Leliana delighted in the alarmed and incredulous stares from others on the streets. They'd seen the golem traveling with the Warden, or heard about it, but just the two of them strolling into Denerim's market, gossiping wildly in between philosophical and religious debates, apparently presented too surreal a picture to comprehend. And when they walked into a shoe shop, the golem ducking down and squeezing its impressive bulk through the door frame in a very human set of movements, she could just imagine their expressions, and commented on it to Shale.
"I had noticed the squishies staring. I confess a perverse sense of pleasure—they did not seem frightened, but perhaps maddened. I am not accustomed to having such an affect."
With a sweet smile, Leliana explained, "They don't understand what seems to be a statue debating the finer points of Andraste's teachings. It must seem like something out of a dream, or a nightmare."
"And still this pleases me." Shale's features drew up into as much of a smile as they could.
Before they could discuss the phenomenon any further the store's clerk, a rather petite dark-haired girl, approached, very carefully avoiding the golem's gaze. "May I help you?"
"My friend here needs some shoes," Leliana explained, gesturing to Shale to clarify her meaning. "I'm certain you can appreciate the difficulty she has finding them. I thought we could have a look at what sandals you have, and then have your cobbler make a few pairs for her, yes?"
The clerk finally glanced to Shale, eyes trailing up as if searching for some part of the stone figure that made sense. When Shale leered down at her in disgust the clerk swallowed nervously, and stuttered, "Follow me, please."
ooooooo
When Shale stopped him in the hallway and said, "The elder mage and I will be leaving soon," Cadryn honestly wasn't surprised—they'd already lingered longer than he expected.
"I'm sorry to hear it," was entirely true. While he got on very poorly with Wynne—or rather, Wynne got on very poorly with him, but Cadryn had grown very good at lying to her, telling her what she wanted to hear, by the end of the journey—he respected Shale. She was a kindred soul of sorts, someone who had sacrificed everything for duty and ideals and lost even more. Shale's story, he hoped, would have a pleasant ending, as he hoped his would as well. The future looked bright for both of them, and in Shale's prospective happiness he saw hope for his own as well. "To Tevinter, then?"
"Yes," she said. "I shall have the elder mage write to you to keep you updated on our progress. If we are successful, I will return to you a new—or rather, very old—creature." Though the motions of her stony face were hardly subtle, her expressions were, more implications than actual motion. In her smile he read anticipation, that the prospect amused her.
"Flesh or stone," Cadryn told her, "you'll still be Shale. And my friend in either guise."
"This sentiment is appreciated. Reciprocated, even. As much as I look forward to the journey and to possibly regaining my squishiness, I look forward with equal excitement to meeting you again through new eyes. And, since I suppose the painted elf will still be around, I imagine he'll seem less of a threat when I'm no longer so concerned with that bird-like aspect."
"Oh, he'll be even more of a threat." He laughed, just a little. "If your stone form is any indication, he'll be very taken with you in flesh."
After a curious noise, and her face shifted to a scowl, she said, "Perhaps we should arrange a meeting somewhere safe, then. Or you could send him on an errand. I think I would be forced to test the strength of my squishy form in doling out a sound beating were he to proposition me, and I sincerely doubt either of you want that."
"I imagine I'd be hard-pressed to put him back together," Cadryn agreed. "I'll have thought of something by then."
"I trust you will," she said. "And if I do not see you before leaving, do take care. I would be most perturbed to hear something had happened to you in my absence. And would have a need to beat the painted elf anyway."