faderift | [Open] Remembering one of the good guys

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[Open] Remembering one of the good guys

WHO: Anyone who knew/cared about Herc!
WHAT: A wake for Herc
WHEN: Around now, the 10th of Egg
WHERE: Tavern!
NOTES: Drinking, grief, etc.

There aren't any formalities here. The Calling has taken another Grey Warden, but for once he was known to more than Wardens and mourned by more than them too. The music is lively to start with, mostly because Herc probably would have grumped if it had all been sad and there's a tab at the bar open to anyone worthy. Granted, one has to manage to be polite to all the Grey Wardens for the duration of the wake to be deemed worthy, but that's not too hard, is it?

Hit up the bar, share a story, complain about how he owed you money, and remember someone who deserves it.

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Inessa stares, appalled until Garahel moves to give her a nudge and she remembers her voice. "That is sheer madness. I was always taught that once a Warden was conscripted, that the order claimed responsibility for them. They could not be claimed by others. That this would be outright ignored...." She shakes her head, not having the words for how wrong that is.

"And what do the Templars here say about such matters? Do they seem likely to repeat the past?" There's no real anger in her voice when she mentions the Templars, but that revelation a moment ago is deeply disturbing. As much as she's eluded abuse visited others by Templars, she can't honestly deny that they would do such a thing.

"I cannot say where their minds or hearts were ... but I can tell you that if they were the same sort of Wardens that allowed Clarel to get out of control, then I am not surprised." Bethany stated with a twist of her mouth, before she looked thoughtful.

"They are ... understandably angry, but the Inquisition's Templars - and that is how they style themselves - will follow the will and the word of the Inquisition. The Inquisition has stated Anders is to be left to us, so they are honoring that."

"Perhaps the presence of the false Calling helped as well, brutal as that was. If that was widely known, I doubt many would be willing to undertake joining us." Inessa only reluctantly touches upon that, not really wanting to relive the condition that came far too soon for her. At least it helped her to understand what the older Wardens were going through or about to go through, but that's the only good that came of it.

"You're not wrong, about those Wardens. When I left the tower, I had a very idealized version of them in my head. I thought they were true heroes, that they could do know wrong. Experience has taught me otherwise, about what happens when extremism takes over."

"It is true ... and it has made things both difficult and yet it has given us something that we have in common with the rest if the world right now. We were all duped by Corypheus." She sighed, before leaning over to rub the puppy's belly once more.

She looked up at Inessa then, her brown eyes filling with sympathy. "It's always hard, to find out our heroes have a human side. I've seen it all too many times, myself. But you know what I find in encouraging? That so many of us real Wardens decided we weren't going to let tradition tell us what the right thing to do was."

Garahel grunts happily, not flopping around a much as he would be were they on grass instead of inside, but still wiggling a little. Inessa nudges him with her foot if he needs a reminder to behave. But sweet young ladies usually bring out the best in him, so she's not concerned.

The sympathy is welcome, even as Inessa hopes not to project an air of needing it too much. Young though she may be, she's passed her Harrowing and is a Warden in full. She didn't come to Skyhold to be a burden. "That is definitely a relief, I won't deny it. There were so few in Weisshaupt who felt that way; if I hadn't met Ciri, poor Garahel might have run himself ragged trying to cheer me up. Learning that Warden Blackwall and Warden Alistair, among others, were free and striving to against against the madness was the best news I had heard. And...I didn't speak with Warden Hansen personally, but that he braved hostile territory to help, it means much."

She smiles down at the mabari, happiness brought on by the happiness of others. It's her favorite kind, really.

Now she looked more sober, and grieved, but she nodded her head slowly, "I am sorry there were no Warden Mages along to help but - well - you saw what happened. They were worried we were more at risk than anyone else. Now I wish I had taken the chance. We might have been able to do something about the blood magic there. Thank the Maker for all of you surviving, for being strong enough to come here. I applaud your bravery."

A slight blush forms at such kind words, easily contrasting against her pale skin. After months of hearing about how foolish she was for resisting, this is something she's needed to hear. "I didn't do it alone, but thank you. Ciri and Garahel gave me strength. He imprinted on me just after my Joining; maybe he knew I'd need him for the road ahead." Garahel seems to agree with this, giving a soft wuff in response to hearing his name.

"And I completely understand why Warden mages were kept from there. If anything had happened...no, it was better to avoid that considerable risk. You're better for being spared that, and seeing what's become of our order's headquarters." She sighs, wondering if that undertone of bitterness will ever go away. Probably not while Weisshaupt is still a mess. But there are some positive aspects to focus on. "At least the griffons were secured as well. It would have been harder to leave without knowing that their safety was ensured. Have you been to see them?"

"They're as smart as a whip, mabari are. They know what we are struggling with, and give us the strength to work through them." She looks around, until she spots Ciri across the room. "It's good to have friends - to have people who are going to stand by you when the times are tough."

She smiled softly, her brown eyes warming, "Imagine. Griffons, after all this time. I've been to see them -- I didn't know there was anything so wonderful in all the world."

