002 🌿

[ancarrow]

WHO: Eirlys and OPEN
WHAT: Bloomingtide catch-all
WHEN: Throughout Bloomingtide
WHERE: Around Skyhold
NOTES: No warnings inherent. Prose and brackets are both fine.

a) Healers' tents
It didn't take Eirlys long to settle herself in at the tents, and at the end of her first month back with the Inquisition she looks as though she's been there all her life. She tends patients with equal parts pragmatism and compassion, throwing herself into the care of illnesses and injuries she knows about and hanging back to observe when magic is required rather than simply potions and poultices. When it's quieter, she can be found sat cross-legged outside the tents with her mortar and pestle perched on top of a rock, chopping and crushing herbs, or inside scrubbing the beds and equipment clean.


b) Courtyard
Eirlys thinks back often to the day in the Hinterlands when a simple supply run had turned into a demon attack. It had been the second time a rift had opened right in front of her and both times she'd been powerless to do anything against them. Even though she knows she'll never be a powerful fighter in the front lines, she's very aware that a rift could open up any time, any place, and she needs to be prepared for that. She hovers around training and sparring sessions in the courtyard, watching intently from a distance and hoping she can pick up anything that might save her life.


c) Various quiet spots around Skyhold
She's stolen some paper, ink and a quill from one of the desks, hoping they won't be missed. Seating herself in a nook where she hopes she'll be ignored, she places a vial of elfroot in front of the paper, the name of the herb written on the label in Wellow's spidery handwriting. It's the only word she recognises, so it seems as good a place to start as any. Gripping the quill rather ungracefully in her fingers she tries to copy the word, but only succeeds in scrawling an inky line across the page. On her second attempt she gets to "elfr" before the nib of the quill snaps and her hand drops to the page, smearing ink across the paper and her skin. Her face burns red with her embarrassment and disgust at how she can't even do something that must be so simple and she screws the paper into a ball, hurling it across the room.


d) Wildcard!
Eirlys can most often be found at the healers' tents, the kitchen, and the Andrastian chapel. If you'd like a specific prompt for your character, please hit me up at viridianwings and I'll be happy to set something up!

Comments

C

[gatheringstorm]

Restless without Araceli and on her way to check on the most spoiled fox in Thedas, Korrin isn't paying as much attention to her surroundings as perhaps she should. Her thoughts are too clouded with worrying for her lady love, hoping she's well, anticipating the fond reunion when she returns. It seems unfair that various demands caused them to go their separate ways instead of sharing adventures side-by-side. But...soon. She'd hold onto that hope.

So, when the curled up paper ball smacks her in the shoulder, she's abruptly snapped back to the present. "Hey!" Startled, she glances around. "Andraste's ass, what the--Eirlys?"

[ancarrow]

Eirlys jolts out of her own self pity on hearing her name and peers up at Korrin, looking mortified. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was... Let me get that." She jumps down from the ledge she's been seated on and heads for the paper, hoping to get to it before Korrin can see what's on it.

[gatheringstorm]

Annoyed surprise gives way to confusion, and some mortification of her own, since Korrin sounded harsher than she'd meant when caught off-guard. She heads over as Eirlys reaches the paper wad, raising an eyebrow. "It's alright, no harm done. But what was that all about? Somehow, I can't see you as the pranking type."

[ancarrow]

"A prank?" She sounds horrified that she'd do anything of the sort, but of course it makes sense that's how it would come across. "Maker no, it wasn't that, it was just..." She trails off, tightening her fist around the crumpled paper, her embarrassment growing. "You'll think me silly if I show you."

[gatheringstorm]

That's what happens when Korrin spends time with Sera; the mischievous elf's train of thought tends to rub off on her own. At least it was just a wad of paper and not a jar of bees. Upon noting Eirlys' reaction, Korrin shakes her head, her expression softening. "No, I won't. I'm not one to judge who does everything she can to help others, and did the same for me when I was hit over the head with plague fuckery." That's something Korrin won't forget and means to repay, somehow.

[ancarrow]

Eirlys hesitates for a second, then reluctantly begins unfolding the paper, supposing she deserves an explanation for being hit. Her cheeks redden as she holds out her abysmal attempt at writing and she doesn't quite meet her eye.

B

[dragoon_pride]

Training is always Kain's regular occupation around Skyhold, and it's no different today. He's doing some combination of his usual route as well as the Reaver training that Asher has gotten him involved in. Sometimes, he's jumping impossibly high into the air, soaring above the training grounds. Other times, he's down on the ground, in an intense and close combat against any of the soldiers who happen to be there for sparring matches.

Eventually, he takes a break. It's not unusual to see others hanging around watching or waiting for their turn. He glances over at Eirlys. "Were you waiting for a sparring session?"

[ancarrow]

"Me?" She looks surprised that he'd even consider her able to hold her own in such a match, and shakes her head quickly. "Oh no, I was just watching."

[dragoon_pride]

Looks can be deceiving, and he's long ago learned not to judge someone as being weak, just because they aren't tough-looking in a way anyone would expect. He thinks of people like Rydia, back home... and many other mages, really. "Forgive me, I probably shouldn't have assumed... It's hard to tell sometimes, who might have some hidden power. You're not trained in any combat skills?" It's a curious thing, since this world is so dangerous.

