The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Haliel Lightsong]

"...why is it loaded?" Haliel asks curiously.

[Marian Hawke]

"Well, contentious, perhaps is the better word."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"...okay? Why is it contentious?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Well, I mean, according to--"

She hesitates, then swallows, forcing herself to continue, voice wavering a bit. "According to some, I deserved to be sold as a pleasure slave, so..."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel growls softly, the sound deep in her throat. Looking startled- and a little embarrassed- she clears her throat. "I- that is, I disagree. Strongly."

[Marian Hawke]

"Well, it nearly happened, so..."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Bad things sometimes happen, that doesn't mean they should."

[Marian Hawke]

"No -- but if it keeps happening... I mean, look at us, Haliel. Me, Beth, Carol, Helene-- all of us keep... It's clear the gods don't object, not really, or they'd have stepped in long ago. So maybe that is what people like me deserve."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"The gods aren't allowed. I mean... there are as many Dark as Bright. So yes, that does mean that just as many of Them wishing ill on good as wishing good on... good." She wrinkles her nose at the phrasing. 

[Marian Hawke]

"I know, but... only a few gods disapprove of slavery. Or prostitution. Or whatever the hell happened to Helene. They're outnumbered. So in the grand scheme of things, is it really true to say it's not right?"

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Yes," Haliel says firmly.

[Marian Hawke]

She rolls her eyes. "You are so Bastionite it's like you crawled fresh out of Hope Springs."

[Haliel Lightsong]

Haliel blushes sweetly. "Thank you," she says bashfully. 

[Marian Hawke]

"But Bastion didn't make the whole wide world, Haliel."

[Haliel Lightsong]

"Valid," Haliel agrees. "But I fail to see why I should allow the opinions and demands of beings- gods or mortals- whose views are just wrong to dictate what I think right. Slavers would very much want to own me but I disagree. And I don't care if they think that- I mean, I care, because I want to stop them- but I won't let them convince me to agree to it just because they have an opinion. Just because the Dark Deities are divine doesn't mean I have to listen to them or support Their opinions."