lost myself and I am nowhere to be found

[fightingale]

WHO: catch-all for Leliana, Ruby & Herc
WHAT: all sorts! some open prompts for each, as well as closed starters.
WHEN: throughout Bloomingtide
WHERE: various
NOTES: Depression, discussion of death, alcohol, potential violence, others to be added as necessary. If we're threading and something comes up in a tag, feel free to add a warning to the subject line.

Starters in the comments! If you'd like a personalised thing then just prod me via pp (@karmacharging) or pm and I will whip something up C:

Comments

[fightingale]

"Physically, perhaps. That does not speak to how you are." Quiet, serious, but with her head canted slightly to the side as she watches Shale and tries to gauge her mood.

"I came to see you. To deliver something to you, in fact."

(And, belatedly, a nug s l o w l y makes its way down the steps after Leliana, moving stiffly. Schmooples is not as agile as he once was.) "Is now a suitable time?"

omg old man Schmooples

[dwarfing]

"The Sister has a point." They shrug a little bit, but thankfully Shale doesn't seem to be in too much of a grumpy mood. More... listless than anything else.

That's why the mention of a delivery is an easy distraction for the golem. They even look curious, believe it or not. "What is it?"

the classiest old man tbh

[fightingale]

Leliana doesn't quite smile, but it's a close thing. Her expression is momentarily a little lighter, a little warmer, and she steps forward and holds the parcel out. "Do you remember that we spoke of shoes once?"

She suspects it will be difficult for Shale to deal with a string tie and paper, so she loosens the knot and pulls back the first bit of paper, though the contents (sandles in bright red leather, with hardy buckles and straps to secure them) remain concealed for now. "These are sinfully overdue, I'm afraid."

[dwarfing]

Shale watches as Leliana hands over the parcel, and it's a good thought to loosen it up a bit for big hands like theirs. Dexterity was really not their thing.

Shoes, the woman says, and Shale's glowing crystal eyes widen just a little bit when they open the gift. It had only been banter, strange jokes and discussions... right?

Yet there were sandals in there, red sandals for them.

"...the sister remembered."

[fightingale]

"I am good at remembering."

There are many stories told and retold and reshaped, but she remembers the truth and the purpose behind each one.

"The straps," she starts, voice a little less flat, "should be extremely flattering, but durable. If there are any changes you would like made, however, I can certainly have it seen to."

[dwarfing]

Shale watches the red leather in their big hands, and touch the straps with a thoughtful look. It all seems to pass inspection, however, and they actually look... pleased?

"They're very red," they say, as if that was equal to acceptance - and glances down at their feet. Dexterity really wasn't a golem thing, unfortunately.

"The sister will need to put them on me."

[fightingale]

Leliana's smile is... well. Present, for one. "I'd be glad to."

Right side first, by virtue of it being the sandal she has grabbed first. They are huge sandles. "They were designed to withstand even the most enthusiastic crushing of foes. I believe the cobbler was rather delighted by the challenge."

And she crouches down, looking up at Shale. "Can you lift your foot for me?"

[dwarfing]

Shale 'helpfully' raises their foot a bit, though a golem balancing on one foot is a precarious thing that should be treated with utmost care. Falling over might make a huge dent in the courtyard after all, and falling forward... well.

"Are they slimming to my calves?" Golem remember things, after all. Even if they won't admit it, they had wondered about chiselling off a little there after that old comment, but it would most likely put them off balance.

Crushing above beauty.

[fightingale]

Perilous indeed - Leliana slides the first sandle into place, and nods at Shale to set their foot down again. She may be daring, but she would rather not be rendered into a paste. It would make running a spy network rather more challenging.

And she can't quite help a quiet laugh, despite everything. It's not loud or drawn out or uncontrollable, but it is still definitely a laugh.

"They are very flattering, but I think I misjudged your ankles, Shale. They are perfect."

[dwarfing]

Paste rarely ran any kind of network, to be honest.

That small laugh makes the golem feel... relief? Or was relief the right word? Just a feeling of the world resetting itself after being a little bit askew.

They can't actually feel the sandal on their foot, but Shale must admit the red really goes with their green crystals.

"They are... very well done." Pardon them as they life the other foot.

[fightingale]

Challenge accepted.

Working with Shale to get the sandals in place, Leliana slides the second under where Shale's foot was resting, and waits for it to be set down again before starting buckling again.

"I hoped you'd like them. The cobbler had great ambitions about making a whole set," - read: Leliana had ambitions about acquiring a whole set - "but I wanted to be certain you liked the style, first. Perhaps something with ribbons, sometime."

Listen, okay, she can't get nice things for herself any more, so Shale has to be the one to have fabulous shoes in her stead.

[dwarfing]

Buckled and finished, Shale turns a bit to admire the shoes. (Or at least the little they can see of them.) The golem seems really pleased, and the leather really was strong and tough enough to bear their weight.

"I believe I understand its fascination with shoes, now. The style is very pleasing." Shale would draw the line at ribbons, but... maybe a few other colors might be nice, too. Red just seemed good to hide blood in when they stepped on enemies.

"The Sister has my thanks for this... gift."

[fightingale]

Mental note: get a scout to bring downa mirror so Shale can better admire the shoes.

"Careful, Shale. First you approve of the shoes, next you will find yourself cooing to my ravens."

Now that would be a sight to see.

Teasing aside, Leliana nods. "You are very welcome, Stone Sister. I am sorry they were so long overdue."

[dwarfing]

Yes please. A big one, so they can see how nicely that leather hugs the huge stone toes. It's all pretty ridiculous, but Shale is happier than they had really expected to be.

Maybe it was just the reminder of the old days.

At her joke, however, the golem makes a disgusted and mildly horrified face. "I would rather kiss the Painted Elf than do anything to its ravens."

Still. There's a heavy, strong hand briefly touching Leliana's shoulder before the golem starts walking off down the courtyard... possibly showing off their shoes. Maybe.

[fightingale]

"Just give me time."

Shale's looks of disgust are, truth be told, amongst her favourite memories of the Blight. The bickering the golem could inspire, even from Wynne - it was inspirational, really.

The hand on her shoulder is worth it, and for a moment Leliana feels as if some of the years lift from her - the whimsy of the moment, the gentle contact from someone so gifted as guarding and maiming, and memories that well.

It falls away again, and her smile does not fade, but it is not quite so free as it was.

As Shale walks, so does Leliana, moving back to her shadows and her tower and her birds, but at least she has delivered one thing today that was not ominous.