faderift | [OPEN] Welcome Back! Now Take a Bath.

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[OPEN] Welcome Back! Now Take a Bath.

WHO: Blackwall and you!
WHAT: Blackwall returns to Skyhold after being away for a few months
WHEN: Current?
WHERE: Around Skyhold, mostly the stables and the tavern
NOTES: none that I can think of... his intro is over here. prose or brackets are fine

i. Just arrived
It's midday when Blackwall and the small group of scouts and soldiers who'd been with him in the Storm Coast are spotted by one of Skyhold's lookouts making their way back up the mountain road. They're definitely not in a rush, but getting inside of the fortress' high walls and out of the whipping mountain winds is a relief. After weeks in the constant drizzle of the Storm Coast, dry clothing felt like an unattainable fantasy.

Muddy, damp, and worn out, Blackwall was looking even more unkempt and wild than when he'd first arrived in Haven. The Storm Coast seemed to have that affect on people; the others with him didn't look like they'd fared much better. He's a little surprised at how glad he is to be back, but why wouldn't he be? A change of clothes into something that isn't already soaked through with rain and a proper place to enjoy a drink, what's not to love?

ii. Sparring/Beating up practice dummies close to the stables
It doesn't take Blackwall long at all to fall back into a routine, which means getting some time in with a dull sword and a stuffed potato sack on a stick meant to look like a person. It's unusual for him to be in anything less than his full armor, which includes the puffy gambeson he always wears, but it's still hung up to dry by the fire in the stables, so this morning he's settled for a loose tunic and trousers.

Unlike some of the others whacking away at the dummies, his movements are calm and devoid of emotion, simply going through training exercises and focusing on form and technique. Training exercises are all well and good, but if someone actually offered to spar he'd be hard pressed to turn them down, especially after fighting nothing but bears and spiders in the mud for the past few weeks.

iii. Tavern
"Oh, pardon me," Blackwall offers, managing to sound completely genuine while fighting back a chuckle. It's late evening and the tavern is apparently the place to be. It's surprisingly easy to misjudge how close you are to someone after a few drinks and Blackwall misses the mark as he leans over the counter to signal for another pint, bumping a few people.

"Ale, like the last one," He tells the barkeep when he gets their attention before offering a slightly intoxicated smile while waiting.

iv. or choose your own adventure!
[Walking around Skyhold or find him in the stables... demand he come tour the Warden encampment and watch him squirm, or comment about how much he needs a haircut. I'm down for all the things :3]

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Ellana likes coming to the stables to pet the mounts, though some have made it onto her list of favorites, and today she can be found sneaking a hart an apple. She holds onto the large, red fruit so the animal can take a big bite, and she laughs as she watches him chew.

"Good boy," she tells him, but turns her head when she spots Blackwall out of the corner of her eye. Still sounding amused, she asks, "You're not going to tell on me to Master Dennit, are you?"

He stands up a little straighter when it's obvious the young woman is talking to him and not the animal any longer.

"I beg your pardon?" He hadn't exactly been watching her, or paying attention. Peering from her to the hart, he still can't figure out what she might be referring to, "And what've you done that you think might garner Master Dennit's ire... aside from stepping foot into the stables that is?"

He'd barely been back a few days and had next to nothing to do with the animals and already had managed to get yelled at twice by the old man.

"I'm feeding this hart a treat," she explains, looking back to hand off the apple completely. The hart takes a step back into his stall to chew on the apple and let the excess fall to the ground where it can pick at it.

"You never know; he might take offense to anyone messing with his diet for the mounts." She gives a shrug, not sounding too worried about it. Really, it was just a way to start conversation.

"Ah. I've no doubt he will. I walked by a stable yesterday and got told off," He says, amusement clear in his tone.

"Is that one yours? Or just lucky?" He really wasn't sure what kinds of things people brought with them to the Inquisition. Mounts made sense. They were valuable and useful, even if the Inquisition had to find somewhere to house them and feed for them to eat.

"Mine? Oh, no, just someone I've taken a shine to." She would pat the creature's nose, but he's ducked down his head to finish the apple. "But a Dalish clan is sending some halla to thank the Inquisition for helping them, and I was told I could take care of them. I'm so looking forward to it."

