[Open] Autumn is a Second Spring

[sunshinethroughgrey]

WHO: Bethany Hawke and You
WHAT: Teaching, knitting, reading, and surprise ... bringing stuff for baking.
WHEN: Last two weeks of September (Kingsway)
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Warnings for cheekiness?

Knitting

Fall is fast approaching, and with that, the need for warmer clothes is coming to Skyhold. Bethany is always all about doing her part for the refugees, so one might find her out enjoying the early fall sunshine in the gardens, skeens of yarn before her as she knits blankets, sweaters scarves and hats of all sizes and colors. Sometimes, she will have a book in her lap, reading while her needles click away, murmuring under her breath as she reads.

Teaching

When Bethany agreed to help Merrill teach the Rifters about varying aspects of Thedas, she never thought she would find herself teaching so many other people as well. Today's lesson is a simple one - she is teaching the tale of 'Every Grey Warden', quoting it from memory as she looked out on a number of faces - young, old, dirty and clean. Some familiar, some not.

"The Blight had ravaged the land for months; the armies of the great kings amassed for one last stand. As the sun burst through the clouds that boiled and churned in the dark sky, it illuminated a vast seething horde of darkspawn with the Archdemon at its head.

It was then— when courage seemed to fail and all lost to death and despair — that the Grey Wardens came...."

Baking

Ever since that young cook Avery had spoken out about people stealing baking supplies, whenever Bethany wanted into the kitchen, she would bring her own - larger bags than what she needed so she could share with the chefs and of course, continue garnering goodwill. Today, she brought in a basket with eggs, along with a small sack of flour and apples, along with a smaller sack of sugar and some cinnamon sticks.

She peered inside, beaming at the cooks, and chatted them up as she charmed her way into using some of the tins and some of their tools to make fresh apple tarts for the Wardens down below. You could find her there, a smudge of flour on one cheek, telling a rather saucy tale about the time Isabela got them all into a game of Strip Wicked Grace.

"So then - Marian looks over at me and I can tell - I can just tell that's she's got nothing on her besides a very small hand ... and I have this sinking feeling that this might be one of the days she decided not to wear smallclothes..."

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Unable to resist the invitation, not that he even wanted to, Garahel immediately closes the distance, all happy pants and tail-wagging. Inessa sits down and glances over to the knitting. "You've been productive, I see. If you need a hand distributing any of it, we can be available later."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

She smiled warmly, going to take those adorable ears, rubbing them fondly before looking over at Inessa, "Oh, I would be grateful. Most of these are going to the refugees, but I thought we could use some down in the camp as well. It is going to get colder soon."

[circleprodigy]

Yesss, Bethany, you are his favorite person right now. Please don't ever stop.

Inessa nods thoughtfully, growing a little more solemn at mention of the changing seasons. "I doubt there will be such a thing as too much assistance in that area. Many of the refugees arrive with so little, let alone fully prepared for the elements."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Aw, she likes being the favorite person of pets everywhere.

She glanced over at Inessa, her brown eyes quiet, "Well, then I suppose we will have have to step up and make sure there is enough of everyone."

[circleprodigy]

"Indeed. Do you know if the Inquisition keeps regular, accurate records of the influx? That could be a means to begin." Inessa hasn't bothered to ask before now, merely assumed. But the Inquisition leadership has a lot on their plate, and it's possible they haven't gotten around to it.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"I do, actually ... I know there are a few people around here who take care of the refugees directly. I believe the Commander's sister, Mia Rutherford, takes charge of most things for the refugees. If not, the Mothers here are always searching for ways to feed, clothe, and otherwise make sure the unfortunate souls are taken care of."

She thinks about that, "For hard numbers, we might want to send a request to Lady Josephine."

[circleprodigy]

Mention of Ambassador Montilyet brings a small smile to her face. They haven't interacted much, but Inessa can appreciate her sincere desire to improve life in Thedas. "That's not a bad idea. I'd almost feel guilty; she must be overworked as it is, but this is an important matter. We can't have anyone slipping through the cracks when winter finally arrives."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"Oh, I don't think the Ambassador would look at it as people who are slipping through the cracks. I think she would see it as a chance to make sure that people are getting the time and the attention they need. She's that sort of person, honestly." Bethany mused, as she gave Garahel's head a good scritching.

[circleprodigy]

Garahel responds with happy rumbling, tail thumping away with enthusiasm. Inessa stares outward at the garden, her eyes lingering on the crystal grace. "She certainly seems to be, a rare thing for one of the elite. No offend intended, of course." She darts a smile back at Bethany, knowing of her Amell heritage but...well, she's a Warden now and Wardens are (supposed to be) different. "At any rate, I'll do what I can when not sent elsewhere. The Inquisition certainly keeps everyone busy."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany's smile turned at the corners with a quiet amusement, before she looked over at the other woman, "None taken. I think I was noble all of a few days before I became a Warden. I don't mind tossing out the title when it will do us some good ... but honestly it means very little to me personally."

She nodded her head, "I think that's all either one of us can do - any of us - do what we can while we are here. At least then ... something is being done."

