inbox

[redinside]

for notes, letters, and other exchanges

the door to Samson's room is guarded by an armed man; open-door visitors may come and go during appointed hours; private visits may be held with permission from the appropriate authority (or by bypassing the guard somehow, if you're so determined) paper messages may be exchanged; all contents will be skimmed by an officer unless delivered surreptitiously he has no sending crystal nor any message book at this time

Comments

[redinside]

Dear Merrill,

Most of what I want to say concerns the war and would be blocked out on review. That might be for the best, since none of it's very nice.

There is no comfort in knowing that you understand what it means to be an outcast – to be soaked in blood. The specifics of your story offer even less, if we are to be honest. Should it still matter to me, after what I've become? I don't know that it should, but in that place not yet dead, deep inside my worthless guts, it does matter.

Don't forget who I am and what I've done.

I'm sorry it had to be your family.

Samson

[chainlightning]

[ Her letter comes quickly. Too quickly - there had been the time for Samson's letter to be sent and received, but not the time for Merrill's response to be mailed. ]

Dear Samson,

People are suspicious, wary. They do not always question authority. They did not question my Keeper. I imagine you have had plenty of instances without questioning authority yourself, on both ends of the spectrum. Hawke used to tell me that what happened to my Keeper and my clan wasn't truly my fault; that they made their own choices. Sometimes, I even let myself believe it.

I may not be able to write for a while. I'm going somewhere without much in the way of mail service. If you will have the guards send any letters you may write to Ellana Ashara, I will be able to pick them up from her. I'm in Skyhold as I write this; I wanted to visit, but I wasn't sure if you would want to see me. I thought it best not to risk it.

If you don't wish to hear from me any longer, I understand.

Still your friend,

Merrill

[redinside]

[I'm in Skyhold is blacked out with thick ink, but Samson can guess where she is easily enough. Even though it's an act of doubt, and one that is wise on Merrill's part, that she hasn't come to see him pricks him in a place he hadn't expected to be so tender. He summons no guard to see if they can find her, perhaps relay a message; he sends no letter to Ashara; he learns he's being moved to Kirkwall in the months to come and still sends nothing.

He's squeezed inside by a cold fist when his thoughts drift to Merrill, or their friendship, or the mess he fears he'd have made of it—just like he makes a mess of everything—so he does his best not to. He throws himself into what little work he's given. He nearly tears the head off of anyone who attempts to ask him about the letters or why they've stopped.

And then, the move...]