shut up and dance with me ;;

[chainlightning]

WHO: Merrill & OPEN
WHAT: Open log
WHEN: 29 Guardian - 18 Drakonis; can do earlier but then ignore the dragon bits c:
WHERE: Emprise du Lion, the way back to Skyhold, and Skyhold itself
NOTES: probably adorable

[ Victory, for Merrill, has always meant that the people they were meant to help and defend were safe, whether they were refugees or mages or her group of friends. As long as no one has been too seriously hurt, all of them have tasted sweet. This latest, though, is particularly good: the three dragons that had caused so much harm and scared so many in the Emprise have been defeated, and Merrill was able to help in the takedown of one.

She'd had ideas, good ideas. She'd been listened to. Magic and blades and mabari teeth had all flashed and sang and the dragon had fallen, and where Merrill isn't exactly known to make a ruckus, it makes her happy enough that she can be found celebrating -- at the tavern, because it had been insisted upon, but there's also some delighted humming and skipping through camp. This continues as Merrill starts on her journey back to Skyhold, ready for an adventure of a different sort; she's more than happy to chat with others on the road, or help if they need help.

In Skyhold itself, she can be seen with a little mongrel pup following at her heels. She is, if anything, a bit more subdued in the fortress; when she manages to navigate the twisting halls, she tends to be found in the library, trying to find anything and anything related to her people and to magic. It's a slow process, not in the least helped by her abysmal sense of direction or her willingness to be distracted by her dog, the weather, particularly nice stone work, and anyone who looks interesting. ]

Comments

[serannas]

Ellana well knows how slow going it can be to find things in the library on elves. What little there is seems to be written by humans, who are known for painting elves in the poorest light possible. Even the stories from Gisharel Ralaferin were published by human scholars. It's part of why Ellana wants to explore elven ruins and write about what she finds. Maybe one day her writing will find its way into the hands of a frustrated elf who is tired of reading the human perspective on elves.

When she sees Merrill peruses the shelves, she comes over and pulls out a book.

"Have you read this one? It's not much, but it has a chapter on the Emerald Graves."

[chainlightning]

She doesn't recognize the elf who approaches, but that's hardly a detriment. Save for her conversation with Sina, which had ended in understanding, none of her interactions with others of the People have been too poor. It seems to fill a part of her she had forgotten was empty, vallaslin falling neatly back in with Hawke's warpaint and the traditions of the alienage in her heart.

And so Ellana gets a bright smile as Merrill shifts to look at the book, fingers reaching up to absently brush through her hair.

"Oh, I hadn't! I'd missed it entirely, actually -- is it better than some of the rest of these?"

[serannas]

"Better... well, I can say it sticks to the facts and mostly just gives descriptions of the area. There is a mention of the fall of the Knights, but they aren't too scathing." She gives Merrill a knowing smile. "Sad that we have to pick from scathing, insulting, or brutal, isn't it? It's part of why I want to write about elven sites someday. If I can even get as far as publishing anything not edited by Orlesians."

[chainlightning]

"I have a friend who's an author," Merrill starts, reaching up to rub at her chin. "I'm not sure who his publisher is, but Varric would at least try to make sure they actually published what you wrote."

Less than a minute in and she's already offering the use of her friends. Whoops. But still, the subject is clearly near and dear to both of their hearts. "Scathing, insulting, brutal, or outright lies. You forgot that one."

[serannas]

"Actually, if was Varric who suggested I publish journals of my travels," Ellana replies, her eyes lit up with excitement. "He's right, of course. These are things that should be written by elves, for other elves to enjoy." She just hopes she can achieve it someday.

"Ah, right." Her expression softens and that light in her eyes dims somewhat. "I don't bother with those books. If they lie about us, they're not worth reading."

[chainlightning]

"Oh, good! He'll definitely help; he's good at that." Which Merrill probably isn't supposed to spread around, but oh well. Varric's reputation mostly relies on his chest hair anyway.

"I try not to, but other than the blatantly obvious ones, sometimes I'll be part of the way through and catch something. You know I once actually had someone tell me they thought we danced naked around campfires to celebrate?" Thanks a lot, Anders. "But- I also suppose I can just cross out the lies. You know, in order to help the other readers."

She's going to vandalize the shit out of some books.

[serannas]

Ellana exhales a sigh. "I can believe it, because I've heard similar since coming here. They think we sacrifice human babies too." Some people just get the most bizarre notions in their heads.

Merrill's solution has Ellana smirking a little. "I never thought to do that. It's not a bad idea. It's hardly ruining a book to take out the bits that are wrong."

[chainlightning]

There's a shake of her head. "They can't come up with good enough reasons to hate us, so they make them up." Even as a blood mage, Merrill wouldn't sacrifice children. She wouldn't sacrifice anyone.

"Exactly! We're just helping spread the correct information." The librarians are going to kill them, but it's worth it.

[serannas]

And here Ellana has been so careful with the books she takes out too, wanting others to see that a Dalish elf knows the proper way to treat them. Oh, well. She'd rather no one be able to read the derogatory remarks and spread them as fact.

"Let's sneak a few out and do it outside the library. Less chance of being caught in the act that way."

[chainlightning]

As long as they correct the errors neatly, no one should complain. Right? ... Well no, someone will likely complain either way. Dalish touching the books, Dalish in Skyhold, Dalish breathing air... all matters of complaint for the ignorant.

"Oh yes, perfect! Where should we do it at?"

Preferably not out in the wind or where anyone can just stumble across them, but also not too far or else they'll never get all the books done.

