The Annulment at Dairsmuid

[foxsays]

WHO: Araceli Bonaventura, Korrin Ataash, Malcolm Reynolds, The Outsider, Aleron Darton, Kas, Anders, Malcolm Reed, James Norrington, Ellana Ashara, James Kirk; Rivaini npcs
WHAT: The Annulment at Dairsmuid; arriving at Rivain to meet with Araceli and her mage contacts that requested aid from Templars hunting them down. When Araceli goes to bring the group to her contacts, they're informed that the Templars have abducted the mages forcing the team to return to the Circle at Dairsmuid to rescue them and kill the Templars responsible
WHEN: 15th-20th Solace
WHERE: Rivain; Dairsmuid
NOTES: OOC posts here and here, sending crystal announcement; violence, discussions of annulment, probably going to need warnings for language; I'll edit as I go, if people can bring things to my attention, I would appreciate it
Starters will all be below, subjects in headers

We of the Dairsmuid Circle wait now, behind barricades. I have sent word to our brother and sister mages of this outrage. When they break through, we will not die alone.

—Final journal entry of First Enchanter Rivella, slain in Dairsmuid, 9:40 Dragon

Contents;
Arrival at Dairsmuid
Meeting the Mage Contacts
Team Dungeon Crashers
Team Templar Crushers
Aftermath of the Rescue
Timestamp; Dairsmuid Adventures
Epilogue

Comments

timestamp; Dairsmuid adventures

[foxsays]

[Of course it's not all doom and gloom in Dairsmuid; there's some time after the rescue before the ship comes to take people home to have a few adventures in Rivain.

Or if you don't feel like rushing back right away, Araceli is staying for an extra couple of days to celebrate her twenty-first birthday by the sea the way a Castilean should.]

{ the rivaini dalish }

[serannas]

[ Ellana has come to love Rivain, despite what they came here to do. The Templars exist outside of what Rivain is, and that is a place with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Not one person here has talked down to her, called her knife-ear, or treated her like she's lower than dirt. The elves are treated the same as the humans, and this is an experience she'll never forget. And when she asked of the Dalish that Fate told her about, she was told that they live not far outside Dairsmuid and happily trade in the city or in the woods.

Sadly, she learns they don't have a permanent community yet, and move wherever the need for food takes them, but it's lucky that they're so close by at the moment. Ellana needs to see them. And so a few days before their ship back is set to debark, Ellana lets the others know where she'll be and if they'd like to come.

The walk is less than an hour, and the path is clearly marked the whole way, until beautifully crafted hanging lanterns greet them, and there's a rustling through the trees. Two sentries drop down, carrying bows in hand, though no arrows are nocked. ]

Andaran atish'an. You certainly don't look like you're from around these parts. But I can see one of you is a sister.

[ He nods towards Ellana's face and her vallaslin of Mythal, while he has chosen June. She bows her head a little in return. ]

My name's Ellana, of Clan Ashara in the Free Marches. We're sorry to come unannounced, but we had business in Dairsmuid, and I've heard about you all the way back home. About how you want to want to make a permanent settlement. It's something I've always wanted myself, so I wanted to come see you.

Oh? [ He sounds amused. ] I'm sure our Keeper would love to tell you all about it. And your friends? Did they come here to hear it too? I notice you don't carry things to trade, so it can't be for that reason.

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ Kirk had offered to go along with Ellana on her trip to the settlement, not because he didn't think she was incapable of handling herself, but with the atmosphere as it was he didn't think any of them should be wandering alone if they could help it. That, and he was curious. Always he was curious.

Mostly he hung in the background, an unassuming human while Ellana did the talking - for now at least. He wanted to present the least threatening image possible (not that he thought himself overly threatening in the first place). As she makes introduction though, he raises his hand in greeting, keeping his relaxed posture. ]</sub>

James Tiberius Kirk, but everyone calls me Jim, of... Clan Enterprise, I suppose.

