faderift | [ OPEN ] The sky is on fire, at least that is the word out in the world

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[ OPEN ] The sky is on fire, at least that is the word out in the world

WHO: Adelaide LeBlanc and Various
WHAT: Adelaide returns to Skyhold
WHEN: mid Firstfall
WHERE: Courtyard, Library, Tavern, Garden, Battlements of Skyhold
NOTES: N/A, will update as needed

[ Courtyard A ]

The walk had been a long one. A long, boring, exhausting one- but one she'd made out to the mire and one she made back. Catching the odd ride from a cart on the way up the mountain had made stretches of it easier but her only concern now were a few requests and concerns as given to her by her students through the sending crystals. First thing was first: eat. Change. Rest. Then she could tend to the list of errands that brought her here.

Cloak dusted with snow and weight listing heavily against her staff with each step, she made a weary sight as she strode with unwavering focus to the Hold's doors. Students first, the rest would come later.

[ Gardens ]

Her concerns here were twofold- looking over the elfroot for improper trimming (recreational smoking, Andraste's ass, what were they thinking) and proper growth. Sleeves rolled up, hair bound back she knelt and checked every plant by hand to be absolutely certain, from root to shoot to leaf before moving on to the next. For elfroot, embrium, any plant with medicinal properties in the garden- and then a few that were not. The repetition and examination was soothing for her, a shred of familiarity that reminded her much of the time she'd done the same in the Spire's small garden.

Afterward- well. She began examining trees. For- meddling. Before seeking out a particular dalish mage. While it wasn't the only reason she returned, it had been a large part for her taking the walk back.

[ Library ]

Nothing on the plague as far as Bruce could tell while he was here- she hadn't passed him on the road but he'd indicated that he would be coming down to the mire to help when they last spoke. She did not doubt him his research- but the questioned and rather vexed swearing of the latest round of rifters had her seeking anything on the veil, the fade, and Tevinter magics. She could simply ask Dorian, she supposed, but his was more modern, less ancient. Mug of tea steaming at her elbow she picked through stack after stack of either horribly vague or horribly specific and useless information. Now and then she made a note or sat back, glaring at whatever she read, and muttered under her breath- "Bullshit."

[ Tavern ]

Evening found her at the tavern, eating with her students (glad for her return) and enjoying a solitary glass of wine. No books, no arguments over the state of the garden or the improper use of magic- just a meal. She might even be smiling ever so slightly while she listened to how they spent their days or the progress they've made in their studies in her absence. Now and then she wove her way to the bar proper to order another glass of wine for her other students or a mug of tea for herself, trying her best not to bump into anyone on the way there or back.

[ Battlements ]

Exhausted as the Mire had made her, long as her days have been, Adeliade did not find sleep easily. Between stress and frustration at not finding a cure or cause for the plague just yet or any manner of explanation for the rifters weighed on her more than it ought to. She never pretended to have the answers, never tried to know the whole of a problem. She was a healer and as much as it was in her nature to fix things- she wasn't certain if it was her own mind or Compassion that kept her from rest. Not wanting to bother her students (Roul minded the door in her absence) or anyone else for that matter, most nights found her on the battlements, bundled against the cold as she paced. Perhaps it would wear her out enough to sleep.

[ Courtyard B ]

Later in the day Adelaide can be seen coming up from a part of the hold, carting dust bins and cobweb covered brooms- more than a little dusty herself, and dumping the lot out, beating the broom against the stone side of the building, and taking a moment or two to enjoy the light and the fresh air before she wandered back down. Rinse and repeat, several times, until whatever room she was clearing out below was cleaned to her satisfaction. Needless to say it would take some time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Now back at Skyhold, Ellana is once more struggling to find where she fits. She doesn't have a set role. She's not a scout, not a researcher; she's just sort of there, just like she was back in the clan. Oh, sure, she was hearthmistress, but that's an easy role that anyone can fill, and they have since she's been gone. Here in Skyhold, she can only do her best to be of use and know that she's contributing in some small way to the Inquisition as a whole.

