A bottle of white, a bottle of red

[fleurdesel]

WHO: Open to anyone that wants wine and warmth and a little company.
WHAT: Wine and no whining.
WHEN: After the mage meeting wraps up.
WHERE: Close to the healing tents, specifically the Orlesian section.
NOTES: There will be wine, drinking, unwinding, and nibbles.

The meeting had been stressful for just about everyone involved. Tempers had flared, opinions made known, a few rounds of confetti and arguing before some manner of accord. Whether it would last or however long it might? No one could truly say. In the interest of being quite done with the stress and headaches such debate brought on the Orlesian healing tents clearing out the potions, bandages, and poultices in favor of what cushions and braziers they had on hand for light and for heat. The space was open, warm, and inviting with an odd assortment of tin mugs or clay glasses set around flat side tables propped up with stones to keep them from wobbling and tipping the whole mass onto the ground. There are some dried fruits and hard cheeses, dried meat and hard crusted bread- whatever scraps they could scavenge or spare and a few bottles of wine or brandy. Across the entrance to the tents there was a sign:

Bring a bottle or food to share for entry.

Tacked below was a list of rules:

• Everyone is welcome, don't make a fuss
• Don't hog the wine
• Don't hog the food
• Don't fight or argue
• If you finish a bottle open a new one, don't recork it for someone else to find
• Clean up after yourselves

Comments

[blightedson]

Felix hadn't gone to the meeting. It wasn't that he disliked the other mages, but more that he thought this issue was one that they needed to work out themselves. He wasn't Southern and he didn't have the same talent as Dorian. That and he wasn't going to be around long enough to have much of a say on anything they did.

That said, he was interested to find out how it went. Once he found out there was going to a bit of a gathering for people to wind down after the meeting, he found his way down from his quarters to where they had set up.

He doesn't try to enter just yet. He doesn't exactly feel comfortable carrying food or drink and offering it up for others to eat. Instead he lingers by the entrance and keeps an eye out for any face he knows. He might be looking for a particularly handsome face with a fetching mustache, but he's not too picky.

i just need more awkward already

[serannas]

At some point in his search, he catches Ellana's eye and she stands, heading over to him at the entrance. She can guess his reasons for staying on the perimeter, since he seems the type to keep his background quiet, as opposed to the flashy magisters who attended the meeting.

"Hello. Were you interested in learning the outcome of the meeting? I didn't go, but my clan mate told me all about it."

[fleurdesel]

"Felix-" Adelaide wove her way to the young man, frowning faintly. "Do not simply stand there, you are going to catch a chill. Come, I've a space by the brazier and mulled cider for you."

Something she may have prepared as soon as she'd seen him drift by the door- the space. The Cider had already been mulled.

[girlinthebox]

She lingered close to the tents anyway, when she wasn't meandering through the castle. Simon usually preferred her close to the tents where he might keep an eye on her. So when there's a larger number of people around the area than usual, investigation seems the natural course of action. She was by nature a curious girl, and there was a lot to sift through.

Things were anxious, tightly wound, skittering, but trying to unknot and unravel. Lubrication of the alcoholic variety, then. The wine wasn't really to her taste. She found one bottle uncorked, sniffing the lip delicately before wrinkling her nose and quickly passing it off before investigating another.

She might well end up uncorking all of them, if allowed to.

[serannas]

Ellana comes by to fill her cup, taking note of the girl sniffing the bottles. She watches for a moment, green eyes curious before she speaks.

"Do you need help deciding on one?"

[amygdalae]

Bruce lingered around the edge of the crowds as he usually did in things like these, so he was quick to notice the strange woman who seemed to be occupied with the bottles of alcohol that had been brought to this gathering. He watched as she started with one, after after the first two or three it was pretty clear that she wasn't one for drinking.

"You should probably stop that before the others notice," he says, voice quiet as he slowly approaches her.

[fleurdesel]

"...Do I want to know why you are opening all of the wine, River?" Were Adelaide a touch more sober, she wouldn't be half as amused. Honestly she did not think wine or cider or mead to be something to hold the girl's interest- perhaps she should fetch her a mug of tea.

Once she learned what she was doing, that was.

