Chapter Text
As the blonde closed the door behind her, a familiar human woman was standing outside of the room. Josephine was back in her regular clothing, and her arms were folded.
The look on her face made TJ gulp in fear, sweat beading on her forehead. Josephine was still livid from the previous night.
“You know I can’t tell you what we talked about, it’s confidential,” TJ sighed, leaning against the wall as her hair fell over her shoulder. Josephine blinked.
“I am aware of that, Inquisitor. However, Melava asked me to talk to her. If you will excuse me,” Josephine put her hand on the door, averting TJ’s sorrowful gaze.
“I…I am really sorry, Josie,” TJ whispered, and then leaned in to place a soft kiss against the Antivan’s temples. Josephine gritted her teeth, then entered the room.
TJ’s breath hitched as she pushed herself off the wall and headed towards Skyhold’s stables. Perhaps she could have a chat to one of the harts.
“Thank you for taking the time to speak with me, Ambassador Montilyet,” Melava stood up and bowed with a smile. Josephine forced a faux smile onto her face and curtseyed back.
“It is not a problem. Where The Inquisitor is involved, I will be,” she responded, sitting down in the chair with her hands in her lap and legs crossed in the back.
Melava also sat down, taking a swig of the gold liquid.
“So, The Inquisitor tells me she only had one alcoholic drink, but three lines of Witherstalk. That’s correct?”
“It is,” Josephine sighed curtly, she was still fuming. Melava looked the woman up and down; her clothes were prim and proper, her hair tied back in an elegant low bun. There wasn’t a single flaw in her skin, and her polite posture must come from years of dealing with nobility.
“I can imagine Tamsin-Jeanne’s actions will have people view the Inquisition in a new light,” Melava said softly, curling her finger around a lock of her red hair. Josephine sighed and folded her arms, a frown coming across her face.
“It is not that I am worried about! …maybe a little, as the Inquisition was built up from the ground, and to have that image on the top will make others forget what it has accomplished. However,” she unfolded her arms and looked down at the ground, eyes shimmering with tears.
“I care for TJ, I love TJ. She is ruining herself with all this behaviour…I do not want to lose her, there have been enough times where she has stared death in the face.”
Josephine started to fumble with her hands, not looking up at Melava.
“This Witherstalk usage only became more apparent once the red templars had been cleared out…”
“I take it you know what Witherstalk can do to people?”
“Y-Yes, I do…” Josephine’s throat tightened at the thought.
“My…my uncle had a severe witherstalk addiction. One night, he thought he was being chased by bandits, and ended his life on the docks.”
Tears started to fall down the woman’s face, and Melava let out a sigh.
“My condolences.”
“That…that can’t happen to The Inquisitor. It just cannot happen, I refuse,” Josephine sobbed. The memories of losing Romano were too much. Melava closed her eyes and let her lip curl.
“When facing an addiction, the most significant variable someone needs is patience. It will not happen overnight, and witherstalk is not easy to eliminate. But, it has been done, and I promise you Inquisitor Adaar will conquer this addiction.”
Josephine took out her white handkerchief and dabbed her eyes as Melava continued to talk.
“However, your devotion to the Inquisitor is another important asset. You need to continue to support her, and monitor her. It will all be worth it in the end, and there is nothing, nothing more rewarding than supporting her throughout this time.”
Josephine hiccupped as the tears stopped, and she looked at the elf.
“What do you recommend the next action to be?”
“There are two methods,” Melava explained, raising a delicate finger from her left hand.
“The first is a substitute. I have suggested this to Adaar as well. Change the desire for witherstalk or alcohol with something else. Be it food, water, an activity, just something to swap cravings.”
"And the second?" Josephine questioned, and Melava raised her first finger on her right hand.
"My theory is that Adaar, like many others addicted to substances, have a purpose for their addiction. Crystal grace relaxes her, and Witherstalk enhances her desire to continue. To cut it off completely right now will make the process worse. So the other option is to get her to relax."
"I beg your pardon?" Josephine raised her eyebrows.
"TJ needs to relax. She needs to relieve herself of all of the stress being Inquisitor provides. My recommendation is that the expeditions are limited, and more time is to be spent on recreation."
"You see, Melava, with all due respect, but Tamsin-Jeanne finds training to be her recreation."
"Then we allow more time for her to train. She's currently studying Knight Enchantment, yes? Enhance that."