faderifting: (Default)
Fade Rift Mods ([personal profile] faderifting) wrote in [community profile] faderift2016-04-17 01:31 am

OPEN: Cloudreach Event

WHO: Anyone at Skyhold
WHAT: Cloudreach showers bring weird shit.
WHEN: Cloudreach 15 onward
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: For information about the illness, its effects, and its cure, please make sure to also read the OOC Post.


This high in the mountains, snowstorms are to be expected. But this one is large and lingering, hanging over the valley and the fortress for days. In Skyhold, with its eternal spring, the snow becomes rain before it hits the ground, leaving inhabitants and visitors to wade through puddles and mud in the courtyards. In the valley, snow and ice accumulate under cloud cover—and worse, when the clouds finally thin, a whole winter's accumulation of snow begins to melt in the sunlight.

Within a day, the ground is sodden and mucky enough to give the survivors of the Fallow Mire (or Ferelden in general) unpleasant flashbacks, and those who live in tents are issued additional hastily-constructed wooden pallets to raise their floors above the mud. It is worse outside the fortress: streams and rivers have overflowed their banks, rapids run twice as fast as normal, and flash flooding has made even road travel treacherous.

On Cloudreach 17 a mudslide buries the pass into Skyhold from the west, and on the 19th a sheet of snow loosened from a mountainside collapses into the shadowed passage from the east. An Inquisition supply caravan is caught in the latter, scattering wagons and goods across the hillside and leaving a dozen people and horses in need of rescue and medical care.

Healers may find themselves stretched thin, as in addition to the usual rash of blisters and sniffles that come from days of rain and flooding, an illness begins to sweep through Skyhold's ranks from around the 16th onward. It's marked first by climbing fever, then by flashes at the edges of vision—green light and jagged formations that aren't there, beings of light and shadow gathering around people or clustering in corners—and distant voices, coherent for brief moments if you're quiet and still and not trying too hard to listen.
gatheringstorm: (smile)

[personal profile] gatheringstorm 2016-04-29 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Korrin tries to increase her pace, though it also increases her wobbling. She's not tipping over quite yet, but in her desperation to reach an area that's not sodden, all is possible. That statement gets a genuine smile out of her, though, however weak. "Thanks, Hermione...and likewise. I know that doesn't seem to mean much right now, but I'll do whatever I can."
colecomfort: (Default)

[personal profile] colecomfort 2016-04-29 02:31 pm (UTC)(link)
It's about more than being a leader, though. More than the responsibility.

"Mother looks past me. Sorrel is the same size, but I feel so small. Go with the Hunters, I have nothing to show you."

Whether it's something the Keeper actually said, or a meaning that laid underneath her words, Cole can't say. He only knows Beleth heard it, all the same.
lettersfromhome: (pic#8963367)

[personal profile] lettersfromhome 2016-04-29 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"Just...a little tired. Though I think I might need another pitcher of water before long."

She's flush-faced and weary, but if she sits she has the feeling she won't get up again. And they can't have that. There's far too much that needs seeing to.

There's a weight to her hand when it lies against Cade's arm, as though she could honestly use the support this time around.
lettersfromhome: (pic#9999575)

[personal profile] lettersfromhome 2016-04-29 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Small favors," she murmurs, before lifting her gaze once more. There's a brief frown as she stares just over Adelaide's shoulder, her mouth dropping open for a moment and then shutting.

"I think I might be more tired than I first thought. Maker."

And one hand lifts to rub gently against her eyes.
lettersfromhome: (pic#8963367)

[personal profile] lettersfromhome 2016-04-29 04:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Honestly, I don't think I've felt this ill in years," she murmurs, lowering her spoon and raising a hand to rub at her temple. "I've started...seeing things. Hearing whispers. Here, at least, that doesn't seem so extraordinary."

It's a sign of tremendous trust that she's even mentioned this out loud, but she trusts Ellana well enough.
girlinthebox: (hear their footsteps coming closer)

[personal profile] girlinthebox 2016-04-29 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
There's still a whimper of protest, but it's a small one. Compassion's glow draws her gaze up once more, and though she's shaking slightly, it isn't in fear of this one. She knows what she is, all that she is, and her song is not the one to fear.

Swallowing hard, she lets her hands lower by degrees. Being exhausted and not able to sleep is a chore on the body on the best of days, let alone with this illness coursing through her on top of it all.
girlinthebox: (watching it burn)

[personal profile] girlinthebox 2016-04-29 04:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's under the skin. They cut too deep and tried to take it away."

