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

[kallian_endris]

The Dalish members of the group aren't the only elves showing nerves on the way. Kallian is also clearly anxious, distracting herself by being at the ready to offer what kindnesses she can to the others, whether with a cup of her own blends of herbal teas, or a story or a song.

When only paying attention to herself, though, she can sometimes be heard softly practicing her elvhen skills, the songs, the language lessons she's been taught. She often absently touches her face, all too aware of its unmarked nature. She's the only city elf in the group, and she wonders how the clan will receive her.

[samahl]

It's one of the times that she's practicing her language that he comes upon her. "Your pronunciation is wonderful," he comments, lightly, trying not to surprise her too much by sneaking up on her.

[kallian_endris]

"You don't think it sounds too Orlesian?" she asks, biting nervously at her thumb. "My mother taught me my first Dalish words, the things she had learned from my father, and I worry I use too much of her accent..."

[samahl]

"There is an accent but it doesn't take too much away from it." He thinks for a moment. "If our goal is to bring the language back to every elf, that means we have to get used to hearing the words spoken with accents."

[kallian_endris]

"Thank you. I'm probably overthinking all of this. I just... I don't want to be that elf, you know? I'm the only cityborn along, and... I don't want to be an embarrassment to anyone..."

[samahl]

"You aren't," he promises. "You have a lot to be proud of."

[kallian_endris]

"You think so?" She looks up, Hope shining faintly in her eyes. "Thank you, Cyril. You always know how to make me feel better."

There's a pause.
"...what about you? Are you doing all right?"

[samahl]

Cyril smiles at the thought that she feels better but then his jaw tightens a bit when she asks him of how he feels.

After a moment of quiet, he does something unusual - and actually shares a bit about how he feels.

"I'm worried about my family," he says. "The Rifts have been causing harm all throughout the regions we visit and yet somehow I thought the Clan would be untouched. Maybe it's because I assumed that the Keeper would frighten the demons away just by sheer force of personality. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking. Whatever it was, the realization that they have just as much to lose as everyone else is a troubling one."

Sure he had said the reason he joined was to protect his Clan, but in reality it had been his own thirst for something different. Now the thought that that threat was real and close was troubling.

[kallian_endris]

"I know."

She takes his hands in hers.

"Cyril, whatever I can do to protect them, I will. I've been trying to learn about the rifts, and the shards, and all the strangeness surrounding them. And whatever it takes... Whatever magic I have to use... I'll do it. I promise."

[samahl]

Cyril closes his hand around hers and takes comfort in her presence. "I know, but don't risk yourself more than needed, okay? I care about you too."

[kallian_endris]

"You're my brother, whatever happens, OK?" She lightly kisses his cheek. "The best brother I could ask for."

[samahl]

He smiles at the kiss, enjoying it. He always likes affection from people he cares about.

"The same to you, lethallan."

[kallian_endris]

"Thank you."

She takes a deep breath, easing her nerves.

"So... is there anything you think I need to know before we arrive?"

[el_tybs]

He is all too aware of everyone's nervousness, especially Kallian's considering how much she seems to be practicing. For a time he watches, giving her her space, but when she touches her face again he moves closer. "You should make some tea for yourself," he says as he walks over, drinking his own cup that she had brewed before. "Doing alright over here?

[kallian_endris]

"I will before bed," she promises.

But at his question, she hesitates. "Um..."

Guile is not something that comes very naturally to her, and it's hard to lie to Sam as it is--he's a healer, just as she is. He knows how to look for something wrong.

"Honestly?" Her voice is soft. "I'm terrified. I don't want to mess this up. I mean, yes, I've not had any trouble with the Dalish at Skyhold, but this... this is different. I've learned so much, but I'm still an outsider, and a child by elf standards. I just want to be someone my father could be proud of."

[el_tybs]

"Hm." Hearing Kalli's worries he moves a bit closer and takes a seat, cradling his tea more firmly as he does so. "Well... you're not the only one worried about coming along." Sam lets out a slow sigh then takes a drink before raising his brows. "I wish I could tell you everything is going to be alright - I think you're wonderful, but I'm not Dalish."

[kallian_endris]

"No... you're not..." she agrees thoughtfully, "Fortunately, I don't think the Asharas are the sort that kill humans on sight. I could put some protection spells on you, just in case, if you want..."

She's only half-joking.

"If they give you trouble, both Cyril and I will vouch for you. Promise."

[el_tybs]

He doesn't recall being told they did, but he does know they did steal from them. "You know they have mages, too..." he says, arguing teasingly. Half teasingly. They probably knew how to dispel magic, so worrying about protection buffs hardly seemed worth it.

"I'd rather that there be no trouble." Kalli was already worried about fitting in, and this was Cyril's clan - he already was nervous as it was, he didn't need more stuff to worry about.

[kallian_endris]

"Yes, but they only keep so many mages in one clan, and at least one isn't here. We might stand a fighting chance."

All right, no more joking.

"I really hope it goes well. For us both." She gestures toward his cup. "How's your tea?"

[el_tybs]

Hearing Kalli talk like that has Sam giving a small smile - he really hopes it doesn't come to that. They can joke, but if something did happen with them and the clan, what side would the Asharas in the group take?

"Yeah, me too." He's mentioned that he was interested in seeing the clan, but also nervous now that he is going. "Warm and soothing. You made a good batch."

[kallian_endris]

She smiles when she hears he likes the tea.
"I'm glad you like it. That's the same blend I use for Vati when he's stressed. It should help you get a good night's rest."

[el_tybs]

"Vati?" Who was that? Either way, Sam takes another sip of his tea, enjoying the lingering warmth of the liquid. "I'm going to need it. Now if only we could conjure up a bed I'd be golden." He's used to camping, but the hard ground still ain't a place for 'good night's rest'.

[kallian_endris]

"Sorry." She makes a vague gesture. "Anders, I guess, is what everyone else calls him. But, it's not really his name, and neither is Detlef, so, to me, he's Vati. Closest thing to a father I'll probably ever know," she explains.

The comment about beds makes her laugh, short and light.
"Sadly, that's one bit of magic I haven't learned. And I don't think out in the woods it'd do much good, but I wonder if there might be a way to work a glyph of repulsion so it doesn't fling you, it just lifts you up enough you could sleep on air..."

[el_tybs]

That has Sam raising a brow. He knew Anders and Kalli were close, but not like that. Interesting.

"Have you considered using a spell that puts force down on a person? Could easily counter balance the repulsion so that you stay in one spot." Alright, realistically that wouldn't work, most likely just crushed between the two, but for amusement sake.

[kallian_endris]

"Well, I did have the idea of maybe two glyphs opposite each other, in a cave or something... Not sure if that would work, though," she says, mischief sparkling in her eyes.