[circleprodigy]

"Agreed, wholeheartedly. I've seen what happens when there is no one for them. It's not a sight I'm eager to witness again." Inessa's gaze grows shadowed for a moment, but she tries to shake that off, not wanting to bring Bethany's mood down. Garahel paws at Bethany, and Inessa quirks an eyebrow at him. "No fetch, not in here. I don't want you destroying the garden, Garahel."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"Nor am I, friend." She goes and gives Garahel another scratching behind the ears, "You heard your mistress - if we are to play catch it can't be in the garden."

[circleprodigy]

Garahel heaves a sigh, overwhelmed by the tragedy of it all. Inessa remains unmoved by the display. "He can manage, I won't have him driving you out of the garden on his whims. Besides, the sun is out. As soon as he finds a nice cool patch of grass for one side and the warmth of the sun on the other, he'll have all he needs."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"See, it isn't as bad as all that. Look at all this warm garden space that you can lie down on." Bethany stated with a little smile, giving the mabari another fond scratch between the ears.

"You know, I've seriously been considering getting a mabari myself. No reason why our family shouldn't have two." She sighed, softly, "And I know our puppy is getting on in years, and has seen many battles."

[circleprodigy]

The scratching is met with a happy rumble before Garahel sniffs around for a good spot to plop down on and stretches out.

Inessa's expression softens at the thought of Garahel getting older; right now, he's barely more than an overgrown puppy. She doesn't want to think about the day when he won't be at her side any longer. "He might appreciate the company, too. I heard that the Inquisition is in touch with a mabari breeder; perhaps the next time they have a litter, you can see them. If one imprints, you'll know."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"I know. It's so difficult to know if a mabari will imprint - we got lucky. The pup imprinted on Marian right away, but he'd come with us whenever he wanted, or we needed him. That's why he's with my brother now." Bethany picked up her knitting needles, "Do you have any siblings?"

[circleprodigy]

Inessa shakes her head. "Not by blood, no. My mother had a hard time birthing me; another might have killed her. Those closest I have to siblings are those I grew up with in Kinloch Hold; when you attend the same classes and work on the same projects together, close bonds inevitably form. I...don't know what has become of them all, not after war broke out."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

She looked sad at that, before she brightened a little, "I have to say that I have the same feeling about those who I studied with. At least, with the Wardens ... I know that the son of Arl Eamon should be somewhere around here, Connor. He would know about your fellow people."

[circleprodigy]

She nods, recognition sparking a little at mention of Connor. "I remember him, somewhat; bright, but tormented...unsurprising, really. We do not exactly agree when it comes to mage politics, but he wouldn't keep such information from me."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"Well, he was a very hurt little boy - I've heard he's rather pro-circle." She sighed, softly, folding her hands over her knees, "Frankly, I can see both sides of this coin. If you don't want to be in a Circle, you shouldn't be. If you feel like you are a danger ... well. You are choosing it, not being forced. There's the difference there. Choice. Me, I don't know how I would have done in a Circle, but I know that there is a way to live without one. I've done it. Others can do it too."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa tilts her head and looks at Bethany, thoughtful. "You have a strong will and a keen mind. I believe that would have spoken in your favor, though whether or not you would have enjoyed it depends on many other factors.

Sometimes, it's not a matter of if you are a danger. I hurt no one, but without a Circle, I would likely not have survived, let alone thrived. There are many other mages who have had nowhere else to go, and being sent elsewhere freed them from a bad situation. That, I suppose, speaks of the system in general more than anything else, but it's still a perspective worth considering. Choice should be a factor, but I don't necessarily see it as an either/or situation. Circles can be akin to boarding schools for those who need them, and there should be other types of schooling for those who don't. Even if they don't need a sanctuary, it's helpful to interact with and learn from other mages."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"Thank you, Inessa. That means a great deal, coming from someone of your mental fortitude." Bethany put a hand to her chest, bowing slightly. After a moment, she nodded at her words, "I cannot agree more. I don't know if we could re-establish the old colleges ... but perhaps that might be the way to go. To have boarding schools, for those who truly want to, or would not have the opportunity to study otherwise. For those who have family who are comfortable with magic - have a day school. Give many options, instead of just ... one or the other."

[circleprodigy]

"I suppose for us, life will continue as normal. Grey Wardens are Grey Warens, Circles or not. Even so, I can't help but speculate for the sake of those without an order at their backs." Nor is she going to suggest it as a option; the danger of the Joining aside, now is not a good time to be a Warden. It would be no reprieve. "Such suggestions must have been mentioned before, I'd think. I hope they'll gain some momentum, after the world is saved yet again."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"I suppose that's true -- but we will have to change for ourselves as well. Clearly what we have now is not working, and won't work in the new world order." Bethany stated simply, as her fingers started to work through her knitting, needles clacking along.

[circleprodigy]

"...we'll have to battle the Wardens of the north, won't we? From what I saw in the Anderfels, then and recently, there doesn't seem to be an alternative." Inessa shakes her head, not wanting it to come to that, but demon-summoning, sacrifices, allowing that tainted dragon of Corypheus' above Hossberg? Lines have been crossed. They can't ignore that.