faderift | [OPEN] Welcome Back! Now Take a Bath.

WHO: Blackwall and you!
WHAT: Blackwall returns to Skyhold after being away for a few months
WHEN: Current?
WHERE: Around Skyhold, mostly the stables and the tavern
NOTES: none that I can think of... his intro is over here. prose or brackets are fine

i. Just arrived
It's midday when Blackwall and the small group of scouts and soldiers who'd been with him in the Storm Coast are spotted by one of Skyhold's lookouts making their way back up the mountain road. They're definitely not in a rush, but getting inside of the fortress' high walls and out of the whipping mountain winds is a relief. After weeks in the constant drizzle of the Storm Coast, dry clothing felt like an unattainable fantasy.

Muddy, damp, and worn out, Blackwall was looking even more unkempt and wild than when he'd first arrived in Haven. The Storm Coast seemed to have that affect on people; the others with him didn't look like they'd fared much better. He's a little surprised at how glad he is to be back, but why wouldn't he be? A change of clothes into something that isn't already soaked through with rain and a proper place to enjoy a drink, what's not to love?

ii. Sparring/Beating up practice dummies close to the stables
It doesn't take Blackwall long at all to fall back into a routine, which means getting some time in with a dull sword and a stuffed potato sack on a stick meant to look like a person. It's unusual for him to be in anything less than his full armor, which includes the puffy gambeson he always wears, but it's still hung up to dry by the fire in the stables, so this morning he's settled for a loose tunic and trousers.

Unlike some of the others whacking away at the dummies, his movements are calm and devoid of emotion, simply going through training exercises and focusing on form and technique. Training exercises are all well and good, but if someone actually offered to spar he'd be hard pressed to turn them down, especially after fighting nothing but bears and spiders in the mud for the past few weeks.

iii. Tavern
"Oh, pardon me," Blackwall offers, managing to sound completely genuine while fighting back a chuckle. It's late evening and the tavern is apparently the place to be. It's surprisingly easy to misjudge how close you are to someone after a few drinks and Blackwall misses the mark as he leans over the counter to signal for another pint, bumping a few people.

"Ale, like the last one," He tells the barkeep when he gets their attention before offering a slightly intoxicated smile while waiting.

iv. or choose your own adventure!
[Walking around Skyhold or find him in the stables... demand he come tour the Warden encampment and watch him squirm, or comment about how much he needs a haircut. I'm down for all the things :3]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He chuckles and nods. That's right, how could he have forgotten her love of the qunari?

"A pirate?" He raises an eyebrow. "Sera, when don't I want to hear your stories? Especially when they involve terrorizing our companions?"

He finds a seat while downing some of his fresh drink. "Did you need a refill, love? On me tonight."

"No taking that back!"

She waves the bartender over, fully ready to have Blackwall pay for many, many refills. May not be what he meant, but she's taking it.

"Yeah, pirate queen, isn't she? Ran 'round with Varric and that Champion way back. Looks even better without all her shiny gold bits on."

"Taking back the promise of free drinks for the night? Pretty sure that's a hangable offense in some parts of the Ferelden. I'm wounded you'd think so lowly of me," He makes a mock hurt expression, holding his hand over his heart. The farce doesn't last as he breaks into a wide grin when she immediately grabs one of the bartenders to have him make good on his offer.

It takes a moment for his memory to be jogged and even then, the only reason he knows who Sera's referring to was from Varric's -most likely highly exaggerated- stories. "Ohhh, right, uh... Isa... Isabel, wasn't it?" And then what she's just said sinks in, "You and her in Cullen's office?! Well done!"

"A lady never tells."

She looks mock prim for a whole heart beat, then gets right back to cackling.

"Friggin good thing I ain't one, yeah? Weren't her. But she lives down the hall. Been naked most every other place. In the bar."

Naked ass on this very bar they're seated at? Hells yes.

"But what about you? Pretty lady wardens out there?"

"Wait, wait, wait, you said you'd tell me how you ended up naked in the Commander's office. I'm making good on these drinks, least you could do is finish your story," He's grinning regardless as he brings his own drink to his mouth and takes another drink.

"Pretty lady wardens? There weren't any wardens at all in the Storm Coast, pretty or ugly. I was a little surprised to find so many here upon my return. Anyway, there's nothing saying wardens have to stick with wardens," He says with a wink.

"But where's there fun in all that stamina if she can't keep up?"

Oh, Sera was pleased with herself, giving a good cackle.

"We're only on drink one, yeah? One little bit a drink. Then you'll get the whole lot."

"Well, then, maybe you'll be happy to hear I'm sharing a tent with a lady-Warden, though I doubt she'd be at all interested in me, drunk or not.

Did you hear about all that business with the Wardens being exiled to, well, just outside the keep proper?" With a few drinks tucked away, he actually found the 'punishment', or lack there of, fairly amusing.

"So don't go booby trapping the stables. I don't sleep there anymore. Poor sod who takes that spot is going to wake up covered in honey or lizards..."

"Well, kept some chantry-exploder 'round. Always figured the whole warden forgiveness stuff was for things happened before. If it's everything ever, no wonder you keep getting people to sign up."

She just grins at him about the rest. She'll keep trapping the stables for old times sake. But the camp was also ripe for the booby-ing.

"Mmhmm," He doesn't sound entirely pleased about the development. Go out on a mission for a few months and return to find... well, this. He can't help but chuckle a little; she had a point, constant forgiveness did sound too good to pass up.

"Returned to find I'm also, apparently, senior Warden to -how many do you think are here? that's probably something I should know- ten... twenty Wardens. It's a bit of a surprise certainly," And not exactly a welcome one, all things considered.

Sera just claps- well, after she puts her ale down for a moment. Blackwall in charge? Oh, dream come true.

" 'mean they have to run 'round doing every silly bit you say?"

"What? No! No... that really wouldn't be... no," He frowns deeply, playful mood taking a quick, sharp dive. Of course, she was kidding... mostly, but the joke hit too close to home.

In all honesty, he was already anxious at the idea of having a handful of people under his command again. Things hadn't turned out so well last time.

[OPEN] Welcome Back! Now Take a Bath.

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