Player Plot: I will call you home

[arlathvhen]

WHO: Beleth, Cyril, Merrick, and Ellana Ashara, Thranduil, Sina Dahlasanor, Metaari, Sam Gareth, Kallian Endris, Alistair and Ruby i think??? whoever wants to go
WHAT: Keeping Up With The Asharas, the reality tv show
WHEN: Backdatedish, around mid-kingsway
WHERE: The Heartlands of Orlais
NOTES: OOC post

Tel'enfenim, da'len Irassal ma ghilas Ma garas mir renan Ara ma'athlan vhenas Ara ma'athlan vhenas	Never fear, little one, Wherever you shall go. Follow my voice-- I will call you home. I will call you home.

Clan Ashara currently resides in a small valley nestled into the mountains, that seems idyllic for a Dalish clan. A stream runs through the valley, descending into a waterfall with the steep cliffs on one side, and sheer mountain walls going straight up on two other sides. The only way in and out is through a gap big enough to lead several aravels through. It's a defensible position, safe from any threats. Except the fade rift that has opened up just a little ways from the gap. The hunters can handle the demons spewing from it well enough, and there are always a couple stationed there to pick off whatever appears. But it's too dangerous to lead the aravels and noncombatants through, and thus, they are forced to wait. To compound the issue, there's a village close to where they're currently staying, and while both sides have kept to themselves, neither are pleased with the current situation. They've helped get a message to the Inquisition in hopes that someone will come take care of the problem, and now both are tensely waiting for something to happen to change the situation, for better or worse. And so the members of Clan Ashara, with their friends in tow, return back to their clan.

Comments

Keeper's First Sorrelean

[writteninblood]

Sorrelean is a relatively young elf, with no reputation greater than that he is the Keeper's only son, and one of a pair of twins that includes the Inquisition's own Beleth Ashara. He's friendly enough, but has a tendency towards sarcasm that sometimes gives him an irresponsible impression. Although he follows the progressive politics of his Keeper and clan, Sorrel makes no secret of his very Dalish isolationist bent.

Despite his outspokenness and quick-barbed tongue, he has good intentions, and is quite kind, at heart. If you have time to distract him from the family reunion, he's perfectly willing to step aside and have a chat.

[serannas]

Ellana wriggles her fingers in a wave at Sorrel. They grew up together, were taught magic together, but at one point Ellana's training ended and she was set loose to be the hearthkeeper while Pel and Sorrel were taught how to be Keepers. It's always stung a little, and Ellana can admit to a bit of jealousy too. In recent years she hasn't had much reason to hang out with Sorrel at all, but since she's here, she may as well reach out.

"Those robes suit you."

[writteninblood]

At some point, Ellana and he met the fork in the branch and went their own ways. When that branch diverged, it only put them further apart, put everyone further apart. He's too delighted, just to see the familiar faces, to care about time or distance, and he waves back, grinning. Playful Ellana is fun Ellana: this much, he's missed.

"Ma serannas, they uh..." It's awkward. After a moment, he stops dithering and just laughs at himself, "It's still kinda weird. I never thought it'd be me, this was supposed to be Pel's thing."

And where is Pel? He hesitates, and the question hangs for a moment, but he doesn't ask.

"You look good too. They must be treating you pretty good over there, yeah?"

[serannas]

"To be honest, I like that it's you. Keeping it in the family." Not a lot of clans can say that, with the way mages are often traded.

His question makes her smile, because she doesn't expect it. On returning to the clan, she figured everyone would be scoffing about how she's opened herself up to ridicule and harassment in the "humans' Inquisition." But it's not the case at all.

"It was a rocky start, and not everyone is kind, but I've found so much there that I could have only hoped for. So many are good to me, and I've made plenty of friends. Some of them are here. But how have you been? Beyond the whole rift situation, of course."

