more bethany hawke dragon age meta today, consisting of me pointing at this dialogue with righteous indignation:
Isabela: Just like old times, isn't it? Going on adventures, getting into scrapes. It's like you're free again.
Bethany: I don't mind it so much. I don't have to hide, or worry about templars hunting me.
Bethany: It's funny. The idea of the Circle is much more terrifying than the reality of it.
Bethany: Though perhaps my transition was made easier by the books you sent along with your letters.
we know from most of the rest of bethany's dialogue that she will very readily bury most emotions other than fear or mild irritation out of guilt or not wanting to rock the boat, which i think is exactly what she's doing here
we also know from every single other character who talks about the circles in general or the kirkwall circle in particular that they are terrifying prisons, rampant with abuse of every kind you can imagine and often drives mages to suicide or volunteering themselves to be made tranquil. so it is hardly difficult to compare these two statements in light of what we know about bethany and come to the conclusion that she is lying so as not to worry isabela and in turn her sibling