~~~I apologize for the delay but I do hope you enjoy this chapter. I had an idea block on how I should go about this. But here it is, please enjoy and thank you for being here~~~
~Xarga12~
As they walked through the streets of Kirkwall, Cullen couldn't help but steal glances at Nereida. Her presence had a captivating effect on him, and he felt an ease and comfort that he hadn't experienced in a long time. Despite not knowing her for long, there was something about her that he couldn't quite figure out. He wasn't going to delve too deeply into it, but the impact she had on his life was undeniable. As they continued their walk, Cullen felt the weight of the silence between them. Unable to bare it any longer, he finally mustered the courage to address the concern that had been gwaning at him.
"Nereida," Cullen began, his voice hesitant but determined. "May I ask why you were afraid of me, and why did you think I was going to take you to the Gallows?" Nereida stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening with a mixture of surprise and unease. She took a deep breath before meeting Cullen's gaze, her voice filled with vulnerability. "Cullen, it's not that I was afraid of you personally," Nereida explained, her tone tinged with anxiety. "But Hawke took me to the Gallows, and I saw how mages are treated. It's a place of fear, persecution, and injustice."
Cullen's expression softened, understanding dawning in his eyes. "I understand your concerns, I acknowledge the dark history surrounding the treatment of mages. However, we must also remember that there are mages who pose a genuine threat to the safety and well-being of the innocent." Nereida's brow furrowed in contemplation, still unsure. "I know there are mages who abuse their powers, but punishing all of them seems unjust. Do you truly believe there is no other way?"
Cullen sighed heavily, grappling with the weight of his answer. "I cannot deny that there are flaws in the way things are handled. However, in these trying times, fear has taken hold of our society, and certain measures must be taken to protect innocent lives. It is regrettable, but I believe it is necessary," he said. Nereida's expression changed from thoughtful to troubled as she listened to Cullen's explanation. She furrowed her brow even more, and her voice now carried a hint of sadness. "I understand the need to protect innocent lives, but that's exactly what troubles me. I may not be a mage now, but is that how you see me? Will my life be worth less than yours? Will you turn me into one of your tranquils?"
He was taken aback by her response. Though he had heard similar lines before, he did not expect such an answer. Although he knew that what she said hid some truth behind it, he would never admit it. Cullen's eyes filled with empathy as he looked at Nereida, trying to choose his next words carefully. "I cannot answer that because I do not have the words for it. But please understand that the situation with mages is complex and deeply rooted in history, and I cannot change the past. Therefore, we need to ensure the safety of the general population that is here now."
Just as Nereida was about to respond, her voice caught in her throat. She struggled to find the words, her eyes welling up in tears. Finally, she managed to choke out, "Cullen, I...I've seen what you templars do to mages, and how you change them into Tranquils. It was heart-wrenching to witness. They were stripped of their magic and their emotions, reduced to empty shells. It was as if their very essence had been taken away. How could your people allow such a heinous crime to happen?!" Her gaze fixed on Cullen, her eyes searching for answers.
His expression softened as he took in Nereida's emotional state, Cullen took a deep breath, his voice filled with remorse. "I truly am sorry you had to witness that. I'm bound to follow the laws and regulations set by the Chantry and the Templar Order. Turning mages tranquil may not be ideal, but it's the compromise we have made to prevent the greater tragedy of mages losing control and causing widespread destruction. It's a difficult decision, but one that is made with the hope of saving lives."
A flicker of frustration crossed Nereida's face, but she composed herself wiping away her tears, "Is there no other alternative to dealing with mages than tranquility or death?" Cullen shook his head, "I wish it were that simple. The Rite of Tranquility is seen as a way to mitigate risk. But unfortunately, it's one of the consequences of the world we live in."
Her shoulders slumped, and she felt a heavy weight on her heart as she absorbed Cullen's words. She had come to Kirkwall to help those in need, but now she was faced with a challenge that seemed almost impossible to achieve. She lifted her face, her eyes falling on his, she could see in his eyes that he meant every word he said. Realizing this was a losing battle, she was the first to end the conversation, "Very well, we've spent enough time with this, we should be on our way. Unless you wanted to stay and chat some more, you may want to try someone else."
She began to walk away, now it was Cullen's turn to make a choice; either let her walk away and let her believe see him as a heartless killer or... "Nereida wait." He reached out, gently placing a hand on her arm. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you, I'm not used to talking about this kind of thing. May we start over?" The words that escaped his lips surprised him, what had gotten into him? Nereida wiped away a tear, conflicted emotions swirling within her. After a deep breath, she looked at Cullen with a slightly lifted spirit. "Okay." He nodded, a hint of a smile forming on his lips, he lightly squeezed her arm before realizing it.
They resumed their walk, she began to discuss with him different herbs that would help him with his headaches. Cullen attentively listened to how much knowledge she knew about different herbs, he would also quip in some of his ideas as they strolled through the bustling streets of Kirkwall. They both were so lost in conversation that Cullen unexpectedly found himself guiding Nereida towards the lively marketplace. Nereida couldn't help but chuckle, noticing his obliviousness. "Seems like you've taken me on quite the detour, Cullen," she teased, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "But I must say, your unexpected escort is much appreciated.
Cullen's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he realized his mistake. "Oh, I apologize. I got carried away with our conversation and completely lost track of where we were going." Nereida's laughter filled the air, her eyes sparkling. "No need to apologize, I rather enjoyed the scenic route. Besides, your company more than made up for the detour." She glanced around at the vibrant marketplace and turned to Cullen, "Would you like to explore the market with me?" His flustered expression turned into a shy smile as he regained his composure. "Thank you for your kind offer." He began, "But I'm afraid I have some urgent matters to attend to and can't afford any more distractions." Nereida's smile faded slightly, though she tried her best to hide her disappointment. "Oh, I understand," She replied, her voice betraying a hint of sadness. "No worries. Duty always comes first."
He noticed the change in her demeanor, despite her attempt to conceal it. He felt a pang of guilt, wishing he could have accepted her invitation. However, he also knew that his responsibilities were important and couldn't be ignored. In silence, they stood there for a moment. He contemplated comforting her but quickly stopped himself, realizing that it might send mixed signals or give false hope. "I..." Cullen started, his voice filled with uncertainty. He searched for the right words, but they eluded him. Instead, he took a step back, unsure what to do or say next. Nerieda looked at him, her eyes searching his face for answers. Confusion and disappointment played across her features, mirroring the turmoil inside her. But Cullen, unable to gather his own thoughts and unsure of his own desires, turned away without another word. He disappeared into the crowd of people, leaving Nereida standing there, feeling a sense of loss that stretched far beyond their brief encounter.