It's hard to stay focused on one memory. They scatter like droplets of quicksilver, impossible to catch, and she curls towards Cole with a huffed breath. "The rain's trying to wash it all away. Should be clear and cold, clarity. Fire isn't the only way to come through clean."
girlinthebox: (wounds to tend)

[personal profile] girlinthebox 2016-04-29 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
There's a hum that isn't a denial before she lowers her head, trying to gulp more from the cup without spilling it everywhere. It's cool, refreshing against the burn of her throat, and she can almost ignore the shimmer of blue that lingers like an echo, stronger now than ever before.

Justice is not a threat, not to her. She will give him no reason to be.
colecomfort: (Default)

[personal profile] colecomfort 2016-04-29 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"I can stay," he promises, "for a while." Humming the songs that connect her back to her clan, watching out for any demons who want to trouble her dreams.
colecomfort: (shy guy)

[personal profile] colecomfort 2016-04-29 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"...I don't know." It's easier, sometimes, to say what he isn't than what he is. He's not human. Not a mage. Maybe a spirit, but one that's... different.

At least it's easier than it used to be. At least he knows enough to say which questions he can't answer.

"For a long time, I couldn't have started to say what I am. It felt like I was alive — but I walked through the Spire, silent, rarely seen." Other people had had ideas about what he was, then. They had been wrong. "I'm not a ghost. I know that. Something of a spirit, not quite human... I'm just me. I can't break it into parts."
serannas: serious (dirth bellasa ma)

[personal profile] serannas 2016-04-29 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course. I'm always here for you." Even though it's felt that the clan has really separated since coming to the Inquisition. Or at least she has from them, the way Gavin already has. It leaves her feeling a little guilty, as if her feet hit the ground running and she never looked back.

She reaches up and brushes fingertips through his hair. "I know I'm not the first person you'd call when you need help, or even the third. But I'm available, when you need it. See you in an hour."
girlinthebox: (river sense tingling!)

[personal profile] girlinthebox 2016-04-29 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"There, it's there, it's clinging with claws, tangled in tendrils. Feeding on fear, fiend." She all but hisses at it as Cade comes closer, but it's clear that it's not him she has issue with. She's not looking at him at all.

If she had more energy, she might try to drive it away. As it is, all she can do is glare, before another wave of dizziness has her going limp against the stone. No, leave him alone!
serannas: serious (dirthara)

[personal profile] serannas 2016-04-29 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Ellana can guess at this being something Mia would want to keep quiet about. She's a straightforward woman, but strange happenings aren't something that she'd likely own to proudly.

"You aren't alone," she says gently. "I've heard others suffering from the fever saying the same. I wish I knew how to make it stop, but I'm no healer. I'm sure they can't reach across the Veil and hurt you, but it must be annoying to have them here."
colecomfort: (hiding from dad)

[personal profile] colecomfort 2016-04-29 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
And that got his attention. Not the offer, but what was underneath. His attention turned toward her again.

"I'm frightening you." It was nothing new in general, but from her, it was surprising. "Strange boy, says things he shouldn't know about... I told you, it's loud in here. They're all hurting, all seeing each other. I can't help hearing it."
demonicbeauty: (Surprised)

[personal profile] demonicbeauty 2016-04-29 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"I know!" she said, very quickly and very emphatically. The last thing she wanted was for Cole to think she was afraid of him. She knew what that felt like and it was awful.

Being frightened for him wasn't the same.

"But it sounds like it's hurting you..."
colecomfort: (protect)

[personal profile] colecomfort 2016-04-29 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Both of his hands cup around hers.

"Should I go and find him?" Simon. Only an offer; he won't move until she says so. "I could send him without remembering me."
girlinthebox: (tracing the patterns)

[personal profile] girlinthebox 2016-04-29 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
She thinks on that for a moment before her brow furrows. "Let him remember," she finally manages. "He'd understand. He helps people too. Maybe..."

Maybe he'd finally see her fascination for spirits for what it was. He could learn to be less afraid of at least one, with a body of his own and no desire to posses anyone.
colecomfort: (judging u)

[personal profile] colecomfort 2016-04-29 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe he wouldn't have gone as far as hurt, but the point got across. He was getting distracted, confused, somewhat scattered. So many snatches of memory and shards of green light glinting at the edges of his eyes.

He couldn't stop when he was still capable of helping. But... he had been feeling tired. More so than he was used to.