[noleechesneeded]

Simon could have sworn it had only been five minutes. Maybe more. Alright so maybe he'd lost track of time. Simon had found a book from the library, one of a scant few on Tevinter magical philosophy and was pouring through the thing while River was nearby. At least he thought she'd stayed close. Yet all at once Simon came to the horrible realization that it was too cold and too quiet in his tent, and the mage looked up to find the opening left untied and swaying in the evening air.

He'd nearly left the medical tents completely, convincing himself that he wasn't afraid and that they were safe, he just needed to know where she was... Yet when Simon heard the voices coming from one of the larger tents, signifying a gathering, Simon had the thought to slip in and try to ask if anyone had seen her.

That was how Simon found River with a growing collection of open bottles surrounding her and a group of mages collectively looking unsure of the situation. Maker he hoped she hadn't been drinking any of it... Simon took a steadying breath and stepped inside, coming along upside River and gently reaching for the next bottle she did.

"River...what are you looking for?"

[gatheringstorm]

After that meeting, Korrin is just as drained as everyone else...perhaps among those who were just a little more so, given how irate and vocal she was during a good portion of it. She has no regrets in standing up for herself or anyone else not interested in the Circles, but the list of rules is taken to heart as she arrives with a couple of bottles of West Hill Brandy. If she's given people headaches, it's the least she can do to make it up to them, right?

She'll plop down wherever seems comfortable, close to the tables, snagging a mug instead of being rude and drinking straight from the bottle. Whenever company approaches, she'll flash them a tired smile and pour them a mug as well. "Here, go ahead. For Ferelden stuff, it's not bad."

[aceso]

On spotting the qunari (or Tal Vashoth, or whatever word she prefers to use) sitting there, Christine has to come over, because that had been quite a debate back there, and this woman had pulled no punches. She lifts a brow at the comment, but takes the offered mug.

"I am Orlesian, so I must be extra harsh on Ferelden wine." She takes a sip and, all right, it isn't as bad as she expected. "I wished to say that you brought up good points at the meeting, and I am pleased you made your voice heard."

[fleurdesel]

Adelaide had set herself in the back with a mug of red and one of her apprentices unwinding her long braid to rework it into something looser, easier. Something that wouldn't quite add so much to her growing migraine. There may have been a book propped up for her to read somewhere but for the moment she simply lounged, her eyes closed, moving only to sip from her mug now and again. This wasn't the worst idea anyone might have had and honestly? If she didn't have to move for the next hour or so she would be deeply pleased.

But if company came to her she would pour them a mug and offer a thin smile. Comment on the weather, offer something Orlesian as adverse to Fereldan- clearly it was the superior wine.

[aceso]

Christine is exhausted, but trying her best not to show it. She still walks with her head high and back straight as she maneuvers to find a place to sit. Once she spies Adelaide, however, she changes course to sit beside her and only then do her shoulders slump a little.

"I'm relieved that's over with."

[mythalenaste]

Pel arrives with some good, dry cider and pours herself a tall cup of it before joining the crowd. She needs a couple drinks, after that meeting. She sits on the ground, letting others take the proper seats. Pansy shems afraid of dirt.

Since she's not used to being idle and didn't bring any work with her, she starts to take down and rebraid her hair. It is long hair, and she can braid it intricately without paying too much attention while she talks with people. It's something for the hands to do.

[fleurdesel]

"You-" Adelaide has had enough to warrant wandering, braid a loose tail down her back. "You I owe a drink."

It hadn't been terribly elegant, the way she finished her point, but it was decisive enough to warrant a drink or five. Adelaide offers a mulled red, spiced and heated through. "For a point eloquently made."

[laurenande]

Galadriel had not attended the meeting but, in the end, she had not needed to. The architecture of the keep did not lend itself overmuch to secrecy and the raised voices that resounded through the rotunda spilled into the rafters of the Great Hall. The din was a bright cacophony of anger and argument but, apart from the occasional familiar note, Galadriel lacked the information required to be invested in the outcome of it all. Yes, she had been given a framework of this world's issues, but little more.

As the arguments circled around, Galadriel moved to the balcony above the courtyard. It was easy to distract herself with the horizon and the sky above. When she finally looked down, the arguing had ceased and there was something afoot below. The light and atmosphere around the healing tents was at odds with the strain of the meeting and, curious, Galadriel decided to investigate.

