Through The Eyes Of The Innocent {Open}

[Meredy]

9:40 Dragon, Val Royeaux, 2:25pm.


The city was bustling, merchants bellowed eager to show their wares, commoners bought what they could, and nobles followed by their bodyguards and fans browsed various stalls. It was a fairly normal day in the city, the heart of Orlais. So much to do, so much to see... though it was sad to see that no one took much interest. Of course, there was life and people busy... but did they truly ever stop and bask in the rarest, most beautiful moments?

If one were to see a butterfly with white wings and gold tips, would they admire it? No, they would capture it and keep it to themselves. If they saw a flower so rare and beautiful, would they stop to smile at it or paint it? No, they would pick it and keep it to themselves. Everything, every tiny detail. They cared not for beauty, but for what they had in their possession. It was sad.

And while all of this went on, these people and their lives, none ever stopped to see the small girl, sitting by the pier eating a small lunch with her friend, a plush Halla toy. Quietly and solemnly she sat there, taking small bites of a sandwich with cheese and onion, while a much smaller piece remained in front of her friend as it's head just leaned forward as if staring at it boredly.

Peace and quiet, it was lovely. Small white socked legs swung back and forth while the hem of her pretty navy blue dress accompanied by a white petticoat rest upon her knees. One would image she was a nobleman's daughter, perhaps even a doll from the way she sat. Cute navy blue ribbons were tied to each side of her hair to conceal the pointed ears which hid within her hair, the dirty blond locks fell to her waist, her straight fringe near covering her eyes. Her cute button nose inhaled the salty sea air deeply before releasing it through her thin pink lips which curved into a smile.

"So prodigious... isn't it, Era?" she said, her voice childish but innocent, though her tone was also experienced, there was no mispronunciation of words, neither was there any struggle in doing so. So calm and at ease was she, this clever little girl who sat enjoying her lunch with her dearest and only friend.

[corineshalen]

"These clothing..are they really needed to take a simple walk?", the elderly elf said in a grumble, his old, yet clear voice sounding less cheerful than usual. Having spend decades on the run, the former keeper apprentice had grown used to dressing "as a human", though his current outfit brought nothing but discomfort; pants that, due to the fine material, fluttered around his ankles, and a blouse which buttons were so tight, that you could choke in it..he ran a slender hand through his medium-long white hair, his fingers brushing past the tip of one of his long ears.

"It would be a disgrace if we dressed like mere commoners", Corine said, doing her best impression of an Orlesian accent. It was pretty accurate actually, although her voice deepened every time she did it, making the elf mother sound like an Orlesian man with a cold."Besides..is it that bad actually getting some close, that dosen't need to be repaired every second day?"

"As usual, you have a point, my dear..". With the growl dying down in his throat, his thin pale lips curved into a gentle smile. She wasen't a mage, but his granddaughter was the splitting image of her mother..Clever, caring, helpful..and always ready with a smart remark. Corine had maybe given birth, but she was still a child in many ways...

Speaking of child..Stopping in the middle of the street, he turned his head to the side, observing a short little thing, sitting on the edge of the pier. His first thought was that it was simply a doll somebody had forgotten, but when the doll began to move, he quickly realized that it was a little girl. Her apperance alone was enough to intrigue him, but it was rather the small stuffed plushie sitting next to her, which caused him to slowly approach her...

With steps calm and almost soundless, he reached the girl, thin lips retaining the gentle smile. "..Greetings, Da'len", he spoke in his clear voice, the elven word rolling off his tongue as if he was singing. "I see you have a Halla to guide and keep you safe, but even many halla, would become lost in this jungle of shems and silly clothing".

As silent as his steps, the Dalish mage placed a hand on his left hip, the sun getting caught in the dalish tattoo's lining his cheeks and jaw. "Would you mind if I joined you for awhile, Da'len?"

[Meredy]

Meredy took another bite of her sandwich, chewing soundlessly before swallowing the tiny morsel, Era still hadn't eaten hers and thus soon caught the attention of incoming gulls.The three of them squawked and flapped their wings about, soon causing discomfort for the young child.

"Nyeh! Go 'way!" she said childishly as those cute lips of hers formed into a pout as she snatched Era away before the birds took her as well as her small sandwich. Once they got what they came for, they soon flew off.

Now standing, she held Era tight and nuzzled into her. "Naughty birds," she muttered, pulling Era away as if to look at her, though the child's eyes remained distant "they should know better than to steal other people's food, shouldn't they?" She spoke to her cuddly toy as if it were alive before then causing its head to nod using her hand. She let out a cute sounding "hmph!" before nodding in agreement to her friend.

"But it'll be alright, we can get some more food! Would you like a bonbon, Era?" she smiled, her upper lip overlapping her lower on slightly before getting down on her knees to search through her slightly stained pink satchel, she soon found the small pouch containing the sweets and untied the strings, pulling the pouch open before taking out a bonbon and popping it into her mouth, enjoying the tasty treat before then holding one out to Era, expecting her to take it.

Though before her Halla friend could 'take' the treat, Meredy's ears twitched as she heard the sound of footsteps. She started off small first, her eyes coming across the approaching stranger's feet, then his legs, before trailing all the way up to his head. She blinked once then rubbed her eyes as if she had just looked into a bright light too quickly, mewling slightly in discomfort as she did so.

This man, she recognised due to his stature, was a slight variation of colours, though mostly a deep red - survival orientated and realistic, if not a bit hot headed but still grounded, hopefully this was the exact description of him as his 'aura'.

The way she saw the world was much different than those who had clear sight, although she was blind, she saw the world like many other Mage's would when in the Fade, however, she saw people and items, not obstacles that would pose a threat to her, and everyone had their own colour yet she could not see their faces nor their intentions. She wouldn't admit she was a little scared, and after all, this man was a stranger. People she should never talk to unless they are someone who could help her and want to help her.

Without a moments hesitation, she brought Era up to her face, using her to communicate. "I always keep my friend safe, silly Shemies don't scare me!" she chirped, as if talking as Era, using its little arms to cross over defiantly "it is not good to talk to strangers!" Innocently, the girl stood there, her face now covered up by her plush toy, she continued with her little childish act.

She didn't know what much to do, he was a stranger and who knows what he could do. Keeping the toy to her face as a way to feel safe, she spoke as Era again. "Well, aw'right, jus' as long as you don't touch or hurt my friend, if you do, I'll eat you!" the little Halla toy's arms flailed about, as if to appear scary, the little girl behind it was heard giggling.

"How about a bonbon? Would ya like one?" 'Era' asked as she balanced a bonbon on her paw to offer to the stranger.