[writteninblood]

"C'mon, Ellana, give me a break," Keeping it in the family, he makes a face at that. Geez, "Don't remind me tha-- Don't remind me."

Don't remind him that his mother, and her impeccable reputation, will be looming over him until the day she dies, if not longer. But if she were to overhear that.... He risks a glance, but no, she's not listening, she's engaged in deep conversation with one of the strangers. Thank the creators.

"We've been alright. There was a Halla dropped twins this year, you shoulda heard the fuss. Hunting's been a little thin, but nothing we haven't got through before, it should be well enough. Same as it ever is-- it's just strange, being on my own I guess. But don't worry, the Keeper's keeping me in line."

[serannas]

"Oh, I knew about the halla." It's not that Ellana asks to be kept abreast of any and all news, but the two people she writes to in the clan are Atisha and Sulahni, and of course the latter told her of the twin halla in her letter back. "The Inquisition was gifted with halla for helping a clan up in the Marches close a rift and smooth things over with the local village. One of them took a shine to me, so I figured he wouldn't mind me giving him a name. I call him Mirthadra."

It takes Ellana a moment to understand how Sorrel must feel. Being surrounded by mages at Skyhold has been a wonderful experience, but here it's only him and his mother. Yikes.

"I hope it feels more natural to you in time."

[samahl]

Cyril finds Sorrel and then comes up behind him. "Aneth ara, Sorrel," he says, pleased as he takes in the sight of the Keeper's son. "You look well."

[writteninblood]

He turns before realizing who-- and when he sees Cyril's face, Sorrel's whole expression changes, lighting up, bright as the spark of lightning.

"Cyril!" He cries, grinning, "It's just the fancy robes. Got to look like a proper First for the mighty Inquisition, you know."

His teasing, half-sarcatic tone implies that this is a ridiculous notion. Whether it's silly because the Inquisiton isn't so important, or because the idea of Keeper Deheune putting on airs for the purpose of Outsider's opinions, is beyond knowing. Either way, he hopes you still like hugs, because you're getting hugged, Cyril.

"And look at you, then? Beleth tells me you're not halfway to being some kind of Dalish diplomat, these days. Not bad."

[samahl]

Of course Cyril likes hugs, even more from attractive young men. Even if Sorrel was solidly off limits for anything too intimate, he always enjoyed looking and platonic touches. He rubs Sorrel's back lightly before they pull away.

"Something like that. The Inquisition is allied to many different races and they selected a handful of us to make sure things go smoothly."

[writteninblood]

"You mean, to keep trouble down. C'mon, what's it like up there? All Beleth writes about is training and fighting, and whoever's pissed her off most recently."

And boys she likes, or is sleeping with, or more personal things, like how much she misses him, and yet deeper sorrows. But that's neither here or there, and Sorrel isn't about to be in anything but a good mood, today.

"...y'know, boring stuff. Tell me something good."

[samahl]

Cyril thinks about that for a moment. "You know, Pel and I helped to take back an ancient elvhen fortress from the red templars. That fight was a tough one, but we were able to recapture it and claim it for the Inquisition. It's called Suledin Keep."

[arlathvhen]

Beleth has spent almost the entire time since she's returned at Sorrel's side. Even when she isn't talking to him, she seems to be content to just be near him, in his general area, even as they take care of different business or talk to other people.

She does, however, spend a lot of time talking to him.

"...I don't know if I'll really make it, as a bard, but--I want to try, you know? No Dalish has ever done it before. We need representation, we need to have some control, within the nobility. The politics." She gestures vaguely, lips pressed together. "The Game is...ridiculous. But if I play it, and I play it right, then--It's more power than we've had before."

[writteninblood]

"Come on, it can't be worse than the Arlathvhen, it's just more money," Which would contribute to the ridiculousness of it all, "You should do it, give these shemlen a taste of what elvhen politics is like, and so long as you're out there doing for the People and sending home what you can, even the Keeper can't complain that you've gone flat-ear."

