faderift | you don't own the green pines

WHO: Merrill and open!
WHAT: An open log.
WHEN: Justinian 20th - mid-Solace
WHERE: Skyhold and the surrounding area
NOTES: Some talk of violence, injuries, death.

late justinian through early solace | healing tents
[ Justice is dead, but he nearly took many others with them -- Merrill included. She's in a bad way for a few days, especially after; her cheekbone is broke, her ribs mostly intact but her internal organs badly bruised, along with various and sundry scrapes, cuts, bite marks, bruises, and burns.

Still, she's a decent patient. She stays put in the tents, at least, though they can't quite get her to stop talking when she's feeling well enough to sit up and do so. Visitors are allowed at the discretion of the healers, but Merrill isn't going to turn anyone (or anything) away. ]

early solace | around skyhold
[ When she's allowed to leave the healing tents, it's not full-time. They don't want her going down to the Warden camp to sleep, but she's allowed to wander Skyhold as long as she's careful. As a result, Merrill mostly relaxes -- visits with friends or with potential new friends, sits in the garden, watches the birds.

She likes to go visit the griffons, when she can, though she has to be careful. They're less good about watching for injuries. ]

early-mid solace | camp shady fucker
[ When she's allowed to move more, when she's more patched up between a combination of time and magic, Merrill gets to work. Sleeping in a tent isn't new, but the events at Weisshaupt have shaken her. If they need to get out, she wants to be able to move quickly.

She starts to gather supplies. Wood, mostly, but any who know much about the Dalish may recognize what begins to take shape or the plans that Merrill checks every once in a while: an aravel. ]

wildcard
[ you know what to do ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Ellana is a fixture at the Warden camp because of Felix and her other Warden acquaintances down there. When she spots Merrill, she comes over, looking relieved. ]

I heard about what happened, but I didn't want to hover. It seems like all of Skyhold was coming by your tent at the healer's. I hope it wasn't too overwhelming?

[ Her eyes dart to the wood and then the plans in Merrill's hands. ]

You-- You're not leaving, are you?

It was nice! Distracting, for starters.

[ It turns out there isn't a whole lot to do in the healing tents. Who knew? ]

Leaving? [ Sadly, this isn't even the first time she's been asked that, and it's still taking her a moment to realize why. For Merrill, the idea of leaving is so far out of the question that even connecting that an aravel means movement with the question itself takes a bit. ]

Oh! Oh, no, I just- well, I thought that if maybe we had to leave Skyhold for some reason, it would be nice to have something like this. I wasn't there, but I heard about Haven.

Oh, okay! And now that Fate's brought us halla, you have someone who can properly pull it too.

[ She's still giddy over these halla. ]

What size are you planning on? The little, one person ones, or bigger?

Yes! And Mal said he'd teach me how to ride a horse, so if I can't get a halla for some reason, that's an option. [ Or. Something. ]

I haven't been to see them yet, [ because injuries ] have you? And- I think about a medium size. I'd like to be able to fit more than just me and my things in it, I suppose.

That's kind of him. In either case, you'll be prepared.

[ She nods excitedly. ]

I have! They're wonderful. [ And now she looks back at the wood. ] Are you having a carpenter help you build this?

One of the elves who came with me from Kirkwall's alienage is good with wood and his hands; he comes by to help, every once in a while. But mostly- I want to be able to do this on my own.

[ There's a little huff of a laugh. ]

Which is silly, because it's not as though I gathered the wood or got the tools by myself, but- it just feels good to know you can do it, I suppose.

I can understand feeling that way. You're protective over it, because it will be yours.

[ She smiles a little. ]

But if you ever decide you do want more help, or just someone to carry more wood, I'll help you.

I definitely wouldn't mind help with the wood, at least!

[ Merrill smiles back. ]

And- well, you may know a bit more about them than I do. You tended to the halla in your clan, yes?

I helped our halla keeper, but I'm no where near as attuned to them as she is. Still, I'd be happy to give you what knowledge I do have.

I'll never turn down the chance to learn. [ There's a little laugh. ] Especially from someone who actually likes me.

I would think everyone likes you, and those who don't simply don't have their heads on straight.

I suppose demons shouldn't count either way.

Oh, no! Definitely not. Demons aren't people.

Yet it's so difficult to get what they say out of your head. [ She shakes herself slightly. ] Horrible.

That's the way they want it to be. It keeps doubt in your head and they hope it weakens you.

It's funny. We've always known that spirits and demons are close, that they're at least not of this world and therefore we have to be careful. But the one on Sundermount, that one I didn't have any problems with. The one that I was told over and over again wasn't a problem, even though I never trusted either of them? That's the one that's had the words linger, that's had me doubt.

Is that so surprising? They try to make you comfortable, so you let your guard down around them. So their words can wound all the deeper.

[ She gives Merrill a sympathetic smile. Being a mage is never easy. ]

But you're still here, braver and smarter than even you realize.

But I never did feel comfortable around this one.

[ That's the part that trips her up.

Well, that and Ellana's compliment. ]

Well, I- maybe?

And yet it was worse?

[ She's just trying to understand, really. To her, the most dangerous demons are the ones that get you to let down your guard. ]

Oh, Merrill. I'd say so.

you don't own the green pines

camp

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keeping it vague since that thread hasn't played out yet

<3

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