faderift | OPEN: this will be a better year

OPEN: this will be a better year

WHO: Everyone
WHAT: First Day
WHEN: Wintermarch 1 (forward-dated)
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Scouts from both the Western Approach and Emprise du Lion are welcome (but not required) to have returned to Skyhold in time for this event.

There have been better First Day feasts, and less crowded ones, and cheerier ones. It isn't a good year for many to look back on, and this one isn't starting any better. Reports from both Eastern and Western Orlais are grim. Many in the Inquisition can't afford to take more than a few hours away from their work, if that.

But for those who can, the ambassador does her best. At lunchtime some tables, hot food, and finery are reserved for visiting nobility and wealthy pilgrims--cause for grumbling in some quarters, perhaps, but they're the people filling the Inquisition's coffers, and allowances must be made--but there's plenty of stew, bread, and ale for everyone, even with the soldiers and refugees who stay outside the fortress invited inside for the holiday. The recently repaired garden and its carefully tended plants aren't off limits, but anyone noisy and holding a drink will be stopped at the door; the battlements, with their potential for deadly falls, are blocked by Inquisition guards. But the courtyards brim with people, most of them happy despite the possibility that the world might end before another First Day arrives.

If the courtyards are too full of tipsy visitors for comfort, there's also the valley beyond the fortress, expansive, barren, and covered in snow. By the river the soldiers help the refugees make a bonfire larger than would ever be allowed inside Skyhold's walls, and some lend their shields to use as sleds down the embankments. A group of scouts start the most intense game of hide and seek Thedas has ever seen, with snowballs to the face for whoever is found first. In the camp, a refugee girl with her hand wrapped in a green scarf chases other children around the tents, shouting raaar, I'm from the rifts!

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"Sam! You're back!" Ellana moves to sit beside him at the fire, and from her pink cheeks and the dusting of snow across her clothes, it's clear she's been partaking in some activities such as snowball fights or sledding.

"I heard about what's happening over there. It must have been hard to see. Hopefully the Inquisition does something soon."

At the sound of his name, he looks up from looking at the contents in his mug. At seeing that it's Ellana he smiles, scooting over a bit to give her some room when she plops down next to him. "I'm back," he confirms, tilting his head at seeing all the snow in her hair and on her shoulders.

At the mention of Emprise du Lion though his smile saddens a bit and he gives a small sigh. "It's been a rough month for everyone. How are you doing?"

"It's been rough here as well," she answers gently, looking down at her hands spread across her knees. The damage caused by the abomination was more than just physical in nature. It damaged the hard work mages had been doing to show they could be trusted.

"But we're recovering. We have to. I suppose First Day is a reminder that it's a new year and we decide how this one will be remembered."

First Day had lost that kind of feel when he had been put in the Circle. Now that he was out though, and hearing Ellana suggest that it could work like that? Reaching over, Sam puts a comforting hand on Ellana's shoulder. "Let's hope so. Things must be getting better though? Everyone seems to be in decent spirits at the moment."

Ellana looks up at him with a smile and nods her agreement. "I think so. I think we've been waiting for a reason to smile and laugh again. But tell me how you've been. It's all right if you don't want to talk about your scouting trip, but I feel like we haven't spoken in so long! How are things?"

"Ah... Not that I don't want to talk about our mission in Emprise du Lion, but a lot of people have been saying to leave that for the night and just enjoy the new year." Bit hard not talking about something so big, but he understood completely the mentality.

"I've been... well," he says with a bit of a blush. Mission aside and all the other crappy things, he had a pretty productive month.

Even the firelight can't hide that blush, Sam. And it makes Ellana terribly curious to know what it's all about.

"Well? I should think so! What's that look suggesting, hmm? Oh, you will tell me, won't you? I would hate to be left in suspense."

That look? At the mention that he looked a certain way, and Ellana getting rather excited about it only makes Sam blush a bit more.

"Ah... just Krem and I have been talking again, and I got to spend most of the time with him."

"Oh, I like Krem. Such a friendly nature." It was he who had first made her realize that there was more to Tevinter than just magisters and slaves. There were Tevinters who had no problems with elves. Then she had met Felix and discovered he was one of them too.

"Did he return with you?"

That has Sam sighing a bit and rubbing the back of his head. "No, he did not. He split off from the group before we got to Skyhold. Said he had something important to do."