More importantly, Deheune would never abandon the chance that he daughter might do something truly revolutionary. No Keeper ever really forgets, much of what Orlais is now was once the Dales.

"Besides, you can always just come home if it gets too rough, and no one can find you with us. That's an advantage none of those nobles can have, not like you do."

[arlathvhen]

"I'm sure the Keeper could find something to complain about, if she tried," Beleth replied wryly, lips twisting. While she's full of compliments for Deheune when others are around, with Sorrel? She doesn't have to bother. "I mean, every other member of the clan who went with me are right about to start sanding off their vallaslin, I wouldn't blame her for being suspicious."

She laughs, though, despite her harsh words. "Thank the Creators for that. I hope it doesn't come down to that, though. I've got plans. A lot of plans. I don't know how many of them I'll actually get to, but the last thing I want is to get to a certain point and sit around going 'Now what?'" She shrugs, waving her hand around again. "It's all a long shot, but, I mean, that's what I'm good at, yeah?" Haha, archer jokes!! Hilarious.

[writteninblood]

"Some of them sound almost ready to sand the points off their ears too, but I mean-- At least they came," Not to name any names. Not that he needs to, "If it were me, I'd just be grateful for that I've got. Me, I've got plenty."

More than enough, if the proud loop his arm makes around her shoulders is any indication. He grins, to complete the picture; his sister the bard! It's like something outrageous, out of a bedtime story.

"I like closer shots better. I hate... You know," He gestures vaguely to indicate the distance, the time apart, everything, "But it's not like I can leave. Not with every other mage walking off, and the Keeper."

Keepers gotta keep, after all: memories, bloodlines, traditions, and most of all people.

[arlathvhen]

"For some people, gratitude is an illusive concept." Beleth replies, her lips twisting slightly. She doesn't need to name names either, though she's got plenty to say on the subject. "Some people think that kindness shown to them is a burden that tethers them, though they have never bothered to mention it. Some people, I suspect, just like feeling persecuted."

She smiles as she talks, though, leaning against Sorrel. Creators, she missed getting to shit talk with him, and share all of the salt, bitterness, and other unpleasant flavors she's accumulated at Skyhold.

"Maybe once you're Keeper, you can move the clan closer." Beleth suggests mildly, a fond smile on her face. Whether it's from the idea of Sorrel as Keeper or Deheune being mysteriously Not the Keeper, who can say. "But I mean, none of what I'm doing is permanent, you know. I can't stay out there." She sounds...dubious, like maybe she wants to, but the idea is as absurd as saying that she wants to be Empress of Orlais. "Or...maybe the Keeper will let you come to Skyhold, some day. Get some life experience, or whatever you want to call it. You can always resume your duties as First later."

Small pause. "Unless you have to become Keeper, but. Who knows when that will be." She's torn between the freedom Sorrel would get as the Keeper, and the entirely different kind of freedom he gets not having to lead the entire clan currently. She's also fairly convinced that Deheune lives on spiting her, and may in fact outlive them both.

[el_tybs]

Sam doesn't venture far from where they're being allowed to camp, but it doesn't stop him from going around and looking at some things - respectfully of course and keeping distance for most of it, especially on his own. When he comes upon the robed elf that had greeted them first though, he slowly makes his way over.

"Ah... Sorellean, right?" Beleth had introduced him as Sorrel, but that was probably too formal. "Or am I supposed to call you First Sorellean? Sorellean the First?" The mage inwardly sighs - smooth, he should've asked the others on etiquette more on the way here.

[writteninblood]

"You can call me Sorellean, if you want," He replies, not sure if he's amused at Sam's verbal flailing, or annoyed. But amusement is winning, and it's visible in the little quirk of a smile, beginning at the corner of his mouth, "I'm told your name is Sam."

Cyril's sex talk strikes again, as per the norm.

"What can I do for you, then?"

