OPEN: Cloudreach Event

[faderifting]

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.

Comments

[el_tybs]

[Healers' Tents]

The last time he remembers being this busy and pushed to their limits was when they were back in the Fallow Mire, looking for a way to cure the plague that was claiming the people there. The increase in traffic of sick and injured from the weather and flooding was understandable. The patients that were coming to them with fevers that had nothing to do with colds though were what was causing them alarm and having them running all over the place, barely getting time for themselves.

Complaints of aches and issues with their vision on top of the high fevers were concerning. Not just that but for some it was just mentioning coloring along the edges, or some ranting about seeing things that were not there. Sometimes it was hearing things.

When he isn't seeing a patient, Sam is running to the tent set up for research, sharing his finds and ideas, and then quickly running back out when he's being called. It's a lot of back and forth work, and it's been going on for a while.

Anyone coming in to see him will notice him taking a seat whenever he can, rubbing his eyes tiredly from time to time. When nothing is being said it is clear that once in a while he'll be watching and listening to something. Those who are hearing and seeing things will more than likely notice the figure standing somewhere close behind Sam, the form of it leaning in once in a while to mutter something to the mage.

[Around Skyhold]

When he isn't at the healers' tents, Sam is often sitting down in some corner or on a bench not too far away. He's trying to get as much rest as he can without returning back to his bed - he doesn't sleep, but he is certainly trying to get in some cat naps. Those not affected by the weird illness will notice that he seems to be talking to something or somethings every once in a while. Those who are seeing things - and should probably be in bed - will notice a form standing around Sam and following him around, or other figures gathering around where he's trying to rest.

[Dreams]

Anyone able to catch Sam asleep and see into his dreams will find that for the most part they are pleasant. Remembering a time before the Circle. A small house near the shore with a couple of people who's faces are blurred slightly. At times it shifts to being on a boat, enjoying the waves while they fished, and spending time on the beach, soaking up the sun in the sand or running away from the cold water. Sometimes there is a forge, very different from the one in Skyhold, full of tools

The unkind ones vary. A woman cowering as he fights a man, a flash of fire, and then figures in armor taking him away. There are times where it is endless walls of stone and rows of shelves. No matter where he goes there is no exit and eyes watching all the time. The most frequent are the whispers, different voices calling to him; making promises, begging for help, goading him.

[Wildcard]

[Choose your own adventure]

Around Skyhold

[colecomfort]

Far from the places where the sick are gathered, Cole feels the effects of their illness less. So he can't precisely see the spirits, not in the way one of the ill would, as gently glowing, semi-corporeal clouds of smoke. But he senses it all the same, in a familiar way, feeling their whispers against the Veil.

He waits until Sam's conversation has concluded, or at least reached a pause, before he speaks up. Their duties might have taken them along different paths in the last few months, but he still remembers Sam.

He's sitting on a nearby windowsill, his feet swinging.

"You found a friend."

[el_tybs]

He cannot feel a change in the Veil around Skyhold, so honestly it's weird to be hearing other voices that aren't Fortitude, and even then it's stranger still that he can make out a form for the Spirit when he's not even in the Fade. It's all strange and a bit worrying, but he's more used to it than those who... well never experienced this stuff in any form.

So when Sam hears a voice from behind him it isn't all that unusual, but it is certainly different from the others. More clear. Noting Fortitude's interest he eventually turns around, blinks when he sees nothing, then looks up.

"Cole," he mutters, eyes going a bit wide at seeing the spirit boy after so long. The comment runs through his head a moment and he turns to regard Fortitude. "I have. It's been a while."

[colecomfort]

Cole's gaze follows his to look toward Fortitude as well.

"Flashing like iron from a forge, burning and softening, but never breaking." He tips his head to one side, and the smile is evident in his voice, if not on his face. "It fits with you."

[el_tybs]

"I think so as well. Thank you."

For Fortitude the other spirits were not much of a big deal for it, but Cole certainly grabs its attention for a bit.

