tactical_alert: (big damn heroes)
Malcolm Reed ([personal profile] tactical_alert) wrote in [community profile] faderift2016-06-11 05:46 pm

spare me your judgements and spare me your dreams

WHO: Malcolm "sulky seeker squinty" Reed, friends, you
WHAT: Catch-all of Justinian, also him fretting at his people after the Fade and completely trying to ignore the things that fuck him up mentally
WHEN: all month long unless otherwise noted
WHERE: around Skyhold
NOTES: Fade-related shenanigans discussed or glossed over, a couple of specific starters in the comments




The Fade was...unpleasant. It was unpleasant in the way that a demon masquerading as someone you care(d) deeply for is unpleasant, as facing your deeply embedded fears is unpleasant, which is to say--it was awful. So obviously he'd rather not talk about it and spend a little extra time to himself these days, praying, reflecting, seeking inner consul and finding it occasionally lacking.

Everyone else, on the other hand, would get a little more of him than usual to make up for the introspection, to account for those he's grown fond of, to take stock of the morale of the Inquisition in the wake of the Nightmare. And, apparently, in the wake of Weisshaupt, but details from that are slim at best at first.

Courtyard

Sometimes it seems as though Malcolm wants to do nothing but hone his already fairly honed skills, whether it's sparring with wooden pikes for swords, whacking at dummies with his personal sword and small shield, or trying to see from what distance he can still nail a headshot with his shortbow. Other times, his training involves his curly poodle, making hand motions for orders or barking out a few verbal commands in Orlesian through a makeshift obstacle course, or trying to get a certain battle action just right, or...playing fetch. Hopefully she doesn't bring you a slobbery training sword to throw.

Battlements

The reconstruction and repair of Skyhold has hit a few hiccups recently, from disabling rain torrents and hallucinatory illness, to many of Skyhold's leaders and workers getting sucked into the Fade at Adamant, to...so many little things that go wrong. But still, with enough hands, it's coming along well. Malcolm uses the high perch of the battlements to clear his head, take assessment of the areas of Skyhold that still need more work, and gaze out over the valley at the little tent city forming in the shadow of the castle, always peering at the horizon for smoke or for signs of approaching armies. Also found shooing away people practicing their bloody 'parkour', does this look like a playground, what do you think will happen when your broken body is found down there when you slip and fall.

Great Hall

There are precious few places within the hold that are quiet enough for him, other than the war room, personal private quarters, and the garden (and the small alcove set aside as a small area for Andrastrian prayer). So he's stopped trying to find the quiet and embrace the inevitable, settling in by fires with a meal and drink to look over letters or notes or other papers, sometimes sketched out maps, or reading books borrowed from the library. Sometimes he seems distracted, his gaze up but far far away, a frown worrying at his features.

Wildcard

Hit him up in places that also seem like places he might be. Bump into him sending off a notice in the rookery, heading off to early morning prayer, taking his horse out for a trot, assisting in building/rebuilding projects, throwing something together for himself (or someone else) in the kitchens...

unharrowed: (i'm thinking past tomorrow)

[personal profile] unharrowed 2016-06-15 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Vasran is sitting on a crate out in the courtyard, as she often does, nibbling on a hunk of bread and watching the residents of Skyhold mill past her. At his approach, and his question, quirks a smile back.

"Are you implying I'm not to be trusted, Ser?" They are back to Ser now, but it sounds different these days, a playfulness underneath the formality.
unharrowed: (lotta brains but no polish)

[personal profile] unharrowed 2016-06-15 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"No more curses," she confirms with a nod. "Also pleased to be back in a place with clouds. And water."

Her expression takes on a curious tone, then. "You were in the Approach as well, weren't you?"
unharrowed: ((enter me))

[personal profile] unharrowed 2016-06-16 07:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Spent most of my time cleaning up that old Warden keep." Which comes with mixed feelings. Sure, she had a roof over her head for the larger portion of her days there. On the other hand, she missed out on the most exciting part of the excursion.

"I didn't even hear about the battle with the demon until after they'd all returned."
unharrowed: (Default)

[personal profile] unharrowed 2016-06-17 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"You were there." Her eyes are lighting up now, with amazement that's equal parts excitement and fear. "You walked in the Fade. Almost nobody wants to talk about itβ€”"

Hesitation. He doesn't particularly seem to want to talk about it, either. She is too curious not to ask, but she ought to tread carefully.

"...is it true the Nightmare was a big as a mountain?"
unharrowed: ((enter me))

[personal profile] unharrowed 2016-06-20 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"It must have been terrifying." Because that's what one says in these instances, isn't it? She manages, in the next moment, to swallow the lump of envy in her throat. All those people, given the chance to prove their mettle... and they'd all survived. They'd won.

"How did you all get back?"
unharrowed: (a diamond in the rough)

[personal profile] unharrowed 2016-06-22 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thank the Maker nobody was." That's significantly more sincere than her last statement. And with that, she'll leave it up to him whether he wants to continue, or move on to a different topic.
unharrowed: (Default)

[personal profile] unharrowed 2016-06-27 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Vasran presses her lips together, considering his words. She has been envious. She still is, a little β€” but only because delays have prevented her from going through the Inquisition's version of the Harrowing. Her time will come, still. It will be better to be going in prepared. Probably.

"I'm sorry," she says at length, and it is much more than a rote response. A beat passes, and she decides to attempt a bit of levity.

"On the plus side, no one actually died β€” and you can count yourself among the likes of Marian Hawke, and the Herald of Andraste herself."