I learned about Tranquil Week this year, and it sounded like it was right up my alley (I love Tranquil characters, and exploring Tranquility as a worldbuilding element of Thedas), so I decided to work on a scene that's been sitting unfinished for a while between a Tranquil OC of mine, and a Chantry Sister OC of mine. I hope to do more with this, but for the time being, I really wanted to just write something from a Tranquil's POV, and this is what I have!
Hana was not usual for a Tranquil.
She remembered electing to become Tranquil instead of taking her Harrowing, and she remembered the moment she first experienced the world as this different version of herself.
It had felt like taking a breath after days of a stuffy nose. Instant and complete relief.
Of course, many and most non-Tranquil did not see things this way. And, in fact, several of Hana’s fellow Tranquil would have disagreed as well. No matter what non-Tranquil said, there was never complete agreement among the Tranquil regarding whether or not Tranquility was a benefit. There never had been.
For Hana’s own part, things worked out well.
She was assigned a role, as all Tranquil were. But when she received it, she disputed it. Aide to one of the lesser Sisters of Val Royeaux. Carrying books, delivering messages, ensuring the appropriate vestments were adorned for the appropriate occasions.
In such a role as this, Hana’s skills would be wasted, and therefore she would be without sufficient purpose. The Chantry, as well, would not benefit nearly so much as they could.
Hana told them as much. As a resource, she should be used properly. As a being possessed of a sense of self-autonomy, she would ensure that none used her to any lesser extent.
Silence met her pronouncement, telling of their shock, and Hana was unsurprised to find the delegation process stalled.
It had not, after all, been intended to be a conversation.
One of the elder Sisters – Sister Flore – recovered herself and turned urgently to the others in attendance, “Are we sure the rite was successful!?” She made no effort to soften her tone, nor quiet her voice. Nevertheless, Hana politely said nothing, as the words had not been directed at her.
“Yes, Sister, the rite was performed appropriately, and there was no misconduct,” another, Sister Camille, replied firmly. “She is… as she should be.” Sister Camille waved a hand, as though brushing her companion aside, and locked a steady scrutinizing gaze upon Hana.
She had been one of the attending Sisters at Hana’s undergoing of the rite. Hana remembered her for her rather inflated sense of self-importance. Her confidence, if Hana recalled correctly, outstripped her competence.
Sister Flore—there really was no better word for this particular motion than “fluttered.” Her hands shook and she waved them again at Hana.
“But this—she shouldn’t be—how—!”
It was then that the third Sister in attendance – Sister Mary – stepped forward. Her features were smooth, her expression unruffled, and she spoke with a calm and unassuming cadence.
“Revered Mother, if I may,” she began, bowing slightly and waiting for the Revered Mother to allow her interruption. “Perhaps it would be well to assign her to me?” She looked around the room, head inclined with what Hana supposed should have been respectful deference. The Sisters, seeming not to think so, fell to discontent grumbling, but the Revered Mother listened in silence.
“As a scholar, I believe it would be a great benefit to have an aide on my travels, and one with a firm temperament besides.” The Sister smiled, polite. “She could keep my research focused, and help ensure that I’m quick to gather necessary resources. Of course…” Her smile grew politer still. “If the Chantry wishes to put her to better use elsewhere, that is entirely its prerogative.”
There was tension to the silence that followed, and Hana took the opportunity to consider the possibility.
It would suit her skills better, she thought, to be always applying her mind actively. To be an aide to a traveling scholar of the Chantry would most certainly allow her to do so.
The traveling itself would keep her active as well, and ensure her exposure to those things of which she was ignorant, allowing her to expand her knowledge and experience.
A much more suitable purpose to her skills than being an errand girl.
“Revered Mother, this proposal is agreeable to me, if I may offer my input,” Hana offered into the silence. Sister Flore’s eyes widened. Sister Camille’s narrowed. The Revered Mother said nothing, gaze moving first over Hana, then over Sister Mary. When she took in a breath to speak, all eyes snapped to her.
