[ He should be thankful for his Inquisitor having relieved him-- And he is, really. Truly, Kaia is a good friend and certainly willing to give him the space he needs. There was an exchange in the throne room that no one else likely understood between them where Kaia recalled the conversation they had about the Hero of Ferelden. About how he wishes he could have said things differently to her. Between the two of them, it appears the Maker has given him the chance. ]
[ But taking it seems far harder than he once believed it may have been. It's easy to romanticize the past and think of what might have been, were things done and said differently. However, that is merely imagination and fantasy. For ten years, Cullen easily romanticized how he might have changed things. And it is in those ten years he would remind himself that she is dead and gone, and that opportunity is merely made in prayer that he can only hope would reach Neria in the heavens. ]
[ The door closes, and she is still there. Still before him and breathing, though the fact that she is solid and not mere vision still is up for debate. A weak debate, really, but Cullen's doubt is a loud presence in his mind. ]
[ A greeting is all she offers. What else could she offer? Cullen couldn't rightly blame her for such a short greeting that may only come as two words, yet speak so much more. How should he feel? Betrayed? Hopeful? Of course, he's happy to see that she is (presumably) alive, but why hide for so long? Lashing out would only show that he hasn't changed, and there is a lengthy silence that follows her greeting where he tries to find the right words. ]
[ His mouth opens, then closes, where he reaches up to cover it for a moment. There is hesitation in his response, and the way Cullen sways where he stands suggests that there is an absolutely difficult internal struggle here. ]
Surely you have more to say than just a simple hello?
[ He makes it a point to bear no anger, even if the temptation is there. You were dead, he wants to say. But this is a delicate situation. ]
You're... Alive. It's been a decade's pass since everything.
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[ But taking it seems far harder than he once believed it may have been. It's easy to romanticize the past and think of what might have been, were things done and said differently. However, that is merely imagination and fantasy. For ten years, Cullen easily romanticized how he might have changed things. And it is in those ten years he would remind himself that she is dead and gone, and that opportunity is merely made in prayer that he can only hope would reach Neria in the heavens. ]
[ The door closes, and she is still there. Still before him and breathing, though the fact that she is solid and not mere vision still is up for debate. A weak debate, really, but Cullen's doubt is a loud presence in his mind. ]
[ A greeting is all she offers. What else could she offer? Cullen couldn't rightly blame her for such a short greeting that may only come as two words, yet speak so much more. How should he feel? Betrayed? Hopeful? Of course, he's happy to see that she is (presumably) alive, but why hide for so long? Lashing out would only show that he hasn't changed, and there is a lengthy silence that follows her greeting where he tries to find the right words. ]
[ His mouth opens, then closes, where he reaches up to cover it for a moment. There is hesitation in his response, and the way Cullen sways where he stands suggests that there is an absolutely difficult internal struggle here. ]
Surely you have more to say than just a simple hello?
[ He makes it a point to bear no anger, even if the temptation is there. You were dead, he wants to say. But this is a delicate situation. ]
You're... Alive. It's been a decade's pass since everything.
[ Why?? ]