"I see. Well, you two can still use the crystals to talk, right?" She leans closer with a smile. "Not the same as having him close by, I know. I'm happy for you both, because I like both of you and you deserve good things."

Before he can agree that they could use the crystals he finds Ellana leaning into his personal space, blushing a bit more as he stood his ground, not giving her an inch. "Ah... thanks, Ellana. That means a lot."

"You're welcome." And back she goes, leaning away, because making him blush is too fun, but it's not her goal to make him uncomfortable.

"How long have you been together?"

Now that question has him sighing a bit and rubbing the back of his head, looking around as if it would help him find the answer to that. "Um... kind of since Harvestmere?"

"Does talking about your relationship make you uncomfortable?" Ellana asks, suddenly aware that some people might like to keep things private. That's the way it was with Atlan, only he did it for nefarious reasons. He made her believe their relationship was more special since they were the only two people who knew about it. But just because he did that doesn't meant two other people might not want to keep things close to the chest for their own reasons.

"I'm sorry if I'm prying. Just tell me I am, and I'll stop."

He chuckles at that, definitely feeling embarrassed by it all, but not uncomfortable. "No, talking about it doesn't make me uncomfortable. I'm just surprised by how popular of a subject it seems to be. Or rather I'm finding out that I have 'looks', like you mentioned before, which are apparently more apparent since Krem isn't here. It's... new."

"Popular among your friends? Or among everybody? Because if it's just your friends, we're happy for you two and want to hear all about it." And just maybe live vicariously through the happy couple. "In this difficult time, it's gladdening to see people find peace and contentment with others, don't you think?"

"Well friends for sure. I'm not sure about... everyone." He doubted they were that big of a topic throughout Skyhold. If they were? Well... that was something.

"Well even if things weren't as they were it is nice to see people find someone else they can be happy with." He smiles lightly at that then gives a bit of a shrug. "I am happy, but... it hasn't been easy if I'm to be honest."

"I think that makes it worth it. If you go through hard times, you can come out of them stronger." Ellana offers an encouraging smile. "If you ever need someone to talk to during those times it's not easy, I'll listen, Sam." She'll always listen to a friend's troubles and try to help where she can. If she can.

"I'll certainly keep that in mind, Ellana." He honestly appreciates the offer and that she's willing to be there, but honestly he's not sure how much he can actually talk about regarding Krem. "And what about you? Has there been anyone that's caught your eye?"

"Oh, my eye has been caught by so many handsome men here," she replies with a chuckle. But then her thoughts turn to a certain someone who is at this moment lying on his deathbed and her smile fades away. She knows she shouldn't think of him that way, but his kindness and generosity have touched her deeply and she wishes they'd had more time, or that they'd met years ago. She wishes there was a cure for his illness.

But she recognizes that thinking this way isn't right for this celebration, and Felix wouldn't want her to be upset, so she forces a smile again.

"Sorry. I just... remembered something." She clears her throat and the smile becomes more genuine. "There's such a group of good looking people here. I think everyone has a little bit of an infatuation with the Commander, don't you? I wonder how he bears it."

The way Ellana lights up then seems to deflate is not missed by him, and for a moment Sam grows concerned by the change. Was that a touche subject? Though before he can comment on it, Ellana is once again smiling. It's fake, he knows that, but in time it eventually seems to reach her ears again.

For a moment Sam only stares as he raises a brow, seeing if the mood would change again, but when it doesn't seem like it will he gives a sigh. "He commands a large army. I'm not surprised he's able to tolerate so many people having eyes on him." The Commander was certainly handsome, but he hadn't spent much time with the other man to really know him to give a good call. "Are you saying you're infatuated with him?"

"Me? Oh, no. He's very nice, but I don't really know him that well. He's nice to look at, though." He takes care to ensure that elves aren't being treated unkindly in the Inquisition, and she respects him for that.

"I think he must be under so much pressure right now. Sometimes I leave fresh flowers on his desk, to brighten up his office. Because otherwise he's just surrounded by paperwork."

'He was nice to look at'. That has Sam giving a small snort as he tries not to laugh right out loud. The comment is so much like what Cyril would say that it's amusing. "I can only imagine what kind of pressure he's under, but I'm glad he took up the mantle. We're better for him leading our troops."

She left flowers in his office? "Flower from the garden?"

"Well, yes. That's where they're growing," she says with a chuckle. "I don't take any medicinal ones; don't worry."

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