{ OPEN } Shine with all the untold

[serannas]

WHO: Ellana + OPEN + various closed starters
WHAT: playing catch up
WHEN: covering the month of Solace until she leaves for Rivain
WHERE: Skyhold

Closed starters in comments, but here's an open option:

{ halla at ya }
Back in the clan, Ellana was close to their halla keeper, Sulahni. She could always tell when Ellana was upset, and told her she needed her help to feed the halla. And since Ellana is a soft-hearted soul who often ties herself into knots over things, she spent a great deal of time with the halla, feeding them out of her hand, helping Sulahni apply salves to their wounds, and just sitting beside them as they gazed at her with understanding eyes. She knows she doesn't have the gift of understanding them like halla keepers do, but she's dedicated to taking care of them here. They've had a long journey and she wants to help them settle.

She hasn't chosen names for them, because they don't belong to her. Halla are free and she doesn't own them. But she would love to have one as a dedicated mount, and she had assumed eventually one would stand out as the one who would allow her to ride it. Imagine her surprise when early on, one took a shine to her, nudging her shoulder for treats and following her around to the edge of their allotted space down in the valley, before she gently had to convince him not to go with her. Everyday she can be found with the halla, either feeding them from her hand or petting them, with one trailing her steps and sometimes setting his chin on her shoulder.

"Would you carry me if I asked you to, brother halla? Would you allow me to give you a name so I can call for you?"

Comments

[el_tybs]

"Funny how things work out." His own life had been vastly different with being out of the Circle, a lot which he never thought he'd get while he was in there. "I'm glad that you found someone who's wonderful to you. He knows about the shapeshifting?"

[serannas]

"He's awoken to a fennec sneaking into his tent a few times, yes," she answers with a proud smile. He's even made room for her on the bed and petted her, but Sam doesn't need to know what goes on behind closed tent flaps, now does he?

"Thank you, Sam. How have things been for you? I know you looked a little down at the soiree, but time has passed since then."

[el_tybs]

"A fennec? Well that's good. If you said you were sneaking in as a badger I'd expect to hear some stories." Like him screaming and running. Small but fierce as he's learned.

The question about his own relations has Sam looking away and up for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck as he thought about it. He had been more then just a little down at the soiree, but Ellana was right it had been some time since then. "I've... gotten over it," he admits, just a touchy forlornly, but clearly no worse for wear. Grinning a bit sheepishly he looks back, a light chuckle escaping him. "I'm doing just fine right now."

[serannas]

"I'll save that one for if we ever have a fight and I'm feeling particularly terrible," she answers with a smile. Not too likely to happen, she knows.

Watching his movements carefully, her smile turns more fond at his answer and she tilts her head to one side with a slight nod.

"Good. I'm glad you are. You're very sweet, you know. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life that way."

[el_tybs]

That answer Sam isn't sure to laugh or to give Ellana a troubled look, and ends up with making a face while giving a nervous chuckle. "Hopefully you've given him fair warning."

Sam gives a sigh then, smiling lightly and giving a small shrug. "Thanks. I'm just taking it a day at a time though. Things aren't exactly easy with... magic and Inquisition stuff."

[serannas]

Honestly, that look he gives her just makes Ellana grin wider. She knows she comes across as innocent and sweet, so anyone doubting whether she's serious with her flippant remarks means she's still got a little mystery left. Don't worry though, Sam. She and Felix literally had to fabricate a fight over cats and dogs because they never fight and she wanted to have at least one under their belt.

Ellana nods in agreement. "Some days seem very heavy on our shoulders, doesn't it? At least today is quiet. Should we get started?"

[el_tybs]

Oh, Sam knows better that Ellana isn't innocent, and not exactly sweet. She's a little mischievous trouble-maker when she wants to be. It's just picturing a small bitey creature coming after you with a vengeance when you least expect it is frightening.

"Heavy indeed. I suppose here would be a good enough place as any. What signal should we start with?"