~~~Good evening! This chapter delves a bit into Nereida's clan. Something to get them to know each other, and the following chapters will be a struggle due to Cullen slowly distrusting Nereida, and Neredia slowly finding out what Cullen really does among the templars.~~~
~Xarga12~
As the festival drew to a close, the vibrant energy of the day slowly gave way to the tranquility of the night. The streets of Lowtown were bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, casting gentle shadows across the cobblestones as Cullen walked beside Nereida, her arm wrapped around his. The cool evening air was a welcome reprieve from the heat of the day, and they walked in blissful silence, content in each other's company. The festivities had been lively, filled with music, laughter, and the joyous celebration of life. But now, as the night descended, a sense of calm settled over Kirkwall, a quiet stillness that seemed to envelop them as they strolled through the familiar streets.
Cullen stole a glance at Nereida, the soft glow of the lanterns illuminating her features with a warm, ethereal light. She looked serene and beautiful, her eyes reflecting the quiet intensity of the moment as they walked together, lost in their own thoughts. For Cullen, there was a sense of peace in this simple act of companionship, a respite from the chaos and turmoil of his duties as a Templar. In Nereida's presence, he found solace and comfort, a rare moment of tranquility amidst the tumult of their world.
As they neared Nereida's house, Cullen felt a gentle tug of hesitation in his chest, a silent urging to break the comfortable silence that enveloped them. With a quiet exhale, he turned to Nereida, a faint smile playing on his lips as he sought permission to delve into a topic that had been lingering in his mind. "Nereida," he began, his voice soft but filled with a quiet resolve, "there's something I've been curious about if you don't mind me asking."
Nereida glanced at him with a warm smile, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Of course, Cullen," she replied, her voice gentle and encouraging. "What is it?" Cullen hesitated for a moment, his gaze briefly flickering away before returning to meet Nereida's steady gaze. "It's about your clan," he admitted his words careful and measured. "I know you mentioned them before, but... I'm curious to learn more about them." Nereida's expression shifted to one of surprise, her eyes widening slightly as she regarded Cullen with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue. "You want to know about my clan?" she asked, a hint of disbelief coloring her voice.
Cullen nodded, his gaze unwavering as he met Nereida's gaze. "Yes," he affirmed, his voice tinged with a quiet determination. "I only remember bits of what you shared when we first met, and... I was hoping you might be willing to share more. If it's okay with you, of course." Nereida's expression softened as she looked at Cullen, a gentle warmth spreading across her features. She seemed to search his eyes for a moment as if trying to discern the sincerity behind his request. And then, with a soft smile, she nodded, her gaze filled with a quiet understanding. "I'd be happy to share with you, Cullen," she replied, her voice filled with a gentle warmth.
As they stood on the threshold of Nereida's home, she looked at Cullen, "What in particular did you want to know?" she asked, her voice soft and inquisitive. Cullen shifted slightly, a nervous energy coursing through him as he struggled to find the right words to articulate his thoughts. "It's about what you mentioned," he began, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "About searching for your purpose, and... gaining your magical abilities, if you found it." Nereida's expression flickered with hesitation, her gaze momentarily darting away before returning to meet Cullen's earnest gaze. "Ah, yes," she replied, her tone carefully neutral. "I came to Kirkwall because I felt like my purpose was somewhere here. I wanted to help."
Cullen nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful as he processed Nereida's response. "I understand," he murmured, his tone gentle but probing. "But... can you tell me more about how it happens? How do your people gain their powers in this way?" Nereida's forced smile faltered slightly, a flicker of discomfort crossing her features as she hesitated for a moment. "Well," she began, her voice tinged with uncertainty, "it's... it's kind of like a rite of passage among my people. When we fulfill our purpose in life, when we... when we find our calling, that's when the magic comes to us."
Cullen listened intently, his gaze focused on Nereida as he studied her with keen observation. He noticed the subtle shifts in her demeanor, the nervous tension in her posture that belied her attempts to deflect his question with a vague explanation. As a Templar, Cullen had been trained to recognize the signs of deception, to discern the truth hidden beneath layers of obfuscation. And though he trusted Nereida, he couldn't help but wonder about the secrets she kept, about the truths she held close to her heart.
Nereida noticed Cullen's keen observation, she felt a pang of unease flutter in her chest. Sensing the need to redirect the conversation, she quickly interjected with a piece of information she knew would capture Cullen's attention. "You know, Cullen," she began, her voice taking on a serious tone, "if I do gain my abilities, there's a chance I may have to leave." Cullen's expression shifted almost immediately, his brows furrowing in concern as he turned to Nereida with a look of bewilderment. "Leave? What do you mean?" he asked, his voice laced with a mixture of confusion and worry.
A subtle satisfaction flickered in Nereida's eyes as she realized she had successfully redirected Cullen's focus. She took a deep breath before explaining, "Once I find my purpose and gain my magical abilities, there's a possibility I may have to return to my people. It's... it's part of our tradition, a way of ensuring the safety of our clan." Cullen's brow furrowed with concern as he processed this information. The weight of her words hung in the air, introducing a layer of complexity to their budding connection.
