cynical as ever, it would seem. although, where morrigan’s words would once have dampened her mood, leliana finds a warm nostalgia to them. perhaps absence truly does breed fondness, she considers as she slides from the polished sill beneath her and into the room. it is luxurious and plush, as is expected of the quarters of celene’s inner circle. and honestly? she had expected to find morrigan out of place, here. much to her chagrin, morrigan fits seamlessly with the gilded doorframes and extravagant decor.
“titles are a finicky business, as you well know. some of us have found ourselves in a position out of necessity, to serve a purpose or a higher calling. although, we cannot all be lucky enough to find ourselves in the personal favor of the empress. most cannot gain such affections without the use of magic… or information that she cannot afford to lose GRIP of.”
the nightingale crosses the room to the other woman, and all at once, the years of experience behind her as a shadowed agent of the chantry seem USELESS. once again, she finds herself several years younger and enchanted by a tall, mysterious witch. with secrets hidden behind a piercing gaze that leliana will never completely decipher, not for lack of trying.
“you were expecting me, i see. we both know that you are far too aware of the dangers of an open window. how did you know?”
morrigan’s eyes rolled of their own volition . the self righteousness slipping free from the cracks in leliana’s words -- the nightingale’s words -- was almost unbearable . . . almost . if only the beautiful stranger warming her room WERE the most insufferable person morrigan had run across in orlais . . .
but her face remained as approachable as ever ( cold and stoic as a marble statue ) before she decided to allow her own words to wedge themselves between them both -- either to diffuse or ADD to the tense aura however , remained to be seen .
❝ we both know you are but an open book to me , ❞ morrigan spoke in a low murmur into her glass . eyes held contact as long as they could before flicking half heartedly to the shimmering remnants of her blood red drink , and as the contents retreated passed equally ruby lips , morrigan untangled herself from her self-hold . empty crystal coming to rest atop the marble top of accented furniture , she once again found her gaze upon the lay-sister become enigmatic reach of the maker himself .
❝ a book i seem to have misinterpreted . i had assumed you realized the folly of claiming your connection to the divine years ago . still playing the part of crusader ? ❞
a beat of silence , and morrigan allowed herself a quick yet indulgent look up and down her former companions body . accenting the show with a regarding hum , she continued without further pause .
❝no matter . though , i must ask , ❞ she ventured as her gaze flicked back to the painting , lingering questions severing in the stagnant air . ❝ what will you do now ? was this a social visit borne of curiosity , or does the faith demand my life ? ❞
words lazy , morrigan found a ghost of a smile touching her lips regardless . ❝ either way , i suspect as our business concludes i shall be LOCKING my windows . ❞