'Spirit?' It was strange to actually hear Fortitude's voice like he had in the Fade rather than feeling it, but seeing as he heard the whispers of the other ones much better now it wasn't all that surprising. Still it was amusing at the bit of confusion it seems to have with Cole - like it but not like it.

"Do you possibly know what's going on Cole?"

[colecomfort]

Now a smile really does appear — Cole offers it to Fortitude. "Yes. I'm Compassion."

He hops down off the windowsill before addressing Sam again. "People are getting sick. The same people are drifting closer to the Fade — but it isn't getting any closer to us."

[el_tybs]

'Compassion.' Knowing whom it was talking to Fortitude sounded pleased but still confused. 'You feel... different. You are on that side.'

Seeing Cole come down from his roost, he stands up to properly speak. He hums lightly at the words, nodding in agreement. Those who were getting sick were now able to see and hear the residents of the Fade, though that seemed to be the limit to it. "Is it affecting you in any way?"

[colecomfort]

"The sick are louder than the others," he admits. "Louder, but less clear. A wave rushing toward the shoreline. I can see their dreams."

It had been overwhelming at first, before he'd realized what was happening. Knowing hasn't made it any more pleasant, but at least he can prepare himself before getting close again.

To Fortitude: "I'm here because I want to be. This is where I can help."

[el_tybs]

'You want to be there?' That was different considering most spirits like themselves had no wish to go that realm. 'You had a partner before, like I and the others have now?'

Louder Cole had said. "You are usually only able to hear people's thoughts then? And those who are sick you can see dreams?" Actually weren't there cases where people were saying they were seeing images or other when near people when they slept?

[colecomfort]

"I hear their pain. Normally, dreams are different. Now, it's all part of the same thing." He shifted from one foot to the other, glancing at Fortitude. "...no. Not like that. There was a boy... but he died."

[el_tybs]

"Cole, have you noticed anything else different? Not for others, but for yourself?" He didn't think that the spirit could possibly catch or get whatever they had, but considering he was physically here... It was certainly possible. Something they needed to know for sure.

'And then you stayed...' It is a comment leading on towards a clear question that isn't quite being asked.

[colecomfort]

"This is where I can help," he repeats, but gently. It's as simple as that. He doesn't want to go back.

He crosses his arms as he thinks on Sam's question. "It's hard being close to the sick for too long. It makes me tired. But I feel better when I go away for a while." So, no. He didn't think they were going to make him sick too.

[el_tybs]

The answer seems to be enough and Fortitude simply nods and falling silent, setting himself to just watch the exchange.

He supposed Cole wouldn't get sick, but it was good to at least know if there was a possibility considering the illness connected spirits to this side in some form. "Thank you, Cole. It must be difficult for you to deal with. You don't normally see dreams, correct?"

Around Skyhold x Wildcard?

[universal_charm]

Maybe if he was around people he would feel less sleepy, would have more reason to force himself to stay awake and not drift off. He knew he probably should sleep, especially when he thought he was seeing things - figures, perhaps - but the dreams left him feeling worse. So he headed into the tavern, seeking warmth from the crap weather and something to warm his bones.

Looking across the crowd he picks out the familiar face of Sam, and... something else. He squints, not sure if his mind is playing tricks on him or something else. It looked like Sam was talking to someone - to the thing? He ran a hand through his hair and went to the bar to drab a mug and made his way over.

"Hey, fancy meeting you here," he tried for his usual charm though it came off a bit more hollow, purposefully ignore the presence.

[el_tybs]

By all means he should be in his room attempting sleep, but as tired as he is he just cannot seem fall asleep. At least not right away, laying awake staring at the ceiling until exhausting himself only to wake up several hours later to do it all again. Tonight he's hoping that with a little bit to drink it will help with the whole process.

At hearing a voice off to his side, Sam is slow to look, but when he does and sees the familiar charming face of one particular captain, he sits up a bit straighter. Turning in his chair to look more straight forward to the other man he smiles tiredly then leans his head in his palm.

