[ OPEN ] Take a Break

[fleurdesel]

WHO: Adelaide & The Healers of the Inquisition & friends
WHAT: Informal gathering, refreshments offered.
WHEN: nowish
WHERE: Skyhold, Orlesian Healing Tents
NOTES: Drinking, swearing, bitching about troublesome patients, etc. Announcement post here

It has been a difficult few months for the Inquisition- terrible battles, dangerous missions, strange illnesses. The Healers are well overdue a moment of semi-organized rest and relaxation. Much as she had before on behalf of the mages nearly a year ago, Adelaide takes the time to arrange for said respite. The Orlesian healing tents have been cleared of the potions, bandages, and poultices in favor of chairs, cushions, and braziers. Lanterns and the odd throw of fur or knit wool warm the space. Having more time to settle in and become established- there is more room, more places to sit, more tables propped up for holding glasses and mugs. The space is open, warm, and inviting with an elegant assortment of copper mugs and porcelain cups set around flat side tables arranged with an assortment of teas, honey, and small pots of cubed sugar and carafes of cream bribed from the kitchen. To one side there are bottles of wine and a small keg or two of ale and mead, tankards and glasses waiting. There are dried fruits and hard cheeses, dried meat and hard crusted bread, butter and sausage and a few odd baked tarts here and there. Across the entrance to the tents there is a sign:

Must be a healer or a friend of a healer for entry. Unless urgent (imminent death) no patients will be taken at this time.

Tacked below was a list of rules:

• NO WORKING
• Tea and coffee are to the left, wine on the right, food in the center. Please keep things in their proper place.
• Don't hog the wine
• Don't hog the tea
• Don't hog the coffee
• Don't hog the food
• Serve yourself and whoever else is waiting for a glass
• If you finish a bottle open a new one, don't recork it for someone else to find
• Brew a fresh pot of coffee or tea when you finish what is available
• Clean up after yourselves

Comments

[universal_charm]

By now, he supposed he should be used to being accosted by Garahel for one of two things - food or belly rubs. He is happy to give one or the other, usually, but tonight, it being a celebration, he supposed he could part with both. He had not seen or spoken with Inessa since the abomination incident, but he was glad to see that she was out and about, mentally chiding himself for not checking in on her properly.

"I see someone has been practicing his puppy dog eyes," he rolled his own as he handed down a treat to the pup.

[circleprodigy]

Oh, Kirk, you are his best friend (of the moment). Garahel, tail wagging madly, practically inhales that treat. His demeanor is a far cry from the cave, now simply behaving like a somewhat spoiled pet. That there's another, even more spoiled, canine around to make him look better by comparison can't hurt.

Inessa chuckles softly and nods. "I debated bringing him, but Senior Enchanter Adelaide's edict about discouraging work seemed quite firm. And as you know, Garahel is talented at assisting in that area." The more healers he can get to pet him, the less they'll be thinking about patients and potions.

[universal_charm]

It is certainly an honor, being a dog's best friend (even momentarily). He likes seeing Garahel like this, happy and spoiled instead of frightened and on edge. But you had best watch yourself, Garahel, because you might overtake that other spoiled pup if you aren't careful.

"It is quite true, unless you count having to rub his belly as work," he offered another treat to the dog. "Haven't been sneaking off while he serves as a distraction, now have you?" he teased her.

[circleprodigy]

That gets a brief smile and shrug before she gestures to where tea is being brewed. "Only to retrieve more tea. I wouldn't slip away and leave Garahel as someone else's responsibility unwittingly. Such bad manners."

Tsking, she then takes a sip as Garahel promptly inhales another treat. Inessa will have to cut him off at some point, but she'll refrain for now. Let him enjoy this. "How have you been?" The cave incident isn't lost on her either, so the question is more than mere manners, though if the conversation must steer into more serious waters, she'll take it outside. The others need their relaxation.

[universal_charm]

"Is it bad manners or taking a well deserved break?" he chuckled, making sure part of his fingers did not go with that treat, but it seems Garahel is a dainty hound. How many pounds is he going to gain from this one night alone? Kirk had the mental image of Inessa having to roll him out, bulging out like that orange cat from the ancient cartoons.

"Well enough," he said, not bringing up the cave for the moment. It was a heavy subject for a happy time. "I've been working on my horse back riding, and I'm very behind on teaching my classes, but luckily it doesn't seem like my students slacked off to much."

[circleprodigy]

Garahel would be the happiest, fattest mabari...but Inessa needs him in combat-ready shape, so she has to guard his habits somewhat. As it is, the mabari seems to be content with a few treats and a lot of attention.