[el_tybs]

Well that's good because he's a little annoyed at himself for the verbal flailing. He's both excited and nervous for being here, meeting the Clan, trying to make a good impression - or just not being noticed if things don't seem well. Seeing the bit of a smile does help though, returning a small one of his own.

Hearing that Sorellean already knows his name does have him blinking a couple times, having expected that he would need to introduce himself, but it sounds like someone has already done that. "Ah? Who told? But yes, I'm Sam. It's nice to meet you Sorellean."

His smile widens just a bit at the question. "I just wanted to talk. I suppose get to know you a bit better?"

[writteninblood]

He thinks about saying Cyril of course, and then rolls his eyes at the question. Of course it was Cyril--he presumes Cyril isn't sleeping with the Grey Warden, but only because that would have been less of a disgrace. He does love Cyril, and he knows his clan-brother well enough to know, regardless of whatever else he does, he never goes by half-measures.

Bless him, and his wandering eye.

"Well, I'm here to talk. I'm supposed to be the paragon of good behavior, right now, so that's lucky," Why it's lucky, he does not say, but the way his cheshire smirk sneaks across his face is no encouragement,"What do you want to know?"

[el_tybs]

The rolling of the eye only has the mage lifting a brow, but not pressing it. Cyril is certainly at the top of the list, but it isn't so strange for him to ask who considering he has some sort of relationship with each of the Asharas that returned with the group. Least two of them he knows would give him a good review.

"Only 'right now'?" Was he to watch out when Sorellean wasn't on good behavior? He doesn't miss the slight change in the elf's smile. "Well I guess I need to ask what being a twin is like, and what sort of things do you do as First?"

hey I just met you, and this is crazy

[eolasemah]

It's well into the second day when Sina finally has the spine to formally introduce herself to Sorrel, whom she's certain can't be so bad if Beleth is so close to him, but is also a singularly unique new manner of threat to her way of life. But up she goes regardless, and clears her throat awkwardly before lifting a hand in greeting, her mannerism significantly less adult than it tends to be.
"Hello," she says first, in that strained way that she's learned to greet people in the Inquisition, because she's meeting someone new, after all-- but only moments after realizes he's one of the only people for whom 'aneth ara' would actually be appropriate, and immediately second-guesses herself. A provincial shem-loving fool from a remote and friendless clan, here she is making an excellent first impression.

We finish each other's....

[writteninblood]

Later, he'd probably offer flattery and compliments, nothing but grace about his first impression of Sina. But privately, in the moment and after, Sorrel's first thought when he saw her was of a small and graceful bird, like a pale-grey sparrow. It reminded him, incongruously, of Beleth, who couldn't be more different; Sina held herself, as he remembered her, as if she had secrets, and was keeping them close-by her heart.

"Aneth ara," He says, gentle rebuke, but Sorrel is smiling, and lifts his own hand, "Don't worry about me, lethallin, I'm on your side. You're safe among friends, here."

SANDWICHES

[eolasemah]

Sina couldn't help but smile back, and blushed as he pointed out her gaffe, touching a shy and slightly admonishing hand to her mouth as though to close it before anything else stupid could come out.
"Ma serannas," she said softly, trying again, and even making sure to include the formal article, "I don't know what to say to who anymore. Some of the elves from the city get upset if you greet them in our tongue." She shrugged helplessly. "...though I should have known better here." Was she talking too much? She felt like she was.

That's what I was gonna say!

[writteninblood]

"Ah, you've just been too long among the flat-ears and the shemlen. It's rubbing calluses into everyone, seems like," He shakes his head, happy enough to let it go, "You did come with the Inquisition, didn't you?"

He'd assumed so, but if he'd just insulted someone from the visiting Dalasahnors, aside from their inquisitorial envoy, Sorrel just knew he'd be hearing about it. Nevertheless, he pushes on.

"Can I know your name? I'm Sorrelean, but most call me Sorrel."