(open) our memory will be my lullaby

[sulena]

WHO: Ciri, Saoirse and OPEN
WHAT: Arrivals, settling and a general catch-all for both of mine throughout the month.
WHEN: Post-Winter Palace.
WHERE: Skyhold.
NOTES: Starters in the comments if you're interested in a certain starter with either of mine, feel free to hit me up through PM or on plurk.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Inessa is sitting near a campire, relaxing with Garahel after a riveting game of fetch. Between her muscular foot-warmer and fire, she's recovering well from exerting herself in the snow...and then that familiar Starkhaven accent brings both recognition and a cold pit of dread in her stomach. Red lyrium poisoning. Having seen the damage that substance can do, far more than most, she swallows hard and tries not to think about that particular cave and what happened in it.

"I...yes, of course. Garahel, get up. We have people to assist." The mabari stretches and obeys, wagging his tail but letting out a sympathetic whine. As she moves to stand and grab her staff, Inessa gets a better look at that face and stops to stare for a moment. "...we've met, haven't we?"

She's almost certain of it, though at the time, Inessa had neither Grey Warden armor nor a canine companion.

[sulena]

Saoirse stands quiet as she watches the Warden move into action. There has been so many rumors and harsh words toward their Order as of late but it is nice to see that, like many things, there is always more than one side to the stories whispered among people around Thedas.

As she steps back, she lowers her hood to her shoulders and blinks curiously. Have the met? She has met so many in these past few years that names and even faces sometimes tend to blur together but there are not many white haired elves out there in the world.

"Hmm. A quiet village not far outside Val Royeaux if I am not mistaken. I was singing there one night, we talked a bit and you shared with me a few book recommendations." It is said with a light, amused tone. "My name is Saoirse, I had just arrived not long ago from Kirkwall at the time."

[circleprodigy]

Her memory jogged, Inessa nods readily as a brief smile returns to her face. Those were, oddly, simpler times. The Circles falling seems to pale in comparison to a darkspawn magister causing the entire south to descend into chaos, after all.

"That's right, it's coming back to me now. I'm Inessa...well, Warden Serra now. My companion is Garahel." The mabari perks up and barks happily, tail wagging. He loves meeting new people. "I...know the basic healing spell, though for the effects of red lyrium, it's best that we take your companions up to the healing tents in Skyhold. The Spirit Healers will have the best chance of helping them, I'm sure."

[sulena]

"It is a pleasure to meet you once again, Warden Serra." She says, smiling and cutely curtsying with a small lift of her winter cloak. "And it is a great pleasure to meet you, Garahel. A good name for such a handsome companion."

Although Saoirse is not from Fereldan, she has something of a soft spot for the dog breed that is so very important to them and their history. As a child there was a boy in the alienage with one and she had always imagined one would have been good companions on the road. With one more smile to Garahel, she looks to Inessa and nods.

"Yes, thank you. I have done as I can with my own magic but I was never talented in healing spells. Could you show me the way? I wish to get them to help as soon as I can."

[circleprodigy]

If a mabari can look smug, Garahel manages it. He bumps up against Saoirse gently, as a sign of affection, then turns to his mistress. Inessa nods, sympathy in her eyes for what must have been a difficult journey.

"Of course. If you need any potions to tide them over until we reach them, I have a few available. Garahel, shall we lead them?" In response, the mabari heads in the direction of a well-worn path up to the fortress, then turns around and barks. Come on!

[sulena]

The young woman gives the marabi another lovely smile and quietly notes to give him a treat of some of the leftover rabbit jerky that she carried in her pack. For now there are more important things to consider and she turns, heading back to the cart and pulling herself up into the seat.

"We would be most grateful." She says, offering a hand to help Inessa up onto the cart as she takes the reigns with her other hand. "Here, you can ride with us if you'd like."

[circleprodigy]

"Thank you." Inessa accepts the help up, settling in without much fuss. "Garahel can play 'follow the leader', it will wear him down enough to nap in the library later on.

Hm, what should you know...for sleeping quarters, many make use of the barracks outside the fortress; they have communal rooms with bunk beds or very small private rooms. Simple, but serviceable. Most of the nicer rooms in Skyhold proper are either taken or kept available for visiting dignitaries and nobility. Or you might find the valley more to your liking, as others have done. It mostly consists of encampments, but there are some less temporary areas of residence as well."

[sulena]

Glancing over her shoulder, Saoirse takes a moment to check on her passengers before lifting the reigns and urging her horses onward. They do not move at a steady pace, take care to avoid any big bumps or rocks along the worn path as she listens to Inessa speak.

"Luckily, I have slept in rather horrible conditions. I'm sure I will find a place for myself somewhere among this grand space."

She can't imagine anything would be quite so bad as the Circle in Kirkwall.

"In truth, I could sleep anywhere right now and I am sure it would be just fine. Our journey has been quite long and rough but it puts my heart at ease to finally arrive here."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa doesn't seem to mind the slow pace, glad to see that Saoirse takes such care with her charges. Her expression softens as she nods, not knowing the full details but able to guess how difficult it must have been to travel while southern Thedas is in the midst of such chaos.

"I can understand that quite well. Compared much of my own travels in northern and western Thedas, Skyhold is a sanctuary. It's not perfect, but everyone at least attempts to pull together when it's needed. I've found that can make all the difference in the more difficult times."

[sulena]

Her gaze remains forward on the approaching fortress, breathing out a slow breath of cold air and shuddering underneath her cloak. Saoirse is nevertheless unable to help smiling with a happy little sound.

"It is a very exciting sight, I must admit. I would have never imagined such a place existing here in the Frostbacks. Even the better feeling of my companions managed to sit up long enough to see our approach."

[circleprodigy]

At that, Inessa looks back. "I can try to help with that, if you'd like." She's small and doesn't have a great deal of strength, but if any wanted to see the admittedly magnificent view, she would do her best to make that happen. Garahel's barking at them again, his tail wagging with excitement, but he can wait.

[sulena]

"I would appreciate any help," she says with another wide smile. "It will be nice to have some extra help after it just being the five of us for so long."

There is one very annoyed sound from behind the cart at that. The very annoyed sound of a tiny ram following closely behind who gets a laugh out of Saoirse as she looks back.

"Terribly sorry, I meant to say it was the six of us."

[circleprodigy]

The annoyed sound has Inessa turning around, not having caught sight of the ram earlier. She laughs softly, watching it follow along. "And who is your last companion? Do they have a name?"

[sulena]

"Woolimina, a dear friend and loyal protector." She says, laughing but smiling briefly.

"He has been with me since I left the Free Marches this last time. I worry not about wolves or even demons from the odd rifts in the Fade with him nearby."

[circleprodigy]

"Woolimina? That's a darling name." Inessa grins, liking the contrast of adorable and fierce in one creature. But then, she does have a mabari companion.

"I'm glad you have such a fierce protector, for whatever you might encounter. Thedas is hardly kind to mages or elves, let alone both. The presence of an animal companion can offend help dissuade trouble." She nods over to Garahel, watching them from ahead before moving onward when they get close enough, showing them just where to go.