You don't hate a person because someone told you to

[motherfucking_ghost]

WHO: Church aaand anyone who wants to show up!
WHAT: Rifter meeting reboot
WHEN: Noon-ish on the 24th-ish
WHERE: Upper room of the Herald's Rest
NOTES: After this notice went up. People who are not Rifters are welcome to show up--nothing stopping them from dropping in, and he isn't going to cause an incident (probably) by throwing anyone out.
Mingle! Share knowledge! Talk about your trials with your pain lasers!

He's not nervous. He's totally not nervous. This is just like calling a Blue Team meeting, except with a lot more people, and most of them (probably) aren't dumbasses. Araceli believes in him, for some reason, so, obviously, he's got this in the bag. His letter was super professional and everything.

Look, there's even some snacks! People can get drinks downstairs. What does he look like, a bartender?

Comments

church + hermione, pre-meeting

[motherfucking_ghost]

He's early, even earlier than he expected to be. It's probably gotta be, what, maybe 11 instead of noon? Do people have any sundial watches here for something? God. The days he misses having a HUD that can tell him just about anything. He just has to prepare things. Maybe make his own notes? And look all impressive to everyone. And Hermione. God, he'd probably made a stupid impression on her, but at least she probably knew how strongly he felt about Rifters not getting fucked over, right??

Just...imagine this is like preparing for some assault on Red Base in the gulch. Yeah. That's better. He hops up the stairs up to the room.

[bookish_lioness]

Hermione doesn't think she's met anyone named Leonard Church, and so seeing her name mentioned in a notice had taken her by surprise. Since she doesn't know who to contact to ask how much earlier she should be, she's already there and looking up every time she hears someone climb the stairs.

She starts a little when someone actually comes into the room, standing up from her seat as she tries to recognize him. "Um-... Leonard Ch-... oh!" Now she remembers him. The rather loud but earnest man dressed all in green that she'd met at the soiree. She wouldn't have pegged him for the sort to organize this sort of thing, so she needs a moment to get past the surprise, hoping he doesn't take offense.

"Sorry. I hadn't realized it was you. It's nice to see you again."

[motherfucking_ghost]

She's...already here? He looks behind him (trying to look for a clock, in retrospect, or maybe out a window), then looks back to her. "Hermione Granger. Long time no see. You, uh. You're here. Early. Er. Earlier. Than I thought."

He offers a hand to shake, because that's! super official! Right? "But that's a good thing! Since I wanted to talk with you. Um. About notes. About--Araceli said she'd given you some notes? And that's why I wanted to--" A helpless little motion to the room around them. "Yeah. She trusted you with some info. So. If I wanna kick this meeting more often business into gear, should probably know all there is?"

[bookish_lioness]

She's not sure what to make of his reaction, so she only smiles sheepishly. "Well, you'd said to get here early, and since I wasn't sure how early you meant, I didn't want to be late."

Hermione's not exactly sure what kind of meeting this will end up being, but before she can offer to help him set up, he asks about notes. "Oh!" she exclaims after shaking his hand. "I remember Araceli. I haven't spoken to her since our first meeting. I have her notes in my bag; will she be here today?"

She turns, then, going to the satchel that she'd rested by her chair, opening it up and carefully going through the paperwork within. "Much of it isn't anything new or revolutionary, but some of the fresher arrivals would probably find it interesting. Not that there isn't much useful information in them - there is! - but given that, for all intents and purposes, I literally live in the library, I can probably supplement much of what she's written down. Well, aside for any information about the rifts or the shards, unfortunately, which is what most of us are likely wondering about. If anyone has extensive information on them, they haven't gotten around to publishing it yet."

[motherfucking_ghost]

"She might drop by, but I don't think we should expect her. Or at any future meetings. She has another engagement." And he's even mostly gotten over the sting of that, even though it'd be extremely helpful to have her still active and around in Rifter politics.

He rocks back on his heels, shoving his hands into his pockets and really wishing these people would get around to inventing denim so that'd look cooler. He could've come with jeans, but nooooo, didn't have a body beforehand. "So you're gonna be the big brainiac sharing all the knowledge and taking notes, I gather. Which, that's good, because the stuff I've been looking up probably isn't stuff that's gonna be useful right now." He's moved on from the maps and geography, anyway, for the most part. "I'm thinking meet'n'greet, then a more formal sit-down for talking about what's what and address any immediate concerns. Lay the basics down for the newbies, field questions from the oldbies, I think. But there's still a lot we don't, collectively, know."

