In the summer, I remember

[rowancrowned]

WHO: Thranduil, Legolas, anyone good with a bow or who enjoys the wine on offer.
WHAT: ROOTY TOOTY POINT N SHOOTY ARCHERY CONTEST
WHEN: 8th of Bloomingtide, midmorning until sunset.
WHERE: Valley
NOTES: log for a friendly wager! 

The eighth of Bloomingtide began as a chilly morning; not quite cold enough to leave frost on the budding flowers and fresh-sprouted plants in the heights of Skyhold, but nearly, nearly.

By the time the sun was been in the sky for a few hours, most of the early-morning chill had burned off, leaving a day that promised to be nearly too-hot for those who would be stuck in full-plate and in direct sunlight. Thranduil wasn’t expecting any to come clanking down to his little fete, but had none the less secured a spot in the shade. Varric had apparently found him while he was still working on organizing—the target launchers are set neatly in line with everything else. Along the clay pigeon launchers were the standard, stock targets, blindfolds—and on a table off to the side was a few bottles of sweet wine beside loaves of brown bread and hard cheeses.

The contest did not pretend to be anything other than what it was; a chance to meet, and mingle, and possibly show off archery skills. The purses wrested next to the wine and cheese and Thranduil himself. He had found a chair to rest in while waiting for the contestants to arrive, dressed plainer than he had so far allowed himself to be seen. On his fingers, four rings glittered—but his confidence in Legolas was so absolute, he doubted he would lose even one before the days was out.

Comments

merrill | ota

[chainlightning]

Not an archer, but never one to turn down a nice occasion, Merrill has come to spectate. Her dog is with her, happily wagging his tail at all the new people (and the chance for dropped morsels), but she's careful to keep him away from the arrows and bolts flying through the air. When things get excited, she scoops the pup up, holding him tightly as he wriggles in her arms.

When her arms aren't full, Merrill is cheering for everyone she knows and most everyone she doesn't. She has no problem starting up a conversation with whoever she happens to be standing next to, especially as she has more wine. (What? It's hot out.)

[serannas]

Never one to pass up the opportunity to spend time with Merrill (and Barkley), Ellana weaves her way around others to reach her side.

"Aneth ara," she greets warmly. "What do you think of these elves from another world?" She's only talked briefly with Thranduil, and spent a little time with Legolas herself. It's Galadriel whom she knows best of the three.

[chainlightning]

"Aneth ara!" Merrill happily links an arm with one of Ellana's while Barkley wags his tail and paws at her ankles. Perhaps it shouldn't, but the question takes her off-guard, which is why the first thing that comes out of her mouth is-

"They all have such lovely hair!"

[serannas]

That makes Ellana laugh, and she turns her foot to tap the ground with the toe of her boot, so Barkley will play.

"They do. It doesn't seem real, does it? Or... realer than real, if that's even possible."

[chainlightning]

Jumping slightly, Barkley playfully growls at Ellana's boot before darting forward to try and pounce on it. Merrill giggles, keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn't chew any actual holes in the shoe.

"It is nice to know that there are elves in other worlds though, isn't it?" They may not all have magic and they may not even all have their ancestral homes, but they also aren't living in alienages.

[serannas]

"It is. And they have a completely different history than our people do," Ellana replies, trying to focus on the conversation while the dog plays. "I look at them and see these grand leaders. They're what we used to be, I think. They're immortal, and powerful, and so wise."

[chainlightning]

"Close, anyway," Merrill agrees, momentarily distracted by a cheer from the surrounding crowd. The archer isn't anyone she knows, however, so it doesn't last long. "They don't sleep, back where they're from. I imagine that makes for a very long life, since they're also immortal." And no uthenera, if you don't sleep.

[serannas]

"Oh, I know," Ellana says with a chuckle. "I had to teach Galadriel how to sleep. I've never had to do that before. It's hard to describe something that just happens to us."

[chainlightning]

"Did you know they just call humans 'Men'? I was so confused - I told Legolas that he should try to sleep like women, if he doesn't like how men sleep." Which she still maintains made perfect sense at the time.

[serannas]

Ellana giggles, lifting a hand to her mouth.

"That is confusing. I would wonder if their race had women at all if everyone calls them Men."

[chainlightning]

"I wonder if they call themselves Men, in their world. Legolas said they also call them the second-born and the... children of... someone, but I doubt humans would call themselves second anything."

Humans and their egos. Of course... "But maybe they're different, in their world."

[suplexpert]

Now, Taaranda hasn't been here long, but the prospect of watching Korrin at the archery contest just means she has to be here to cheer her on! And maybe meeting new people. There are so many kinds of people in the Inquisition! Elves and dwarves and humans and other Vashoth and Tal-Vashoth (and a Qunari somewhere).

And this elf.

Has a puppy.

Taaranda takes in a deep breath and holds it as she tries her best to contain her excitement. Mabari are great, but this dog is undoubtedly just as fantastic as any other.

So in the quietest voice she can muster, which is impressive, Taaranda asks, "Can I pet your dog? Please?"

[chainlightning]

Despite everything that had happened in Kirkwall, Merrill isn't too wary around grey and horned sorts. Granted, she had never been too wary around them in Kirkwall, at least not on the outside. This woman just looks so earnest about petting Barkley, and Merrill smiles warmly before reaching down to scoop the dog up.

