[ 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

Adelaide

[fleurdesel]

Trying to keep to her word of 'not working' is...difficult. But Adelaide does manage to put the weight of reports, requisitions, notes, research, and all her fears aside in favor of having a nice mug of tea, her students flitting about to pick out comfortable cushions of their own rather than huddling near her. It is a far cry from their fearful lingering of almost a year ago. She herself is a great deal more relaxed despite the recent missions, failings, and renewed concerns for the rifters. Throughout the night she keeps to coffee and tea predominantly, wishing to be a gracious host and aware for any that do feel the need to bring concerns to her.

They shouldn't, it's work, but if they feel a need? She won't turn them away.

Remi curled in her lap she lounges, hair in a loose braid, dressed simply and comfortably with a soothing tea at hand? Adelaide manages to look relaxed for the first time since the rifters were kidnapped.

Christine

[aceso]

Christine has endured much these last few years. With the fall of the Circles, being labeled one of Fiona's "rebels," and taking flight across Orlais to find safety, only to find her group indentured to a Magister, no one could fault her for being deserving of a break. But she doesn't take breaks. She works hard and hardly ever seems to slow down. It shows on her face. As she sits down with a glass of wine in one hand and a dog leash in the other, it's easy to see how tired she is. This month has been difficult. She's reunited with her mother, but they now share the loss of her father to the Orlesian Civil War. And now she'd saddled with her mother's dog who wakes her up every day at dawn.

The dog is crawling all over Christine's lap, watching the people come and go. He occasionally barks and his tail is wagging, though whether that means he's happy or on alert is hard to say. She occasionally shushes him, but for the most part she sips her wine and tries to relax her tense shoulders.

Inessa

[circleprodigy]

Inessa isn't a regular at the healing tents, but she has tried to make herself available for emergencies and supply runs. She may know little of surgery and diseases, but a simple Heal spell and knowledge of how to mix potions can go a long way, otherwise. Besides, she doesn't mind at all getting to know others outside of long and tension-filled missions.

So, the slight elf woman can be found pouring herself some tea. She'll do her best not to hog it all, and will happily brew more when it's needed. Tea is life and she won't have anyone responsible for depriving others of it, even herself.

Garahel follows her around, of course. He likes the attention -and the food- though Inessa does her best to distract him with mabari crunch treats so he is't begging. It works most of the time, but if you have dried meat, expect him to stare up at you soulfully. Just a little?

[circleprodigy]

Well, hello there little fluffy dog. The mabari at Inessa's side perks up and barks back, tail wagging enthusiastically in turn. For his part, Garahel's response is pure friendliness, though if the dog doesn't like mabari, Inessa will keep him back. As it is, she rests a hand on him.

"No barking in here, Garahel. Let's let people hear themselves talk." Her smile is sheepish as she looks over to Christine, nodding. "I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with such a companion. I'd worried about bringing him, but he's usually manageable."

Bruce (feel free to go in either brackets or prose, I will follow)

[amygdalae]

breaking the rules
[So guess who didn't get the message at all. Or if he had, elected to completely ignore them. That's right - this guy.

Tucked in a corner somewhere is one (1) Bruce (not-Banner), huddled up with none of the food and drinks that are around and instead is surrounded by--well, actually by nothing. All he's got is that raggedly old bag that's always with him around Skyhold propped up against his side. He's got one knee up, his journal set onto it as he occupies his time instead with breaking rule #1 - working. Rather than going about to mingle and the like he's just there instead, either leafing through the pages of his journal or writing into it.

Feel free to come up to him anyway. Or don't. Or maybe just glare disapprovingly at him which is what Adelaide will probably do soon enough.]


obeying the rules... sort of
[Once Bruce is forced to... stop working, as it were, he still mostly stays at the corner, though this time he's been forced with food and drink now. He doesn't have a lot of it though, having taken just enough so people will stop fussing over him. And even with his small portions he's either eating very slowly or barely eating at all - most of the time it seems like his mind is off elsewhere, his gaze distant as he loses himself in the whirlwind that is his mind working on overtime.

...people are still free to approach him. Just don't be surprised if they're not getting any kind of adequate response.]


a wild dracolisk appears
[At some point in time it seems like the gathering has gathered some sort of attention - that is, attention in the form of a dracolisk, as it abruptly appears and pokes its head into the tents. Fortunately, it happens to be the tent where Bruce is at, so with great exasperation Bruce finally breaks off from his working in order to get it to back off and not give everyone there a heart attack.

For a good while after that he's hanging outside instead, reluctantly giving the dracolisk some attention until he can pacify it enough to get it back to the stables for the night. Feel free to come up to him during this time, should you wish to. At least he's no longer absorbed in his work during this time.]

[aceso]

Immediately on alert, the little dog goes stiff and starts barking at this monstrosity of a creature. Who invited the bear? No bears allowed, you bear-sized creature! Though obviously this little fluffy dog also thinks he's bigger than he is, to bark at a mabari.

