Outside Josie's office, Seyna Lavellan made very uncomfortable small talk with Revered Mother Giselle. She had come to the Inquisition from the Hinterlands once the Inquisition had established their presence and resources there. The older woman with her thick Orlesian accent would always clasp her hands and shift her weight from side to side in a way that always made Seyna wonder which aspect about her did the Chantry figure find so off-putting?
Perhaps it was her heritage… Then again, Chantry members and Andrastian supporters very rarely showed as much shame and discomfort as Seyna thought warranted when addressing an elf. It could perhaps be Seyna's lifetime membership of the Apostate Mage Club. Or it could be the glowing green light that flickered occasionally from her hand and sometimes sparked off her fingertips as she enthusiastically gesticulated in conversation.
It could even be that the Holy Mother Giselle thought she was talking to the bona-fide Herald of her saintly Prophetess. Impossible to tell which, Seyna just carried on as if this were not the most awkward discussion between two people in recent history.
"In your… Clan, which canticles of the Chant of Light do they teach to the children?" Giselle asked, eyebrows raised expectantly. Seyna's eyes narrowed only very slightly, otherwise looking contemplative. She made a hmm sound, while tapping her chin as if trying to remember. Of course, even if her Clan were "guilty of the greatest sin" by turning from the Maker, it would be inviting unnecessary conflict to openly admit that. It seemed that everyone understood that Dalish elves never converted, and continued worship of the old gods. Seyna was quite tempted to reply that the Canticle of Shartan was her favorite… But that was probably "hostile" and "in bad taste."
It was one of Seyna's duties here to put on a good face, and not be the grumpy, stubborn elven rebel that everyone anticipated when they saw an elf with a tattoo on their face. "Great question, Mother Giselle. I'll have to send a message to my Keeper and inquire about that. I haven't been home with my clan in several years, I'm afraid my answer wouldn't be the most up to date information for you." Her tone was very diplomatic and friendly, no hint of how absurd she found this entire conversation.
Behind Seyna, Josephine cleared her throat and stepped forward. "I apologize for interrupting, Revered Mother. I am afraid that I require the Herald's presence currently. I am certain she would be amenable to answering your questions at another time. Things are quite busy right now. Herald?" Josephine stood with her arms crossed, waiting just outside the door.
With a small bow, Seyna mumbled an apology and walked swiftly into Josephine's cozy office. The Antivan diplomat wasted no time in following and closing the door securely behind them. Seyna made her way to a bench and sat sideways, pressing her back against the stone wall and facing Josephine's desk at an angle. Her head dropped back as she examined the ceiling with a slow sigh.
"Is it really all that bad, Herald?" Josephine said with humor as she made her way to her seat at the desk and began organizing her papers. After a withering glance from the elf, she said "Sorry. Lavellan."
"It's all right, Josephine. I know titles are kind of your thing." Josephine looked briefly insulted, but Seyna's sideways grin seemed to put her at ease. She sighed again, a bit more exaggerated and groaning this time. "Why does everyone have to be so… Devout? It's exhausting, you know."
Josephine tried to conceal a laugh, but it didn't work. "My sincerest apologies, would you have me issue a decree for increased impiety, heresy, and blasphemy?" She grabbed her docket and quill with an expectant look.
Seyna laughed, despite herself. She rolled her eyes and began to play with a loose thread at the hem of her sleeve. She was suddenly very grateful for the friendly relationship they had developed. Banter was therapeutic. "I'm serious, though… Having to pretend for these people is wearing me out. You know that I don't believe I was sent by Andraste-"
"And that they cannot know your stance on that particular matter." Josephine finished for her.
"Or anything else." Seyna said.
"Well, not necessarily…" Josephine considered this. Seyna looked at her with an eyebrow quirked, obviously doubtful. "… Perhaps, for now, you might be correct." This prompted another dramatic eye roll in response.
"I'm bound to put my foot in it, you know… It would be so much easier to just say what I thought rather than figure out what people want to hear." Seyna said.
Josephine tapped the nip of her pen against her wooden slate as she thought. "You mean to say that you hate the Game? You would not be the first, and you would find many friends among the Inquisition who feel the same. Most, actually."
"But this isn't the Game, Josie. This isn't like Val Royeaux."
"Of course it is!" Josie said, eyes aflame with energy and inspiration. "This is in fact a very prime example of the Game, Lavellan! Why must you adopt this 'mask' of the Herald, and tell the people of Ferelden and Orlais what they want to hear?"