[serannas]

"I know the perfect spot, if you don't mind picking your way over stone blocks?" she says. "Do you know that spot of the battlements that run behind the barn and stables? A piece of it is still broken, but I've climbed down and up the other side, and you can get down to an area behind the kitchens' roof there. No one can see you from there."

[chainlightning]

"I don't mind at all!" It's said immediately, which is probably good, because there's a not insignificant pause as Merrill tries to remember if she knows which section of ruined wall Ellana is talking about. "I- believe so? I'm really not very good at navigating around here."

[serannas]

"I can show you. We just need some ink and quills before we go to make our 'improvements' with." She looks around them to see what's available. Usually some tables have them set out for note taking.

"Why don't I grab those things and you pick a few more books?"

[chainlightning]

"Absolutely!" Merrill grins and more or less shoots up from where she's sitting, startling Barkley out of his doze. He yips once, confused, before headbutting her ankles in indignation.

It just makes her laugh. "Hush now, we're going to do some editing with- um. I never did get your name, did I?"

[serannas]

She exhales a soft laugh too, before her mouth makes a surprised O-shape. "Oh, I'm Ellana Ashara. Aneth ara."

[chainlightning]

"Merrill. And this is Barkley." Who, ever the charmer, barks again and wags his tail, toddling forward to sniff at Ellana's ankles.

[serannas]

"Oh, all right. I know a bit about you from Varric's book." She smiles and lets Barkley sniff her hand.

"Very barky, Barkley. But, shh. We're doing something sneaky, and we can't draw attention to ourselves, all right?"

[chainlightning]

Well, at least she isn't yelling at her due to what she read in Varric's book, so Merrill just smiles back as Barkley tilts his head.

"He'll try, at least. If nothing else, he and I wander around lost a great deal, so we're not likely to draw that much attention."

[serannas]

She isn't yelling because she doubts it will be anything Merrill hasn't already heard before. Ellana doesn't approve of blood magic at all. She thinks even if a person has good intentions that those can become easily twisted. But she has no knowledge of Merrill killing anyone to fuel her magic. And Ellana is the representative to Dalish mages on the Mage Council. She would be a pretty poor one if she refuses to represent Merrill, if she wants it.

"Really? I feel like I know Skyhold pretty well by now. Meet me at the bottom of the stairs and we'll go out together?"

[chainlightning]

Luckily, she has no knowledge of it because it's never happened. Merrill steadfastly refuses to fuel her magic with the blood of an innocent, and would only use someone else's blood if they insisted. Besides that, Kirkwall was five years ago; she's grown more careful since then.

"I've got a terrible sense of direction. Well, at least in places Dalish don't usually go." In other words, anywhere that isn't... basically the middle of nowhere. "But yes, that sounds good!" Books are quickly gathered and Barkley is encouraged away from the sunbeam he's found illuminating dust bunnies, and away Merrill goes.

[serannas]

Ellana isn't far behind, smuggling out two quills and an inkwell and trying for nonchalance as she descends the stairs to the rotunda, meeting Merrill and her dog with a smile. Then it's simply a matter of walking over to the secret spot. Going through the Commander's office would be fastest, but she doesn't know if he's inside right now. What an inconvenient place for an office! So they'll take the long way round.

On the way, Ellana says, "I don't know if you're aware of the Mage Council here?"

[chainlightning]

Barkley is happy to be an escort, either trotting along at their heels or darting forward to menace any birds that don't move fast enough. It helps the whole thing look more normal: just two young women out for a walk with a dog, nevermind the reading material.

At the mention of the mage council there's a slight hum, Merrill turning to look at Ellana before deciding that she may be better off paying attention to where she's walking. "I've heard of it, sort of. Mostly just that it exists."

[serannas]

"It's a way for mages to look out for each other, really. The mages here don't have to look to it as an authority, but if they'd like, we act as a voice to bring mage concerns to the Inquisition. I'm a Councilor. I represent the Dalish mages. The ones who want me to, at least. I thought I should let you know."

Ellana doesn't want to put pressure on Merrill. After all, the council only has authority if others recognize it. The Inquisition has allowed it, and that's good enough for them.

Looking after Barkley, Ellana giggles. "He's sweet. How long have you had him?" She doesn't remember Merrill having a dog in Varric's story. Just Hawke did.

[chainlightning]

There's a thoughtful hum, Merrill carefully picking around a few loose stones. Anders had specifically advised her against telling the Council about her blood magic, though he hardly needed to; she had never truly planned on it. Now, though, his words echo through her head.

"I'm not sure that most of my concerns are specifically about mages. Or are anything the Council would agree upon." There's a sideways glance and crooked smile toward Ellana, brief but telling -- she knows exactly what Varric's book says, after all. "But I will remember, if something comes up."

Barkley, though, is a much less complex topic. "Only a few months -- very few. He's Inquisition born, aren't you?" Not that the dog has any real idea what that means, but he does turn to look at them, wagging his tail at the sound of Merrill's voice.

[serannas]

"Oh, I heard about a litter or two being born here, but I didn't look into it," she replies. "He must be a great companion." Dogs are sweet and loyal, she knows, and the favored animal of Fereldans. Beyond that, she knows very little. She's never had a dog of her own.

Soon enough they're climbing the stairs to the battlements and turning the corner to where the stones are in disrepair.

"They're sturdy," she says, moving forward to show her. "I'll go first. You just climb down this way--" Ellana carefully moves down, the stones almost like large steps. "And then back up." The stones on the far side can easily be climbed by bracing a foot on them and pushing up.