She marked the party sign but, ultimately, it went unheeded. She still couldn't read the language of Thedas.

The wine was not as plentiful as it should have been, but the space was warm and welcome. It was habit that drew her to the table with the bottles and, in short order, she found herself opening a bottle and pouring wine into the cups arrayed near it. It should have seemed strange, serving strangers wine, but she had done this task for so long that it was, perhaps, the least strange thing she'd experienced in Thedas.

[serannas]

On seeing Galadriel (and how could one miss a lady so fair and so tall), Ellana heads over with her empty cup for a refill of wine.

"Aneth ara. That is how we say hello." Which someone else could have already told Galadriel already, but as Ellana doesn't know, she explains now. "It's nice to see people sitting together peacefully, isn't it?"

[samahl]

Cyril had managed to track down a collection of fruits, apples and pears mostly, which could be paired with wine easily enough. He seemed much more interested in the people around him than any of the wines or drinks though.

He kept an apple to munch on and then wandered around the tent for a moment, taking in the faces and eavesdropping on conversation when he could.

[el_tybs]

Well that was a face that he hadn't seen for a bit. Making his way through the crowd, Sam chuckles before dropping a hand on Cyril's shoulder and leaning in towards him.

"It's bad habit to listen in on others' conversations you know." He's saying it, but judging by how his smile widens a bit he has obviously been doing the same. "Fancy seeing you here."

[arlathvhen]

Beleth will be lingering in the background--much like she had for the meeting. Her eyes darted around at the mages in question, pretty sure that nobody would give her too hard of a time for listening it--or providing a momentary distraction. Krem had done a better job at that, anyway.

She watches mages interact with a careful eye, though she wanders over to the food and drink eventually. She had brought some freshly baked bread, sliced up, and put with butter. She'll nibble here and there, trying new things, and try some of the wine. She's never had wine before--Something that becomes clear as soon as she sips the wine, and gives it the most disgruntled expression possible.

"People willingly drink this...?" She muttered, more to herself than anyone else, and then took another sip, expression only slightly less perturbed.

[amygdalae]

Still keeping to the edge Bruce eventually noticed the elf - Dalish - who was hanging around the back as well, watching as she tried some of the food that had been brought here and then later the wine.

Try as he might he can't help but crack a wry smile at the way she reacts to having tasted the wine. Bruce isn't a drinker himself, so he can kind of relate to her feelings there and then.

Going to the food Bruce takes a slice of bread and brings it over to her. "Usually people take some food to go with the wine," he says, offering the slice over to her. "Maybe this will make the taste more bearable."

Cue in the Bard

[equanimiti]

It didn't take long for Alayre to catch wind of all the celebration happening behind the medical tents. One of his men caught wind of it and decided to report back to the Knight-Commander. While Alayre has no qualms about social gatherings happening within the hold, he's rather curious as to what all this is about. He caught a glimpse of the festivities and couldn't help but smile a little.

There's various bottles of wine everywhere, food, and snacks but not any music. He frowns a little at that. What's a party without good music? Deciding to correct that error himself, Alayre marches right over towards to tavern to rent a bard for the evening. The bard was more than willing to take his coin and even happier to play his lute for the jovial crowd. Hoping this would bring a little more life to this little party, Alayre leans back and listens as the bard starts to play.

Life here at the hold might be dreadful at best, but tonight will be merry.

( ooc: music is on, feel free to have your characters put on their dancing shoes. Just grab a partner )

[fleurdesel]

"You need a glass as well, Ser." Was that- teasing? It was. Faintly, kindly, and offered with a glass of a nice buttery white. Adelaide was beyond worrying about mages or templars or councils or anything at this point- there was wine, there was warmth, and now? There was music. "For bringing the bard."

[salvatore_underfoot]

Salvatore had been content with observing the meeting. There had been points where he would have been happy to walk right out. (Perhaps "happy" is not the right word.) By the end of it, his head hurt, and he wasn't sure he cared anymore. (He did care. He cared a lot. Be these sort of things went over his head.)

Bless the Maker for whoever invented wine, and whoever put the glass in his hand. While he's spoken to many, he doesn't know anyone here very well, so he finds a place that looks most comfortable and waits for the wine to settle in.