"Neither did I. Knowing that they're safe here, away from all this madness...it gives me some hope, for them and the order." Same thing, really; the griffons have been intertwined with Grey Warden history for so long, even after they were thought extinct. She smiles wistfully. "Have any been spoken for? Or rather, have the griffons claimed them? They're so young, still, but it's possible, isn't it?"

"Anything is possible - I think if we can all get behind that, we'll defeat Corypheus in short order, and find a way to bring the Wardens back. New, and changed -- just like the world. But still here, still willing to fight the good fight." She dimpled then, her eyes going soft, "I waited so long to see a griffon - now that I have? I know we can do anything."

She paused, then chuckled, "Only by half of Skyhold ...but I don't wonder if griffons are like mabari, and they choose you."

Inessa nods, casting a fond glance at her currently very happy mabari. Sometimes -when he isn't being a pest- it's still hard to believe he chose her. "I wouldn't be surprised, if that was the case. They're intelligent, discerning creatures. I doubt one can ride a griffon unless they're in complete agreement about the arrangement. They deserve more heroic names, though." Sorry, but 'Potato' is just wrong. Even the original Garahel would agree to that, she'd think.

Her lips twitched upwards, before she arched one eyebrow, "Who named them? I can't imagine anyone would honestly want to name a griffon 'Potato' without a sense of humor - or at least an acknowledgement that it would have to change at some point."

"That would be Warden Maja. I don't know her well, but she's a bit...odd. They seem to be doing well under her care, however. I suppose in light of that, I can overlook names that will be replaced in due time." Like everyone else in existence, Inessa has had a list of possible griffon names since childhood, though some of that list makes her cringe now. "...perhaps one can be renamed in honor of Warden Hercules?"

She wouldn't presume to do it herself, not when others were actually close to him. But the thought of his name living on in an embodiment of the order he served is rather appealing to her.

"I can certainly hope so." Bethany let out a laugh, before she pushed a strand of hair out of her face. She sighed softly, looking down the puppy again, "He would like that. A great deal. I know it."

A quiet nod, before she smiled gently, "Well, we'll have to work on Maja, then."

"I can't say we knew each other well before. There might not be that much common ground to work with. It might mean more coming from someone of higher rank, anyway." At the moment, Inessa's not certain there's anyone else lower in the hierarchy, relatively new as she is. She doesn't really mind, though; with the decisions the rogue Wardens have had to make lately, all she can see is an unenviable role.

Garahel nuzzles Bethany, then looks hopefully up at her. "Oh, no. You are not starving, I just fed you before we came here."

"Well, honestly, how well do we know anyone? If Kirkwall taught me anything, it taught me that. What happened in Weisshaupt just pressed that in further. Yet -- we can know the character of others. I know the character of my friends. I do not know the character of relative strangers -- but I know you stand against Clarel, and right now? That is enough." She smiled briefly, but warmly.

She snorted softly, "You heard your lady. No food for you."

That warm smile gets a brief but genuine one in return. After being ignored or derided, or met with suspicion, she's beyond grateful to have comrades who are reasonable. Ciri will be relieved, too.

Bethany's agreement produces a soft whine and the most heartbroken stare in all of mabari existence, or at least Garahel seems to believe so. Inessa just rolls her eyes, used to his antics. "He's horribly spoiled. It's partly my fault; I got him when he was just a pup, and never had a pet before, let alone a mabari. I fussed over him far more than is necessary, and now lies the tragedy before you."

She laughs at that tragic face, before she gives his head another scratch, "Oh, I quite understand. Yet for all his spoiling, I can tell he's a smart boy - and a brilliant actor to boot."

That gets a happy bark from Garahel, though Inessa gestures for him to quiet down. And to his credit, he does, leaning into the scratching. "Oh yes, very intelligent and knowing when to manipulate people with those big, soulful eyes. He's even gotten Orlesians to fawn over him, an accomplishment if there ever is one." As a 'dog lord', she's naturally proud of him for winning at least a few of them over.

"Is that so? Well now I am impressed. I've known enough Orlesians to know they rarely fawn over dogs that aren't small and fluffy. You're just a giant pile of adorable, now aren't you?" Bethany cooed at him, rubbing his ears once more.

"Speaking of Orlais...is it true that I might as well have remained west? Is the Inquisition marching again?" Inessa raises an eyebrow, not truly minding the trip since reaching Skyhold gave her group a chance to rest. Still, she'd rather keep abreast of any news.

"We are - but we aren't heading west as much as we are heading mostly north. We march towards Halamshiral, and the Winter Palace." Bethany stated simply, "Or at least the Inquisition does. I am not entirely certain they will take the Wardens along."

"Halamshiral...I see." Inessa's lips form a thin line, thinking about what she's heard of that city and more or less recent events. Things will be tense, no doubt. How could they not be, after the Empress allowed the elven portion of the city to burn? "I didn't arrive only to remain safely behind. I came to help. If there is work for the Wardens to do in Orlais, I'm willing to aid."

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[Open] Remembering one of the good guys

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