"Absolutely! His name is Barkley and he loves everyone -- you can hold him, if you want."

Barkley is already wriggling to try and reach the Vashoth, fully ready to lick her all over.

[suplexpert]

"Can I?"

Taaranda carefully holds out her hands, ready to take in the excitable bundle of dog and give him all of the attention he undoubtedly deserves.

"Hello, Barkley! You're the cutest, yes you are."

[chainlightning]

"Of course!"

As long as you don't try to steal him, Merrill is all for people loving on her dog. So is Barkley, for that matter, who happily wriggles even harder once he's passed over. There are new smells to smell and she's a new face to lick.

"He's still a puppy, so he has lots of energy for this sort of thing."

In fact, he's only a few months old -- born and bred in Skyhold.

[aintwejust]

Jayne finds her first which should come as no surprise. Mal's busy shooting and Jayne remembers the nice mage that kept him from getting bit by a dragon forever ago. The rotund mabari wanders up and sits at her feet, offering wide, sad eyes at her while making pitiful noises.

Scratches or snacks, one or t'other. That's all he wants.

Malcolm, now- wants to keep his dog outta trouble. When it becomes obvious Jayne's wandered off again he finishes this round of shooting to go find him, rolling his eyes at the pitiful display. "I think he likes you."

[chainlightning]

Merrill folds immediately, down on her knees to pet Jayne behind the ears and down his neck. Barkley, meanwhile, is trying to sniff the other dog before getting distracted by Mal's approach. Now it's his turn to try and seek scritches, practically bouncing alongside Mal's feet with little excited yips.

"Well, I like him! I never did get to thank him properly for chasing those dragonlings for me." And so she gives the dog a kiss right on his forehead. "Oh- I never got to thank you, either! We were all so excited about doing it, it slipped my mind! Are you competing today?"

If you also want a kiss, Mal, you're going to have to keep your dog from dragging her back down for more cuddles.

[aintwejust]

As much shit as he gives others for spoiling his mabari or for feed'n Jayne- he drops down in a heartbeat to scratch the little so and so's ears. Sure it's an Orlesian dog but it's still a DOG and he is, at his core, Fereldan. Dogs get attention and snacks.

Like a little bit of jerky from his pocket.

"It was my pleasure. Thanks for keep'n me and Jayne from gett'n et. I been bit by a dragonling before, can't imagine what a big 'un would feel like."

[chainlightning]

Hey, he's only half Orlesian dog. The rest of him is all mutt. Either way, he's Skyhold born and bred, not to mention more than excited to meet a new person who is willing to scratch him and give him treats. His tail is so large and his puppy body is so small that Barkely ends up wiggling his entire body instead of just wagging his tail.

"I think they'd probably just swallow us whole, if they could."

Giving Jayne another kiss, this one on his nose, she shifts just enough to make sure she can see both Mal and Barkley while still being able to scratch the mabari behind the ears. "But we kept that from happening! For us and everyone else in the Emprise." Beat. "Hopefully we took care of all the smaller ones."

[aintwejust]

"Ain't you a curious look'n thing?" Too small to be a proper dog but a damn adorable one none the less. Mal loses a little time petting Barkely and making sure he gets a few bites in before Jayne realizes he's got some meat out.

Which won't be long, really.

"Most likely." He peers up from where he's tugging on one end of the Jerky, Barkley gamely tugging back and tearing off little bits for himself. Mal ought to admit he's more than a little charmed. "You keep do'n that he's gonna follow you home tonight."

[chainlightning]

As curious as Merrill, though she perhaps doesn't look as curious. She's lacking a furry tail, for starters.

Jayne turns his head to look for the source of the meat smell, but then Merrill gets in a good scratch under his chin and he sighs, leaning his weight into her slightly. It's heavier than she expected and Merrill laughs, catching herself with her opposite hand. "Well, I wouldn't mind! The more the merrier!"

That came out wrong.

[aintwejust]

Mal snorts a soft laugh and reaches out to hook a hand around Jayne's shoulder, tugging gently to have him ease up. "Calm down, now. You're gonna crush her. I'm sorry, Merrill. He just can't help himself around pretty girls."

Something they kinda have in common, really.

[chainlightning]

She laughs with him, ducking her head at the compliment. A bit of red creeps up her cheeks and to the tips of her ears, and Merrill very studiously keeps rubbing Jayne behind the ears.

"Well, he's polite enough about it. And I like the both of you, so it's not like it's unwelcome." Dog cuddles are never unwelcome.

[aintwejust]

"We like you both plenty too, Miss Merrill." Jayne likes anyone what gives him attention and keeps him from gett'n bit in a fight and Mal- well. He's got a soft spot for bright, capable, and bubbly.

[chainlightning]

"Oh! Well- good." Now she's blushing even harder. Friends! "Barkley seems to like you too." Barkley is also currently trying to climb underneath Jayne out of pure excitement.

"I thought I might be lonely when I came to Skyhold, even though I'd be seeing old friends- but there are so many people here that have become like a clan all over again. It's been... well, terrifying ancient darkspawn magister aside, it's been fantastic."