Galadriel

[laurenande]

Pre-meeting

Galadriel was not often wont to attend meetings akin to this one, she prized her privacy and tended to prefer observation to conversation. Unfortunately, after the Seeker had seen fit to jail her, what little privacy she was afforded had vanished. So, as people who are frustrated by their situation often do, she went to the bar and, in turn, the meeting.

She arrived early, though that was mostly accidental, with a pint in hand and clad in something slightly less conspicuous than her normal, flowing gown. Her plain tunic and pants were ill-fitting but had been taken in, in places, until they sat with some measure of ease over her form. The awkwardness fit of the bland outfit was obscured, somewhat, by the cloak about her shoulders; it was nondescript, almost painfully so, and it was all too easy to overlook her if one's eyes landed directly on the grey wool.

She moved into the room rather boldly (especially given the conspicuous lack of templar guards at her heel) and regarded those gathered. The quarters were tight, sure enough, but the number of people present was less than she would have expected.

Meeting(ish?)

"During my time in Thedas, I have made some study of the marks we wear. If you have questions regarding it, the Veil, or how both might be manipulated, I would share what I know."

It was an offer of some note, considering why she had been arrested. Though, given the nature of the rumors she'd heard, there were precious few people who knew the contents of her conversation with the Seeker. There had been the claim of her making threats, of course, but she hardly seemed threatening now, clad in high-waters and a pinned back linen tunic. Indeed, if anything, her mild smile and calm tone were welcoming.

"Though I fear I cannot suggest ways the shards might be removed, nor how to dampen them permanently, but such goals are not...unimaginable."

Pre-Meeting

[universal_charm]

He's used to being the one heading meetings and calling them. He's a bit ashamed he didn't honestly call this meeting first, but he had spent the last two, was it three now?, months just trying to keep his feet under him and understand the insanity of this world's politics and the many implications of those politics.

He couldn't say how he felt about the meeting being in a bar, though when he thought about it he couldn't come up with a better place. It made it felt a bit like conspiring, but then, the best sort of rebellions started in such places didn't they? Not that he wanted to rebel, of course. Beer in hand, he made his way up - and found himself smiling when he spied Galadriel sans her guard.

"You seem to be missing two shadows," he commented quietly, coming up beside her as he surveyed the room with her.

[laurenande]

Galadriel had seen many rifters but knew few, Kirk's was a familiar face and Galadriel smiled as he came alongside her. She took a drink of her ale before answering him.

"I am rather adept at evading shadow," Galadriel said, a note of something akin to mischief in her tone. "In fact, I expect they will not remember I have left, but that is something for later.

"I am pleased to find you here as well. How do you find Thedas, thus far?"

[universal_charm]

Kirk could pick a few out, simply because they looked so very different from the native Thedas peoples, or held themselves differently. Kirk suspected that he fell into the latter category as far as giving himself away as a Rifter. And even though he and Galadriel came from very different worlds, he could not help but like her and be glad of her presence here.

"Do I want to know?" he asked, giving her a side-long look with an arch of his brow over his mug, licking his lips before pressing on. "It's... interesting, to say the least. I think I'll be adjusting for awhile yet - especially when I'm not sure I want to find a place here. What of yourself?"

[laurenande]

"I have had several changes of heart on the subject," Galadriel answered honestly, though there was a bit of hesitance in her cadence. She considered how best to explain and, after a moment, began again.

"When I arrived, I had feared the worst for my home and, during my stay in the jail, I was given truly grave news," she said and settled both of her hands on the flagon of ale she carried. "In my grief, I had...resigned myself to being here, to walking Thedas ere the sun rose its last, but...I think, perhaps, my assumptions were false."

"I am more heartened, now, even though I shall remain here for some long time yet. I think of how this place could be repaired, restored, and those thoughts give me purpose."

She took another drink from her flagon.

