[Open]

[obi_wanmanshow]

WHO: Character(s)
WHAT: Catch-All Log for pre-Orlais Solace
WHEN: Pre-Orlais, various
WHERE: Skyhold, various
NOTES: References this a lot.

I. a few of my favorite things
Skyhold is nothing like a ruin. Standing proud above the valley, it did nothing so undignified as hunch, precarious though its perch on the summit might have seemed-- Skyhold, is no vulture. Still, it has its scars, weak ankles, gaps where none should be, all healing, all being repaired, if slowly. Time heals all living things, and in the sunlight of summer, even the cold mountain air seemed healed of its frost, where it crossed the walls and dipped down into the courtyards and gardens.

It's a beautiful day for a picnic-- a teaparty, rather, and Obi-Wan has taken his tea outside, to meet a friend, and discuss the business of the week. Are you that friend? Yes? No? Would you like to be? Come, sit, bring your gripes, and your small joys. Have a cuppa, or pet the dog, a magnificently large white Mabari that seems to have cornered the local market on begging for scones. Settle in. All, are welcome here.

II.shadowland
In the shadow of Skyhold proper, pushed up under her like an errant kitten, half-forgotten, is the small camp of Grey Wardens. Obi-Wan does not come here often, but more often lately than he has before. More to the point, he's here now, walking with just the same calm intent one might use going down a perfectly clean and well-kept corridor, rather than the uncertain gaps between tents. In his sand-colored robes and not so much as a dagger at his belt, he might seem unarmed, if you had never seen him fight. But maybe that's what the mabari trotting at his heels is for?

He's looking for someone. Maybe you can help him find them, or at least find his way out of your business. Or maybe you are the someone he's looking for?

III. le festine
Obi-Wan steps into the local tavern not without trepidation, though he hides it well. There's always the moment of adjustment, between the cool sunset air of outside, and the warm, life- smelling atmosphere within. A likewise adjustment must be made between the tired, day's-end lives outside and the generally celebratory, or surly, or uninhibited minds within. Still, he endeavors to adapt swiftly, casting over the crowd-- he came here to meet more person than one, and there they are, all clustered in the place of their custom. He crosses the room and takes a seat, settling into the chair even as he drops the burden of a sheaf of paper on the table.

"What a day," he says, more to the ceiling, than to anyone in particular, before straightening up, "Excuse me, that was rude. Good evening."

IV. wildcard me

Comments

X. good company (for Cassandra)

[obi_wanmanshow]

In no way like his first visit to this office, Obi-Wan comes. Alone and unguarded, by his own choice, and in his own time. He knocks, then has to delay himself ensuring that the Mabari following him doesn't simply bull ahead into the room ahead of him. His hissed conversation with no less than a dog is audible through the partially-open door.

Sit. No, you're staying here. Don't give me a look, you-- sit. Now, stay. Think of it as guard-duty.

This last is apparently enough, and he is able, finally, to open the door properly and come in, closing it behind him. He offers Cassandra a look of mixed chagrine and embarrassment.

"I'm sorry about that. Shall we?"

[stabsbooks]

Cassandra looks up at the sounds of scuffling feet in the hallway, followed by a murmured voice. After a moment, she places the voice. Obi-Wan. So he had come, after all.

She doesn't greet him when he comes in, just looks past him at the door for a moment, before looking up at his face.

"You have a dog?"

Her tone and expression are neutral. This is not a woman about to beg him to let her pet the puppy and feed it treats.

[obi_wanmanshow]

"A recent acquisition," He says, "I happened upon her while on some recent business in Orlais on behalf of Leliana's interests. As a favor to her."

Or, more accurately, to her friends. He had no way of being sure Leliana would survive to appreciate it until after the fact: Obi-Wan had gone as part of the group meant to apprehend those behind the plot to assassinate the Left Hand. Former Left Hand. He wasn't sure how much Cassandra knew about the whole business, really.

"She followed me back. Now, I'm told that once a Mabari decides they belong with you, there's no arguing with it."