[gatheringstorm]

[As before, Korrin didn't think her presence would necessarily be a boon, but at least she isn't a shemlen, so it can't hurt. She hangs back with Kirk, though it's difficult to be unassuming when a foot taller than everyone else and horned. She nods politely when introductions happen.]

Korrin Ataash, of the Valo-Kas company. And yes, I came to hear it too. Ellana is a good friend; I'll support what's important to her.

[It won't have the same impact and she's well-aware of that, but it doesn't mean she can't listen all the same.]

[serannas]

[ The two Rivaini elves exchange a look when Jim speaks, simply because humans don't usually refer to themselves as being part of a clan. They're not really offended by the use of the word -- as some elves in the south might be -- but just a little confused. Ellana's face colors a little. ]

Jim is from very far away, but we've become friends. He means no disrespect when he says 'clan;' he's just trying to connect with you. If, um, if that's all right?

Be at ease. [ He smiles to reassure her. ] We didn't know humans had clans too. [ The other sentry, who has been quiet up until now, adds, ] Valo-Kas company? You aren't Qunari, then? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against them. They're always polite when they visit to try and get us to convert, but we've said no plenty of times now.

Korrin is definitely not a Qunari. [ Ellana doesn't turn to see if Korrin is making a face or not. ] And I would be honored to speak with your Keeper.

[foxsays]

[And bringing up the rear is Araceli, allowing the first introductions to go ahead before she hurries to catch up with everyone else, satisfied that no one is following them. (Not that any of their party could blame her for being paranoid lately.)]

Araceli Bonaventura y Castell, friend of Ellana, kadan of Korrin, fellow student of Beleth Ashara in the bard arts. [The Dalish might not bow but Araceli's manners will always demand that she does so, though with less flourish than she usually would as she smiles.] Beleth was unable to come, I would humbly relay as much as you would be willing to share to my friend.

[She would have gladly had Beleth along but after Leliana had been poisoned, both of them leaving really didn't feel like an option in her mind so this will have to be the next best thing.]

[gatheringstorm]

[Of course Korrin's making a face, an automatic reaction of disgust for a split second before she just shakes her head.]

I couldn't have less to do with the Qunari if I tried. [She gestures to the staff on her back; if they've seen Qunari, then they might have seen what's done to Qunari mages. The fact that she carries none of their traits might be telling enough.] My kind are Vashoth, born outside the Qun. Don't worry, I'm not here to convert anyone.

[She won't go on a rant about it, though, expecting this reaction from just about everyone in Thedas. For now, it's enough to correct and move on, her smile returning as Araceli introduces herself.]

When uneasy thoughts come, I go to the sea | birthday | ota;

[foxsays]

[Some have already left when the twenty-second dawns bright and early with the promise of heat as Araceli rises with the sun in Dairsmuid, slipping out of bed and down to the shore. She'll miss Rivain when it's time to go; if she could go between here and Antiva, she might be less homesick. Content to browse the markets, to be amidst the cultures that seem happier to work together barring what called the Inquisition here in the first place.

And she's here on her birthday. She didn't think she would be, only a few small boats out on the water as she sets down a small basket with a towel to set about undressing, wiping away a grateful tear.

A birthday for a Castilean isn't about gifts the way it is with other cultures even here; it's a celebration of life where you buy rum for that person later in the day and stop them buying their own drinks, since rum is life out on the open water, but gifts are for early in life, and she has all the things she needs. This is going back to the sea, even if it isn't her sea, and she strips off her belongings apart from the dragon's tooth Korrin gave her, setting them in the basket on the sands since there's no one to take them.

The water is cold but that doesn't bother her, tiny silver fish darting around her ankles as she begins to wade out deeper and deeper. She's missed this, a hiccuping stuttering sob in her throat as she reaches the point where she pushes off and starts swimming out, avoiding a small group of pale jellyfish lazily puffing along with the current.