"Yeah, fancy me coming to the only place to get a drink," he says with tired amusement, oblivious to Fortitude's movements behind him.

[universal_charm]

They all should by the looks of it and Kirk was no exception. He tried to hide it, but if he was honest he did not do so well. Until someone really called him out on it, though, he would continue to put it off. Kirk took a seat beside Sam, thinking the other looked somewhat adorable with his head in his palm like that. Or was that the lack of sleep talking? No, that was normal, he was sure.

"Who knew not wanting to sleep would be so profitable for a bar, huh?" he yawned despite himself and quickly squashed more with a swallow of bitter beer.

[el_tybs]

Seeing Kirk yawn, Sam cannot help but follow up with his own, the kind that have you crinkling your eyes enough that you feel the corners tear up, which he tries valiantly to cover up with the hand that had been holding his head just a moment ago. Thanks, Kirk.

Rubbing at his eyes for a moment with a small shake of his head he slowly leans to sit up straighter in his chair. "I'm pretty sure any activities that anyone could come up with to not sleep are not exactly on the table at the moment. What's keeping you up? You look like you miss your bed."

[universal_charm]

Sorry. Completer involuntary. It was bound to happen at some point after so long putting it off. He didn't like where it was leading though, those visible signs of tiredness. He would need to sleep soon or suffer worse effects than just being fatigued. Maybe he already was considering the fuzzy figure he thought he was seeing past Sam.

"I can think of a few," he tried for his usual flirtatiousness, but it fell flat in the wake of his exhaustion, rubbing at his cheek for a moment. Maybe beer hadn't been the best choice. It was a depressant after all...

"Says the man about to snore into his tankard," he grunted with a tired smile before letting out a sigh. "Sleep's never come easy for me, is all. And my bed isn't exactly guaranteed or comfortable these days."

[el_tybs]

Sam hums lightly at Kirk's comment, not really catching it since it sounded more like a grumble with how tired Kirk sounded and his own exhaustion weighing on him. There's another yawn from him, though much smaller, but it's enough to have Fortitude moving in closer and whispering about going to bed since tomorrow was going to be yet another busy day.

"You don't look much better," he returns, indicating that the man didn't look much further from sleeping on his drink. There was a smile on his face for a moment, but as soon as Kirk was commenting that he didn't necessarily have a bed, it has him frowning just slightly. "You don't have a place to sleep?" The question is meant to be answered, but Sam barely gives Kirk time to respond before he speaks again.

"There's space in my room if you need to crash." They really needed to find ways to make more room. He can understand that not all the sleeping arrangements are comfortable, but a cot, or at least blankets and pillows, should be available.

[universal_charm]

Kirk winced at that, but he couldn't really deny it. He had caught glimpses of himself in reflective surfaces, and even he could admit that despite his newly acquired blood, he was not immune to the effects of sleep deprivation. And yet here he was, holding it off. He couldn't say why, especially when he was convinced he was beginning to hallucinate. But the dreams... the dreams that kept repeating and deep down he was frightened of them, frightened of how far back they would reach...

He opens his mouth to respond, because he technically does, it's just not any place comfortable or even private, so he tends to avoid it. And then Sam was offering him a place to sleep, a place that sounded remotely private and with someone he actually knew and didn't potentially change from day to day.

"I do need to sleep," he admitted at last, looking down at his beer and suddenly not feeling up to drinking anymore, shoving it away from himself. Blue eyes settled on Sam, purposefully ignoring the ghostly shadow behind him, because it couldn't very well be real, could it? No, no it couldn't. "And looks like you do too. So how about we both do the smart thing and retire for the night? Our backs will thank us come morning."

[el_tybs]

"Hmm," he agrees tiredly. Backs and necks, but at this point he can't bring himself to add to that sentence. Much like Kirk his mug is pushed further on the table before he uses the edge of it to push himself up onto his feet. "Best we get going then. At least we don't have very far to go."