[stabsbooks]

Her expression softens, just slightly, at the mention of Leliana. She had known, naturally, about the attempt to assassinate her friend, and had been at her side throughout her recovery. She had also been vaguely aware that a group had gone to Orlais to track down the assassins, but had been too concerned with Leliana herself to ever learn the final makeup of the team.

That Obi-Wan had been among them - well, it is a surprise, but not necessarily an unwelcome one. It means something that he had volunteered to go.

"You know Leliana?" she asks, momentarily distracted from the official reason for this visit. And from the dog.

1

[gatheringstorm]

Sure, why not? Korrin's not about to turn down an invite with food involved. It's a nice change from meeting at the tavern all the time, anyway. As much as she loves it there, the Vashoth woman enjoys other hang-out places as well, especially those providing a view. This most definitely counts, for the sake of people-watching.

Bringing some fresh hearth cakes from the kitchen to go with said tea, Korrin smiles and waves as she catches sight of the distinguished rifter liaison. Her smile widens upon seeing the white mabari. Good think she brought some jerky with her, too.

"Going native, I see!"

[obi_wanmanshow]

"The way I see it," Obi-Wan replies, sitting cross-legged and sipping daintily at his tea, "Native is forcing itself on me, not the other way around."

This to the whining protest of a round-eyed Mabari. Look at these eyes, the very picture of a sad puppy-face. He allows this to go on for a count of three and then tosses her a scone. All is duly forgiven.

"She hasn't a name, yet. Or at least, she didn't come with one."

[gatheringstorm]

Settling down by him, Korrin chuckles. "Fair enough, I guess." She tosses over the jerky to go with that scone, knowing what's needed to get into a mabari's good graces. (Not that it's usually difficult.)

"Hm, what kind of name are you looking for? Something from your area, or more Thedosian? I could dredge up several names from history, if that would help."

[obi_wanmanshow]

"I received a lecture on the road from one of the scouts, native to Ferelden," He replied, the dubiousness of this experience communicating itself clearly in the set of his eyebrows and the low, conspiratorial tone, "Mabari are noble creatures, don't you know."

Well, this one could be noble. She comes from Orlais, or at least that's where Obi-Wan found her. It would be fitting for her to have been the product of some ill-intentioned Orlesian effort to somehow breed their own version of nobility into the species. It is a mark of his trust in Korrin's judgement that Obi-Wan continues as he does.

"According to that, we can only suggest names, and hope for the best. So-- you first."

Tavern

[demonicbeauty]

For as long as she could remember, Ariadne had been warned against taverns. Her parents had had practical concerns about it. After all, Alastrians were hunted for sport. It was dangerous to spend too much time in a place where they all congregated. Tahafra had low expectations. He reasoned that anyone who came to a tavern came only to drink, and he cautioned his niece harshly against it.

And then there had been Aunt Lysia's warnings about taverns. They'd come much later in Ariadne's life, when she grew into her looks.

Apparently, men were all pigs who would take advantage of her.

Ariadne was skeptical at best.

Anyway, she liked the tavern. It was a meetingplace of sorts for the Rifters. And it reminded her of Marcel. Most importantly, it was a fascinating place to just sit and...overhear things. Ariadne was frightfully good at eavesdropping. And sometimes, she could hear stories that made it very, very worthwhile.

Nothing of the sort this evening, unfortunately. But she perked up a little when Obi-Wan arrived. She had a lot of questions for him.

[obi_wanmanshow]

"Well, now there's a curious face," Obi-Wan smiles, settling into his chair to meet her regard, "I imagine you have a few questions for me?"

More than a few, if he knew her at all. Ariadne was a sweet girl, but she carried around her the shadows of a less than sweet past. Obi-Wan would be lying if he claimed not to be curious, himself, but he wouldn't be the man he was, if he were to pry.

So instead, he signals for a pair of drinks, and offers Ariadne the floor, "Go ahead, I'm ready."

