chainlightning | CONTACT ;; faderift

It would depend on the lie.

I told Adrian's parents that he died an honourable death. That he died protecting a village.

[ Softly: ] And the truth?

He was killed by drunks. A mob took anger with us.

[ It's an all-too familiar scene, in Kirkwall. Merrill keeps her voice soft, but there is a definite pang of hurt. ]

Do you know why?

No. I was with him, but I did not understand their anger. He tried to protect me.

He died trying to protect you, then. That's still noble.

He should not have died. I should have been stronger.

[ There's a long pause. Finally: ]

I know what it's like to have someone die for you. Someone who didn't deserve to die, who didn't need to do it. To live with the regret every day, every minute.

It will never go away. This guilt... It will haunt me forever.

It will, [ she agrees, solemn. ] Maybe it will lessen, in time, but it will always be there.

[ She sighs. ]

My Keeper let herself be possessed, thinking that if she didn't, I would be. It resulted in me having to kill her... and that then resulted in me having to kill my entire clan to save my friends. Right there on Sundermount, near the ancient graves of our people - I killed them and I buried them.

I know your guilt. There are days where I feel like it's all that's left of me.

[ She is quiet for a while, a depth of feeling inside of her that she can scarcely begin to put to word, but she knows she has to try. What Merrill had faced... It was unkind of her to come and raise these memories, even if she wasn't aware of it before they'd spoken. A knot rises in her stomach, to her throat, but she forces herself to calm down.

Her hands press into her chest, eyes closed, before she reaches for her crystal, grips it and speaks. ]

I cannot imagine your pain. It cannot be compared to mine - the life of one cannot be measured against the life of so many. I hope Sarenrae - that your God - might bring them to an easy rest. That they understand your cause, if not the pain.

It's pain all the same, [ Merrill offers; she hadn't wanted to make Six feel like her pain was less. But she can speak of gods, at least. ]

The stories speak of Falon'Din, Friend to the Dead, who would guide the dead to their place Beyond. When the Creators were banished, we began burying our people with staves, so that they might stay on the paths to beyond even without a guide.

I hope that they do. I hope that they find their guide and will find peace. [ A pause, a touch awkward, before - ] I would pray for them, if you would allow it.