehow, please let your housemates know when you'll be returning home. Pup seems to miss his other, furry friend.

[ It's been so long since she's heard from the Warden, though, that Cecily can only imagine Aren has long since gone home. Another from Thedas, come and gone. ]

... For those still on land, it's gotten a bit too quiet for me. If anyone is on the Westernmost island, or can make their way there, I'd love a game of Wicked Grace. I've gone through the rules before, but that was some time ago, now: I'd be happy to relay them again.

[ Best to distract with cards and some drinks, right? ... Right. ]

Look for the enormous, slobbering beast, and I should be somewhere nearby.

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[ It's a depressing sight, made only worse by Cecily's statement. It makes her heart clench up. Sharon sets the bottle of alcohol on the table, fingers lingering on its neck. ]

I'm... I'm sorry, Cecily. [ People leave. People leave and they may as well be dead to those still stuck. It's a kind of pain you expect to grow numb over time but it never gets easier. ] Do you wanna talk about it?

[ She's brought more than enough booze to make it so they probably won't remember talking the next morning, if necessary. ]

No. [ It's an automatic response, but her mouth tightens into a strained, apologetic smile. ] ... I didn't know Aren well: it isn't the same as when I lost some of the others. It's only that-...

[ She traces her tongue along her lips, thinking. Frowning. ]

Sometimes, I feel as if this is all another test. [ From the Maker. ] That I'm meant to be here, losing the people I care about over and over again. And I have to hope that... if that's true, then there will be some kind of meaning to it in the end.

[ Otherwise? Why is she very nearly the only person from Thedas to be here all this time? To lose the others time and time again? ]

[ There are a mix of questions lumped in her throat and Sharon pauses, trying to consider her words without giving in to her kneejerk response of a flat: No. How long has Cecily considered this? ]

A test is something you can pass or fail, it's something you can learn from. This? [ She waves her hand. Take your pick of 'this'. It's the odd rounded everything. It's the strange furniture and fixtures. It's the lack of anything normal for them. It's the constant comings and goings. It's everything. ] Fuck, Cecily, you just endure torture here.

[ And torture is not a great way to get the right answers. ] What kind of 'test' would this be?

[ There's a shrug: she has no answers. ] The same sort as all the others. One that's nearly all pain, but at the end, someone tells you that they hoped you learned from it, or something similar.

[ You pass if you survive, she assumes. You pass, but you don't 'win.' ]

There are some... good things here, of course, but... the torture aspect can't exactly be denied.

[ It seems like a dangerous thought to get caught up on—to even wonder about. Would her opinions of Hadriel change if she found out it were all some grand test? ]

No shit. [ The words aren't sharp or biting just matter=of-fact. Someone could try and argue the tortures of this place but Sharon would imagine knocking their teeth out right before she actually did. ] This shithole... Would you rather it were some test?

... I'm not sure. [ There's a strained pause, but then she forces out a laugh, shaking her head. ] I don't think I would rather it be anything. Neither choice is very good, is it?

[ That's Hadriel's m.o., though: "not very good." ]

I don't know, Cecily, I think... I think a test would be worse. [ What kind of monsters out there would think this shit was a good test? It makes her heart burn. ] There's no test out there, nothing worth this fucking bullshit. There ain't shit your suffering here can prove other than the fact that you've suffered. Anything that puts people through this deserves to burn for eternity.

Then it's random? Just - chance? [ Though, that's what she believes at home, isn't it? She isn't a strong Andrastian, anyway. ] ... I s'pose that's better than believing someone is orchestrating it, as you've said...

[ She remembers Corypheus' claim: that he'd laid his eyes upon the throne of the Maker and that it was empty. She may never forget hearing that. ]

Let's keep the burning to a minimum for now, though, shall we?

...I don't think I could ever handle it if I found out my life was just some big fucking play ordained by some dumb god. It would make everything... meaningless. [ What would be the point in existing if it was all preplanned for them? It would make every thought, every action, not hers. ]

And I'll only keep the burning to a minimum for you.

Then don't believe it. Who's to say what's real and what isn't?

[ Nobody among them can say with certainty how the universe works. Personally, Cecily prefers to keep existential crises at arm's length. ]

Excellent, thank you. [ There's a dark sort of chuckle at that. ] I'll count it as a favor to me.

[ As if one's beliefs were just dictated by will and Sharon would argue that she knows what's real—at least what's real to her—but it would be a stupid, petty reason to argue and Cecily doesn't need that right now (for another time maybe). ]

Eh, nah. Let's look at it more like a gift, one that's yours and yours alone. [ Something she'll promise Cecily and Cecily only. Her friendship means that much. ]

Done. [ She chuckles softly, and then glances from the cards back to her friend's face. ] ...Shall we play? I think we've had enough solemn conversation for today, don't you?

[ Sharon seems to consider it playfully and then sighs. ] As long as the loser has to drink.

Oh no, not that. [ Cecily snorts, lip curling again in a smirk. ] I s'pose I'll have to agree.

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action ; pretty good place to end it?

action; yes ma'am!!