"As for my shadows, no, I think you would not like to know...but, fear not, they are unharmed. I wish no injury on the people of Thedas, by in large, and I do not think I will come to.

"I am sorry that you are less comfortable finding a place for yourself in these strange lands. Take comfort, though, for very few things in any world are eternal. Our places within them are fleeting, whether we wish them to be or not, so there is no shame in devoting yourself until you can return to more familiar soil."

Varric Tethras

[hugeinorlais]

Varric was, in point of fact, not a Rifter.

He had never claimed to be, nor would anyone believe him if he did. He was decidedly from Thedas (if not this particular region).

So why had he decided to attend? Well, Varric had a soft spot for hard-luck cases and, frankly, every Rifter present fit his definition of 'hard luck'--it went hand in hand with being removed from their homes and marked with creepy-ancient-fade-magic-bullshit, really. He wasn't sure if there was anything to do for these people but that notice had caught his attention and if he could lend a hand, he'd make sure he offered it.

Unfortunately, since he wasn't qualified to act in anything resembling an "official capacity", he'd have to offer help one on one. It was tedious, yeah, but not a deal breaker. Varric was a people person, always had been, and chatting with a few out-of-towners while enjoying some of Cabott's better ale? Well, this was hardly the hardest part of his day.

[demonicbeauty]

Meetings like this just weren't the same without Marcel. But Ariadne was learning to adjust to his absence. Anyway, she liked that his legacy lived on, liked that the Rifters were still trying to make something out of themselves. Besides easy targets.

Of course, not ever native of Thedas seemed to outright hate them. She'd made plenty friends. It was just...hard. Sometimes, to ignore the looks that people gave her when they thought she wasn't paying attention.

It made her feel that much more protective of her fellow Rifters. So it was only natural that the native caught her eye.

She was sitting on the banister of the staircase, watching people slowly file in. When she caught sight of him, she tilted her head to one side, her long braid falling over her left shoulder. "Can I help you?" she asked. Ariadne's voice was young, somehow. Light and floaty. Airy. Which was part of the reason why people so often called her that. And it wasn't unkind. But it was decidedly curious.

[hugeinorlais]

The girl on the banister was, at least by Varric's estimation, not a bouncer. Bouncers, after all, tended to ask that question less sing-song-ish and more...well...was punchy the right word? It felt like it was. Either way, that wasn't this, and Varric cocked a brow at her as he stepped past.

"Actually, I should probably be asking you that," he hazarded and glanced down at her hand. Unfortunately, both hands were pressed against the railing and he couldn't catch sight of a mark. Eh, he'd gambled with longer odds than this. "Varric Tethras, author, rogue, and generally helpful dwarf, at least that's what I plan on being. For you lot, if not everyone on whole."

[demonicbeauty]

"Introducing yourself as a rogue? That's risky business."

Still, Ariadne was smiling. He seemed like the friendly sort. And Ariadne felt that she could always do with more of those.

Anyway, he was hardly a threat. She estimated she could probably drop him in a matter of seconds. If needed, of course.

Following the line of his sight, she held out her hand, letting him see the shard in her skin. "I'm curious what you hope to do for our lot, my lord."

[hugeinorlais]

"What can I say, I like a gamble," Varric admitted lightheartedly with a short shrug. "As for you all, well, I was hoping you'd tell me."

"Sure, I've been dragged away from my home by Divine intervention, carted off to Maker knows where, and left to my own devices while someone stares on in heavy scrutiny, but you guys have it way worse," Varric said and gestured idly to her hand. "You got stuck with fadey-magic-bullshit."

He glanced back into the room and, as it always did, the snack table was practically calling his name. When he looked back, he had a certain air about him, the air a person gets when they know there's pastries available on a nearby tray.

"Also there's that whole 'are you or are you not demons' business which is just rude, but sort of run of the mill for Chantry types."

[universal_charm]

Kirk and Varrci had not met officially - well, unless you counted exchanging pick up lines through the crystals they used for communicating (and damn wasn't that weird still to him). But whatever had helped them hit it off across the crystals seemed to draw Kirk to him now, raising his own beer in greeting. (Or ale, let's be honest, he was having trouble telling the difference between the drinks here).

"Glad I'm not the only one that decided to show up."

