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.
arlathvhen: (50)

[personal profile] arlathvhen 2016-05-11 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
It's strange, feeling guilt cut into her like this. Knowing that what happened between them turned Cade into a pariah, treated akin to a leper. He deserves it, doesn't he? He hurt her, he deserves to suffer, he deserves to be treated like he is. He deserves it, and she deserves to be happy about it. She still feels a cold chill of fear whenever people sneak up on her, she still can't have anyone in close quarters combat with her without her panicking. He hurt her, he made her more broken than she was before, and having to deal with people shooting him nasty looks is the least that could happen.

But it's impossible to look at this muddy, nervous, despairing (if the demons are any indication) man in front of her and feel the wrath that she knows is her due.

She presses her lips together for a moment, then turns to him, and gives him a wry smile.

"It matters to me."
bookish_lioness: (Secret spell)

[personal profile] bookish_lioness 2016-05-11 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
Rather than directly reply to anything he says, Hermione looks at Sam when he feels around to see how solid he is. While it usually would have made her smile before brushing it off, she instead reaches out herself, hand moving gingerly about his torso before settling on his chest.

"I feel a heartbeat. I think that means you're real."

Suddenly realizing that she'd just run her hand along more of a man's body in the past few seconds than she had in her entire life, she looks down sheepishly, her hand dropping away. "Sorry. Was I cold? I didn't notice."
onlyhymns: (Default)

[personal profile] onlyhymns 2016-05-11 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
Cade looks at her for a long moment, his expression weary, his bearing tense. The demons continue to hang over him, paying such rapt attention to his every movement that one might think he's their only source of sustenance.

"People might get angry," he says quietly, glancing around them, his brow fretfully pinched. "...if they see me talking to you." As far as he knows, that's what happened with Merrick. He had made a mistake in interacting with her for that long, touching her, showing any interest in her at all.
laurenande: (pic#9667171)

[personal profile] laurenande 2016-05-11 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
The blanket took the edge off of Galadriel's chill, but the process was slow. Ellana's vigil was a quiet one but, as it stretched on, the sense of old stone and spring frost crept back into the tents. The bite of the cold was gone, imagined though it was, and eventually the indistinct aura of forests and stone walls gave way to sound. The rush of leaves, far more than could be found in Skyhold, whispered outside the tents, the patter of light rain masked the incongruous sound of far off songbirds, and eventually Galadriel's own voice cut in.

Galadriel, however, was still very much asleep.

The phantom voice was hushed but not distant. She spoke softly but with some enthusiasm and the very moment she stopped speaking another voice joined hers. The second was masculine and calm, but otherwise very difficult to describe. Dreaming distorted both of them, wrapped them in warm nostalgia as they spoke, but they were beautiful. Their language was lilting, if indecipherable, and there was a certain humor to their exchange. There was an inflection, there, an ease to the conversation that spoke of youth and intimacy.

For a time there was only sound and the pressing sense of Doraith but, drifting in the edges of perception, it was easy to slip closer to dreams. It was easy to see the pair conversing just on the other side of the cot, to catch Galadriel's face alight with laughter or Celeborn's gentle smile, to see just how terribly close they stood, fingers interlaced loosely between them.
doneisdone: (confused)

[personal profile] doneisdone 2016-05-11 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
This is... news. Unsettling news, which would show on Teren's face if she weren't able to control it so well. She does tilt her head slightly, perhaps trying to see them in her periphery; she's encountered pride and rage demons before, enormous nasty things that are... generally noticeable when nearby. "Perhaps it's the spirit of Having Done With All This," she remarks, trying for levity.
doneisdone: (thoughtful)

[personal profile] doneisdone 2016-05-11 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah." That explains the lack of debriefing. Teren hesitates, then comes back over to the bed, watching Benny's face as she takes a seat once more. "This upsets you," she observes. "That he won't be calling."
el_tybs: Evan Antin (Default)

[personal profile] el_tybs 2016-05-11 06:41 am (UTC)(link)
Being touched is a rather normal occurrence for him, between taking care of patients, sparring in the ring, and in general having friends who were rather handsy. Even so it is a little strange to have Hermione touching him, simply because she didn't seem the sort who went about touching people like this. Not that it was a bad feeling, but just most curious. What she says though has him smiling, raising a brow, more so when she becomes shy.