Eventually if anyone follows her down to the shore there's a moment where she stops and takes a deep breath, diving under until all there she can hear is the sound of her heart. The tide pulls and pushes her, the salt-water stings at her eyes, kelp tickles the soles of her feet as curious fish nibble her toes and dart around her as she drifts motionless. She's down there a long time before she surfaces when her lungs are finally burning for air, throwing her head back as she does with a smile, blinking the salt from her eyes as she paddles back to somewhere she can wade a little more comfortably.]

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin's content to linger in Rivain as long as they can manage, all the more so to fulfill Araceli's birthday desire. She busies herself the day before at the markets, hoarding as much in the way of spices and trinkets to decorate their quarters as they can get away with, as a way to tide them over until they can return. When that will be, who knows, but she intends to kindle the brighter memories of this visit so that they last for a long time to come.

The morning of Araceli's birthday, Korrin feels her stir but doesn't move to join her right away. Aware of her homesickness, she suspects that her kadan needs this moment to herself, and doesn't want to interfere with her presence. So, she'll wait a little while before following her down to the shore, lightly clad and enjoy the feel of the sand beneath her bare feet. This isn't the sort of thing she could get away with back in the mountains. Shading her eyes, Korrin smiles warmly as she watches Araceli surface at last. Her pace quickens slightly, as she moves to be within calling range.]

How's the water, kadan? Mind if I join you?

[foxsays]

[Last year had been Araceli's birthday during the guard. Together she and Leandra had explained it all as natives so that the small royal household had all come out together, and her parents since her father had been back for it.

Having Korrin present doesn't make her miss any of them any less, certainly not her father who celebrated as many birthdays as he was there for, or her mother who took her down to the shore from that very first day but she isn't alone. Traditions are traditions, including someone new in them or changing them to fit doesn't make them lesser and she twists her hair so it hangs over one shoulder, waving back.]

Warm enough! [Not exactly a lie - there's colder water out there, and Araceli relishes the sting of it in truth.] Come on, come in!

[gatheringstorm]

[However cool the water is, Korrin's pretty sure it can't be worse than the Waking Sea or other frigid waters down south. That's what she likes about the north, one can go skinny-dipping and expect to still have their extremities afterward. Which she naturally does, promptly shedding her clothes and giving Araceli a nice view before wading in.]

Ah, that's perfect. Not 'freeze your bits' off cold, but just enough to wake you up.

[She makes her way over before leaning down to brush her lips against Araceli.]

Happy birthday, kadan.

[foxsays]

[Smiling, Araceli brushes her nose against Korrin's before she deepens the kiss a moment or two longer, tasting salt as she closes her eyes before she pushes back and up to drift on her back, eyes mostly closed against the sunrise.]

I was so afraid I would be so far from the sea on this day. [With the water lapping against her body, she feels heavy and safe, feels like she's home; home is Castileos the same as home might be Orlais or Ferelden or Antiva, home is her mother's brothel where she took her lessons and learned to read between the lines or how to paint her face, home is the docks where she ran with thieves or learned to gamble with her father, home is where Marjani taught her how to wield rapiers and pistols.

But the sea is in her blood, and Araceli believes that same as she believes a mermaid swam so hard she created waves and seafoam hardened about her to make the moon. (She might be crying, but tears are just salt.)] We swim before we ever walk. Before we ever breathe. We swim and we return to the sea. We always return. Before the rift brought me here, I had never been so far from the sea where I couldn't see it or heart it or smell it or taste it, and I kept thinking: what happens when my birthday comes and I am still here? When I cannot go to the water and hold my breath until it burns, until I have to fight, until it's like being born all over again?

[The splash is quiet, no surprise that she's a strong and graceful swimmer, flipping back to her front to swim over again to face Korrin and tread water. Her smile it too bright, a smile that might go either way.]

I thought to myself, Araceli, maybe the sea will think you have forgotten it, that you no longer love it and it will no longer love you either.

[gatheringstorm]

[Mm. Warm kisses in cool waters...she could get used to this, easily. But Korrin reminds herself that it can't happen, just yet. She'll savor this moment for frigid mountain nights, though. Sighing contentedly, she treads water for a little bit before leaning back and tilting her face up to the sun, finally unwinding for the first time since arriving in Rivain.

