faderift | 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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It's been a hell of an afternoon, and Metaari can't wait to relax a bit (and maybe regather his strength some). He's alone now, though he can't imagine it will be for long, but space is needed to sort some things out. He can hear Merrick somewhere in the background of the crowd, a faint song floating over his head, and he smiles as he takes a seat near the fire.

He doesn't notice the human beside him at first but after a moment he leans slightly to his side, dropping his voice to barely above the dull roar of the crowd, his own eyes still on the fire. "It's a shame, isn't it? That no matter how hard you stare, answers can never be gleaned from a flame."

He had been aware of someone taking a seat next to him, but at this point it is a normal occurrence and there is little need to be overly on guard while back in the midst of the Inquisition. The low voice whispering near his ear does catch his attention though, and Sam finds himself blinking away the daze the flames had brought on.

Seeing that there is a Qunari sitting next to him hardly surprises him, but the fact it is a face he hasn't seen before does. "Well that only really matters if you're actually looking for an answer."

An easy smile settles across Metaari's face and he tips his head in a sort of agreement. "Fair enough. The warmth is real, at least. Though I do not recommend attempting to jump over the flame, no matter how enticing the bet may be. It won't end well. For anyone involved."

He turns slightly in order to hold out a hand, light reflecting across his features in a flickering dance. "Metaari."

"Samouel," he says, offering his own hand for a shake. Now that he's really looking he recognizes him as that person Merrick had kissed during that contest. At that he smiles slightly and raises a brow.

"Does that mean you're going to try betting me that I can't jump over that flame, Metaari?"

Metaari hums in thought as he turns to observe the fire, rubbing his chin as though he were giving it serious thought. He eventually shakes his head and gestures at it with a scoff. "Not yet. It isn't nearly high enough. Needs to come up to at least your shoulder or it isn't worth it. Ah, your shoulder. Not mine. That would hardly be fair."

He laughs and leans back a bit, stretching his feet out in front of him toward the flames. "Well, as far as beginnings of a new year go, this one could certainly be worse. You know, tears in the sky notwithstanding. Has yours treated you well?"

A snort followed by a laugh is heard from Sam at the correction. "That certainly wouldn't be fair if I had to wait that long. Not that I plan on taking on that bet even my own height." Even sitting down, Metaari towered over him. Going up against him in anything would be a challenge.

The laughing dies down into a chuckle as he too stretches out his legs towards the flames, slightly smiling as he goes back to watching the bonfire. "Much better then ones I've had in the past. Could be better, but... a good start nonetheless."

And Metaari certainly loves challenges, if he's ever up for placing a wager on anything. He grins a bit as he eyes even the difference in the length of their legs, though he doesn't bother to bring it up. It really wouldn't be a fair competition this time around, would it?

His head falls back a little and he stares skyward a moment, watching the flames lick up toward the darkening sky. This was definitely the best time for a bonfire. "I could drink to that. But then, I don't think I've had the perfect day yet. As far as I'm concerned, there's always a chance for a day to be better."

Honestly it would depend on the rules and wording Metaari used for the competition. Still, a few coin bet on jumping through fire didn't seem all that worth it.

"And what would you consider the 'perfect day'?" he asks, looking skyward himself.

The question startles him somehow and he falls silent for a short time, thinking on it. He's never considered it much, and pondering it now isn't really offering very many answers, but he still thinks it deserves consideration.

After a while he finally takes a breath before answering. "Haven't given it much thought," he confesses, his gaze still pointed up. "I know it would start with me waking up because I've had enough sleep. Not because I've been awoken, not because of fitful dreams, but because I'm fully rested. There will be... someone... tucked in against me, also sleeping soundly..."

He trails off, frowning a little to himself before he lets out a short, quiet laugh as he lowers his gaze. "Already dreaming too big, I think."

"I don't think it's too big," he replies with a smile, his eyes still cast towards the sky, but catching Metaari's movement in the corner of his eye. It wasn't too far off on what he imagined as a good morning.

"Course with mine, the other person would tell me I'm being ridiculous for having watched them sleep, and probably say something about us needing to get up but instead stay in bed for another hour." That has Sam giving his own soft laugh before looking back down and taking a drink. Maybe they were dreaming too big already.

OPEN: this will be a better year

Bonfire!

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