In the eyes of the maker (Sebastian)

[corineshalen]

Kirkwall, Week 1, Day 2

"Ah, good evening dear friend, seeking shelter from the cold I assume?"

"Yea, I guess so heh", she said in a tired voice, making sure to keep her shoulders lowered and arms loose. To be secure, she even slided her gloved hand into the shadows of her hood, covering her mouth in a fake yawn. "Not to be rude, but its been a long journey and...I really need to talk with..him. Pointing her index finger upwards, the dimmed lights of the chantry hit the drakeskin glove, outlining the beautiful carvings, the thread of the stitches burning in a soft gold color. Corine watched with a hidden smirk, as the Chantry sister`s eyes were locked onto the glove. It was amazing how little it took these days, to change the behavior of people.

"O-of cause Misteress". Afraid that she might have insulted one of high stature, she slowly began to walk backwards, making a noticeably deep bow. "May the maker watch over you"

Corine proceeded further into the building, making sure to keep her footsteps rough and heavy, it was almost pathetic how easy it was to imitate human behavior these days. Then again, there was little difference between elves and humans if you only looked at the bodies. Speaking of bodies...that was one huge statue. Laying her head back, she observed the golden statue as she walked up the stairs, tracing her gloved fingers against the stone wall. The chantry had, if she remembered correctly, gotten blown up at the start of the silly war right? She had to hand it to the humans living in Kirkwall; They sure loved the maker.

Having reached the end of the staircase, she found herself met by hundreds of lit candlelight, each burning softly without a care for the world around them. She glanced over her shoulder twice, checking that the sister actually had left her. Finding no sign of the shuttering chantry girl, she reached up, grasping the hood with her fingers. As she was about to pull it back through, she suddenly heard another pair of footsteps muffled against the red carpet.

Pulling the hood fully into place, she positioned a hand on her left hip, keeping her head lowered. "Quite chilly tonight, don`t you agree?". Even clad in full light armor, and wearing a cloak, her womanly shape was hard to miss once you got close. The dim lights of the candles lit up the lower part of her face, revealing a softly narrowed jaw, pale skin that oddly enough looked healthy, and lips untouched by make up. And even if that haden`t been enough to tell her gender, Corine had lowered her voice a little, to give it a soothing tone, and underlining it with a relaxed pace. The last think she would want was to be feared by her newly arrived company.

[Sebastian Vael]

Sebastian gave a cert nod to the chantry girl as he entered and she didn't say a word as he passed her. And why should she? She knew very well who he was and what he stood for. If he wasn't seen as The Prince he was seen as a fellow priest.

As he walked to the alter he paid the woman who was already there no mind. He had no reason to bother her and he hoped she'd give him the same courtesy. Still she had spoken and he was not manner free despite what people seemed to believe. "I must confess I haven't left the chantry for days. It could be blowing a blizzard out there and I would not know."

He knelt down in front of the alter quite a distance away from the girl and drew out a small rather pretty looking dagger. As he whispered verses of the chant he drew the blade across his palm with a hiss then closed his hands into a fist, letting the blood gather up under his fingers then drip down either side of his closed hand. "Let this pledge be bound in blood for it is all I can offer to prove my faith. May Anstraste watch over us all."

He then stood and drew a clean bandage from his pocket that he wrapped around his hand. All that he needed to do today had been done.

He made to leave but couldn't help but turn to the woman who had not been standing so far away. "I do not often see people here this late of hour..."

[corineshalen]

"That dosen`t sound very healthy; After all, we need sunlight and fresh air, else we will perish". Adding a brief, but light, giggle to the end of her statement, she kept her gaze on the candles. Entranced by their simple beauty, she reached out with a gloved hand, causing some of gentle flames to dance as she whipped her hand towards them. Funny how such simple things, could be so entertaining...Maybe it was because it was her first night not sleeping outdoors for awhile?

A sharp iron scent suddenly hit her observant nose, and she turned her head, finally paying attention to her company. He was a human, of cause, and looked to be average in height. There was little else she could see, as he was kneeling in front of the sea of candles, his unfamiliar chant getting caught by her sharp ears. So he was a human very devoted to the maker...she knew little of the maker`s lore, but she was sure that the normal chant didn`t involve blood..through a scene of chantry sisters prancing around covered in blood, would be quite amusing.

"And here I was afraid that you would grow horns and hurl lighting at me". Crossing her armored arms, she tilted her head in his direction, a signature smile displayed on her lips. "Well, I`m not really the kind of person the maker would look upon". Moving slowly, she slipped off the decorative drake skin gauntlets, her nimble fingers brushing over her free arms. As much as this armor meant to her, it always felt good taking it off, at least just for a moment.