But this isn't about her, not when it's her kadan's birthday and her expression softens, knowing -as much as she can, for someone not Castilean- how important the sea is to her love. She closes in again, fingers curling around Araceli's own for gentle support.]

I can't imagine either being possible, kadan, not for you. The sea is in your soul, anyone can see that. It's what I love about you, that and so many other things. You know I'll fight anyone who keeps you from it, especially when you need it most.

Dinner at Korrin's grandmother's place

[gatheringstorm]

[Severely in need of some good memories to balance out the horror of the annulment in some small way, Korrin heeds her grandmother's demand for a visit. If she left Rivain without dropping in, she would never heard the end of it. Fortunately, doing so was never a thought in her mind. She'll invite any of the Inquisition folks she's on friendly terms with for dinner some night before they leave, either because they deserve to be spoiled or need to learn what proper cuisine is like.

Tama, her grandmother, won't disappoint in that area. The crusty old Tal-Vashoth lives in a sprawling overwater bungalow, and the aroma of seafood and spices will be more than apparent the moment they step inside. She'll guide them immediately to the long, low table with pillows all around, certain that none of them are being fed enough. That won't be a problem here; when Korrin said that her grandmother makes enough to feel an army, she wasn't exaggerating by much. The dishes are typically Rivaini, with a dash of Par Vollen, spicy and abundant.

The woman herself is friendly enough, with a mouth like a sailor and plenty of stories to share. Only some of them will include Korrin's youth, and only Araceli knows the most embarrassing ones. For Korrin's part, she gives as good as she gets, and their friendly insults are just their way. She'll pay particular attention to Araceli, having met her before, and Kas and Mal, knowing how important they are to Korrin. But just about anyone who enjoys her food, helps her clean up and overall behaves themselves (and trust her, you'll know if you fuck up) will get a stamp of approval.

At some point later on, Tama will retire for the evening and leave Korrin and her friends to chat. Noise doesn't really bother her, as long as the neighbors don't complain, though given the round of food coma's she's likely induced, there probably won't be too much ruckus. Deep into one of those food comas, Korrin will just stretch out on the floor and be a pillow for Araceli.]

Fuck, I'm never moving again. Just roll me back to Skyhold....

[aintwejust]

How the shit are we supposed t'go back to all that overbuttered and overboiled Orlesian and Fereldan stuff after this, huh?

[ Mal leans against the pillows nearest Korrin, reaching out to pat her cheek. He'd eaten his fair share and Jayne? Jayne has passed out in a bowl of some kinda curry or another. Never before has he seen that beast full and satisfied but here? He has finally found peace. ]

My damn dog is gonna leave me for your g'ma, seriously.

[gatheringstorm]

[Glancing over to Mal and then Jayne, Korrin laughs.]

Then you'll just have to learn to cook better. Or retire here after we save the world, you know. Tama likes having people to cook for, you'd never need to make another meal again.

[foxsays]

[After crashing here for the first part of her stay in Rivain, Araceli is more than accustomed to Tama's cooking and so she knows to dress in something loose so her stomach doesn't protest when she stuffs herself to the gills.

If moving didn't take such monumental effort she would reach out and whap Mal with a pillow. But she's comfortable, reclining with a glass of something potent dangling from her fingers as she yawns.]

Someone else must roll you after they roll me, and I'm smaller and easier to roll. All this fresh fish and spices right from the market, nothing that smells like a boiled boot. [This is the life, almost like home when the queensguard pile back to her place and smuggle Leandra along too.] You know you're welcome at ours when I cook too? When I fight the kitchen wench.

[extramural]

[ Up until Thedas, the Outsider hadn't needed to eat in four thousand years. It's probably why he looks even paler than usual, stuffed (because Korrin's grandmother had taken one look at him and declared that he was probably starving to death) and having gingerly pushed a few dishes away from him on the table so he can lean on it. His hat, having mostly stayed on his head the entire trip to disguise his eyes, is currently perched on top of Jayne's unconscious doggy head.