[demonicbeauty]

Ariadne was very rarely given free rein to ask questions. And those that did give to her soon came to regret the decision. If she were honest, she could happily go on for days and almost certainly never get bored. But as much as humanoids loved to talk about themselves, they had their limits.

Small when compared with hers.

She smiled, dipping her head politely. "Thank you for agreeing to talk to me," she said graciously. "Please understand, I know that you may not want to tell me all your secrets. You can just say if you don't want to answer a question. I won't mind."

It was better than having someone lie to her face.

"But..." she continued, "I would like to hear about this Jedi order of yours. It doesn't sound quite like anything I've heard of before."

[obi_wanmanshow]

"I'd be happy to tell you what I can," He begins, then stops, hesitates, because all of everything is too wide a field to find a target on, "Where should I start?"

iii;

[arcaneadvisor]

Rarely does Morrigan drink, usually only late in the evening when she has company but she needs to escape from the silence of her chambers or her study while Kieran is off with friends before her own thoughts threaten to consume her the way they have of late. And to think she came to the Inquisition in the first place hoping for a place to work without interruption. If things with Leliana weren't-- well, if they weren't what they are then she might be able to laugh about it but with her dark red wine, tucked in a corner, all she can think about are her cold hands, how small she looks, those terrible marks on her throat.

"I quite understand," she murmurs in agreement to him because today has been a day in a succession of days, but there's a smile of sorts on her face. "The sort of day where I wish I had a chevalier I might set ablaze, tis an amusing sight as they decide what honour dictates they must do."

[obi_wanmanshow]

"I don't think I'd go that far," Obi-Wan replied, after a moment. Had he met any chevalier? Possibly not. But, honor? He thought he understood a little of that, "One wonders why the honor of Chevaliers specifically."

Ah, Morrigan, she of the dark affect and pale skin. He hasn't had occasion to be formally introduced, but Obi-Wan knows of her as well as anyone might who expects to work with the council of experts currently leading the Inquisition in lieu of a singular leader. But there is a story going around, about witches in the wild and heroic grey wardens; besides, it's always good to have more friends.

He smiles at her, "That sounds like a story. Why don't you go first?"

[arcaneadvisor]

"A chevalier has a code of honour that surpasses even their own life, though they are Orlesian and noble and thus, their ideas are rather warped, shall we say." Riding through alienages and butchering the elves, she would hardly call that honourable but then she's a Witch of the Wilds after all, raised in a swamp, what would she know of such things? "If you have ever spent time in the court you will realise what a trying breed they are."

Rifters are something of a side project; she has her eluvian, she wonders about where things might lead when they have fallen through rifts, when there are locked doors and mirrors gone dark, locked or cracked or corrupted, when the Crossroads is a world between worlds. To learn more of their worlds is still a shared project she and Leliana share after all. "Of the chevaliers or of my day? I was never able to set one ablaze, not encase a baroness in ice, even being Celene's Arcane Advisor had limits."

ii

[ichaer]

Despite conditions the camp was more homely than Weisshaupt had ever been. The tent she shares with Inessa has begun to feel more lived in and they have added small touches to make it feel more their own than some rutty tent in the middle of more tents. The company of other Grey Wardens is also, surprisingly, not as awful as she thought it might have been at first after everything that had happened.

She is leaving her tent, intent on going riding with Kelpie when she spots him and pauses. He is a hard to miss with the sand-colored robes standing out among their blue and grey armor. Finishing the braid in her hair, she lets her hands fall and approaches curiously.

"Are you looking for someone?" It was the only viable option Ciri could imagine since it wasn't like anyone was just going to be taking joy walks through their camp.

[obi_wanmanshow]

"Yes," He says, reaching to pat his companion soothingly, when she fixes the speaker with a gimlet, uncertain stare. The dog relaxes as he continues, "Bethany Hawke-- Warden Hawke, rather. I'm a friend of hers."

[ichaer]

This Warden offers the mabari a smile, waving her hand in a friendly manner before focusing back on the companion with a thoughtful hum. "I can't say that I've seen her today."

