faderift | { OPEN } The mood it changes like the wind

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{ OPEN } The mood it changes like the wind

WHO: Ellana and open
WHAT: Getting acclimated to Kirkwall
WHEN: Bloomingtide 4-11
WHERE: Gallows, dock, the city
NOTES: Nope.

{ the gallows }
It doesn't take much convincing for Ellana to take one of the free rooms available for the Inquisition's use. She's grown used to having her privacy and especially a nice bed, so when she comes with the second group in late Cloudreach, she's quick to claim a space. That said, there are times when she's amenable to company, even when not seeking it out, and she leaves the door to her room open so anyone passing can stop in. Sometimes she's reading cross-legged on her bed, other times she's playing her lute, the sounds of a bad note occasionally slipping through followed by a frustrated sigh.

{ the docks }
Ellana sometimes stops by to see friends who don't want to live in the Gallows, or to meander around the stables. Other times, she sits on the edge of the docks with her legs swinging, eating an apple or bit of bread as she watches the boats in the harbor. There's often a thoughtful look on her face and from time to time she'll look up at a passerby to ask: "How far do you think it is to Antiva by sea?" or "Have you ever been to Rivain?"

{ lowtown }
She doesn't expect a warm welcome at the alienage, but she mentions she's a friend of Merrill's and some elves are willing to talk to her. The fact that Ellana doesn't lecture them about how wonderful life would be for them in a clan helps, and when she mentions she's voluntarily left hers, there's a smug satisfaction on the faces of the others. But Ellana just shrugs and moves on, asking them about the city and knowing better than to show any pity for their lot. They make do, and she respects that.

When she leaves, it's still light out, but she has heard of the dangers of Lowtown even during the day. So with a wave of her hand, she sets the stealth spell she created on herself and slips back towards the gates at the docks. Maybe you're making your way back as well, and suddenly the space beside you that you swore was empty a moment ago is occupied by an elf with a smile.

"Hello. Heading back? Mind some company?"

{ for felix }
The Gallows is a big place, but there are some areas that Ellana frequents and it's not too difficult for Felix to find her when he needs her. Like now. She's just left the walled in herb garden and is walking across the expansive courtyard when she sees him after he's already spotted her. Her face brightens and she lifts her hand in a wave, moving to meet him.

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Ah, note to self, Ellana: don't use your stealth spells around a big, war hound. At least he's quick to recognize her. But it's an interesting tidbit of information to have. If the enemy has guard dogs, they probably won't notice her if she stays downwind and invisible. Neat.

"Hello, Garahel," she greets, rubbing her fingers underneath his chin. Sadly, she has no food on her to offer at the moment, so chin scritches will have to do. Falling in step beside Inessa, she returns the smile and nods.

"And same to you! Garahel too, of course. I'm pretty sure all of us who were assigned here have turned up, besides the extra stubborn." Mainly she's thinking of Morrigan, who is coming in her own good time. Technically the woman can get away with it, since she's a liaison to the Inquisition and not a full member.

"It's definitely a change from Skyhold, isn't it? I already miss the grass. But I'm looking at it as a new adventure, and new opportunities will arise to help us win this war." So it's not that bad.

Chin scritches are definitely acceptable, and Garahel rumbles happily in response before he stops pestering so they can move onward. With him moving to take point and remaining alert, they're free to relax and converse. "That's a good attitude to have...and a rare one, in my experience. Many I've spoken with are a lot more cautious, if not outright pessimistic. Though given the state of the Veil here, I can't blame them overmuch. It can be...distracting."

That's a mild way to put it, when restless spirits vie for attention and statues come to life. At least the worst of it is over...or seems to be. But she can't deny that the general feeling of the area fills her with unease, wondering if they can ever truly cleanse it.

She tilts her head, curious. "That was an interesting use of magic, just now. An attempt at echoing rogue techniques?" Do tell, Ellana. Even though Inessa has less interest in physical-oriented magic, it's still something to nerd about.

Ellana doesn't respond straight away to Inessa's observation on the current climate. It seems insensitive to be so at ease when others are so upset about the move. And her friend is right in saying the Veil's state is distracting. Luckily Ellana's current attitude is upbeat and positive; not really the sort that lures in demons anymore. It's come from having a purpose in the Inquisition and feeling free from her former life in the clan. With that past had come insecurities, but now she's shedding them all to be the best version of herself she can be.

The topic shift is one Ellana is happy to discuss, because she can't really think of a sensitive way to respond to the former.