His contribution to the conversation is a burp that he immediately makes a face about. ]

My apologies.

[ There's a little wave of his hand. ]

It was... certainly more of an experience than the food in Skyhold.

[gatheringstorm]

[The only moving Korrin intends to do for some time is to lift one glass of spiced wine to her lips, tilting her head up a little so as not to spill any. Ah, much better. Settling back until she wants another sip, Korrin chuckles contentedly.]

Hell, yeah. What she said; join us and we'll rescue you.

[Her gaze shifting to the Outsider, she smiles.]

Skyhold now has Tal-Vashoth chefs thanks to Araceli, but nothing beats Tama's cooking. She probably thinks she single-handedly saved you from starvation. I'm pretty sure care packages are going to be a thing for more than just me, now.

[ The Duel ]

[aintwejust]

[ After alls said and done, work finished, templars slain, and they all got a moment to sit around a table in a tavern and breathe? Mal expects the conversation to turn to the nonsensical.

What he don't expect is this weird dissertation that there only ought to be one Malcolm. Ain't his fault his parents have good taste. A'course they can both be Malcolm, especially since he's more often 'Mal' than he is 'Malcolm' and seeker squinty is more often Seeker Reed or Seeker Ponce than he is 'Malcolm'. Don't make Araceli quit her little nudges all the same.

When the word 'Duel' comes up- well. Why not? ]

Now when you say duel- whatd'ya mean by that?

[foxsays]

[Duels are a part of the fabric of Castilean life. Araceli has fought many a duel for the honour of her good name usually because she's been stealing a girlfriend or a wife or a lover or a sister or someone that 'belongs' to someone or something like that but well, there are few duels. None. There is training, endless boring clattering training in the yard with the grunting and the sweating but there are no duels.

No passion.

What is a girl to do? This seems as good a reason as any as she takes a sip of her brandy and gives Mal another nudge.]

Well it is confusing, there being two Malcolms and so one of you must battle for the honour of being the true Malcolm in the hearts of us all, no? Down on the sands lit by the setting sun so it doesn't end too quickly, the waves lapping at your ankles to keep it interesting. You would have to decide how the winner is decided. I will consider myself satisfied by either of the usual outcomes.

[justice_is_blond]

[Meanwhile, Anders is facepalming.]

I swear, if this involves one of them getting stabbed and me healing them, I'm lecturing everyone involved. Everyone. Probably on the uses of elfroot, because it has a lot and I can go on and on with that topic for quite some time.

[He doesn't sound serious, though, or even upset. Just resigned and a little amused.]

[tactical_alert]

[He's much more sociable, or at least less like a living storm cloud, than before it's all been done. Still, it can be difficult to find solace in just talking with another after the events. He overhears his name, repeatedly, from a certain section of the room, and wrinkles his nose just enough to look like a ponce when he sees, ah, perhaps the lady is talking to Captain Reynolds. Strange to use his full name, though.]

I do hope nobody's planning on getting stabbed anytime soon. Not unless they deserve it. Who deserves it this time?

[aintwejust]

You and me for hav'n the same name. Apparently we gotta duel t'see who is the true Malcolm in the hearts of all. So.

[ He reaches up, casual as can be, and pats Seeker Squinty on the cheek. ]

I demand satisfaction. That's how you do it right? Slap a fella with an open hand and say you demand satisfaction?

[foxsays]

[An aggrieved and pained little noise catches in her throat as she looks between Anders and Malcolm; Zevran would understand, if he was here, he would back her up and make sympathetic noises or encourage her.]

If a duel is to involve stabbing then it's either a true crime of passion, or there are a different set of rules for it, a set of formalities with witnesses, signatures, a time and a place. It has to be done properly you understand. All of you and your passionless lives, how do you survive? It is so dry.

[You must all be so thirsty.]

A glove isn't always required but I like it, it's a nice touch, no? Dramatic.

[Do it. Glove slap]