"I saw that," he says, on more of an exhale than a sigh.
Astarion's initial outburst, after all, had been plenty public. He'd heard it more or less in real time, though he hadn't reached out in the moment. The reason isn't hard to guess, not after their conversation in cold, dark caves far from here.
He's not sure how much of that Derrica does or doesn't know, and it's not for him to tell regardless.
"He might not," Holden allows, then adds, "But he risked his life to save mine in Tantervale, when it would've been easier to run. He might surprise us."
And,
"Coming from you, it will." Help, as much as it can, at least. "I've promised Madame de Cedoux any help I can give her, and the same goes for you."
Yes, it's Holden's fight too, and she's glad that he is so quick to involve himself. But in the same breath, Derrica regrets that he has to. Holden gives so much of himself. Derrica knows what that costs him.
"I know you must have questions."
More than just about the state of the other rifters they have in common.
He breathes out at that gentle push, leans back. It'd be easier, wouldn't it, if whether or not he's ready to involve himself were the only consideration that mattered. And he could do that, without any resentment. He knows how to be a pair of hands for a cause.
But of course Derrica wouldn't see him that way.
"Was that the compromise?" is what he asks, after a moment. "The Chantry agrees that rifters aren't demons, so instead of killing us," he assumes, "we go in Circles?"
"I think so. It happened before I arrived. Julius might be able to tell you more of what happened."
It shames her, that she'd only focused so closely on the phylactery negotiations. She might have asked Ilias and Julius about the rest, while they had been untangling the process of reclaiming her own.
"It started with phylacteries. And the outcome is why none were ever made for Rifters," Derrica tells him, a piece of good news that might ease the rest. "But I don't know what else was asked for, just that this is what was settled on. They think you're closer to mages than to anyone else in Thedas, so you'll share our fates when Corypheus isn't a threat."
Why no phylacteries were made for rifters, he thinks, yet. If they go into Circles, he doubts it'd be mages still with phylacteries and rifters without. If they go into Circles, he doubts the Chantry would drop the practice, no matter what promises they make now.
"It was the only move they could make," he says, contemplative, "without abolishing Circles. It doesn't make sense to lock up mages, who they know are people, and let rifters go free."
And rifters are people, he'd argue with anyone, any day of the week. But it's not like he, or anyone else in Riftwatch, can pretend to really understand what they are on a fundamental, molecular level. Rifters, who are — as a rule — less likely to accept the Chantry's edicts, or power, than anyone who grew up in this world.
Goes unsaid, but hangs heavy in the air: the only real way to prevent this future is to completely destroy the practice of Circles.
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no subject
Astarion's initial outburst, after all, had been plenty public. He'd heard it more or less in real time, though he hadn't reached out in the moment. The reason isn't hard to guess, not after their conversation in cold, dark caves far from here.
He's not sure how much of that Derrica does or doesn't know, and it's not for him to tell regardless.
"He might not," Holden allows, then adds, "But he risked his life to save mine in Tantervale, when it would've been easier to run. He might surprise us."
And,
"Coming from you, it will." Help, as much as it can, at least. "I've promised Madame de Cedoux any help I can give her, and the same goes for you."
no subject
Yes, it's Holden's fight too, and she's glad that he is so quick to involve himself. But in the same breath, Derrica regrets that he has to. Holden gives so much of himself. Derrica knows what that costs him.
"I know you must have questions."
More than just about the state of the other rifters they have in common.
no subject
But of course Derrica wouldn't see him that way.
"Was that the compromise?" is what he asks, after a moment. "The Chantry agrees that rifters aren't demons, so instead of killing us," he assumes, "we go in Circles?"
no subject
It shames her, that she'd only focused so closely on the phylactery negotiations. She might have asked Ilias and Julius about the rest, while they had been untangling the process of reclaiming her own.
"It started with phylacteries. And the outcome is why none were ever made for Rifters," Derrica tells him, a piece of good news that might ease the rest. "But I don't know what else was asked for, just that this is what was settled on. They think you're closer to mages than to anyone else in Thedas, so you'll share our fates when Corypheus isn't a threat."
no subject
"It was the only move they could make," he says, contemplative, "without abolishing Circles. It doesn't make sense to lock up mages, who they know are people, and let rifters go free."
And rifters are people, he'd argue with anyone, any day of the week. But it's not like he, or anyone else in Riftwatch, can pretend to really understand what they are on a fundamental, molecular level. Rifters, who are — as a rule — less likely to accept the Chantry's edicts, or power, than anyone who grew up in this world.
Goes unsaid, but hangs heavy in the air: the only real way to prevent this future is to completely destroy the practice of Circles.