"You most certainly were. Cold and wet." Reaching out he lightly places the back of his hand on her forehead, frowning some. "Not so much cold now, but you're burning up." Even if he was natural warm, he could still feel the fever. "We should really get you to your room and have you change."
stabsbooks: (pic#9997737)

[personal profile] stabsbooks 2016-05-11 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
She jerks awake with a gasp, flailing blindly and striking Obi-Wan in the process. Not especially hard, thankfully, but striking him all the same. She pulls her hand back as if she's been scalded, sitting up hastily and backing away as she stares at him in shock.

The rifter. The rifter she had questioned, who had gone on to question and condemn her over the crystal, for everyone to hear -

Her shocked, confused expression narrows into one of suspicion and distrust, even as she reaches for a blanket to cover herself.

"What are you doing here?"
stabsbooks: (pic#10231033)

[personal profile] stabsbooks 2016-05-11 07:47 am (UTC)(link)
"All the same. You were of help. And I thank you for it."

She sighs, pressing a hand to her forehead and closing her eyes briefly. The dizziness had receded, but not entirely dissipated. A few minutes' rest, perhaps, and then she should be able to make it back to Skyhold.

She hopes.

"I should not take up any more of your time."
judgemewhole: (Pensive)

[personal profile] judgemewhole 2016-05-11 08:06 am (UTC)(link)
"I believe that is the kindest, if not the oddest, wish for my continued health I have ever heard. Brava." Is his wry response, even while his lips quirk up at one corner. Another frown, "All the water comes from a spring, below Skyhold itself. How could they have gotten in to poison it without us knowing?"
judgemewhole: (Pained)

[personal profile] judgemewhole 2016-05-11 08:08 am (UTC)(link)
"... Well that's just ... stubborn."

James manages to growl out, before he sighs and goes to flop down next to her. How he doesn't end up arse over tea kettle, we may never know.
ungovernable: (059)

[personal profile] ungovernable 2016-05-11 08:48 am (UTC)(link)
Her expression doesn't change, and that level of control in the midst of a fever that has left her sullen and recalcitrant as a schoolgirl is its own tell, truly.

"No," she says. "What he requires is recuperation."

They haven't that sort of relationship; not their agreement, as if they'd had anything like a deliberate one in the first place.
bookish_lioness: (Looking down)

[personal profile] bookish_lioness 2016-05-11 11:45 am (UTC)(link)
Hermione would have been more aghast at the physical contact had she been well enough to go through her normal range of emotions. As it is, she only knows that they're not nearly close enough to warrant even the normal friendlier sort of touching, like hugs or resting against each other's shoulders. At least, as far as her own personal timeline goes, she's usually much more reserved than all that.

"It's the fire," she tells him, gently trying to brush his hand away from her forehead. "That's all. Besides, I'm used to being cold. It's always been a bit drafty in here. Must be all the holes in some of the walls." Which was why she didn't really have a room, given that she usually falls asleep in the library and only occasionally finds herself in a spare room too decrepit to really call her own.
obi_wanmanshow: (Default)

[personal profile] obi_wanmanshow 2016-05-11 01:33 pm (UTC)(link)
The way she moves is, thankfully, not with any particular force nor good aim. Reflex moves him to intercept, catching her fist in his palm, easy and automatic-- but, if she had put real strength behind the blow, he would have been caught flat-footed. It's the small blessings that we're more grateful for.

And then, of course there's her attire. It's not that he supposed she slept in her armor, really, it's just... Somehow, it's difficult to anticipate her in anything less, in the same way that children are always surprised when they first learn that their teachers have lives outside the four bland walls of the schoolroom.

Its very disorienting.

"You were having a nightmare. Very loudly," He replies, then attempts to school the annoyance out of his expression, with reasonable success, "Given the current circumstances, I assumed you wouldn't want the sleeping half of Skyhold privy to your... To that. Certainly I didn't want to intrude. And now you're awake, so I will leave you to... this."

Some women like awkward, idiotic explanations full of struggling pauses and carefully polite word-choice. He suspects Cassandra is not one of them.
doneisdone: (smile)

[personal profile] doneisdone 2016-05-11 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Teren can't help but smile. "I see," she says, and gives the girl's leg a pat over the covers before she rises again. "I'll be back with tea. Stay there, try to sleep."
wontforgetyou: (there's got to be something)

[personal profile] wontforgetyou 2016-05-11 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, if they don't have to be permanent, then, what's stopping us from going out in the snow for a bit? If it's not raining, all I'd really need is a stick and a large enough patch of the stuff that I can show you. And I daresay it'd likely be cooler out there than it is in here right about now."

Never mind that it's probably not the best plan to go out in the snow for any length of time if they're actually sick, but right about now the idea of something cooler sounds very appealing. And maybe a bit less crowded, too, and he nods in the direction of the spirits.