[el_tybs]

"So was this what you had in mind when you asked me about discussing ideas back in the library?" Sam casually finds a place to get himself comfortable next to Salvatore, brows raised over the brim of his mug as he takes a drink after the question. "I take it you like wine... or is it for stress relief?"

[el_tybs]

It was over. Thank the Maker. He was a bit annoyed with himself that he hadn't said more, but he had never been big on large group discussions; too many voices, tempers, arguments going on at the same time. At least they had come to a decision though and in only a few hours, too! If they had, had to stay in that room for an entire day? Well, they certainly wouldn't be drinking right now.

For the most part Sam wanders around, dipping in and out of conversations, picking at the different foods on the table, just enjoying this kind of gathering a lot more. Even if it's been a hard day though, his mug is only filled with tea. He still hasn't gotten the taste for either Ferelden beer or Orlesian wine. He could perhaps be pursuaded to try and actually finish a drink, but he is good with the warm drink all the same.

[aceso]

"Hello," Christine says, getting close enough to peer into his mug. She's had plenty of wine so far and is now taking a break before she gets silly.

"Tea, is it? I should end my night with that. The herbal tea is lovely to have before bed."

[amygdalae]

Bruce had debated for a while if he should have gone to the whole mage gathering or not. He supposed in a way it concerned him a little, since most of the people he was working with were mages. But besides that, well, there was the matter of himself even though nobody else knew--

--it was probably safer to not have gone in the end. With all the Templars around Bruce didn't want to attract any more attention than he had already gotten with the last stunt he pulled.

Considering this 'party', though, Bruce supposed something must have happened in the negotiations. He brought an offering of stew that he had made himself for everyone around - something to fill their stomachs with besides alcohol. He mostly keeps to himself still, only speaking when spoken to, keeping an eye out to ensure that nobody got too drunk or tried to start anything they might regret.

[fleurdesel]

"Bruce- wait. Wait one moment." Adelaide was there then gone, not quite swooping by so much as weaving around other people. Aside from the light pat of her hand against his arm and the murmur of her voice there was nothing to mark them until she returned with a steaming mug. "Tea. I remembered that you do not care for wine."

[kremdelacreme]

Mostly, Krem was here to keep an eye on everyone, and perhaps stand up if any Templar or other rabble-rousing party decided they should break up the relaxation of the hold's growing population of mages. This was a good thing, and they should be left to it. Of course, everyone knew he wasn't a mage, but he had recently gotten into a tentative relationship with one, so that was almost as good, right? There was also that he was close, or at least friends, with several of them here.

So here the mercenary sat, closer to the outskirts of proceedings like a guard dog with a bottle of mead in hand. He'd brought a wooden crate of Chasind mead and set it down where everyone would be able to get to it, with a clear label noting what it was, then retired to his quiet spot with merely a few words of greeting to those he knew by name. He had a lot on his mind, but he wouldn't burden any of them with it. He just wanted them to eat, drink and be calm for a little while.

[gatheringstorm]

At some point, a less-than-sober (but still handling it far better than most) Korrin plops down by her favorite Charger after snagging a bottle. Before she has any, though, the Vashoth mage slips an arm around Krem and gives him an affectionate squeeze. And yes, she's still sober enough to realize her own strength and not crush him in the process.

"That's for the extremely mysterious figure who confetti-bombed the mage gathering. Thanks, we needed that."

[sandsofhell]

Where there was food and alcohol, there was talk, there were connections to be made and strengthened. Of course he hadn't gone to the meeting himself. Perhaps he should have, but had decided to respect the wishes of the poster. Figuring that he already stood out enough as is, no need to draw more eyes towards him. Still he wasn't about to turn down any food or drink, even if it would only be a small portion.

Well, a small portion of the food at least. The alcohol was a different story. Though he know that he shouldn't be drinking any, the numbing sensations that it brought to his body was somewhat comforting, a release from every revelation he's had of this place so far. And of every nightmare that plagues him.

[fleurdesel]

"Captain." He seemed- better. Perhaps he'd been able to settle in and see a surgeon for his injuries after all, she hadn't been able to keep track of all the rifters upon their arrival at the hold. "Would you like another glass?"