"Why?" Seyna shrugged. "Er, well… Because… that will expand the influence and power of the Inquisition? To even begin attempting to accomplish any of the Inquisition's goals, you said it needs more influence. If I don't say the right thing, people will believe what the Chantry says of the Inquisition. They will not trade with it, not ally with it, not join it."
"Us." Josephine corrected gently. "With us."
This made Seyna frown and look back down to the hem of her sleeve again. She did not like to feel like an inducted member of this organization. Merely a… Necessary tool for it. "So, what is the Game here?" Seyna asked.
"The Game is using that mask to achieve our goals. That is always the Game." Josephine answered matter-of-factly.
"So, I just need to be popular for 'us' to succeed." Seyna asked, her dry tone demonstrating exactly how much she thought of this idea. And how well she thought it might go.
"More or less. You need to have popular ideas." Josephine tapped her pen's nib some more. "Or, if they are not popular, they must be strong and consistent." Seyna looked skeptical again. "For now… popular is more likely to win supporters. But further down the line, you will be able to make stronger stands in the things you feel. Your mask won't have to be quite so… obscuring. It is impossible to make everyone happy, all the time. For now, it's just best to avoid making enemies unnecessarily."
"I don't really have to try do that. I am already the sworn enemy of so many!" Seyna's tone was dripping with sarcastic enthusiasm.
"Perhaps to … some individuals are prone to suspicion, until they get to know you. You have every opportunity to change that opinion." Seyna snorted. "What?! It is true!"
"I'm certain the Chantry is excited to learn how they have been misunderstanding Elves for the past seven ages and they should just get to know one! They will be so eager to offer reparations. And yes, I'm certain every strapping Templar is very eager to change their opinions of mages- no, apostates!" She laughed coldly in a way that did not reach her eyes.
Josephine seemed to contemplate this, steepling her fingers and watching Seyna with curiosity. "No, you are correct. Not every member of the Chantry, nor every Templar. But it is just as prejudiced as they are to assume that none would be capable of changing their views." She shrugged in response to Seyna's accusatory glare. "I'm simply saying that you must give them the opportunity to prove you wrong."
"Right. And that's exactly what will happen if I let my guard down with a Templar present. They will be open minded and willing to engage in discussion, not immediately taking the opportunity to create some distance between my head and my body." Her sarcasm was palpable. "Or try to break my hand." Seyna wiggled her still-bruised fingers in emphasis.
News of the outcome of her duel with Commander Cullen had spread quickly. Even though days had passed, she was still receiving scathing or fearful glares from some of the recruits everywhere she went.
"Not all Templars." Josephine countered, with an innocent shrug. "Not everyone will be incapable of changing their opinion of you. And even Commander Cullen could be proven wrong."
Seyna rolled her eyes. The animosity from the Commander that Josephine implied was certainly not a surprise. There was no love lost between them, right now. Since the duel, the Commander spent most of his time avoiding Seyna, but did seem to look upon her like some poisonous spider if she caught him looking over the War Table. "Oh, could he now?" Seyna grumbled, sarcastic as ever.
"I am certain of it. I have heard from several trusted sources that he is very capable of gratuitous growth and flexibility." Josephine replied, no trace of humor to her voice. She obviously had no idea how that sounded.
That did not stop Seyna from a sudden snort and giggle that she covered with both hands. "Lady Montilyet! How dare you?!" She cried, laughing harder. Her face heated in the innuendo she read into Josephine's statement, and the colorful images it suggested.
"What?!" The ambassador replied, brows knit together in startled confusion. It seemed that she replayed the previous words in her head, and then a wicked smile grew across her face. "Oh my goodness, you are incorrigible. Filthy. That is not at all what I meant!"
Seyna shrugged, fits of giggles still lingering. "All right... Well, I'll be certain to test this potential for gratuitous growth and flexibility our Commander possesses."
Josephine's laughter died down. "You really ought to, you know. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Also, it will be beneficial to the future of our cause if you two do not spend quite so much time staring daggers at one another over the table."
Seyna stuck her tongue out in a shamelessly immature fashion as she walked away. "Whatever you say, Lady Ambassador." She made her way out of the office and proceeded to her study area in an alcove off the main thoroughfare in the Chantry. Now, to get back to focusing on a book and clear away some distracting images of the growth and flexibility of her ever-so-blonde Commander with the dashing grin. Ugh, thanks Josephine…