"Maybe we'd have a bit less company as well out there. What do you think?"
kallian_endris: (Holding Tongue)

[personal profile] kallian_endris 2016-05-11 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Kallian sighed. The truth was right there. Obvious, even unspoken. Especially with Hope hanging over her shoulder like she was. There was no point in denial.

"Privately trained outside of the Circle. So... Yes. A free mage. Or an apostate. However you want to look at it." Her eyes were downcast, but there was a stubborn set to her chin.

"Just doing the best I can to help."
kallian_endris: (Yeah Right)

[personal profile] kallian_endris 2016-05-11 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"Is the Inquisition that different? For all the talk of a common cause, the people still have ideas on what is and should be right and wrong. It may be one banner, but it's not hard to see the fault lines between different factions. And some people still believe in the word and spirit of the Chantry's laws. These are the legions of the faithful, after all. Not everyone may share those beliefs, but the Inquisition is Andrastian in its heart and soul, and it is through religion that magic is warned against. And for those who would argue otherwise, even the Dalish don't allow for too many mages in one space."

Kallian shakes her head.
"There's a lot of fear on both sides. Some is justified, some is not, but fear robs people of being sensible sometimes."

A ghost of a smile.
"You're sweet to offer, though, Jamie. But you should worry more about getting better."
gatheringstorm: (so drunk)

[personal profile] gatheringstorm 2016-05-11 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Korrin's not in any position to refuse Jamie, not when the idea of cooling down in the snow is extremely appealing. Some part of her knows that's now how this is supposed to work, that it might just make things worse in the long run, but she's too worn and desperate to do anything but live moment-to-moment. So, she nods and tries to push herself up to at least a sitting position.

"Excellent idea, Jamie. I...might need help standing up, though."
ancarrow: (011)

[personal profile] ancarrow 2016-05-11 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Her smile widens just a little. "I'll have to find an excuse to send you more conventional wishes." She pales a little as she thinks of the possible explanations. "I really don't know. Perhaps they've been here all along, so we wouldn't expect them to poison it if they went down there. Or, given some of the symptoms, they may have used magic."
lettersfromhome: (pic#9999727)

[personal profile] lettersfromhome 2016-05-11 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
There's a very long pause, wrestling with her pride and with practicality. In all likelihood Ellana has the right of it. Dear girl.

Finally her gaze lifts, slightly hazy but focused enough to respond, at least. "...very well. I suppose I'm not doing anyone much good in this state, am I?" she murmurs ruefully, the very corner of her lip curling upwards.
lettersfromhome: (pic#10004696)

[personal profile] lettersfromhome 2016-05-11 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's very kind of you to offer. I'm certain there's a shortage of hands with this..."

And her thoughts falter a moment, as does she, wavering just enough to nearly stumble forward into the mud. If not for Cade's presence at her side she might very well tip over, a sudden rush of dizziness overcoming her.

Yet even before her head has cleared she's trying to wave it away.

"...Maker. My apologies."
onlyhymns: (surprised)

[personal profile] onlyhymns 2016-05-11 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
When Mia stumbles, Cade lunges to catch her. He was worried before, but the situation seems to be worsening. "I'll take you home," he says. It's less an offer than a statement of intent; she really shouldn't be doing anything but lying in bed.
lettersfromhome: (pic#9999797)

[personal profile] lettersfromhome 2016-05-11 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
She really shouldn't. That tell-tale flush of a fever is starting to creep into her cheeks, even as she shakes her head in protest.

"I'll manage. I just...tripped over some mud, I'm certain. Clumsy of me." She doesn't want Cade fretting. She doesn't want anyone fretting over her, that's not how any of this works. She's the one meant to take care of them. Even during the Blight, it had been that way.

Home. Skyhold was home, now. That little room she shared with Zevran was home, as much as anything was anymore.
serannas: amused (lasa ghilan)

[personal profile] serannas 2016-05-11 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Ellana was drawn in to the conversation, head feeling heavy and body swaying slightly along with the words she couldn't comprehend. Galadriel sounded so relaxed, so happy, and it reminded Ellana of the way her own voice sounded when she was with Felix. Her eyes drifted shut as the conversation continued, until Galadriel laughed and it jolted Ellana out of her near-sleeping state. She looked around, and spotted the pair of elves as if they were really there beside the cot, though there was a fuzziness to their edges.

Youthful, happy, carefree. With all that Galadriel had told her, Ellana knew that Arda had its share of wars and danger, but these two had stolen a happy moment for themselves, and a smile touched her lips. She swayed again, but otherwise didn't move as she watched the happy couple. She wanted to remember how they looked.