[ancarrow]

"The only combat experience I've had is warding off drunkards in the alienage." She'd never expected to be stranded in the middle of all this in the first place, let alone dedicate herself to an Inquisition she can't even fight for if the worst should happen. "But I thought I might watch and see if I can pick up some tips. I've been useless both times I've come up against demons." That wasn't entirely true; her healing had been essential in the aftermath. But she hated being so afraid of the demons and then unable to protect herself against them or anything else to boot.

[dragoon_pride]

That’s definitely surprising to hear, but the fact that she’s been up against demons makes it all the more important that she’s prepared to face them. She’s had experience, anyway, so that means something.

“How did you manage to handle the demons you faced? Even if you’re not primarily a fighter, it certainly could help to get some practice in with a weapon of some sort… that way, you have a means of defense. Lighter weapons such as daggers might even do…” Not everyone has to be a combat expert, though, and there are plenty of other ways people can be useful around here. Still, defense of some kind is probably important for all, even if it’s intended as a last resort for some.

[ancarrow]

"I didn't, really," she admits quietly. "I mean, the second time was all right because there were plenty of experienced fighters and rifters to get the job done, but the first time..." She shudders as she remembers the rage demon that had oozed out of the rift and headed straight for Wellow, which she's still terrified she somehow summoned from the Fade. "I just hid until the Templars came."

Closed to Ellana

[ancarrow]

She's been looking forward to the promise of Elvish lessons, but she's also a little daunted by the prospect. So little was known in the alienages, and Eirlys knew it would become her responsibility to pass on Ellana's tutoring to everyone back home, or at least those who wanted to learn rather than just see it as a closed chapter that no amount of hearkening back to will bring back, and that dwelling on will do nothing to help them day to day. She folds and unfolds her hands in her lap as she waits for Ellana to arrive, enjoying the cool shade of the tower they'd chosen to meet in, out of the way of the bustle of Skyhold.

[serannas]

Ellana arrives as promptly as she can, not liking to leave people waiting for her. With all the lessons she's currently taking, it feels good to have something she can offer in return, especially something she's good at. She can only hope to be as good and patient a teacher as others have been to her.

"Aneth ara," she says as she comes to sit down. "Have you ever heard that phrase before?" She sees no sense in waiting to start. They can jump right in.

[ancarrow]

Eirlys hadn't been expecting such a brisk start and feels her nerves rising a little at an unfamiliar phrase straight off the bat, the "Hello, Ellana!" dying on her tongue rather than going said. "No, I haven't."

[serannas]

"It's a greeting among the People, but I extend it to any I'm friends with. It's the familiar form. Aneth ara means "my safe place." It's a way to tell someone you respect and trust them, to allow them into your space."

[ancarrow]

She brightens at the explanation. "That's a beautiful way to greet someone." And reinforces the image she'd always had of the Dalish as focused on family and personal bonds as the way to make up a society, one she likes a great deal. "What if you need to say hello but you don't respect and trust them?"

[serannas]

"Then we use the formal version: Andaran atish'an. It basically means 'you've entered my place of peace.' It's a way to greet people politely while reminding them that the meeting should be peaceful. Would you like to try and say both now? I'll repeat them if you need it." Ellana is pleased to see Eirlys smiling and enjoying herself, because she's never really taught anyone something before, and she wants to do well at it.

A

[amygdalae]

Bruce had seen her around, though with recent events happening he hadn't quite been able to find the time to talk to her. But at least the illness was dying down now that the source had been found and resolved and things weren't quite as hectic as they had been.

He comes over to see her while she's busy with her mortar and pestle, bringing with him a small handful of herbs from the garden that he places down as a gift, of sorts. "It's good to see you back again."

[ancarrow]

"It's good to be back," Eirlys replies, taking the herbs with a grateful smile. "Thank you, it's good to see the garden's been looked after. I think I missed that most of all."

[amygdalae]

"It's been growing well." Bruce returned with a small nod. "Many people here have been contributing to ensure its stability. It's thanks to all of them that we've been able to keep up a good part of the demand with this garden alone."

[ancarrow]

"I'm glad it's been a priority for so many, especially with everything going on." It made practical sense, not having to rely on bringing in shipments of herbs. "It's funny, I'm not sure I've seen many people who I'd peg as being green fingered."

[amygdalae]

"Well, I wouldn't say they are," he responds with a wry smile. "But they do their best to help wherever they can. Even something as simple as soil tilling and go a long way in making sure these plants grow well." As they both were probably aware.

"I'm just glad there have been a good number willing to contribute. The last month really wilted down our supplies, what with the illness and everything." At least that had passed for the most part.

a!

[parkourprince]

Soon, in the mouth of an elf — or at least, of an elf of Arda, did not always mean the same thing it did in the mouth of mortals. Months could pass, and it would still be soon, or relatively so anyway. Legolas, at least, tried to be a bit more mindful of the passage of time of mortals, having spent quite some time among them. So it wasn't months later, that he tried to seek out Eirlys, but only a couple of weeks. At the very least, he was settled, and he had his routines and sleep, as such, figured out, so it was at long last a good time for it.

He came back the healer's tents, asking about Eirlys. First person already managed to give him directions where to go, and that was where he headed. Catching the sight of her, he smiled, "Greetings, Eirlys. I hope I find you in good health and with time at your disposal?"

[ancarrow]

Eirlys returns his smile, pleasantly surprised to see that he'd remembered her request, and was honouring it so soon, too. She rises, brushing the tiny pieces of elfroot from her hands from where she'd been chopping and preparing them. "Ser Legolas, it is a pleasure to see you. I trust I find you the same, and that you've not come by in need of treatment."