"Yes," he admitted, after a pause: more to himself than to her. A concession spoken almost under his breath. "I'm — it's tiring. I will have to rest."

Later. Once they were finished in this tent, at least.
onlyhymns: (Default)

[personal profile] onlyhymns 2016-04-29 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
He accepts the task without complaint, supporting her easily and occasionally glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, concerned. "Perhaps you should lie down for a bit," he timidly suggests, hoping she won't be offended.
demonicbeauty: (Mischief)

[personal profile] demonicbeauty 2016-04-29 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Ariadne took her victories where she could. And this was good enough for her.

"All right," she said diplomatically. "How about this? Finish off this tent and show me what it is you're doing. Then go take a little rest. Just half an hour. And while you're resting, I'll do the next tent for you?"
justice_is_blond: (A gentle smile)

[personal profile] justice_is_blond 2016-04-29 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"It won't be the first time that's happened."

Nate's hand gets another squeeze as Anders sits up and offers the tea. "I can find it in myself to forgive you. But if you think it's more likely to come up than stay down, we'll skip the tea in the interest of as many fluids as possible."

He wants the man better, not worse. "And if you need anything else, a kiss, a joke, a cat, speak and it is yours."
onlyhymns: (surprised)

[personal profile] onlyhymns 2016-04-29 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
He feels like he's going to throw up as he stoops to slide his hands under River's prone form, then lifts her. She's impossibly light, and his heart lurches at how small she is, so easy to pick up. Frightened. Defenseless. It would be so easy for someone to...
No. He squeezes his eyes closed and begins to walk toward the door, feeling strangely weighted, his mouth dry and his heart pounding. The healing tents were packed, the entire hold is chaos right now, but he has to get her somewhere safe.
..Nerva.
His Tranquil escort strolls after them as Cade makes a beeline for the keep. He'll bring her to Nerva's room, and Nerva will know what to do. She'll keep her safe.

The fear demons flank them on all sides, weightlessly gripping Cade by the arms, the chest, the neck. If they were corporeal, it would be impossible to see River through them.
colecomfort: (Default)

[personal profile] colecomfort 2016-04-29 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Whether or not Simon remembers, Cole doesn't plan to say much. Not this time. And he can't say whether it would be better to let him forget, to let him think it was instinct that led him to his sister.

Her suggestion makes him think — but they'll have to see. It's more important that she didn't tell him not to go.

"Wait here." Cool, dry stones, spirits that would follow her even if she tried to run. He knows she'll stay put, but he knows it'll be hard. So he says it anyway.
universal_charm: (In Bed)

[personal profile] universal_charm 2016-04-29 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Very strange indeed. Worrying to say the last, but he wasn't alone and he didn't think he was dying, so it was something that could be addressed another day. Who knew? Maybe a good night's sleep would finally fix that, and he hoped it was that easy of a fix. He did not wish to be a burden.

Kirk tossed the blankets back over Sam when he settled, watching him for a moment through his eyelashes, sleep tugging at him heavily now. There was no use fighting it, not when he was warm and there was someone else beside him - someone adorable with their foot peeking out the bottom of the blanket. It made him smile as he let sleep claim him, breathing evening out...

And he dreamed.

Flashes of his life, this dream. Another of the jagged ones, like his brain couldn't settle on a place to rest. Flashing red lights. Heavy panting. Cries of panic. Running through silver-red halls that sparked, sometimes past wounded men and women in their primary colored uniforms. A bright, glowing light. The shock of being thrown back. Glass, someone beyond, two hands trying to reach other and not quite reaching. Pain, everywhere. The shadowed memory of it. Darkness...

Kirk woke with a sharp intake of breath, not quite jerking away from Sam's chest, which he had somehow shifted onto during the night, arm tossed across his stomach. He licked his lips, closing his eyes, listening to the beat of Sam's heart to calm his own (and also trying to not wake Sam).

Damn it, why did he have to dream of that?
colecomfort: (you look familiar)

Wherever you'd like Cole to find him

[personal profile] colecomfort 2016-04-29 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
(OOC: occurs directly after this.)

Skyhold was terribly noisy. It had never really been quiet, but just now the pain was up close, fresh and raw, soaking into everything, through everyone. It took effort, focusing hard enough to find Simon, to follow the thread of worry that connected him with River, but Cole made it.

He would be there, suddenly, after Simon had turned his face away for a moment. Something not quite right about the cant of his head, the way he held his arms.

"Simon — River's sick. Lying on the stones. I found her." He gestured with his head, taking one step away in the proper direction. "This way."