When she spots Adelaide all dusty out in the sunshine, her curiosity is piqued, and she approaches her after she's done beating her broom, but before she heads back.

"Hello. Would you like some assistance in whatever you're cleaning?"

Just a moment longer in the sun and the cool air, perhaps two. Or another few minutes. Toiling away in the Vault is worthwhile to see that they would have the space needed- speaking with Josephine had been to her benefit even if they haven't called a formal meeting as of yet- being prepared for one is vital if they are to move forward. All the same it is dark and dusty and wearying work, and works she'll be glad to be finished. She's leaning against the wall, face tipped up to the sun when someone calls to her-

"Beg pardon?" Help? From- the Dalish mage that isn't Pel. "Cleaning out the Vault- an extra pair of hands would be most appreciated."

"Oh? There must not be anything of value in the vault since it looks to be rather dusty," she jokes. "I would be happy to help. How are you? I haven't seen you since the celebration with the wine after the mages' meeting."

"A few torches, paintings, and a rug. Soon enough there will also be chairs and tables for our use should the council wish to meet somewhere private. I have spoken to Josephine and that is truly the only area available to us until more of the renovations are complete." Still it is more than they had before and that? Is not so bad a start.

Ellana's eyes light up, having been wanting to hear more on what the council would be doing, since she'll be a part of it. Helping to clear out a space for them is absolutely something she wishes to help with.

"Then we'll make sure it's so clean you could eat off the floor." And she'll hold out her hand to carry something back for Adelaide. "I'm looking forward to being a voice for the mages here. Of course, I suspect there will be plenty of arguing and disagreements too."

"Honestly I would rather we have a permanent office but with the hold being rebuilt and the demand for room? It will take some time. We shall have to make do." But for where they are now? It is enough.

She hands over the dustpail without further prompting. "You are sharing a seat with Pel, yes?"

"That's right," Ellana replies, ready to go whenever Adelaide is. It's better that apostate mages don't take up too much room on the council, since it is Circle mages who are used to this level of organization and representation.

"And you are of course on it as well. Do you mind if I ask what ideals you'll represent? I'm afraid I don't know the names for your groupings in the Circles."

"I am- I was- though perhaps it is not changed all that much, an Aequitarian." She pushes away from the wall and turns to head back inside, tapping the bottom of the broom against the doorframe one last time before ducking into the dim halls. "We believe that magic must be used responsibly and ethically, to aid others in need and follow a set of rules or ideals- though said rules change from region to region. Most of it aligned neatly with Chantry law but- for me? Magic is meant to serve others- to better their lives, mend them, or defend them. It is not to be used frivolously or selfishly."

Ellana listens carefully, though there is a moment at the end when a brief look of worry crosses her face. She can understand all of what Adelaide is saying, but she worries over what her definition of "frivolous" is.

"Using magic to light campfires or carry firewood wouldn't be considered frivolous, would it?" Those are tasks that can be done without magic, but using magic makes them so much easier.

"Are you otherwise unable to light the fire or carry the wood?" Not all mages share Adelaide's rather strict adherence to that particular rule and she does not expect them to do so; but for her? That would indeed be frivolous.

Her heart sinks a little at the question, but she shakes her head no. "I could have, but I didn't." There's a pause as she adds, "The person who does it now in my place isn't a mage. The Keeper just set me up as hearthmistress so I could use my magic for something and wouldn't feel useless, since I never learned what her First and Second did."

"This is where we consider the first of the rules: Help those that have need of it. Above all the others that is the most important. If there was no other way for you to use your magic to aid your people and no other way for you to practice your control and skill? Then it was not frivolous." All the world is a grey area, finding the nuances and picking them apart? Takes time and skill. Or at least a good deal of creativity.

"She did teach me control," Ellana is quick to stress. "But Keepers have special kinds of magic and there was no need for me to learn that, nor how to be a leader like Pel and Sorrel learned. I don't want you to think the Dalish aren't disciplined with our magic, because we are. It's just that my training didn't go as far."