"I don`t know all those fancy chants, or even much of the lore...but it cannot hurt to wish for better times, no?". Putting the gloves onto the floor, she bend over slightly, holding her hands over the small flames. Not that she was cold, the drakeskin shielded her as much from the weather as it did templar swords. "But I have been in many buildings like this, and I must say that you free march people surely loves the maker more than we do. Not that, that is a bad thing".

[Sebastian Vael]

"While one time I'd be inclined to agree with you, I have evidence against that statement." Sebastian responded without really looking at the woman who had spoken. He was too busy focusing on his task at hand and didn't need to be interrupted.

As she spoke again, he bit his lip to stop himself from being impolite since this conversation was not something he was in the mood for. Maybe once he would have been but now...now he wasn't the same person.

"The Maker watches over all who enter his holy buildings. However unlikely they feel they are. He does not judge you on where you're from or who you are as a person. It is your soul and the goodness of your heart that he judges and so that is all you must worry about. Live a good and just life and The Maker shall smile upon you."

His voice was dull as though he was repeating something he didn't quite believe in or was so used to saying it the words meant nothing. Which way he meant it wasn't apparent until he continued.

"Of course, if you're very lucky and completely pledge everything to him and his bride he might just reward you with death and destruction. That was the gift I was given."

As soon as he said them, he regretted it. Almost at once he turned, dropped to his knees and began to ask forgiveness in a series of chants under his breath.

Shit. He hadn't meant to say that. Not here in the chantry itself!

[corineshalen]

"So all I have to do is be a good girl and follow the rules?", she asked loosely as she laid her head back, the hidden eyes looking up at the statue of the maker. He did say more, but her mind drifted into its own little world, letting the human talk to deaf ears. He was decent looking for a human, and his choice of words told of a well educated individual...but by the dread wolf, he was certainty lost. Never having ill thoughts, taking vows to stay "pure", and "clean"...this made her grandfather`s tales of the Dalish lore seem interesting.

"Death and destruction? That dosen`t sound like fun at all...Wasen`t the maker suppose to watch over you and guide you? Hardly seems like the type who would do mean things". Once again the human surprised her; kneeling down as if he was expecting an attack, he began to ramble a lot of unfamiliar and long chants, praying to the maker for forgiveness...It was kinda amusing, seeing him stumble to regain a sense of focus.

"Jumping down on your knees like that...I assume something bad happened to you, neh choir-boy?". It was easy to tell he was heavily involved with the chantry, maybe even a priest (through why a priest would be wearing armor was beyond her). No normal human being would know so many chants off the top of their heads; only the playthings of the high and mighty maker would.

Finally breaking her stance, she moved closer to him, bending forward as she poked his shoulder with her naked hand. The Silverite daggers swung lightly from either side of her hips, their sharpened blades reflecting the light of the candles. "Now, I am not the maker or anything, so you don`t have to fear a bold of lighting striking you down, when speaking with me". Her signature smile spread on her barely visible lips. Corine then tilted her head slightly to the side, some stray locks of her chestnut brown hair spilling out from the shadows of the hood.

"But if your so paranoid about your words, why don`t we start off with a simple introduction? Unless the maker has forbidden that people share names...he hasen`t, has he?". Trying to remain in her role, she extended her hand towards him. "Ladies first...Name is Corine, what`s your name? Unless you prefer my nickname"

[Sebastian Vael]

Sebastian snorted in a way that suggested she knew nothing but said nothing more about it.

He completely ignored her while he begged for his forgiveness and instead focused on his chant. Just as he stood up, a person with a keen eye would notice that he dug his nails into the gash on his hand and winced ever so brightly as he did it.

As though nothing was out of the ordinary, he stood and faced her. “Only The Maker understands his methods. It is not for us to judge.” And it was for this reason he resented his god so much.

Yet he couldn't do anything other than remain faithful. It was all he knew and old habits died hard. All would be fine if it wasn't for the fact that his habits older than this one were slowly starting to creep in again. He was losing his way but could do nothing about it. Still. Drinking and whoring was at least a little bit fun. A guilty pleasure and complete secret.

That nickname snapped him out of his thoughts “Do not call me that. It brings memories I would rather forget, if you don't mind.” He gave a small bow of his head as she introduced herself and then responded with “You need not mock me with my faith but I'm not without sense of humour. I am called Sebastian Vael, Prince of Starkhaven. Not that means a thing these days.”

