Jennifer huffed loudly, sitting back on the cot in the clinic where she was currently practicing making a simple orb. The instruction was easy enough, envision the power from the fade opening, envision it tightening into a tight ball in the palm of her hand. Putting instruction to practice however was proving to become exceedingly difficult. She almost made progress on her last try, before the orb puffed up and exploded, throwing Jennifer and Anders both from their cots, Jennifer's hair standing up in the front from the force of the blow. When she lifted her head to look at Anders, he laughed hysterically leaving to see to a patient.
So how she sat upon the cot, contemplating her actual ability to wield magic.
Fenris had indeed recovered, fussing and growling at anyone who fretted over him, including Jennifer. She took it in stride letting him vent before guilting him into complying with at least a foot massage of her mentholated poultice. Jennifer though he rather enjoyed it…secretly. His brooding exterior preventing him from actually requesting for such a thing. He was finally able to resume his position as flanking damage in Hawke's band of misfits.
She turned towards Anders watching him heal the young woman who had fallen ill with painful stomach cramps. His brow furrowed and he touched the woman gently on the knee. "When was the last time you bled?" What kind of a question is that to ask a woman?! I know he's a healer but some things are incredibly private, you can't just go around asking women when they bleed unless it's for specific reasons like if they are…. Ooooooh.
Jennifer quickly stood, walking over to Anders side. "I-I don't know." She replied, she was a young girl, probably no older than Jennifer. "Is something wrong?" She looked between Jennifer and Anders with a worried expression.
Anders simply smiled, rubbing her knee with his thumb. "I do believe you are in labor."
"W-what? No, no please, you must be mistaken!" The woman looked positively frightened, shaking with horror and bringing her hands to her face. "I-It can't be…" Anders looked at Jennifer with a questioning look before turning back to the woman, she was incoherent in her ramblings but she seemed shaken to her core and Jennifer had an inkling.
With a quick word to Anders, she pulled the woman aside, mindful of her contractions and sat with her in a secluded corner of the clinic. "You don't want the baby do you?" Jennifer asked, rubbing the woman's back in slow comforting circles.
The woman shook her head, claiming that she was a servant in one of the estates in Hightown, her employer forced himself on her and she kept it a secret so that she could feed her mother who was bed ridden since her father lost his leg at Ostagar. Jennifer closed her eyes and clenched her teeth. She ushered the woman to lay down, grabbing a thin blanket to support her head before walking towards Anders, she leant in close to his ear, explaining. He nodded in understanding, looking at the girl sadly before walking over, Jennifer in tow and kneeling down next to the low cot to speak with her softly. Jennifer was horrified by the words that spewed from his lips.
"There are ways to… remove the child before it is born, it's unpleasant but h-"
Jennifer stepped forward. "You can't do that!"
Anders looked her and frowned, but before Anders could reprimand Jennifer with a harsh word the woman tugged Anders arm and pleaded for the abortion. Jennifer scoffed in disgust, swiftly leaving the clinic. What was he thinking?! It wasn't the child's or the mother's fault for the conception. What twisted city was this for a woman to be fired for her employer raping her? She growled in frustration, anger and hurt spilling from her. How could Justice allow this?! She stormed away, weaving through the groups of Darktown making her way towards the lift leading to Lowtown. She kicked at a tumble of discarded lumber as she stepped off the stairs. She turned and wound her way up the steps leading to Hightown, she made to turn towards Fenris, aiming to release her aggression in a bout of sparring with her reluctant elf, but thought of another who would have an insight the craved and veered right instead of left, climbing the stairs before entering through the doors with a carved golden sun, one that matched the brand just above her brow. Elthina, a woman of morals and level-headedness that she respected greatly, was the woman she wished to see. She would explain Anders side, but still listen with an open heart and an open mind, but found Sebastian instead.
Now Sebastian was no less forthcoming in his willingness to listen, but he was not as open-minded but when Jennifer fell into his arms, seeking solace and comfort, he stiffened just a moment before wrapping his arms about her tightly as tears spilled down Jennifer's face. He gestured towards a stone bench when Jennifer was finally able to be pulled away and waited till the tears abated before peering at her with a concerned look. She explained what had happened, about the woman, and explained her greif over the tragedy of the woman feeling no other option. He listened and soothed, before turning inwards in thought. "It is a horrible injustice, but that is the plight of this city, and I'm afraid in other towns and cities the circumstances aren't different." He held her hands in his, his tanned palms, calloused by the practice of a bow, rubbing slowly over hers. "But, if she is the primary source of her family's income would it not be more of an injustice to bring a child into the world that no one could care for? The Chantry will always be my home, but even here the efforts for the orphans are limited, and lacking. If the child managed to thrive past its first years, it would live in hardship and loneliness and more often than not, they turn to a life of smuggling and thievery."
Jennifer looked at him cautiously, her bright blue eyes burrowing deep within her green ones. She wiped at her eyes again with the heel of her hand and sighed. "Does no one care for the children of this world? How can they hope for a better future when their young are left wanting?" She itched her head and squeezed his hand, smiling. "I suppose it was someone selfish of me thinking that this world would cope and function like my own. She turned when the doors of the Chantry were thrown open, a woman in cloister robes tumbling inside and darting straight to Sebastian. The woman looked at the two of them, noting her hands before Sebastian slowly pulled away and stood. The woman bowed, mumbling a formal greeting before turning to Sebastian and suggesting privacy.
They spoke in hushed harsh whispers, Sebastian's face growing darker with every passing word. When he at last offered his thanks to the woman, he made a swift respectable bow before returning to Jennifer. "Is everything alright?" She asked worriedly.
Sebastian looked away, frowning. A wrinkle formed between his brows that Jennifer felt misplaced and only just held herself steady from smoothing the line away. "Sister Reya, is a dear friend of mine who regretfully informed me of something I've been searching for for three years, now."
"What is that?" Jennifer asked.
"The ones who hired the Flint Company to kill my family." He carded his fingers through his russet toned hair and glared at the floor. "The Harrowmont's where friends of my parents for years! Why would they turn on them now? Was it to put Goran on the throne? I- I need to speak with Hawke. Do you know where we might find him?"
Jennifer nodded quickly taking Sebastian's hand, "He said he was going to the Hanged Man after he spoke with Athenril. He should be there in Varric's suite now." They briskly left the Chantry, Jennifer releasing Sebastian's hand when a deep flush ran along this cheeks and neck. She smirked inwardly, allowing herself a giddy moment of girlishness before demanding her woman bits remain calm and sheltered like they have been for nearly a year. Whether they listened or not was up for debate.