She isn't familiar with a lot of the other Wardens here. Since her Joining, she's been working away from others for the most part so there isn't much of a connection between her and Warden Hawke besides their status in the order.

"I can show you where her tent is though."

i. tea and smols.

[elegiaque]

Gwenaëlle is not Obi-Wan's friend.

--and she also doesn't know him by sight, so there is little hesitation when Kieran changes course from their path up toward where her apartments are, a wry smile of tight friendliness spared in his direction in the hopes that they will not be scolded when she gives Kieran the nod and he drops down by Padawan to bestow such pettings. They don't have any scones, unfortunately, Gwenaëlle burdened instead by the pile of books they collected from the library earlier, but when Kieran turns pleading eyes on her she tilts so he can fish the dried meat she'd brought for snacks out of the pockets hidden in her skirts.

"Is - he? Or she? Allowed?" The meat, she means, turning the question and her attention to Obi-Wan properly. Her voice is as distinct as her face, the sharp edges of it rendered serenely on the pamphlets of her editorial now softened by her fondness for the boy apparently in her charge.

[obi_wanmanshow]

He raises his eyebrows at the enthusiasm of the child, but returns her smile with a nod. Padawan, overjoyed at Kieran's presence rolls over to entice belly-rubs, wriggling madly.

"She," He replies, genially, "Yes, feel free. She's a terrible beggar, though-- you might gain yourself a reputation as a source of treats."

[elegiaque]

"She," she repeats, giving Kieran a little nudge of encouragement at permission from Obi-Wan and hanging back a little, herself; she doesn't dislike dogs, but she certainly isn't as wild about them as the Fereldans and doesn't feel quite so passionate a need to get down on her level and indulge. Boys and dogs, though - that's correct, apparently, and he seems happy.

(Puppies are harder to resist than grown dogs, but she rather prefers cats, on the whole, and keeps no pets of her own regardless.)

"Worse sorts of reputations to gain, I'm sure."

i.

[chainlightning]

Merrill is, as a matter of fact, that friend. She's a bit slower than usual today, her insides still sensitive from when Justice tried to make them her outsides, but Barkley darts forward to excitedly sniff at Padawan and wiggle his entire body in excitement (despite the fact that he probably looks like a rather large snack for a mabari). Merrill lets him -- there isn't much she can do to stop him at the moment anyway, especially since she's using her staff as a walking stick.

Not that you'll hear her complain much. In fact, she lifts her opposite hand to send Obi-Wan a cheerful wave. "It's rather lovely out, isn't it?"

[obi_wanmanshow]

"Good afternoon, Merril," Obi-Wan says, indicating a saved place of honor for her. Padawan puffs a greeting of her own, before bending to snuffle Merril's own Barkley in return, "You should sit, don't strain yourself."

Some people don't need to hear complaints in order to recognize distress.

[chainlightning]

Distress is a stronger word than Merrill would use, but she's also biased toward being able to leave the healing tents. Either way, she does go to sit, setting her staff down and then almost immediately busying her hands with petting the dogs.

"I'll be okay. Just a bit sore." It's spoken a bit more to Padawan's head than to Obi-Wan, but it's meant for him.

ii

[universal_charm]

Kirk had begun to take to coming down to the encampment more often, both to bring supplies, as well as offer other services and help - for free, of course. Pitching tents up, hauling water, helping cook (though his skills were questionable in that arena), or sometimes sitting with the children and helping them learn to read and write, or learn to play some new games and keep them occupied for the parents. He couldn't imagine what it must be like, being forced from your home in an effort to live. Sure he had been dropped here, a stranger in a strange land, but he hardly found his situation comparable.

He had finished up a lesson with the children for the day, having been working on simple sums, and giving out little treats for their good word. He slipped his books into his pack and turned to start out when he spotted Obi Wan making his way down one of the "roads" between tents. He raised his hand in greeting to the man, moving to take up step beside him.

"What brings you out here, Obi-Wan?" he asked him casually, curious as he knew so little of the man.