"I see," He nods, meandering closer until he can glance into the stable as well.

He nods, "Before the Inquisition, did you live with your clan? Was that part of your role there - taking care of the halla?"

He'd traveled throughout Thedas quite a bit, but the Dalish really weren't something he was all that familiar with. He just hoped he didn't sound completely ignorant; he could accept partially ignorant.

"I did live with my clan. In the Free Marches. But no, I was hearthkeeper." She shoots him a look, wearing a small smile, but with sadness in her eyes. There's a story there, but she doesn't elaborate on it. Instead, she continues.

"But I did assist our halla keeper often. Sulahni is amazing with them. It's like she can read their minds. I can only hope I've learned something from her."

With the hart occupied, she turns her attention fully to the man, and-- that is an impressive beard, now that he's moved closer and she's getting a closer look at it. Human men and their ability to grow facial hair just fascinate her.

"And you, ser? Have you been in the Inquisition long?"

Hearthkeeper sounded vaguely self explanatory, like halla keeper except she took care of... the hearth? He wasn't sure what all it entailed. Making a fire and keeping it going wasn't exactly a full time job, at least he didn't think it was. But it also felt foolish to ask for details.

"Yes... but I've been in the Storm Coast nearly since we were back at Haven. Trying to find some hints as to where the Wardens have up and disappeared to. So, I've been with the Inquisition, I just haven't been with the Inquisition.

And you? I'd wager you've been here a while if you've got favorites," He says with a lopsided smile, gesturing with a nod towards the stable.

If he asks, he'll find that he's right, that being hearthkeeper isn't a full time job, especially when you can light fires with magic. Which means Ellana is accustomed to running around trying to be of help and trying to find a place where she fits.

"Oh, well I suppose you have your answer. You must have seen the Wardens here already and they must have told you." And Ellana herself knows more than most, because Alistair likes to talk, and because she's in a relationship with their newest Warden, Felix. She knows all about the song in his head.

She looks over at the hart with a smile and shrugs. "I was never at Haven. My clanmates and I were on our way to join when we heard about its destruction and the new base here. So we arrived straight here. But that was late last year. I have been here a decent length of time. I've been out on a few missions too." She reaches out and pets the hart, now that he's finished with his treat.

"Aye. Seems I got back just in time to set off on another investigation. By the sounds of it, we'll be finding something much more substantial than old, buried campfires at Adamant," Ironically, she probably knows more than he does, most of the other wardens tend to be looking for ways to distract themselves from the calling instead of talking to one another about it. At least, out in the open.

"Probably for the best that they weren't at Haven. Things could have very easily ended differently than they did," And even though the majority of people escaped, there'd been plenty of casualties.

Ellana nods seriously, refocusing on him and letting the hart be for the moment. She may not be a tactical genius, but she's slowly becoming accustomed to combat, and whatever she can do to aid them on their investigation is something she'll do. "I want to come help. I have friends in the Wardens and you all have suffered long enough."

Her sudden determination takes him by surprise and he's left searching for what to say. Obviously, she's mistaken him for someone who knows what's going on and has any say in anything.

"Uh... well, I think, all you've got to do is volunteer? I'm sure they wouldn't turn you down, if you wanted to go."

She lets out a soft laugh. "Well, Wardens love their secrets, don't they? I want to be sure you all aren't going to sneak out in the middle of the night." From her tone of voice, it's clear she's kidding. After all, the Wardens are here because they need the Inquisition's help.

"I do want to go. Even if it is a desert and I'll turn completely red in the sun."

"Uh, right," His laugh sounds less than confident. "Sneak out? I think if anyone was going to leave, they would've done so already. It's not like anyone is forcing us to be here."

He nods, wrinkling his nose a bit. "Not to mention getting sand everywhere. Even once we're back, it'll still feel like you're breathing it. Well worth braving the elements, I think though. Whatever Corypheus is doing, he needs to be stopped."

"It will be a new experience for me. I've never been to a desert. Though I've heard plenty of advice on how to protect myself from the sand and heat." The feeling of still breathing in sand sounds irritating. She hopes it isn't that way for her.

"You must have been everywhere as a Warden. Do you have a favorite place?"

