[OPEN] Welcome Back! Now Take a Bath.

[scalethewall]

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]

Comments

ii!

[unbrokenoath]

Kaisa doesn't approach Blackwall as much as she just kind of suddenly appears behind the training dummy, grinning broadly, and as soon as it looks like he isn't going to smack her with a sword, she dodges around to the front of the training dummy. That she's one of the numerous Wardens that had been popping up is fairly obvious.

Mostly because she's. Wearing Warden armor.

"You're Warden Blackwall!" The enthusiasm matches the grin, and she's even bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I've heard all about you, about how you tried to get the Wardens to go to Fereldan during the Blight and wrote a letter about what an asshat Loghain was, that was kind of hilarious, and I heard that you volunteered to come here and help out! I'm so glad that we've all had some good rep going from the very start, you know? Although things have kind of gotten turned around but honestly I think that's just people being narrow-sighted and not thinking about the bigger picture, but I mean, that's what it is to be a Warden, you know? Anyway, I've heard a bunch about you, so I'm glad to finally meet you."

She pauses for a moment, presumably to take an actual breath, and then sticks out her hand. "Warden Kaisa Daesun! From Fereldan!"

[scalethewall]

The exercises are measured and deliberate, using the dummy mostly just to give him some perspective as he moves through the different techniques. When someone pops up behind the worn practice dummy, he slows to a halt and straightens up, dropping his guard and his sword.

"I am," Her enthusiasm is almost intimidating. He raises an eyebrow at her excited proclamation. "Well-" He makes an attempt at saying something, but ends up nodding as she continues his list of "achievements".

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well," He pauses to stick the dull practice sword into the dirt before reaching out to grasp her hand, "When the Inquisitor mentioned that Grey Wardens were under scrutiny for what happened at the Conclave there was no way I couldn't offer to join. It's, um, reassuring to see so many other Wardens have joined as well. How long have you been here?"

[unbrokenoath]

The handshake is firm, and she grins through it, nodding along with his words. She seems to finally calm down enough to not appear like a dog about to jump someone, when he mentions how the Wardens had been scrutinized for the Conclave. Brows knit together into a frown as she lets go to cross her arms, frowning at the thought. "I can't believe it, honestly. Like we haven't proven ourselves enough times? Bust our asses for Thedas and then as soon as we get our own bullshit going down, people start accusing us of all kinds of ridiculous shit."

But she sighs and waves her hand, like she's shooing off the negative thought. "But that's what being a Warden is about, isn't it? You don't just sacrifice your life, sometimes."

She hums a little bit as she recalls when she first arrived. That whole time had been fuzzy, ever since she'd left Clarel. "...About half a year, I reckon. Just under a year ago, I was with Warden-Commander Clarel and her merry band of Fucking Crazy Wardens. When Clarel started talking blood magic, a bunch of us rabble rousers went and roused some rabbles, and we had t' get out while the getting was 'Not being murdered as fuel for blood magic'. Most of us who survived have wandered here. Safety in numbers, I suppose."

She tilts her head, glancing at Blackwall. "What about you? I heard you were in Ferelden before this, so--I guess you just didn't come when Clarel called for people? Smart move."

[scalethewall]

"I suppose, at that time, they were following any leads that held any promise whatsoever and slowly ruling people out. The Inquisitor herself, after all, was initially accused. It made it all that more important to make sure we were represented. To make sure our name was clear."

He actually laughs at her statement, "It's always about more than your life." Things might be slightly different for him, but he'd very willingly sacrificed everything for service to the Grey Wardens. Unquestioningly and without hesitation.

"Maker. You were with Clarel? I've only just learned of all that. I, uh, can only guess as to what happened there. I never got word from Clarel. It wasn't exactly a choice, I honestly had no idea anything at all was happening, so I simply kept recruiting and offering my sword where it was needed in Ferelden.

For what it's worth, I'm glad you had the good sense to leave when you did. Must've taken guts, going against your superior's orders to do what you believed was right. Very respectable," He said with an approving nod.

[unbrokenoath]

"Well, I'm glad we had you there to do that, then." Kaisa replied cheerfully, giving him a friendly swat on the chest. Swats are perfectly friendly, okay. "And you seem to have done a good job representing us. Certainly made sure people's standards were higher, for a...variety of things." At that, she wiggled her eyebrows a little, an easy smile on her lips. But talking about Clarel doesn't quite build a flirtatious mood, and Kaisa abandons it to continue their more sober conversation.

She can't help but smile at the praise, though, and straightens up a little, trying to look a bit more dignified and as respectable as he said her deeds were.

"It wasn't easy, no--If you want blunt honesty? If I'd been the only dissenter, I think I would've just gone along with it. I mean, no one likes getting their ass sacrificed for some creepy blood magic ritual, I wouldn't want to look like I was just a coward. But we had ourselves a whole knitting group, and Alistair, he was talking about this Corypheus jackass. Then he and some others booked it, and--Well. It makes you think." She crossed her arms, looking up at the sky thoughtfully.

"I joined the Wardens because I wanted to do what was right. I always feel kinda awkward, everyone has these dramatic stories about how they were conscripted. But I just showed up at Vigil's Keep and told 'em to sign me up. Well, and they're the only ones who aren't dicks about me being elf-blooded. But I think I'd have joined, no matter what I am."

[scalethewall]

"I'm glad some of you had the sense to leave. Doesn't make it any less respectable. You know, probably better than most, how many didn't have the courage to question orders and leave. Your superiors aren't always right. They're still human. They can still make mistakes," The words are steeped in regret, voice thick.

He's happy to move on from the subject and her own 'story' of becoming a Grey Warden makes him smile fondly before shrugging.

"That's what drew me in as well. A chance to do right, a chance to serve and become something greater than myself. Equality. I'll admit, before the Wardens, I was something of a lost cause," But that was far from unusual for a Grey Warden recruit.