"It is, actually! I initially became a shapeshifter to blend into nature and spy on people, but obviously if our enemy is holed up in the middle of a city, most of my forms won't work." And the sparrow will only work if she can get up to a window and peek in, or find a hole into an attic. If their enemy is hiding documents in an interior room, a bird would be noticed. "Sister Nightingale saw potential in me to help scout, but insisted I needed stealth lessons. I really enjoyed them, but felt like I could take it further as a mage. So these last few months, I've been studying and experimenting." When she's had free time, of course. Maybe it was a dangerous thing to engage in, but she likes to think she had either the Creators or luck on her side, because she didn't blow herself up experimenting with spells.

"I've formed a spell set that can work for infiltration. There's the stealth that rogues do, and then there's my stealth, which uses magic."

Listening with genuine interest, Inessa smiles at Ellana's ingenuity. It reminds her of her Circle days, among those with similar talent and ambition. She refrains from saying so, uncertain it would be taken as the compliment it is, and the Circle always being a contentious issue. The focus ought to be on Ellana's accomplishment anyway, not her brief moment of nostalgia.

"That would seem to suit Sister Nightingale's needs perfectly. If Garahel were not at my side, you would have caught me completely off-guard." Garahel looks back and barks happily, not holding a grudge for being startled. If anything, he would be thrilled if she made a game of it. "We were alert for trouble, of course, but nothing of that nature. What else does your spell set contain?"

Edited 2017-05-05 22:42 (UTC)

Circle politics are something Ellana has set firmly behind her. She never understood the nuances and felt lost during the mage council meetings. And after months at Skyhold, she realized that the Templars there had all the power of a wet noodle, so the Dalish mages of the Inquisition didn't need her to protect them via the Council. It's much better she keep moving out in the world trying to make a difference than sit in a chair trying to keep up with a conversation that's going over her head. Any mention now of how things were in the Circle will result in her politely nodding her head and doing her best to turn the conversation elsewhere. She doesn't know about it, and doesn't care to either. She needs to stick to her strengths.

Like this new endeavor of hers. It's something she's proud of and more than willing to tell her friends about, though she can admit that she wants it just for herself. Leliana's spies don't need to all be mages with these talents. Her rogues have accomplished plenty on their own without magic.

"I can magically set a decoy of myself in the enemy's sight while I slip away in stealth. That's more for engagements with multiple people fighting, so only to be used when they lose sight of me for a second. I've also learned the sleep spell, with added paralysis when they're woken up. I'm rather proud of my silence field. It's like those fields I've seen Knight-Enchanters create, but instead of slowing things down, it silences any noise within it. So imagine I slip into an office of one of our enemies. I set the field, and then can start going through their desk without them being able to hear me in the other room! Basically the spells are centered around not engaging the enemy. But if they come upon me, I can use a repulsion spell to push them back with magical energy."

In Inessa's view, it's far better to focus on what they have in common anyway. Elven heritage does not come to mind, but there are other ties. The Grey Wardens, to an extent, and magic. Circles or not, being a mage is still enough to set them apart in Thedas. They are all too aware of the pitfalls, so why not focus on the positive instead? No one else can understand what it's like, to shape the energies of the Fade as they do. There is not only horror and hardship, but wonder as well.

As they pass a city guard patrol, the slight Warden mage listens in growing fascination. "Much magic here is -understandably- centered on battle, so it's refreshing to hear how convenient it can be when geared towards matters of stealth. If there is an equivalent elsewhere, I've not heard of it. But yes, I can easily see how an enhanced sleep spell or stealth field could have numerous benefits for you and our cause. I'm in Research rather than Scouting, but I rather hope to see your efforts in the field. Perhaps there will be some cause for overlap?"

Edited 2017-05-06 02:29 (UTC)

"Oh, I'll bet there will be! You can't stay stuck in the library or a lab all the time, right?" Plenty of researchers go out into the field in search of more information. She considers herself to be a researcher of elven ruins, and that can't all be studied from books, after all.

"I have to admit, I'm pretty excited to do more testing. Kirkwall is a prime location for it too. The city is so packed together with all these narrow streets that it'll be an interesting challenge to get around unseen, but I'm going to do it." It would probably be easier if she could parkour like Araceli or Rachette, but alas, she can't. But you know what she can do that those two can't? Fly as a bird. So if worst comes to worst, she has an escape plan.

"Precisely. Research on the field is just as vital as in the library. I didn't become a Grey Warden to live life on the sidelines." Inessa darts a smile over at Garahel pausing to let some children pet him. She has to admit that the city is good for his attention-craving self, providing more opportunities than Skyhold ever did.

"It will be interesting to see how your needs and applications vary according to the various sections of Kirkwall. Will Hightown demand different strategies than Darktown? Or during the night, which is easier in one sense but you will have the criminal element to contend with as well." That thought sobers her a little, not so curious than she wants to see Ellana come to harm to answer those questions. But then again, she is a Shapeshifter. Won't that make a difference? "How much have you explored of Kirkwall so far?"

