bethen avilla ; the circle mage (bethe) wrote in thedas, @ 2010-07-07 02:30:00 |
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Entry tags: | ! thread, & 9:45 (5) molioris, @ alderic thearre, @ bethen avilla, @ garrett edgewalker, @ thais keigwin |
Homecoming
Who: Bethen Avilla, Thais Keigwin, Garrett Edgewalker, Alderic Thearre
Where: Lothering - town and Chantry
When: Noon, 21 Molioris, 9:45 Dragon
Summary: The Wardens arrive in Lothering, and it is not at all the homecoming that Bethen was anticipating.
Rating: K for now.
Since exiting the central Bannorn a few members greater than when they had entered it, Bethen had tried desperately to find something to look forward to -- her return to her hometown had been one of those small things that kept her afloat against the tide of moody tension that swept in and out over the group, rendering her often silent and contemplative as they marched southward. But the closer they drew to their destination, the greater bounce there was in her step. She found herself able to point out landmarks and cheerfully recount day trips she'd taken with her father along these roads to conduct business, and maintained a fairly upbeat demeanor along the way. At least, until they had finally made their arrival, just as the sun crossed the meridian. Entering Lothering was both a familiar and foreign experience all at once. To expect a town infamous throughout Ferelden for being the first settlement ravaged by the last darkspawn horde to be unchanged was irrational, and yet it was difficult to put aside her sorrow at the absence of the remnants of her childhood. It was not as if Beth had been unaware of the destruction caused by the horde; not only were many people slaughtered here, but it was commonly known that entire buildings had been razed, both during and after the war. While the destruction of the town was a great loss, it was also viewed as an opportunity to start over, and better, when the reconstruction efforts began. Streets were rearranged, and greater fortifications were established on the southern border. Even the piece of the Imperial Highway that ran along the town's edge had been repaired. Cognizance was, however, completely different from experience. Though the trading post kept the old name and the ground had been walked upon before by her feet, there was no chance for real nostalgia until the Chantry's spire came into view from the rise of the Highway as the caravan rolled into town. Of all things to withstand the horrors and carnage of invasion, it seemed symbolically fitting that it would be the religious center of the town. This, and the windmill (though its sails were completely new), were the only two structures that bore any familiarity to the mage. The rest, however, was utterly and heartbreakingly unrecognizable. Needless to say, this was not at all the homecoming that she had spent the last seventeen years envisioning in her mind. How was Beth to run up to the front door of her house when it was no longer there? Even seeing the worn out piece of wood would have given her something to hold on to, nevermind how unlikely it was that her parents would be on the other side to greet her. Over and over, she had played out the scenario of what she would say, and what they would say -- no matter the actual words, she had been certain that all would be forgiven between them. Given her own fortune in surviving a near fatal encounter, it was hard not to carry a small shard of hope in her heart that her family had been equally as lucky as she. She was not very good at being a believer these days, but the young girl within still occasionally prayed that it was possible that the Maker had smiled upon all of the Avillas. But that fragment of faith was quickly dying out. Now she was beginning to regret her return, and wanted desperately to be allowed to keep dreaming of what it would have been like, instead of actually living out the harsh truth of reality. This was not her home; the Lothering she knew was nothing more than a bittersweet memory. It was increasingly difficult to smile and continue acting as a beacon of positivity when a knot had begun forming in the pit of her stomach and an invisible weight bore down on her shoulders and settled all the way down to her feet, making each step deeper into town feel leaden. Beth had far too much dignity to cry, though it was obvious that she was unhappy, if not ill, as the group gathered around to discuss dividing up tasks to complete by the day's end. For example, some were to find board at the inn, while others took portions of the divided shopping list for restocking inventory. Beth had volunteered to gather medical supplies, a simple enough task, and one she decided that she could complete after she had made an important detour. Quietly, discreetly, as the Wardens and their companions began to disperse through the town, the mage began to head off toward the Chantry, hardly paying attention to whether or not anyone else wished to follow. As much as the revelation would hurt, she had to know for certain that there was nothing left for her here. |