Blood from Stone [AU]

[Coquette Blacquin]

Cindy swallows back a strangled cry, taking a deep breath. "We're not... We're taking a break," she says quietly. "At least for now."

[Vigile]

Vigile studies her carefully. "Do you not love her anymore?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I... of course I do," she whispers, shivering. "That's why. I... did she tell you what she did?"

[Vigile]

"Mmhmm," he acknowledges. "Very, dangerously, careless of her. Do you wish for her to have to leave? Do you wish for her to be able to return?"

[Coquette Blacquin]

"No," she says, regret lacing the word. "But I can't let her stay. I can't keep her. I need her to be alive, and so, I can't keep her with me."

[Vigile]

The pavitra nods, looking somewhat pleased. "Very good. Ah, the first parts. That you wish her with you and that it is only your concern for her well being that makes that impossible at the moment."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Not only. I... I am afraid that nothing can save her, not truly. I am... I pray I am wrong. I just, I saw a future where she died and I had to find the body, had to inform her parents, had to break the news to Beth, and I just... can't. Am I selfish? Is that selfish of me?"

[Vigile]

"Mortals are imperfect, as the gods intended. If you did not have to struggle, if acting in accordance with virtue was without struggle, then it would have no value. By the same token, what struggles you overcome are more... worthy of honor and validation than an outsider's similar struggles," Vigile says slowly. "What you have borne, what you have survived and fought against, would be worthy of a solar's exaltation. So... no. You are not selfish for needing to rest."

[Coquette Blacquin]

She sighs, shoulders slumping in relief. "Thank you. I.. I just can't. I'd rather let her go now than bury her. So... It's not as though she'll be alone. She'll be with family. She'll be safer with Varric than she ever was with me. I'm just sorry my hubris led her to be hurt in the first place."

[Vigile]

"As I am well aware that you had nothing at all to do with the filthy chaos-spawn that ravaged her town nor the travesty of medical care that was the sanitarium  and you are well aware of that, I shall not indulge in that old saw about pretending surprise you do such things. Instead, I shall simply chide you in regards to the dangers of self-pity," the feline paladin says firmly. "You are and were her beloved, the hero that saved her from darkness and her guide into the shadows that kept you both safe. It is not your fault that you both need help reaching the light."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"No, it's not," she says quietly. "But if I had asked for help, had admitted I was in over my head, she would not have been hurt last night."

[Vigile]

Vigile studies her for a moment, then stretches up to rub his forehead along her chin. "I am proud of you, mi'lady. That is a hard thing to realize, much less admit and then act on."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Thank you, Vigile," she says quietly, stroking him along his back. "Are you certain you don't wish to go with her? I will be quite safe."

[Vigile]

"I am glad you have realized you need to ask for help. But I worry that you will not apply this lesson to yourself, instead only asking on behalf of Liz or perhaps your other loved ones," Vigile replies with blunt honesty. "She will be with her siblings and her father. I shall look after you."

[Coquette Blacquin]

"There are many things I cannot ask for help on," she sighs. "But thank you."