"Oh, not much," she admits. "I figured I would get to know Lowtown first before I branch out." Darktown is more dangerous and she'll stand out in Hightown, so Ellana wants to know the winding streets of Lowtown like the back of her hand before anything else. It's where she'll spend most of her time when not at the Gallows anyway.

"But I'm definitely going to sneak into Hightown with Merrill sometime so she can show me her favorite gardens." Ellana sounds amused at the idea. "And if we get caught, I'll put the guards to sleep and we'll run away."

"Sensible. I've had little chance to explore beyond here and the Hightown marketplace." She could get away with that much, pretending to be on Warden business or whatnot, but randomly walking around the streets of the wealthy would definitely encourage more scrutiny her way. The Inquisition doesn't need that, and neither does she.

Mention of Merrill and gardens gets a smile out of her, and she chuckles. "It would be good practice, I suppose." She gently beckons for Garahel to continue onward with them, after he's had a decent amount of attention. "I've spoken with Fenris; he intends to claim his old mansion, but there is some red tape in the way. Bethany seems to have the same issue. Kirkwall doesn't quite trust us yet, but given time, perhaps we'll gain something of a foothold in that area."

That's not really surprising to Ellana. Wardens are above the law, and even if they aren't above people's prejudices, those people usually know better than to say anything. Now Ellana is contemplating the fun of lying to guards and showing them the griffon tattoo on her arm, winking and saying she's an undercover Warden on official business. Ah, maybe some day when she's bored.

"Oh, you talk with Fenris? From Varric's book, he seems pretty hostile towards mages. Is that truth or embellishment?" Ellana certainly hasn't gone out of her way to talk to him. She gives a wide berth to any who seem to have a problem with her for what she is.

Normally, Inessa would frown on Grey Warden impersonation. They occupy a role that requires great sacrifice, something that shouldn't be taken lightly. But given the harassment a elf, Dalish or otherwise, might face, she's willing to look the other way. It's even possible she'll play along, if present.

"It's embellishment. He has not treated me with hostility, and it's not because I'm a fellow elf. Matters of heritage don't seem to interest him." Nor do they interest Inessa for the most part, another reason they get along fairly civilly. "He is hostile to the careless use of magic, or magic used to exploit others. However, I've found that those who acknowledge its dangers and take responsibility can find him quite civil. We do not agree on everything, but in my opinion, that is not a necessity for friendships."

"Then I can see why Kirkwall was a place that got on his nerves." Hopefully by now, all those types of mages have fled elsewhere. Probably got involved in the war in some way and are either dead or in hiding now. If only she knew for sure what Kirkwall was like back then, but she only has Varric's book to go off of when comparing Kirkwall then to the one she stands in now. She supposes she'll have to ask someone who was there.

"I think things would be a little too boring if all friendships were between people who are exactly the same," she reasons, reaching out a hand to pet Garahel as they walk. "Of course, too many differences and you just shouldn't be friends anymore. I've had to cut ties with people because of that. Otherwise I wouldn't have any fun being around them. Everything would just be an argument."

"The issues which tainted his interactions with mages are largely a thing of the past, at least." If there are any blood mages remaining, they're well-hidden. Inessa hasn't heard a peep about them anywhere. "...though admittedly, the thinness of the Veil remains a source of tension."

Her lips form a thin line, worried more for the apprentices than seasoned mages, but it would be prideful to assume that they could never succumb. Vigilance is needed here, now more than ever.

As Garahel nuzzles Ellana in response, she continues. "Exactly. Life is too short and too filled with more pressing issues than to spend it in constant argument." Debate is one thing, and welcome, but hostility? Nah, Inessa will just avoid. "Friendship can be a delicate balance, at times. At least those worth our time tend to meet us halfway."

"That's what I've found to be true." The last time she visited the clan was to formally take leave of it for good, and her friendship with her best friend broke then. It was a long time coming, of course; their personalities are entirely different as well as what they want out of life, but it still hurt. Still, best to get it done and over with than pretend when there's nothing left connecting them.

"It's what I love about the Inquisition. Now that time has passed, those who had very black and white views might actually be seeing the shades of gray. They can come meet someone halfway, when initially they wouldn't have thought to. It's encouraging."

That 'shades of grey' comment has Inessa's lips briefly twitching because get it? Grey Wardens? Cir's terrible sense of humor is rubbing off on her, just a little. Thinking of her absent friend, departed suddenly and without word, sobers her up fairly quickly. "It's quite true, I've been present long enough to see -if not full understanding- at least the door to such opening a crack.

