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[doneisdone]

[Correspond at your own risk.]

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[doneisdone]

[not that Teren has much authority to do so, but she was raised a certain way.]

Give them a sound thrashing unless they had a bloody good reason, though I expect that's why it isn't up to me.

[That's how she would probably deal with most Warden insubordination, in no small part because they all act like she's their mother. Might as well lean into it.]

[limier]

Tempting,

[ ashlock would probably let her do it, but she suspects that would rather undercut the point — ]

However, I do not believe insufficient fear the problem, this time.

[ when you almost shove a knife in someone’s neck, everything else is a bit overkill. she'd been plenty afraid of courwin, when they'd begun doubting him,

she knows how she'd have handled this, when she still held command. she doesn't any longer; if simon follows her, it's by choice. ]

What qualifies as good?

[doneisdone]

Fair.

[Teren listens, and though she doubts any matriarch could ever be feared enough (just look at her own mother), Wren's logic holds.]

I don't know. To save a life? ...to protect a cause?

[Like terrorizing Orlesians and keeping your terrorist friends safe?]

What do you think the reason is?

[limier]

[ a breath out, ]

I cannot say. At a guess? Camaraderie.

[ she can imagine how he might write it off, put importance to the intent of her request and not the letter of it,

(it's how she'd have done it; it's how she operates still) ]

But it might as neatly be cowardice. To protect another's privacy, is also to avoid needing speak of it. Either motive might have ruled here.

[ either's plausible. she likes ashlock; until now, has trusted to his judgment. he has character, wits, potential —

he's also a bit of a pussy. ]

[doneisdone]

[Maker. There are few things Teren can tolerate less than equivocation, and if she hadn't become somewhat fond of Wren (don't tell anyone), she'd lose her patience right about now.]

If it's cowardice then there's your answer, [she says in a tone that feels like it should include a 'stupid' at the end,] and if it's camaraderie then the other sod is probably just as at fault, and whatever the case it's clearly the insubordination you're looking for.

[like, duh.]

Now I don't know what you glow-swords get up to and how you solve internal problems, but it sounds to me like you're looking for excuses to stay sat on your pretty arse doing nothing.

[Did she say pretty? Don't tell anyone. Especially not Teren.]

1/3

[limier]

[ excuse?? you?? what did you just say?? ]

2/3

[limier]

[ wait, she did say pretty. ]

3/3

[limier]

[ ... also she's right. this is just avoiding the problem. (there's a reason, after all, that she recognizes simon —) ]

'Glow-swords.'

[ pretty dry for someone who specifically came here looking for advice, wren. ]

You are — [ 'correct'? haha no she's not saying that, they both know who the other is, ] — Insightful as ever.

[ a huff of breath, ]

Did you manage to lose to the druffalo?

[doneisdone]

Yes. [She's not even going to pretend she isn't right and that Wren isn't tell her so. It's just objectively correct.]

....and no. [Sounding much less satisfied.] ...it swam across. I suppose it's mine now. Maybe we'll eat it.

[limier]

Tough meat, but stew it or grind it, and it will serve. [ contemplatively, ] I'd need a new cleaver.

[ and the free time in which to use it. they aren't quickly-butchered. ah, well. it's kirkwall: fish is cheap. ]

I am told — [ in a tone that implies those telling it are fucking morons ] — It is insensitive, not to name the beasts.

[doneisdone]

And I am known for my sensitivity.

[A hesitation of at least ten seconds.]

.....his name is Boots.

[limier]

Boots.

[doneisdone]

Well goodbye.

[limier]

I am lately regaled with the names of twenty nugs, you do not get out so easily.

I was gifted a bottle of brandy in Val Royeaux, it would be terribly inappropriate to keep such a blatant bribe —

[ to herself. ]

[doneisdone]

[A sound of disgruntlement that she couldn't deactivate the crystal fast enough but at least it sounds like keeping it on might be worth her while.]

...so it would.

[Another pause, this one clearly spent mulling something over.]

If you like, I can give you some pointers. On dealing with insubordination.

[suddenly, every warden and templar shudders in unison and has no idea why]

[limier]

Of course, my office is well-suited to receiving guests.

[ no one touch that desk for a while, for their own sanity ]

Or I might come to you,

[ ayyyyyyy ]

[doneisdone]

No. Not here.

[The children are here, and she doesn't have an office. Also, the less of her personal life she keeps out of this, the better.]

I shall see you directly.

In person

[justice_is_blond]

[He'd come here to ask Teren a question. What question, exactly, fades from mind as he hears Wren's voice and words. And while he doesn't mean to eavesdrop, Anders can hardly knock and interrupt a conversation.

Maybe he should go. No, he really should go. Except his feet aren't moving and he's standing there outside the door listening like an idiot even as Teren implies she's heading out. Through the door he's standing at, hand raised to knock, frozen in place.]

[doneisdone]

[This is the door that opens, and abruptly Anders is looking up at Teren, who is looking back down at him, her eyelids fluttering in a surprised blink.]

What, [she asks brusquely, having no reason to think anything is amiss. Anders is just being a weirdo like usual.]

[justice_is_blond]

[He's supposed to have an answer to that.]

...You think a Templar ass is pretty?

[Definitely not the question he came here to ask.]

[doneisdone]

[She shuts the door.]

[justice_is_blond]

[Now Anders knocks, remembering what he intended to ask and not sure that he's going to ask it, considering.]

[doneisdone]

[She doesn't answer, back pressed against the door, mind racing. Maybe he'll think she died and go away.]

[justice_is_blond]

[Okay then. He knocks again.]

Teren.

[Another knock.]

Teren.

[He spent seven years writing letters fruitlessly. Knocking on a door for ages is so much easier.]

[doneisdone]

[This goes on for about half a minute before the door wrenches open again and Teren stands behind it, staring flatly at Anders.]

Listening, were you.

[A different tack: maybe if she's stern and grumpy enough he'll get scared off and won't say anything else. That works sometimes. Maybe not with him, but there's always a first time.]