bethen avilla ; the circle mage (bethe) wrote in thedas,
The delay that the templar perceived in his reaction to her hug was hardly registered by the giver; Bethen was so absorbed in her own emotions that time was just as irrelevant as the people around them. She was just...so blessed to have a family and friends that, were she a person of faith, she might have even thought the Maker was smiling upon her. The condemnation of every other man and woman in this room was utterly meaningless in comparison. But once she managed to get past the tears of merriment, she could sense tension in Alderic, his hands awkwardly moving against the back of her robes. The mage couldn't help laughing softly at how absolutely silly this must have looked to bystanders, and how much she must have been embarrassing her friend for what she'd thought was just a simple gesture of affection. He was being an incredibly good sport about it, though, and had this been any other time after any other sort of news, perhaps she would have felt guilty for the public display.
Instead, Beth was simply amused, heart too set on clinging to whatever hope it had rediscovered today, before the mood could slip away in the dark times ahead. She pulled back so that she could look her friend in the face, but didn't quite let go for a moment longer, halfway because she was still feeling unsteady on her own two feet, and a little because she couldn't care less what anyone in this hallowed building thought of her for it. He deserved to know how much his words meant, and she didn't have much else in the way of showing it. A broad smile was across her mouth, a counter to her bleary eyes, as she said with the utmost warmth, "Thank you, Alderic. I don't know that I'd have managed a single word to her Reverence if you hadn't been there..."
The dampness of her cheeks was beginning to bother her, so Bethen finally relinquished her grasp around Alderic's far higher shoulders and lifted a sleeve to dab at her face, taking two steps back, careful not to tread on the wolf beside them. "I would like that, if I could see them...when this is over, of course," said the mage Warden softly, her other hand idly wandering back to the top of the white canine's head, fingers lightly stroking a spot between his ears. He had been extraordinarily patient with them, especially in the presence of Mother Catrin. It was so...curious. But she was delighted to have his company, as well, and would have to find some way of rewarding him for it later. What did wolves like, though? A heartier meal than usual tonight, perhaps. Well, she could think of something later.
Drained as she was, Bethen still had actual responsibilities to attend to -- the Enchanter was right to some degree, duty had its priority. Besides that, she had very little desire to linger in the Chantry any longer than was necessary. No one here besides the Revered Mother knew for a fact that she was a mage, but she knew she was still being judged, if only for the animal she'd brought in with her. She inhaled and exhaled deeply to regulate her breathing, before speaking levelly, "I ought to get to my shopping list checked off. I'll take..." she paused, glancing at their lupine companion, again reminding herself that he really needed to be given a name soon, "him with me, and leave you to your business here. We'll stay out of trouble, I promise." It wasn't entirely clear whether she was mocking him or being sincere, though she did mean to avoid any confrontations in the manner they'd had earlier. She began to turn down the aisle, toward the doors, looking back at her comrade briefly, "Meet up with you later, I suppose? Come on." The latter was addressed to the wolf, to whom she gestured to follow her outside.