[dalishious]

Merrick had allowed himself to be dragged to the party by Cyril--mostly because of the wine, and because he's bound to hear some interesting things when hiding in the shadows and eavesdropping. When he isn't poking around trying to catch word of anything interesting or controversial, or spending time with Cyril, he's happily seated in the grass or perched on one of the stone railings as he imbibes.

He'd brought a canister of hooch he'd made himself, the last batch he'd made when still with the Dalish. He's making his own here at Skyhold, currently hidden away as it ages. It's incredibly strong, and he doles it out to anyone who dares to try it. He also has a decent supply of herbs for smoking, because it isn't a party until people have dropped their pretense and started to really enjoy themselves.

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin's already a little less than sober when she spots Merrick, glad to see someone who appreciates a good dragging. Mindful of the rules, she'll at least attempt to keep it just between them, of course. She can mind her manners somewhat, as long as the booze keeps coming.

Speaking of which, that hooch attracts her attention as well. She plops down in the grass near him, though not so close that he has to worry about a slightly tipsy Vashoth falling on him. "Your offering? I'll give it a try. As long as it's decently strong, that's all I care about."

[snarksman]

Clint's outside of the tents, bottle open and feet propped up on a crate. The alcohol is strong, something distinctly Fereldan in nature, and he's sipping it slowly from a cup. He's got more of it stashed somewhere, but it's free to share and he's always welcome to new company.

He's actually nearly three sheets to the wind, but he hides it well. Until he starts telling some ridiculous story about how he got into an actual fight with rock goons and how he had to defeat the head rock boss because he was supposedly trespassing into sacred rock burial grounds. Yes, you heard him right.

But clearly that was another story for another time, and he's got plenty of other stories to tell, including one time about this Antivan girl and her really long legs. He might have to stop drinking soon.

[noleechesneeded]

The meeting had been noted and the thought to attend had come and gone...Simon wasn't interested in politics. Or at least he couldn't afford to take part in them. He had bigger concerns...concerns that had made their own way to the after-meeting-meeting and proceed to open far more wine bottles than was feasible...

After doing his best to distract his sister from the wine, Simon dared to try and rest himself. Simon had sunk himself into a low chair, quietly reminding himself that it would be rude to have any of the food or drink himself since he wasn't able to bring anything to contribute. And saving most of the wine from his own sister's temporary madness did not count. His eyes closed, only for a moment, soaking in every bit of peace he could...until a movement caught his attention.

The healer looked up, instinctively straightening his posture in case he was being seen, and offered what had to be his dozenth apologetic smile of the evening.

[fleurdesel]

"Rest easy, Simon." Adelaide's hand brushes against his shoulder for a moment, her other holding a steaming mug of tea sweetened with honey. Her smile's wider than it would be without the wine, the usual tense set of her shoulders somewhat more relaxed. As far as she can tell? No one has given her or anyone else cause for stress and for that she is most grateful. Though- it does seem as though Simon hasn't received the same memo as the rest of the attendees. "Here."

She offers the tea without further commentary.

[vir_tasallan]

Truth be told, Merrill knew that her own choice of magic would likely never be truly accepted. But that didn't mean she would excuse herself from knowing what was going on with the other mages. It was an interesting place to be, on the outside. A little lonely, but she was used to that. It made those moments when she had company all the more sweet.

She had been quite fond of the Honey Mead Brandy or whatever they'd called it in the Herald's Rest. So she brought a few of the bottles after promising Cabot that she'd help him with tidying and washing dishes. That would be a long week, but well worth any contacts she might make here tonight. Overall, even with the strife and discontent it was at least movement in the right direction for mages to be able to govern themselves.

Which she was fully on board for. Her entrance was quiet but slightly awkward while she looked around to see where she should sit. In the end she gave a soft, anxious sigh and chose a spot, getting comfortable-- that was the point of this, right? Comfort.

"Believe me, I don't plan on drinking all of these by myself. Someone help me?" it was an open offer to no one in particular.

[samahl]

"I'll take some," Cyril offered. He wouldn't actually drink enough to get intoxicated, but he couldn't help but answer her request for companionship.

He came closer and gave her a friendly smile. "Aneth ara, Merrill. Did you go to the meeting?" If she had, he'd be curious to see her take on things. If not, he'd be happy to share what he had heard from Pel, Sam, and other mages.