As soon as Kirk is up on his feet as well, Sam slides around the table and maneuvers around the other ones towards the front door. It's not as chilly as it had been during the winter, but it's still cold - and now wet - outside as he tiredly makes his way to the armory. He's quick to get to the door and open it, motioning for Kirk to get in before he closes it back up.

"Think you can do some stairs?" he asks both tiredly and teasingly, already heading up the first flight of them next to the door. At the landing he doesn't stop, rounding the railing and heading for the second flight of stairs. There were it ends, looking over the armory, is a decently sized landing leading to a window and a space off the side with a bed and a dresser.

[universal_charm]

Some other day he would be horrified at the notion of putting out coin for a drink and not finishing it, but it was a sign of how tired he really was that he didn't even question it. He rose with Sam, grateful for the promise of a comfortable bed and someone to potentially share it with. He wasn't even thinking sex - just someone warm, the beat of a heart in his ear...

He shook his head, casting that aside in order to focus on keeping up with Sam. He's not surprised when they end up at the armory, though the stairs do come as one and he has to wonder why. He should have seen them before. But maybe it was the tiredness speaking again, his memory beginning to falter as his brain tried to focus on more important things like remembering to breathe.

"Think? No. But I'm going to have to, so I will." That's how strong the promise of a good bed was, Sam. He looked to him and laughed tiredly, moving to mount the first step behind the other. It felt like such an effort, and he began to fantasize about falling onto whatever it was Sam had, or even Sam himself, and just dozing off. But not yet...

"Wow, nice digs," he said when he got a look at the room. It was close in size to rooms he used to have on the Enterprise, so that hardly bothered him. But it was private and had a real bed and that was all that mattered. He spotted the bed after a second and let out a moan, meandering his way over and falling into it.

"Sweet stars, it's wonderful," he sighed.

[el_tybs]

Digs? The word earns a raised in confusion - he's pretty sure that Kirk isn't referring to shoveling so the assumption is that the man is talking about his room. "Thanks," he replies, leaning against the railing by the stairs to help him stand upright as he starts to take off his shoes. Not the most private space due to the lack of a door or more walls, but it was private enough since so little people knew about it - except maybe a few who knew he slept here.

He's barely gotten the second one off when he hears Kirk moan, the noise surprising him enough to look up in time to see him making a bee-line to the bed. There's a moment of Sam just staring at Kirk tossing himself onto his bed before he snorts and starts laughing, though quietly since his energy is quickly dwindling at this point. Walking over he reaches down and lightly shakes Kirk's shoulder. "You're tracking mud all over. Better take off your boots."

[universal_charm]

It was more privacy than he had been privy to in the past month, so he was happy to accept it for what it was. Walls and two flights of stairs between them and the rest of the world. It was beautiful.

He smiles when he hears Sam's laugh, looking up at him with sleepy blue eyes. He groaned and his head tipped back, letting out an aggrieved sigh, though he could see the sense in not getting mud in the bed, and sleeping in your boots was never fun. He pushed up, leaning down to help work off his boots and setting them aside. Of course, it's in that process that he thinks of something else and glances at Sam.

"How comfortable are you when it comes to state of undress?" he inquired, playing with the blanket. "I'm fine staying in my shirt and pants if you need me too." His actual preference was to sleep either naked or in his underwear, but this wasn't his bed, so it was Sam's call.

[el_tybs]

Once Kirk has his boots off he grabs them and sets them over by his own, off to the side where they wouldn't trip on them, and so that there wasn't as much mud pooling and drying next to his bed.

He's already working on undoing his belt and some of the laces on his shirt when Kirk asks his question, which as the mage stopping just short of coming up next to the bed, and raising a brow. That wasn't a terrible question. "I'm a healer so I'm pretty used to different states of undress, but I suppose you mean for sleeping. Hm. Least keep the pants on? That's what I was planning on doing."