"I've been meaning to look into what classes are available, for curiosity's sake. I'm sadly lacking in significant free time, but the prospect of continuing education in some manner is always appealing. Especially when such education comes from beyond the Fade."

[universal_charm]

"Feel free to stop by my classes any time," he smiled at her. "I mean, if they interest you. I teach all levels of math, and science is simply an ongoing variety of subjects at this point. I get easily derailed when the students start asking a lot of questions," he laughed. "I don't think you need the self-defense ones, but you're welcome to come to those too if you like."

[circleprodigy]

"A variety of subjects, and you encouraging questions? I doubt I will be able to keep myself away." Inessa's lips twitch, knowing she will likely have so very many questions of her own. That's the way it always is, with her.

[universal_charm]

"Haha, good, then my sales pitch is working," he said proudly. "I'll be sure to save a seat for you. Which do you plan on attending? Math or science?"

[circleprodigy]

She tilts her head, thoughtful. "Hm. It's tempting to say 'both' but I doubt I will have the time. I suppose I ought brush up on my mathematics skills, first."

[universal_charm]

"Good choice. I teach that three days a week if I can - and I try and give plenty of warning when classes get moved around due to missions and such," he beamed, clearly thrilled at the prospect of another student.

"And don't worry, buddy, you can come too," he scratched at Garahel's head. "If your lady doesn't mind, I think you'd made a good teaching assistant."

[circleprodigy]

Garahel pants happily, wagging his tail at the scratching. "If you think he won't derail lessons, I can bring him. After a good workout, he's usually content to nap, so I can always tire him first to help calm him down."

[universal_charm]

"He might help, actually. Some of the kids get anxious in the classroom, so he might be good for them. You know, if you let them pet him," he added, looking down to the dog.

[circleprodigy]

Showing how much he needs petting to survive, Garahel plops down and rolls onto his back, exposing that belly. Inessa sighs and shakes her head. "I was trying to avoid him doing that here. It's not as though there's a lot of space, considering. But yes, I suppose if he can behave himself otherwise, it will be beneficial for all involved."

[universal_charm]

"Now you are just being shameless," Kirk chided the dog, refusing to indulge such behavior at a party.

"It's up to you, really," he chuckled. "But please, do come. I hope you don't mind if I ask you a few questions in return, now and then - about being a Grey Warden, and an elf."

[circleprodigy]

Garahel whines, but Kirk's comment gets a grateful look from Inessa. It's easier for her mabari to behave when others encourage it as well. "No, absolutely not. I'll be upfront right now; some Warden lore is not for me to divulge, given the need for secrecy. I cannot break that rule, not without my superiors' consent, but will share what I can."

[universal_charm]

He inclined his head. "Understandable. I have a similar rule, though it's a touch more flexible, I think. Or, well, it's technically more rigid, but circumstances being what they are..." he shrugged. "I appreciate what you can share."

[circleprodigy]

"Sometimes, secrets are vital. Or not secrets, exactly, but the restriction of information. It's not always an easy thing to life with, but there are valid reasons for it being so." Inessa shrugs, glad that he understands and won't pressure beyond what she can bring herself to share. "I have time now. If you ask, I will attempt to answer. And if I can't, you'll know that as well."

[universal_charm]

He nodded, recalling such a conversation of a similar sort with Hermoine not that long ago. She had not been quite so understanding, but that was to be expected, he thought.

"Why become a Grey Warden?" he asked her. "If that's not to personal a question, of course."

[circleprodigy]

"It's not." Well, it is, but Inessa can speak of it while remaining calm, so she'll do so. "When I was young, a rebellion happened in my Circle tower. It was chaos; a hotbed of blood mages and abominations. Many died, and a scant few of us were kept safe behind a barrier on the first floor. The senior mage could not have maintained it before long, and we knew what was coming, all of us.

However, that is when Warden Cousland, later named the Hero of Ferelden, appeared with Alistair and their party. Through their deeds, they saved us from the horror our home had become, and annulment. I could never forget their heroism, and when the Circles fell...I decided it was time to repay it."

[universal_charm]

He listened attentively and politely, understanding the need to repay a debt, but not quite sure why it took this form. From what he had heard and read, being a Grey Warden exacted a heavy price. But he supposed if you were going to devote your life to something, it should be something that did good.

"Was it a hard thing, becoming one?" he asked. "I know you said you decided to repay their heroism, but choosing to do so as a Grey Warden - that's quite a thing to undertake as I understand it."

[circleprodigy]

"My Harrowing was harder, in many ways. Becoming a Warden was...not easy, but that didn't deter me. What is truly worthwhile is never easy to accomplish." That last comment of Kirk's gets her attention and she raises an eyebrow, curious. "It is, but what do you know of it? I hadn't thought such information to be widespread."