[hugeinorlais]

"What, am I that early?" Varric asked with a short laugh--to his horror, yeah, he sort of was. He winced a bit as he eyed the room and then turned his full attention to the approaching human.

"Well, I guess I am that early," he confirmed and returned Kirk's gesture with his own mug. "Varric Tethras, writer, rogue, and helpful native dwarf, at your service."

[universal_charm]

"That's quite the list," he chuckled and held out his hand to him. "Jim Kirk, Rifter, uh... man of many labors and shipless captain at your service." He gave a depreciating huff, wincing at how truthful that introduction had been for himself. "Oh, also teacher of self-defense. I need to remember to add that one more often."

[motherfucking_ghost]

"Yoooooouuuuuu don't seem like you fell out of a Fade-y hole in the sky." Church the diplomat, everyone. He didn't look upset or like he was about to kick the dwarf with a blond bear on his chest out. Just a little perplexed. "Did you bring popcorn to watch the show?"

[hugeinorlais]

"I did not and don't plan to in the near future, that is, assuming my luck doesn't take a sudden and terrifying turn for the worse," Varric replied and inclined his head.

"Also no, didn't bring anything to eat; I was told there would be snacks." He glanced sidelong at the table that said snacks were on. "Unless having fallen out of the Fade is a requirement for snacking? In which case I can take five and go grab something from downstairs, so long as someone holds my seat."

[motherfucking_ghost]

"Dude, go nuts. I don't know how many people are gonna ease their way out of the woodwork anyway." He sure hoped it would be a good many of them, oooor it could crash and burn. Always a 50/50 shot with Church.

"Curious about the weird otherworldly not-demons with their glowy hands and pain lasers shooting into greenspace to close holes in the fabric of reality?"

[universal_charm]

Pre-Meeting
Kirk made his way to the tavern, feeling a bit like he was making his way to a clandestine meeting to plot revolution. It was nothing nearly so grand, of course, but the feeling made it a touch exciting. He pushed into the tavern and went to fetch himself an ale, glancing around to see if he could spot any Rifters he knew.

Coin given and beer in hand, he made his way to the stairs and up to the meeting room, making no secret of his coming. After all, this wasn't secret, and he didn't want to seem like he was skulking about. He would wander and speak quietly with those that had arrived or would arrive. If there had been more room to walk a circle about the place he would have, as it was he took up position against a wall to wait for the meeting to be called to order. At least he had beer while he waited.

Meeting
However they were doing things, Kirk had been thinking of something ever since he saw the notice for this meeting on the board. It had been bothering him, his own lack of knowledge on this world, and the way he kept getting different answers, or none at all. It left him feeling flat footed to say the least, which was never a good feeling for anyone.

"If I may - I suggest putting together some sort of introductory literature for anyone new coming in. It doesn't have to be long, just a basic break down of how to just go about daily life here. It might not hurt to put in what we know of current events and the political situation," he said, looking between everyone. "Consider it a sort of debriefing. I think it will keep people from fumbling about, and they will have more immediate information to help them make their own choices here."

Pre-Meeting

[demonicbeauty]

Ariadne was sitting on the banister to the staircase as the Rifters (and others) arrived. She looked a little bit like a decoration, really. A doll or a kitchen witch, just sitting out there for ambiance.

But she smiled when she saw Kirk approaching. A full and open smile that reached her eyes.

"Well, hello there," she said, rippling her fingers shyly in greeting. "I was hoping that you'd come."

[universal_charm]

"I never could resist a good meeting," he joked.

He actually hated meetings, but this one served a real purpose, and being that he was a Rifter, he felt it important to be involved in that side of things. It would be good to know who was from other worlds and not in the first place, as he was sure that there were some Rifters he had never met before until possibly tonight. Skyhold was large, after all, and Thedas larger still.

"Have you seen anyone else come in?"

[demonicbeauty]

She nodded, swinging her leg over the banister to straddle it. It freed up a hand, so she pointed upward. "Quite a lot of Rifters are turning up," she said. "All things considered. And I even saw a native. His name is Varric. He seems very nice."

Of course, she was giving Varric the benefit of the doubt.

But then again, Airy gave everyone the benefit of the doubt.