"What if you don't want to return?" Cullen asked a determined glint in his eyes. "You could stay here in Kirkwall, and I can ensure your safety. I can protect you from the other Templars." Nereida's response was a simple shake of her head, a poignant acknowledgment of the complexities that bound her. "It's not that simple, Cullen," she replied, her voice carrying a weight of resignation. Cullen wasn't ready to accept the simplicity of her answer. "Explain it to me, then," he urged, his tone gentle but insistent. "Help me understand, Nereida."
A shiver ran down Nereida's spine as she prepared to unveil a darker aspect of her reality. "If I were to refuse to return," she began, her voice carrying a hint of hesitation, "they would send hunters after me." Cullen's expression shifted to one of slight agitation, a furrow forming on his brow. "Hunters?" he repeated, a sense of disbelief coloring his voice. "What do you mean by hunters? Like a hunting party?" he ventured, his tone uncertain.
Nereida shook her head, her expression grave. "No," she clarified, her voice tinged with sadness. "Not like a hunting party. The hunters are... different." Nereida met Cullen's gaze, a quiet sorrow lingering in her eyes. "These hunters are a rare few among my people who can track those with magical abilities," she explained. "They can sense when a member has attained their magic. They wait for a certain amount of time, and if the person doesn't return willingly, they are sent out."
Cullen absorbed this information, the realization dawning on him. He couldn't help but draw parallels to the way Templars hunted escaped apostates. The unsettling similarities left a heavy silence between them, underscoring the weight of Nereida's predicament. "And what happens if they find you?" he asked, his voice tinged with a quiet urgency.
Nereida's gaze faltered slightly as she met Cullen's eyes. "They... they either bring their target back alive or..." She hesitated, unable to bring herself to voice the grim alternative. Cullen's jaw tightened with unease as he processed the implications of Nereida's words. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon him, stirring a mix of concern and determination within his heart. Cullen held Nereida close, his arms wrapping around her in a protective embrace as he sought to offer her comfort and reassurance. "Nereida," he whispered softly, his voice filled with earnestness, "if you hide if you stay with me, you won't have to go back. You'll be safe with me. I know how to deal with mages."
Nereida's heart ached at Cullen's words, his sincerity touching her deeply. But she shook her head slowly, her expression pained. "It wouldn't matter," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Cullen's brow furrowed in confusion as he looked into Nereida's eyes, searching for an explanation. "What do you mean?" he asked gently, his tone filled with concern. Nereida hesitated for a moment, grappling with how to articulate the complexities of her clan's magic to someone outside of her world.
Nereida's words hung heavy in the air, the weight of their implications settling over them like a shroud of uncertainty. She could see the conflict etched across Cullen's features, the struggle of his desire to keep her safe. "I won't have you risk your life and my people just because I don't want to return," Nereida reiterated softly, her voice tinged with determination. "You have your duties as a Templar, and I have mine to my clan. We both have responsibilities we can't ignore."
Cullen opened his mouth as if to protest, but Nereida gently placed a finger against his lips, silencing his objections before they could take form. "Please, Cullen," she implored, her gaze pleading with him to understand. "I don't know when my purpose will happen. It may take months, or maybe even years. But until then, I need you to trust me."
Cullen's heart ached with the weight of Nereida's words, the conflicting emotions swirling within him as he struggled to reconcile his desire to keep her safe with his respect for her wishes. He wanted to believe her assurances, to hold onto the hope that they could find a way to navigate the challenges ahead. In the end, he knew that for now, all he could do was hold her close, offering her the comfort and reassurance she needed in that moment. And as they stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace, they found solace in the simple act of being together.
Cullen gently lifted Nereida's chin, guiding her gaze to meet his own. "I promise you, Nereida," he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity, "I will do everything in my power to keep you safe." Nereida's heart swelled with emotion at Cullen's assurances, knowing deep down that it was too much to hope for, yet finding comfort in his unwavering dedication to her well-being. Lost in the warmth of his promises, they leaned in for a passionate kiss, their lips meeting in a fervent embrace that spoke volumes of their shared longing and desire.
After a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, they broke apart, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. Nereida's voice was barely above a whisper as she asked, "Would you like to spend the night?" Cullen's face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and longing, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. He wanted nothing more than to stay by Nereida's side, to bask in the warmth of her presence, but he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that it wasn't the appropriate time. He didn't want her to think he was taking advantage of her vulnerability in such a state. With a polite smile, Cullen gently declined, his voice tinged with regret. "I appreciate the offer," he said softly, "but I think it's best if I leave for now. I wouldn't want you to think I'm taking advantage of the situation."
Nereida nodded understandingly, a hint of disappointment flickering in her eyes as she apologized softly. Cullen reached out to gently brush a strand of hair away from her face, his touch tender and affectionate. "It's alright," he reassured her, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'll see you soon. Goodnight, Nereida." With a final lingering kiss, Cullen bid her farewell, his heart heavy with the weight of their unspoken desires and the promise of a future yet to unfold. And as he made his way through the quiet streets of Lowtown, the memory of their shared moment lingered in his thoughts, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that she there was more to her story than she was letting on.