FIC: Happy

[glitteringstars]

Title: Happy
Author: glitteringstars/heart hotel (ao3)
Table, Prompt: Oct. 10 of 20; Happy from shortandsweet
Fandom: Dragon Age: Inquisition
Pairing / Character: Female Lavellan, Mother Giselle
Summary: The Inquisitor meets Mother Giselle for the first time.
Work Count: 206 words
Rating: General Audeinces
Warnings: N/A
Notes: I loved the concept of an unbelieving Herald meeting a true believer, but I found the lack of the genuine awkwardness to be sad.

Enid knows the stories of the Chantry, how they stamp out those who don’t sing the Chant of Light like a prayer. So, she startles at the way Mother Giselle smiles at her despite the decorative oak branch tattoos caressing her cheeks. 

 

“You brought food and medicinal herbs,” the revered mother says, and her voice is like that of smooth plains of the Free Marches. It makes Enid just a bit homesick.

 

“It’s the least I can do,” Enid responds, her voice stiffer than she intends. But her words are true: all she can really do to help the refugees is hunt and forage. It’s what she’s done all her life.

 

Mother Giselle touches a wrinkled, weathered finger to either of her cheeks. “Which god are you dedicated to?”

 

This straight-forward curiosity stumps Enid, and when that quiet lingers, Mother Giselle’s smile turns sorrowful.

 

“Many answer the Maker’s call, yet they freely choose to not walk the path laid forth by Lady Andraste. If you do as they should, it matters not if you follow other gods.”

 

Enid clears her throat. “Please, let anyone from the Inquisition know if there is anything else the refugees need. I’ll personally see to it that these requests are fulfilled.”