“You believe having a Tranquil with you wouldn’t hinder you, Sister, nor affect your travel adversely?”
Sister Mary inclined her head in the negative.
“Not at all, Revered Mother. Anything she doesn’t know which she needs to know we can teach her.”
At this, the Revered Mother raised an elegant eyebrow.
“You are neither templar nor chevalier, Sister,” she said harshly. “What makes you think you can defend her in moments of peril, should she be transferred to your charge?”
The Sister bowed again at the waist—easy deference, likely for the sake of earning capitulation, Hana suspected. “I can defend her well enough, Revered Mother.”
No. This was the wrong answer. Again, Hana turned to her masters.
“I can be taught to defend myself,” she posited. “I have some familiarity with bows from before my time in the Circle. I am confident in my ability to relearn and build upon this skill.”
There was another heavy pause. Sister Mary, listening politely as Hana spoke, turned once she had finished to face the Revered Mother. Her head tilted slightly, and she gestured with an easy smile. There was a subtle pointedness to her movements. Hana found herself mildly intrigued.
The quirks and expressions of non-Tranquil were undeniably fascinating in this new light.
The Revered Mother released a sigh, her eyes narrowing as she considered. Though not hopeful – for, of course, she could no longer feel such a potent emotion – Hana found herself thinking, this is the correct course of action. Take it. A useless instinct, given that none could hear her thoughts, nor were any in this room inclined to listen, even if they could. But Hana was not bothered, and continued to wait.
Sister Flore shook her head and turned to the Revered Mother, “Your Reverence, I believe—”
The ringing tone of the Revered Mother silenced Sister Flore like the crack of a whip, resounding and final.
“Your Reverence!” Sister Flore gasped. Sister Camille’s jaw tightened. Sister Mary bowed again.
“I thank you most sincerely, Your Reverence,” she exclaimed. Hana noted silently the change in address.
The Revered Mother raised her chin, looking over first Sister Mary, then Hana, with guarded and cold eyes. Her gaze lingered on Hana, and the silence was prolonged.
After several more moments, she spoke, “It will be your responsibility to adequately prepare her for your travels.”
Sister Mary bowed her head, “Of course.”
“You will, of course, have the continued use of your current accommodations in the chantry whilst you ready yourselves to depart.”
“I am grateful, Your Reverence.”
The Revered Mother stood abruptly to her feet, pulling herself to her full height. The Sisters bowed reverently, and this time, Hana moved with them. She knew well this cue.
“Remember, Sister Mary,” the Revered Mother declared, her voice a booming echo as it washed over them all. “This Tranquil is a resource belonging to the Chantry, and I will not see her damaged needlessly. If you are unable to do as you have promised and keep her protected – or if we find that there are better uses for her – we will take appropriate action.”
There was a character to the different kinds of silence Hana had observed in this conversation, she found. For this, she was put in mind of the heavy weighted quiet following the crack of thunder.
Sister Mary, however, was not perturbed.
“I understand, Your Reverence,” she vowed, her voice pitched low. Solemn.
“Then, you are dismissed,” the Revered Mother waved her hand in a regal gesture. “Prepare as you need, and depart when you are ready. I look forward to your… discoveries.” She resumed her seat, her face still and controlled. “Maker go with you. And your new aide.”
Her eyes slid to Hana, and narrowed ever so slightly.
“As for you, Tranquil Hana, you are now a servant of the Chantry. You obey the will of the Maker and the will of His servants. Do as you are bid by your new handler, but remember that hers is not the final word.”
Hana inclined her head. “Your Reverence.”
Satisfied, the Revered Mother repeated her earlier gesture, and said no more.
Seemingly oblivious – more likely uncaring – to the tension remaining in the room, Sister Mary turned to Hana and dipped her head. The courteous smile she had worn throughout the entire exchange remained fixed on her face, and though her muscles seemed relaxed, her eyes were alert and sharp.
“Well then,” she began lightly. “Shall we?” Hana inclined her head and followed the Sister from the room, ignoring the disgruntled stares that followed them.