Do you think it will last, should we defeat Corypheus? I hope the memory of such widespread cooperation and shared adversity will mean something for the future." For elves, for mages, for others marginalized. But anything before the election of a new Divine, who will doubtless affect Thedas at large, seems premature.

Ellana blows out a thoughtful breath, giving the question time to sink in. It would be wonderful if this changed people's views, but she also knows (from personal experience with the clan) that change scares people and makes them hold on more stubbornly to what they know.

"I think it can only last if we refuse to be silent. If we allow everything to return to the way it was like the war between mages and Templars never happened, or elves, dwarves, and Qunari fade back into the background instead of standing tall and reminding everyone that we were a part of this too, then the prejudices of the past will return. We've saved people from rifts, ended countless conflicts, housed refugees, and if people try to brush that aside like we don't matter, we remind them that they'd be dead without us." Her face is serious when she's done and she turns her eyes on the shorter elf to see what she thinks of Ellana's view. It's a little intense, and certainly not the sort of milquetoast answer she might have given a year ago, but times change, and she doesn't want to see all they've accomplished be forgotten.

Intensity isn't a problem for Inessa, who tolerates small talk but really prefers hashing out such issues with someone rather than just in her own head. Plenty of times she's been told to take it down a notch, so the fact that she doesn't have to now is a welcome change. So she nods with a serious expression as Garahel leads them to the longer set of steps downward, to the docks.

"Relying on momentum alone would be a mistake. We can't trust that everyone will be open to continued change, rather than try to cling to what once was. I've seen it in times past; after times of great disruption, many will try their hardest to reinforce the status quo, no matter if it was worse than before. It's familiar, after all." She can understand, if not excuse, such a way of thinking. It's a very appealing mindset to the privileged or frightened. "You're right, remind them as often as need be, for the sake of those who stand to gain...and lose, if we remain silent."

"Oh, believe me, I know. No one is as stubborn about staying the same as a Dalish clan." It's said with the smallest hint of bitterness to her tone. She's never wanted to disparage their way of life, but at times it's so frustrating that she just wants to grab a Dalish elf by the shoulders and shake them, asking why they can't see that this way of life and isolation is killing them just as much as the threat of humans might.

"Well, we may as well start now. No need to wait until the war's over."

That slight bitterness in Ellana's tone prompts a small smile of sympathy and understanding. "My knowledge of the Dalish is limited, but I will take your word for it. Preserving old lore has a way of causing one to focus solely on the past, to the detriment of the present. That is a problem I've encountered in Circle towers and Warden keeps alike." Her own tone echoes that bitterness at the latter part, given how her experience in Weisshaupt effectively stripped any rose-colored view of Grey Wardens from childhood.

"That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid as I explore old elven sites. I don't want to look at what's left and only think of how we lost so much. I just want to fill in the missing pieces. Have more information to pass on to future generations." Her forehead wrinkles as she considers what she can relate this to.

"It's like... picking up a book with the first chapters ripped out. You read the rest, but you wish you had the start to fill in what you don't understand. Then you find those chapters and get to read them. Why would you despair after that? You have the whole thing now, and though it came to you in the wrong order, you can see the whole picture now."

Her smile returns a touch wider, putting aside her sore feelings in favor of a better subject. "A very apt analogy, I must say. It sounds as though your perspective will be what the elven artifacts project needs." With Ellana's passion for the subject, it's safe to assume that's where her attention will be. "Will you be vying for any position of leadership? With much of Skyhold's remaining where they are, it seems that there will be much in the way of opportunities."

"Oh, no," she says seriously, shaking her head no. After feeling like she could barely keep her head above water with the council, she's not keen to make big decisions that affect others ever again. She prefers to sticking with making decisions for just herself.

"I like the freedom that comes with what I'm doing now. Being a leader means running after people and issuing orders. I'd much rather do things on my own."

Inessa nods, as Garahel barks at the seagulls soaring up ahead. "There is a certain flexibility that would be lost stepping into a leadership role, true. I might apply for leadership of a project, but I don't expect to gain it. There are many more qualified than I. I don't mind, though. The work matters more than the position."

Besides, even as a low-ranking Grey Warden, there's enough responsibility to go around. She won't be any more idle than she during the month-long cleanup.

Her gaze lifts skyward as Garahel barks, and she smiles at the sight of the birds so unconcerned with the world below and all the troubles of Kirkwall.

"Who knows; you might end up surprised," she replies, looking back down. "But I know that every little bit helps, whether you're a leader or following orders. This is a big change for all of us, but we can rise to the challenge."

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{ OPEN } The mood it changes like the wind

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