She switches the dust pail from one hand to the other as they get closer to the vault. At least she's physically carrying it and not floating it.

"I used magic to energize the metals I was mining in the Fallow Mire so I could collect more at once and carry it all. That wouldn't be frivolous, would it? I did it so I could gather more in the time I had, to aid the Inquisition."

"One can be taught control by their mentor every day of their lives- but when one is casting on their own is the greatest test. I would think the same of any Circle mentor and their student. I do not doubt that she taught you control, nor do I think your magics undisciplined. The precision required to bend a tree and not break it? To weave your spells in such a way that they flow with the fabric of the world? No one undisciplined could do that." Wild, to be certain, but there is a precision to Dalish Magic that she has seen that she must respect.

"No. But, again, simply because this is how I feel magic ought to be used and how mages ought to behave does not mean that it is necessarily the right way, nor the best way. It is simply the way I felt worked best for me and should have a voice in the Council. Despite my better judgement."

It's easy to listen to Adelaide's voice and hear the voice of a teacher there. It isn't what Ellana set out to do when she first started asking questions, but it's what has resulted. She feels she's going to learn a lot by being a part of this council. Hopefully she has some ideas to contribute too.

"What do you mean, 'despite your better judgment?'"

She leads Ellana the rest of the way down, peering at the dusty corners that yet remain in the vault. The question- well. She should have expected that. "I did not wish to speak out at the meeting, nevermind be a part of the Council."

Taking a good look around, Ellana sets down the pail where it will be needed and picks up a rag.

"What changed your mind?"

"A singularly frustrating Tevinter mage." Dorian. Dorian changed her mind, the ass.

Her head tilts, a little surprised. But only because she only knows one Tevinter mage.

"Surely not Felix? He doesn't seem like he could frustrate anyone." He's so sweet and complimentary.

"Dorian." She says with all the ire she normally reserves for Templars. "Is terribly frustrating."

"Oh," she says, trying to think back and recall if she's met a man named Dorian. She doesn't think so. "From what you say, perhaps I should feel fortunate I haven't met him yet?" She turns and gets to cleaning one of the corners with her rag. The two Tevinters she knows -- Krem and Felix -- don't share their countrymen's views on elves, so she wonders what this Dorian person thinks of her people.

"So did you join to speak against his views, or because he dared you to?"

"I joined because he was insufferably reasonable in making the point that I ought to step forward." No matter how much she might wish, ignoring logic wasn't something she could manage provided it was sound and not entirely offensive.

Facing away from Adelaide, Ellana has to smile to herself. It sounds like this Dorian is rather clever at debate. She'll have to remember that if she ever has to match wits with him. Perhaps the best course for her would be to not engage at all.

"He's not wrong. I think you're an excellent addition to the council. You're very level-headed and have a lot to offer." She lifts up on her tiptoes, sweeping her rag back and forth across some cobwebs before she lets out a sneeze. "Excuse me."

It seems a certain flower in the garden isn't the only thing that makes her sneeze. Her nose is so sensitive and now she has dust up there.

"I would like to know more about you, if you're willing. I enjoy learning where people are from, and about their lives."

"I am biased and know very well how wrong this can all go if we are not careful." That, more than anything else she suspects, is a large part of why he nudged her along. And if she'd only minded her own business the night of the wake? This wouldn't be her problem.

Well.

It wouldn't be so much her problem.

Working away in the opposite corner, dusting as much of the cobwebs away as she can manage, Adelaide shrugs. "What is there to know? I was born in Val Royeaux until my magic manifested and I was sent to The White Spire. I studied and lived there until the circles dissolved."

In response to Adelaide's simple answer, Ellana exclaims, "Everything! You must have interests, like music, food, literature. I lived isolated from everybody except a small clan of people my entire life and even I have interests. I just want to know so much about everyone else. The world is such a big place and each person is unique."

courtyard B

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