text;

[closerift]

[ She won't show her face, won't use her voice. Not when she's having a difficult enough time keeping her emotions in check. Cecily badly wants to keep this event from lending more power to Hadriel's gods, but Rage and Sorrow are getting a lot of power from the Inquisitor today, despite that. ]

Cullen Rutherford has disappeared. His mabari hasn't been able to find him in days. I can only assume he has gone home, at least for the time being. I also vanished and returned, so he may do the same.

[ Not that she can bring herself to have much hope along that vein. ]

If anyone has heard from or seen him, I beg you to correct me. Additionally, if there is anyone who has the ability to nullify magical abilities, I will need your help, since Cullen has gone.

[ There isn't much else to say, not in the public sphere. Not when his wedding band that she'd obtained from Delight is burning in her hand, pressed tight against the skin of her palm. ]

Finally, if anyone saw his last message and was wondering: the dog is well again.

Sincerely,

Inquisitor Trevelyan

Comments

[bheidh]

( There's a nod from her. Whatever Cecily needed, and perhaps Leliana could answer some of it already. She's spent her time so far making connections, questioning as much as she can to find out things that people may not realise they knew - things that weren't in the 'guides' )

I will. I can still hope to advise you.

( And maybe, just more than that, be a friend. Be something more than just an adviser.

Just don't ask her to look after the dog. She's Fereldan but inexperienced with dogs )

[closerift]

Of course. [ Cecily has always valued Leliana's (and the others') advice. ] Thank you.

[ What more could she ask from the woman who is essentially a stranger? ]

In the meantime... [ She sighs, dropping her gaze. ] There's still work to be done here.

[bheidh]

( The final comment has Leliana giving a small chuckle )

As there often is.

( Always is. The work never stops when you're trying to make the world a better place, or just help someone )

But perhaps not for tonight.

( One night to feel what she is, even though Leliana knows that one night won't take it all away. But one night that Cecily will give to the feelings before carrying on )

[closerift]

No. [ If only because she's exceedingly drunk. ] Tomorrow, then.

[ She knows by now how to power through a hangover... ]

I never thought I would feel that way about anyone. [ Cecily groans, pressing her forehead into the surface of the counter. ] I thought it was... ridiculous.

[ And yet. ]

[bheidh]

It catches us by surprise.

( She has her own experiences of it, some which have left Leliana with her own heartache, though for reasons which wouldn't inspire any hope )

But your love still remains, if not here.

[closerift]

[ Cecily only nods faintly. The subject is exhausted, by her estimation, and Leliana has done enough to ease the Inquisitor's burden. ]

I won't stay out late. [ She says finally. ] Pup will help me to get home without falling into the river.

[bheidh]

Yes, he will.

( There's a smile that Leliana gives her knowingly. Of course Pup will get her home, and with a little guidance if he can't get her all the way )