[corineshalen]

Her eyes grew a little wide..something had beat her to the nickname? But it was so spot on, cute yet also teasing..what kind of brilliant mastermind, had beat her to this? Well, that would have to wait, as her new company introduced himself as a prince, remarking that it didn`t matter anymore. "Last name and a full title..Heh, I`m afraid that I can`t make such a fancy introduction". A prince of Starkhaven neh?...it did ring some bells, but she could`t remember from were. Perhaps he had been one of the people close to the champion? It was hard to recall, as her son`s idolizing of Hawke could get out of hands sometimes. He would ramble for minutes at a time..very bright, he was indeed.

"And I`m not trying to mock your faith..Sebastian was it? I`m just enjoying my time here". Hooking her fingers at the edge of the hood, she pushed it back in a swift movement. The brown hair flowed down around her face, spilling over her shoulders. Her ears were quite noticeable shorter than other elves, but the pointed ears still poked out from either side of her head. She brought a hand up and ruffled her own hair slightly, letting out a relived sigh.

"I am an elf in a chantry. Not that it means much these days", she replied back with the smirk on her lips.Turning to face him, her eyes were revealed to be blue. Not faded or clouded blue; no the kind of blue you would see in the sky every time you looked up.

[Sebastian Vael]

"Forgive me, but I didn't expect you to." Sebastian said with a smile as he looked her over "In my experience people dressed in armor- even such exquisite armor such as yours rarely come with a title."

Not to mention the fact that most people who turned to the maker of their own accord were those with problems mostly associated with the lower class. While he was completely devoted, he couldn't forget that it was forced on him at the start.

So she was an elf. He should have been surprised but frankly nowadays he just didn't really care that much to actually show any kind of emotion other than a quick glance at her ears that did look a little on the short side. Maybe she was half-elf or something.

"Elves come in here just as often as humans do" Sebastian shrugged "It's the dwarves that never do. They're much more of an interest when they enter. If they enter..."

[corineshalen]

Corine tilted her head to the side, an eyebrow getting raised as she looked at him with a puzzled look. "They do? And here I had planned this to be a big reveal". She opened out her arms, the full splendor of the army coming into view, the soft light of the candles making the stitching glow in a gold aura. "You would jump back halfway down the stairs, and point a finger at me saying "An elf, in the house of the maker! What will be next, dwarfs using magic?". Instead of returning the arms to the side, she placed them on her hips, putting weight on the left leg.

"But maybe that`s just wishful thinking, no?". Another smile on the full lips, her eyes looking in his direction, hoping to catch his eyes with hers. He was clearly a little uneasy, but his odd actions had peeked her interest; she could`t stop herself from digging a little. Poking carefully at his past seemed like the best route, as even the mere mention of a formerly used nickname, had been enough to throw off the prince.

"Elves, Humans, dwarfs...the maker is a kind one; he watches over those who believe; age, gender, looks...nothing matters, as long as you honor his name and abide to his words". Looking at the statue again, and hoping the talk of the maker maybe had calmed him down, she decided to make another attempt to gain information. "You know, I have been on the run since I was born, yet you are the first Prince I have ever met. Coming to the Free Marches wasen`t such a bad idea after all". Sky blue eyes were turned onto him once more, her smile appearing like a smirk now. "I have already heard from across the sea, that you and the knight commander of Kirkwall are leading the hunt for mages...so it makes me wonder; Should`t you be out with the knights in shining armor, instead of spending, as you said, days in the chantry?"

[Sebastian Vael]

The corner of Sabastian's mouth twitched but he caught himself and neither smiled nor laughed. He'd found it amusing but now was not the time to be laughing. It was a complete waste of energy. “Perhaps...”

He crossed her arms across his chest as her answers became more personal. Did she truly think he'd tell her everything on their first meeting? A person who visited the chantry only ever did so when they needed peace of mind or felt too guilty to continue life without the visit. Sometimes the people in here were often as dodgy as the lot in the Hanged Man. And that was saying something.

“You're seen with a group of people just once or twice and everyone assumes you're part of them. I have had dealings with the Knight Commander but so have most people who own lands for they quite graciously ask permission before they mage-hunt. I will not deny that I have travelled with them but when that happens I am not looking for all mages but rather a specific one.” He paused and gazed deeply into Corine's eyes to make it clear that he meant the next part of this sentence “A specific mage I do not wish to name.”

[corineshalen]

Corine, for once, remained silent. Tilting her head to the side, she met his eyes without hesitation, her ears picking up every last bit of information. In a surprising twist, the smirk on her lips dissapeared, the observant eyes looking intensely into his. "...As specific mage neh?". Turning her back to him, she gazed up on the statue to the maker again, placing a thoughtful hand underneath her narrowed jaw. A man heavily devoted to the chantry, supporter of the templars, and his name...he perfectly fit the descriptions that her son had given her, during the past few months. He had kept her awake into the small hours of the night, talking about champion who had stood against the templars, but also mentioning some known companions...Such as the Prince Sebastian, and the mage, who Amon considered an idol as well, named Anders...

