A/N: And so begins the vignettes and random bits and pieces that fall out of Tallin's mouth when she's alone and she can't hold it in anymore.

"Back in Haven you spoke of things I never would have dreamed of, of things that I never learned with all the myths told by clan growing up.

I loved listening to you, I thought about what you said long after we stopped talking. Seeing you became the favorite part of my day. When you smiled at me, at what I said, it felt like the sun was burning in my chest. I wanted to see you smile at me more. I came to learn that you liked it when I asked questions, but more when I simply listened to you talk. Do you remember that time when you told me that I was a good listener? Only the Keeper ever told me that before. That's why she chose me to attend the Conclave meeting...

You probably don't. You probably think it was just a nice thing to say, but it meant the world to me. I know I blushed when you said it, I know I did. I felt my face grow hot, hotter when you laughed at something I tried and failed to say. You were patient, you explained, you painted wonderful pictures with your words. When I said something wrong, something that made you frown, something that showed how ignorant I was, I wanted to die. It was odd, how easy the thought came to me, it never with anyone else, but with you...it just appeared.

Your frown. Die.

'I disagree.' Die.

'Try to imagine-' Die.

So in the back of my head I always worried. I worried you would hate me for something I said, or simply give up on me, that you'd return your eyes to the Fade and not look at me anymore.

I wanted your approval so much, I wanted you to like me, like me more and more. I came to agree with everything you said because you were the one who said it. What you said about the Dalish, about my people, they were barbs I was worried I could never shake off. I would be different from those who turned you away. I would not. I would learn, hahren, please teach me so I would know...

The world outside my clan, outside our hunting grounds was scary before I came to the Conclave, before I met you. Humans were scary, magic was scary, spirits were scary. Everything is still scary but because of you I came to know why and why not. Because of you, I could pretend to be brave, pretend that this all made sense until it did.

You said things I didn't agree with yet you convinced me they were right. I don't know if they are right anymore, who is right anymore...What scares me is that I'm not scared that I don't know.

I believed you.

Now I believe nothing."