Definition Of Strength
She’d be a worthy rival for Merrill in terms of a stuttering contest. But he supposed he couldn’t blame her for the reaction. “As much as I like a good joke this isn’t one of them. Buy yourself something nice, take a trip to the Alienage, give it away if you like. It’s your money to do with what you will.” Hawke picked up the pouch and very tentatively took one of her hands. He pressed it into her palm to emphasise the gesture was genuine.
He stepped back and leaned into the wall. “Think of it like an adventure. You’re no longer cooped up inside one place and you can go wherever you like. Just…be sure to come back here by nightfall. The gangs’ll look for any excuse to rob someone blind.” Gabriel ruffled his dark tresses, smoothing them down over his ears.
"It might take some getting used to but I’m here to help. You’ve got your own life now and you’ll never have to worry about being mistreated again."
❝ I--I think I would buy a dress. I always wanted one that was not so
scratchy. ❞ When he pressed the coin into her hand she relaxed visibly.
It was a relief to know that it was no trick--he had meant what he said--
because Danarius only meant what he said when it was a command or a
punishment.
❝ It is--not the gangs I worry of. Under Hadriana's hand I had to avoid
much worse. Many a time was I ordered to help with her rituals. ❞ She
was surprisingly calm when talking about the past. It was the future that
frightened her, for it was now suddenly so vast. Her eyes flicked back
toward Hawke. ❝ I suppose I just do not see the use in making friends
when I cannot protect them like you or Fenris. Perhaps they would not
die in a blood magic ritual, but there are certainly plenty of other ways
one can meet death--most of them are not very pretty. I have never
seen someone die due to old age--I assume even here it is not so
commonplace. ❞