"..Blowing up the sacred place of the Maker...taking innocent lives, killing her divine grace...it must have hurt a lot". Having lowered her head, her bangs fell down, covering up her face from view. "He does not deserve death, no, you want to see him suffer..suffer like no mage has ever suffered before". Speaking in a whisper now, her voice held an odd undertone, making it hard to believe that this was the same woman, who had been cracking jokes and smirking minutes ago. "So interesting...", she mumbled underneath her breath, turning towards him again.

"That your eyes look!". Slipping back into her role, the smirk returned in full force, as she turned to face him again. "Such an intense state..must leave the mages tremble and the cute chantry sisters weak in their knees". With a tilt to the side, a section of her hair fell softly over her left eye. "Mamae used to tell me how scary and ugly all who associated with templars were. I`m glad to see that, that isen`t the case". The gaze was diverted onto the small sea of candles, the soft light casting a soft glove to her eyes. "But I guess her vision was narrowed, after all, she spend her entire life running from them"

[Sebastian Vael]

"You speak as though you were there." Sebastian said perhaps a little too harshly than he had been expecting. It was matched with a flash of anger that whipped through his eyes. Not directed at this woman though. No really. It was more the fact that everyone in general heard the news of Kirkwall and felt anger or sympathy but none were there. They did not know and they should not even attempt to relate. "You cannot truly judge unless you were there. Yes I would see him suffer but it is not my right. He will suffer enough when The Maker himself gets hold of him. That I know."

He didn't quite understand why she had turned to jesting next. Perhaps it was her coping mechanism? He wasn't going to question though felt a little -something- that he could not share a smile to ease Corine's tension. "I find that when you're being chased, all you recall from those who are after you are the footfalls. How can you tell what they look like from that?"

[corineshalen]

"Its actually quite easy to read people simply by their footsteps. . With a curve on her lips more resembling a smile, rather a smirk, she turned to face him. "The standard boots of a templar armor, sounds a lot like a bear with a broken paw when they run. And an easy way to avoid them from a distance, is to keep yourself to roads with a lot of rubble, since it will increase the chance of-...ah, heh, I should`t give away all the hints!". With a light giggle, she put her hands behind her back, turning to face the statue once more.

"When you spend your entire life on the run, that`s the kind of tricks you pick up. Of cause, Mamae had...78 ways to tell if a templar was within half a mile, and the closer he got, the easier it was for her to escape". She brushed a hand through her hair, trying to tug some of it behind her short ears. "Heh, its funny...I spend most of my life living the life of an apostate...Yet I have never found them scary. They are simply during their duty, protecting us from blood mages...besides, in all of this craziness, I have met people of the chantry who weren`t that bad...much like you, Mr. Prince"

[Sebastian Vael]

Sebastian nodded as he considered her words. "Templars need to learn how to sneak. Were I pursuing you you would not know it. My armour is built for my highest skill. I am an archer after all. I need not chase you. You merely need to be in range."

He hadn't asked for her life story. Perhaps he just had one of those faces? It was funny really... He hadn't expected to have that effect on people nowadays. He didn't think he was the same man he was a while ago. "If you think I'm not bad then you need to stick around. I am not a good person. I was a good person but...things change."

[corineshalen]

"Well, I cannot see how you are changed to anything worse, then again, I am no expert on Hawke and her merry band of companions". Shrugging loosely with the shoulder, the shorter elf approached the lights once more, picking out one that haden`t been lit. "Maybe you consider yourself a "bad" person now, but I don`t believe that therms "good" and "bad" exists"

Holding the candle close to the flames of the lit ones, she leaned her head back, the golden shine of the statue reflecting in the sky-blue eyes. "Lets take magic as an example...If you ask most templars, they would say that magic is the worst thing out there. But if you ask a dad, who`s sick child only can be cured if magic is used, then its suddenly a good thing". Putting the lit candle into a free spot, she folded her naked hands together, the soft lips curving into a strange blend of a smirk and a smile.

"That may sound like nonsense to you, but its the way I have chosen to see things. And in my eyes, your pretty good company..and not that bad-looking". Sitting down the surpringly soft red carpet, she looked to the prince again, her smile holding a strange softness to it.

"Then again, your also the first person who hasen`t showed me away and called me a...what is the therm.."dirty knife-ear?"