[ OPEN ] Here we are...

[fightingdirty]

WHO: Lena Meravas, Taaranda Olanat and YOU!
WHAT: Two mercenary Vashoth (not Qunari, ya fools) arrive dirty and tired to Skyhold, where they settle in and await bear hugs from Korrin.
WHEN: early Bloomingtide
WHERE: all over Skyhold
NOTES: These two are part of the Valo-Kas mercenary company. If your character knew Korrin from before her time in the Inquisition, chances are they would know Lena too, and Taaranda if they came across the Valo-Kas in the last two years.

By the time the path before them opens up to reveal the valley dotted with tents, the raised ground off to the side with huts being constructed, and the stronghold itself, Lena can't help but shout: "About fucking time!" She and Taaranda are arriving on foot, and the mountain is a bitch to climb, but they've done it, and now they just need to get inside and put their feet up somewhere.

The two are a strange sight as they pass through the various camps outside Skyhold. Of course there are whispers of an upcoming Qunari invasion, but the women splattered with mud barely pay them any heed. Apparently there is always a Qunari invasion on the horizon when someone with horns steps into a person's eye line.

The younger of the two has boundless energy, it appears, eyes darting around to take it all in. She expresses excitement to the older one, who looked vaguely bored, but maybe it's just the fact that she's bone tired.

"Bring it down a notch," Lena says as they enter the gate and the lower courtyard of Skyhold spreads before them. "Unless you want to run around and find us the tavern. Or Korrin." Over the next few hours, the women settle in, explore the place, and start to meet new people anywhere and everywhere within Skyhold.


[ ooc: please say in the subject line if you want a threeway thread with both, or separate threads with each, or just pick one lady. whatever you'd prefer! set the scene at any location in skyhold too; they're exploring! ]

Comments

THREEWAY, BABY.

[gatheringstorm]

Having urged them to arrive as soon as possible, Korrin's on edge while waiting for her long-held wish to finally come true. Unable to stay still, the Vashoth mage is in the training ring alone, going through the maneuvers Vivienne has insisted she do daily. Never one to shirk hard work, she's doubly grateful for the routine now.

It doesn't take her long to overhear worried mutters about a 'Qunari invasion', which she's stopped hearing ever since people got used to seeing herself, Kas and the other usual suspects around. She tries not to get her hopes up too much, knowing that the Valo-Kas aren't the only 'qunari' out there, but the coincidences is too much to prevent her from glancing around every so often. If they don't spot her, she'll see them sooner or later.

[suplexpert]

"There's a tavern! I mean, how else are people going to get along without a tavern around? People need taverns."

Despite any potential sour looks thrown their way, Taaranda still looks chipper as she marches along still full of energy alongside Lena. She gazes around the camps curiously, her eyes catching onto the Grey Warden insignia as they pass by, as well as the obvious refugees that are about.

But there it is: Skyhold. More impressive in person than it ever was on paper.

Her eyes scan over the crowd, and it is impossible to mistake Korrin for anyone else here. Taaranda grins broadly and rushes through to reach the mage.

"KORRIN! Lena! Lena, look!" Taaranda throws her arms around Korrin by the waist and lifts her up. "I found her!!" she says, downright pleased with herself.

[fightingdirty]

It is an impressive place. Better than what Haven looked like; that's for damn sure. She follows after, a swagger to her step and a bit of a smirk on her lips.

"All I can do is fucking look, now that you've made me go deaf, Taar." Still, she sounds more amused than annoyed, seeing how Korrin is currently being lifted in the air. "Well, we're finally here," she announces, stopping beside them, hands on her hips. "Ready for drinks, if you ask me." And hugs, she's sure.

[gatheringstorm]

Taaranda easily stands out above the more numerous smaller folk, of course, but her quick stride means Korrin barely has time to tuck in her spirit blade and straighten up. She braces herself for impact, but that has little effect, as usual. Her fellow Valo-Kas sister's notable strength hasn't decreased any in the time they've spent apart, and she can certainly feel it in her ribs.

For the moment, she can do little else but hold onto Taaranda so she doesn't ruin her dignity further by flailing. She laughs, or tries to, though that isn't easily accomplished in Taaranda's death grip of love. "'Kay, but...air! Andraste's ass, I swear you got stronger." Lena, help.

...she's just going to keep smirking isn't she.

[suplexpert]

"Korrin, it's so good to see you! You look great! ...Oh, you do kinda look like you need air." Carefully, Taaranda sets down the mage, but she doesn't look any less pleased to see her again.

"It feels like it's been forever since we were all together. Drinks would be a nice way to celebrate."

There's a pause and Taaranda's eyes catch the glimpse of the tooth around Korrin's neck. She wants to ask, but all she can really do is let out an indescribable squee as she struggles to find the words. So she points too, as if that'll help.

