Let No Soul Hunger For Justice: Once Upon A Dream

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Anders, Adelaide, Nathaniel, Bethany, Shale, Samouel, Terra, Twisted Fate
WHAT: A merry little jaunt through the Fade.
WHEN: Bloomingwhatsit 15
WHERE: Half an hour outside of Skyhold
NOTES: Plotting post here

Maybe if this one fails too he can pin it on the location. Not that any of them will buy that, but hey, it's the same spot as the others. Maybe the veil's weird here. It was weird in Kirkwall.

And maybe he's just looking for excuses that aren't Justice when he already knows what the likely flaw is.

Comments

Setup/arrival/discussion

[justice_is_blond]

There are cushions this time, places to sit that are surprisingly comfy despite being the weatherproof sort. There's also a tent. They'll be in the Fade, so long exposure to the elements isn't something they want to risk. There are enough risks as it is already.

The Ritual Itself

[justice_is_blond]

It's time to take a sip of lyrium and step into a lovely land where everything is gloom and confusion. What could go wrong?

Aftermath

[justice_is_blond]

Never ask what could go wrong. Too late now...

[justice_is_blond]

1

There are kittens in the corner. Just a couple, but they're there. If truth is to be told, they simply happened to be in the wagon they'd moved the tent over here in, and no one had noticed. Anders isn't going with that story.

"I tried to convince Adelaide that we needed fifteen cats each in case things went wrong again, because the Fade's simply that awful. These are all she let me bring."

2

"Careful." He's helping portion the lyrium out into vials, and it's tricky stuff. "We don't want this spilling. Are you... Well. I'd ask if you're ready, but there's no actual being ready for the Fade, is there?"

1 - Of course

[el_tybs]

He can agree that the Fade can be pretty awful, but hearing 'in case things went wrong again' isn't very comforting. Obviously the other rituals didn't work, but going wrong? Sam's lips thin a bit as he looks at the man they're going to help, but honestly it's hard to concentrate on that because there are kittens in the corner.

The soft mews and slightly awkward butt wiggling as they walk is certainly distracting. "Wouldn't that be... a lot of cats?" Was that over a hundred if it was fifteen each? "They're cute," he says continuing, squatting down to get a better look at them.

[justice_is_blond]

"Eight times fifteen is... Yes. A lot." He could figure it out. He just doesn't want to. Besides, it's entirely not true and he expects Adelaide to be slapping him upside the back of the head for telling people it is any time now. "But they fix a great many things."

Optimism is not Anders' strong point. "Like having to sing for a day. Much better with cats."

[fleurdesel]

1

Adelaide double, triple checks the usual circle for the ritual- and spends the rest of her time carefully brewing the potion all of them shall be drinking to step into the Fade. This is the first that holds true risk and as such? She is tense. Quiet. Intent on every drop of Lyrium under her hands.

2

Circle drawn, lyrium settling in it's vials- they need to wait to achieve maximum potency- Adelaide settles off to the side with one of the stow away kittens in her lap, stroking it's fur.

2

[iknowlove]

Everyone here is so... strong, so practiced and confident in their art that Terra has to wonder what she's doing among them. Well, no, she knows, but she doesn't feel good enough, not nearly up to par. But she's going to try her hardest.

She sits straight-backed, absently toying with her fingers, and the sudden voice makes her jump a little. She really hadn't been paying attention, had she? Her eyes lift and nerves strike her again as she looks at him, his image occasionally flickering in her vision. "No. No, I suppose there isn't, is there? I'm--" Terra pauses and tilts her head thoughtfully. "Usually they come to me. I've never had to the opportunity to go to them."

1

[dwarfing]

Cats. Really. There are kittens climbing on them and Shale was tempted to flick them off like tiny, furry bugs. If it wouldn't upset everyone, that is.

Shale was starting to miss Jonas and his dumb shit, okay? This was foolish, and they're not sure why they even volunteered for this. It wasn't as if they enjoyed the Fade at all.

"Is it ready yet?"

2.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"No, there never is. My father always liked to call it the 'great dive into your unknown mind'." Bethany stated simply, a quiet smile on her lips. "But I always try to remember - it's my own mind. I can control it."

[fleurdesel]

"You know how this goes now, Anders. In the circle. Everyone else? Have a seat." The cushions are dispersed evenly around the barrier placed- and once everyone is comfortable? Adelaide walks around to hand them each their vial of lyrium potion. She's done what she can to make it taste of honey or- well- not lyrium, but there is only so much one can do.

[el_tybs]

One hundred twenty, but honestly just saying 'a lot' was easier. "Are you saying singing with cats around is better, or that cats doing the singing is better?" He raises an amused brow and looks at Anders then, a sticking out for the kittens to sniff and bat at.