"You weren't missing anything. Believe me," He says, wrinkling his nose slightly. Of all the places he'd been, deserts always seemed to be the worst, the least forgiving, the ones ready to claim your life with one tiny mistake.

"I suppose. I have traveled a good deal. I'm a bit of sap though and I think you might find my answer is more, well, boring than you'd hoped. For me it'll always be Markham. Fond memories of more innocent times and all that," He tries not to sound too wistful, "I've always found the Frostbacks immensely impressive as well. The views from mountain passes on clear days can be truly breathtaking.

What about you. The Dalish are known for traveling. You must have come across a few places that made you stop and hold your breath while you took it all in."

"Not at all," Ellana assures him. "A favorite place doesn't have to be a wide, sweeping vista, or somewhere full of fancy buildings. It can be anywhere. What matters is what it means to you."

Having the question turned around and asked of her is surprising. No one has actually done that before.

"We were often in the forest, so trees blocked most good views," she admits. Her gaze lowers in thought. All those places with the clan sort of blend together after awhile. It's only now that she's getting out there and seeing the world that the landscapes stick in her memory. "I can't think of any with my clan. But when we came across the sea to Ferelden, the Coastlands were beautiful."

"I didn't necessarily mean sweeping vistas. A place can take your breath away without having a nice view, or any view at all. There are some pretty intricate ruins out there, or even the, almost haunting, feeling of a sudden wide clearing in the middle of a thick, dark forest where the leaves let in just that one bit of sun light," He shrugs. Sometimes when you stumbled across that sort of thing regularly it tended to become less impressive.

"Ah yes, the sea," He nods. "I was pretty fond of it myself until I spent a few years on a ship. Seems like it either claims part of your heart, or it looses it's allure and you want nothing to do with it."

"Have you seen elven ruins?" she asks, voice suddenly lifting with excitement. "They would maybe have some sort of wall paintings, or statues of animals, and of elves holding bows. I know it's a long shot; I'm just very interested in exploring them one day once my duty to the Inquisition is done."

"Sure, there's plenty in Orlais. You practically can't throw a rock without hitting one.

If you're so interested, you should just borrow one of the mounts and visit. The Dales aren't all that far away... a few day's ride," He suggests with a shrug, "Take a friend or two to be safe and promise to bring back elfroot and whatever else we're in short supply of. I'm sure they'd be happy to have you go."

"Oh," she breathes out, looking for all the world like she wants to saddle this hart and just go. "You don't think the advisors would find it... unnecessary? Even if I do bring back elfroot. Searching for elven ruins isn't exactly going to help us bring down Corypheus." Because no one yet knows that is exactly what Corypheus seeks. Won't that be an interesting day when they find out?

"They send out troops to gather supplies all the time. Maybe instead of elfroot, try arbor's blessing. I'm pretty sure that stuff tends to favor old ruins, if I'm remembering correctly. If you just so happen to come across elven ruins while looking for herbs, what's the harm, right?" He says with a sly, lopsided smile and a wink.

Her eyes light up at his suggestion, because it is so perfect. A reasonable excuse for going out exploring old ruins? She could kiss him if he wasn't 90% beard. And if she didn't already have a boyfriend, of course.

"That is an amazing idea! Rare herbs will always be in high demand, and I would have to find ruins to find arbor's blessing. Oh, I'm absolutely going to do that!" She clasps her hands and bounces on her toes, completely giddy. Of course, it might all come to nothing. She might find one broken down piece of wall with arbor's blessing and that's it. But she has to hope that there could be more, like enough of a building to explore.

"Thank you for the suggestion."

He can't help but smile at her enthusiasm; it was endearingly genuine.

"Well... I'm not sure about 'amazing', but it should work," His smile broadens, "Then the Inquisition gets some herbs and you get your Elven ruins."

He's a little surprised she hadn't tagged along with any groups that might've potentially come across ruins before, but he'd been absent for a good time. Maybe after Haven they'd tightened things up.

She exhales a laugh and gives a slight shrug. Now she doesn't have to wait to see these places. Why didn't she think of this before? Well, maybe it's because she was destined to meet Blackwall and hear it from him.

"Thank you again," she says. "I should probably start looking at maps. But I'm sure I'll be seeing you around. I spend time down at the Warden camp every day."

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[OPEN] Welcome Back! Now Take a Bath.

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