A review of how Verano would judge Blackwall. Um, spoilers, I guess.
Verano sat in his chair, staring at the chained man in front of him. Warden Blackwall. Or, as he was really known, Thom Rainier. A liar. A murderer. A coward.
"So." Josephine said. "What will you do?" she asked him. "What is your judgement?" He'd been sitting in silence for over a minute now, the full trial having been completed by this point, all that was left was his verdict.
"Thom Rainier." Verano said. "I want you to look at me. Look into my eyes."
The man formerly known as Warden Blackwall complied. He lifted his head and looked right into Verano's eyes. In them, Verano could see guilt, regret, and most importantly, acceptance. He'd finally stopped running from his past, and was ready to face whatever punishment would be decided for him.
"Josephine, is everyone here?" Verano asked. The Antivan woman nodded. "Thom Rainier, how would you describe your actions?"
"Unforgivable." Thom said.
"Elaborate." Verano told him.
"I lied. To everyone. I pretended to be someone I wasn't. I took fame that was undue to me." Thom said. "I tricked the entirety of the Inquisition into following a farce. I gave unauthorized leverage to the Inquisition and caused untold damages."
"You did these things?" Verano asked.
"Yes." Thom said.
"Are you not the same man who also yelled in my face in a drunken fury about how I never suffered before?" Verano asked.
"I am that man." Thom agreed solemnly. Verano was quiet. It was another minute before he spoke.
"Are you not also the man who laid his life on the line for the Inquisition, time and time again?" Verano said. "Are you not also the man that inspired others to be better? The man that pushed others beyond their limits, and made outcasts feel welcome when they had no one else? Gave them faith in the Wardens when there was none?"
"My lord, where are you going with this?" Josephine asked. He just put up a hand to stop her.
"Are you not also the man who made toys for children and helped warriors feel like they were part of something bigger?" Verano asked. He was smiling at this point. "You may have killed an innocent family, but that's nothing compared to some of the others in my circle. Look at Iron Bull. He almost killed his mercenary group. He has killed dozens of likely innocent people. Sear is a menace to society, Cole killed a majorly important person and started a war, Dorian is an outcast everywhere, Cullen once wanted all mages to be dead or enslaved, and who knows how many people Leliana has gotten her hands on. Even I am not perfect. My own son could've survived if I hadn't ignored him. No one here is without fault, Thom. And yet, are they shunned and cast out? No. No one is angry at what you did, Thom. They are angry that you lied about it. Andraste loves all the Maker's children, and I strive to do the same. No one is an exception to that rule. That is why I have come to the decision that I have. I am creating a title for you. A title given to those who have changed themselves for the better. A title that evokes the feelings of change, and second chances. The title... of Blackwall. Blackwall Thom Rainier, I would be honored to have you at my side once more. As a soldier, as an advisor, and as a friend."
The hall was silent.
"You are too kind, Inquisitor." Thom said.
"Thom, you know I want you to use my name." Verano said.
"O-of course." Thom said. "Verano."
Verano rose from his seat. "And to those of you that I know disapprove, you may bring your complaints to me personally. But I will stand by this decision."
(Later)
"Why?" Thom asked. He and Verano were currently in the barn where Thom normally was when he masqueraded as Blackwall. Not that he had to masquerade anymore, what with his fancy new title and such.
"Why did I spare you?" Verano asked. "It was easy. You're a better person than you give yourself credit for. You heard what I said. No one is without fault. You just hold yours closer to you than most." Verano walked away, knowing he was going to get an earful about his decision later, but he didn't care. Thom had gotten what he deserved. Something not given to many people. A second chance.
(Even Later)
"Thanks." Sera told him as they sat on top of the roof.
"For the cookies?" Verano asked. "You know they're not that big a deal."
Sera punched his arm. "For pardoning him, you nug wad. He earned it. Got a shiny title for his troubles too."
"It's basically a bullshit title, but it'll be funny to hear people have to continually announce it every time." Verano said.
Sera cackled. "They'll be all up in a piss, but who's the one with a name? Not them, that's who."
"Yeah." Verano chuckled. "But he really did deserve it."
"'Course he did." Sera said. "No one's done more than him. 'Cept you, but you've done more than everyone."
"Ah, I can't wait for people to start yelling at me every day." Verano said.
"So what, they do that anyway." Sera said. "Stupid nobles with their stupid hats."
"Speaking of hats, wanna go steal some from the armory?" Verano said.
"You're on!" Sera said, stuffing the rest of the cookies into her mouth.
"Hey!" Verano complained. "I wanted one!"
"Shoo shlow!" Sera said, bits of cookie flying out of her mouth as the two rushed back in through her window.
The next morning, Cullen wondered why half the helmets in the armory were missing. Josephine was wondering why half an armory's worth of helmets was in Verano's bedroom.
"Oh, who knows." Verano said. "Maybe Cole thought I needed some extra shininess in my life. Nobody knows how his mind works." Verano then plucked one of the helmets off the ground and put it on, then went downstairs to start the day.
Well that was fun! I told you my ideas were strange, what with just making titles and such. Pretty happy with this as a second entry. Fitting that a piece called "Second Chance" is the second entry.