"Are they weened?"

[el_tybs]

Looks like they were finally ready to get going. Sam doesn't say much as he pulls himself away from playing with the cats and moves himself to one of the cushions set out for them. His lips thin a bit when he's finally handed a lyrium potion, being mindful not to swirl it too much. "This should... fun, right?"

[justice_is_blond]

"Yes. And yes." Smiling is a little hard right now. He's stressed. But teasing helps take some of the weight off. "The mother's in the wagon, but she's not been herding them as much as one still nursing does. That, and they've been eating the meat strips I keep on hand for Purrelden.

Two of the kittens start to play with Sam's hand, one rolling on his back to bat, another wiggling her butt before pouncing. They're not making as much of a difference as they could, but at this point every little bit is helping and he's glad of the happy accident that brought them along.

[justice_is_blond]

"That's why you're invaluable to this." She's nervous, and the fact that he's a little tense can't be helping. Anders makes an effort to breathe and be comforting; it's important. "That they come to you, that you're familiar. If we're to find the... Hah. If you all are to find the divide between me and him, you'll need that familiarity while I sit there and don't actually help with anything at all."

That's another thing that has him tense. He likes helping. He doesn't know what to do when he isn't. Sitting around waiting for others to help him is nearly unbearable.

[el_tybs]

He can only imagine what Anders is going through at the moment, watching his quietly from where he is, noting how the man is trying to sound like he's in good spirits. After all these rituals and issues it isn't surprising that Anders is having trouble. Honestly he's surprised he's up for talking at all.

"Hm," he replies at first, turning his attention back to the kittens when he feels his hand being attacked. "Mommy cat dumping them on us and taking a break, huh?"

[justice_is_blond]

"It's ready." He knows Shale means him now. It's still weird to be seen as an it... but then again, they're a golem. Everything would be it, wouldn't it? The title isn't because he's a mage or abomination. Anders can deal with that.

"It's not exactly eager to go back in. I've been in there a couple of times. As have you, at least once, possibly more, if stories are anything to go by. Here's hoping you don't have a rocky time." Here's hoping he doesn't get punched for that.

[iknowlove]

That makes her smile, at least. She glances down at her hands in her lap and bites down on her bottom lip, hesitating for a moment. Terra knows who he is, knows the general opinion of the man and his actions, but-- well. Maybe he should hear something a little good from a stranger.

She lifts her eyes again and lets out a quiet breath. "You've done your helping. It's only fair that we do something in turn. I..." Another pause as she tries to find the right words. "I wouldn't be free, if it weren't for you. The rebellions brought rescuers. I'd still be trapped without them."

[iknowlove]

Leaving the kittens is probably going to be the hardest part of this, honestly. Terra takes a seat next to Sam and cradles her own potion in her hands, staring down at it with a faint amount of trepidation before she casts her gaze sideways. "You have an interesting idea of fun."

[justice_is_blond]

"Also remember not to trust what you see. Always ask questions." The only good thing about Circle training had been that lesson. And maybe learning how to heal, but that doesn't matter here. "He went into detail with the Fade?"

He's glad, though, that she's been spared the Harrowing. That did nothing for mages.

[justice_is_blond]

He doesn't have the energy to tease this time about going into the circle, taking his place and watching the barrier with nervous energy that may be practically tangible.

"The last time I was in the Fade, it was Justice in control. I think the chance is high it will be the same way again. Please don't be scared upon seeing him. He's a spirit. An ass, sometimes, yes, but still a spirit."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

She nodded her head seriously at that piece of advice, before her mouth twitched up sadly. "He took us both into the Fade, so we would know what to do if we were ever drawn there. He wants to keep us safe."

So had Malcolm Hawke, and The Harrowing was something he specifically wanted to keep his daughters away from.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"Well, some of us are aware of how much of an ass he is ... " Bethany folded her legs underneath her, as she took the potion, then folded her hands around it.

She looked around quietly, then back at the kittens with a quiet smile. "Nothing can go wrong with kittens."

Nathaniel

[pinprick]

By virtue of being one of the few who weren't knocked out from this ritual, Nathaniel spends the better part of two days nursing the unconscious. If he pays special attention to Bethany and especially Anders, only those who are also awake will be able to blame him. Gently easing drops of water through parched lips, extra blankets, quiet worrying, everything he knows to do. As he's entirely untrained, he doesn't know to check for sores or anything else.

When he has run out of things to do, he is sitting by Anders with his elbows on his knees, staring into space.

2.

[wickedchase]

"No, not really. But then, I knew what I'd agreed to."

Twisted Fate shrugs and works on helping to pour the lyrium. "It'll work or it won't. Either way, I'm willing to give it a go if it makes your head a little less crowded."