[fightingdirty]

On Korrin's being set down, Lena too spots the necklace and her smirk fades a little. Because, uhhh, that's some serious shit. That's like, feelings and forevers and Lena needs alcohol to deal with this. She knows of Araceli. And she's sure Korrin has her shit together, but still; Araceli is a rifter. What if her glowing shard just up and eats her one day? What if it eats Korrin? What if it rips open a new hole to the Fade and a demon grabs Korrin?

Yeah, she definitely needs alcohol. She shifts her weight a little, but then moves forward to give Korrin a hug. It's not like anything she says is going to change Korrin's mind. The deed is done. So she'll just... get over it. With the alcohol. And maybe stabbing things.

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin nods in full agreement to Taaranda; it has been forever, or it feels that way. And while it was lonely at first without them, she's not about to hold it against either one of them. Her 'sisters' are here now; that's all that matters. She's just regaining her breath when Taaranda squees and points; glancing down at the necklace, Korrin can't help the sappy grin that forms. It doesn't fade when Lena steps forward to give a hug, and she returns it enthusiastically now her lungs are allowed some air.

"Then drinks we'll most definitely have; the good stuff. C'mon, let's head over to the tavern and claim a corner. I've so much to tell you and I want to hear about everything I've missed, alright?"

[suplexpert]

"We're going to meet her soon, right? Araceli? She sounds so lovely! Korrin, I'm so happy for you. But yes, drinks! Definitely drinks. I could go for some."

In stark contrast to Lena, Taaranda is thrilled for Korrin, beaming brightly. She'd heard about Araceli in letters, of course, she never expected that it would turn out so permanently. Perhaps short-sighted, but Taaranda can only see this as a good thing.

"Look, there is a tavern. This place must have everything, doesn't it?"

[fightingdirty]

Yeah, thrilled. It could have been literally anyone on Thedas save a Qunari and Lena would be down with this, but a rifter? Shit, she doesn't know yet. Maybe seeing these rifters around will help ease some of her worry.

But for now, she turns towards the tavern, bone-tired and legs still caked in dry, flaking mud.

"Journey was shit. We need it."

[gatheringstorm]

One arm around each, Korrin steers them in the direction of the Herald's Rest for some much-needed catching up. She wrinkles her nose sympathetically, knowing the path to Skyhold is far from pleasant or easy. "I'm not surprised, that damn route up here is a pain in the ass. It's not as bad coming from Orlais, though that's not much compensation when it's all fucked to hell over there." Korrin sent very descriptive, outraged letters over the state of Emprise du Lion, and from what she's heard, the rest of Orlais is really no better.

But she'll only elaborate on more serious topics when everyone has drinks in their hands. "Thanks, Taar, and of course you will. Hell, she'll probably seek you out before long anyway, probably with her fox in tow. Lux absolutely loves attention, so you should be fine." She knows how important it is for Taaranda to pet every furry creature that isn't trying to kill her, of course. "He was sulking on me when Araceli had to go to Antiva for a bit, curling around my shoulders like a stole. One snooty nobelwoman actually thought he was one and had a nasty shock when he hissed at her. It was hilarious."

Lena's reaction is noted, of course, especially compared to Taaranda's enthusiastic one, but Korrin doesn't seem to take offense. She knows her fellow Valo-Kas, and at that Lena's just looking out for because that's what she does. Hopefully, actually meeting Araceli and time spent in her company will ease some of those issues.

[suplexpert]

"I could have been worse! There could have been Venatori. Ventori full of red lyrium with giants. That would have been a lot more annoying. But also kind of exciting, I guess!"

At the mention of Araceli and the inevitable fox, Taaranda smiles brightly. "He sounds so cute! If he loves attention, then he's gonna get his full of it." With so many people with so many pets here, Taaranda is downright going to be in heaven. "Oh, do nobles come here a lot? I bet they're in shock often!"

[fightingdirty]

Lena's swagger returns because now the missing member of their party is back with them, or maybe they're the missing members back with her. Whatever the case, Lena feels a bit more at ease once Korrin launches into her story, so that by the time they reach the tavern, she's snorting out a laugh.

"We could take a couple of giants, no problem. But it'd be more fun to feed nobles to them."

[gatheringstorm]

If Taaranda doesn't get a mabari imprinting on her while in Skyhold, Korrin will be beyond shocked. But until that point, she'll direct all the pets and pet owners she can find at her friend, knowing she'll enjoy it. Except for Kain's swearing bird, that's a treat better left as a surprise.

Korrin lets go of them so they can actually enter the tavern, snickering as she takes them to a table near the bar. "We always seem to have a few, visiting dignitaries meeting with the ambassador. The Ferelden ones can be alright, at least if you get them talking about mabari or bitching about Orlais. There's no hope for the Orlesian ones, though. I'd say make them giant-food when the Inquisition is done with them. No one will notice, since the Empire's always making more of their kind.

So what'll you have? This round's on me."