"Ponce, no." Christine scolds, struggling to put down her wine without spilling any before wrapping an arm around the dog before he can lunge.

"I would not call him a companion," Christine says. "More a nuisance. I could never use the word manageable in relation to him."

[unharrowed]

Vasran's in an odd position here, in that she's now 'officially' a mage, but is also still studying under Adelaide. She also is not, exactly, a healer. As she's here as something of a hanger-on, she's not partaking so much in the wine, gravitating more toward the tea and small bites of food out of deference to those this evening is really for.

She comes up to refill her teacup just as Inessa is finishing the fresh brew.

"Much obliged," she offers as she steps up to the serving table, cup and saucer in hand.

[unharrowed]

Vasran has seen little of Christine since their encounter in the chapel. She would have offered a nod of recognition whenever they passed by one another in Skyhold, occasionally a small smile. But she hadn't really known what to say, or whether there was anything to say, in those instances. For the most part, they'd simply been going about their individual business.

Now, she sees the... critter... occupying Christine's lap, and has no choice but to comment.

"What... is that?" Her tone, at least, communicates that she's trying not to be overly rude about the question.

[aceso]

"It is -- unfortunately -- a dog," she says as the animal tramples his front paws in Christine's lap, excited to examine the newcomer. Friend or foe? He's not sure yet. Better bark to test the person's reaction.

"Ponce, stop." It's said with exasperation. Every day she seems to be saying Ponce, no. Ponce, stop. Ponce, quiet. Ponce, come here. And the dog never listens.

"He is my mother's dog. I simply find myself stuck with him now."

[unharrowed]

"That's a dog?" Your Ferelden is showing a bit, Vasran. But given how exasperated with the creature Christine seems, she's suddenly less concerned about the potential offense of her remarks.

She holds out one hand, to see if he might jump at it, or sniff. She can't help giggling at the way his tail waggles back and forth.

"He's quite a jumpy little thing, isn't he?"

[aceso]

"Mmm. Contrary to the belief of some, other dog breeds beyond mabari do exist." Now Christine's Orlesian is showing.

The dog leaps at the chance to sniff this stranger's hand, and for an instant Christine fears he's going to bite Vasran, but Ponce merely sniffs the hand and continues wagging his tail. Friend, then, he supposes.

"He was rather isolated while living with my mother. There were only two people he saw everyday. Now the world is very big to him."

[unharrowed]

"I'd think a dwarf's boot would be big for him." But she's smiling as she says it. She can't decide whether he's cute or not. The fluffiness of him, at least, helps to distinguish him from a rat.

She moves her hand upward to fluff at some of that fur on top of his head, but she's ready to pull it away if he gets bitey.

"Your mother sent him here?"

[aceso]

That gets a laugh out of her, and some of the tiredness in her eyes seems to fade away.

"I brought him back with me after visiting my mother. She needed to move in with my uncle and he would not allow her to bring Ponce." He wouldn't allow her to bring many things, and that still angers Christine. He shouldn't have offered his sister a place in his home if he was making her feel like a guest and not a member of the household.

[unharrowed]

"Ponce," Vasran repeats, having caught the name this time. She pulls her hand back in order to pick her teacup off of its saucer.

"Does he do any tricks?" Because any dogs can learn tricks, can't they? Even if they're not as clever as a mabari.

[circleprodigy]

Garahel tilts his head and makes a questioning noise, confused at the little dog's attitude the same way a bear might be puzzled at an attack from a fennec. Inessa, on the other hand, is somewhat amused. "That's a brave one. Might he be partial to mabari treats? If it would help settle him down, I can be generous."

She reaches into her belt pouch, ready to act if Christine gives the word. Garahel whines at notion of sharing, but she ignores him. If it gets the little one to calm down, then she's fine with generosity.

[circleprodigy]

Nodding over to Vasran, Inessa smiles. "It's no trouble. There never seems to be enough tea to satisfy me, as it is. The least I can do is be considerate." They have an audience, as Garahel observes Vasran intently, until he determines that she isn't carrying food and then he relaxes but is still alert, wagging his tail at her. "How have you been, Vasran?"

[aceso]

"He barely listens to me at all. Getting him to do tricks would be a miracle." She shakes her head and lets out Ponce's leash a little more so he can sniff around Vasran's feet.

"My mother pampered him, I am afraid. He has no wish to see it end. But I am not so easily swayed by a furry face."

[aceso]

"I honestly do not know. He was rather spoiled by my mother." It won't surprise her if he turns up his nose at Ferelden treats in the hopes of something more decadent. But Christine nods her head and looks down at the dog, curious what he'll think. Ponce keeps wagging his tail, now more interested in the lady with her hand reaching for something than by the large bear-thing that may be a dog. He's not sure yet. If Christine lets him go, he's going to investigate by sniffing the bear-thing's butt.

[circleprodigy]

"Oh, dear. That must be quite a challenge."

Butt-sniffing, commence! Garahel doesn't seem to mind the small dog investigating, likely doing the same. Inessa draws out a pair of mabari treats, one for Ponce and one for Garahel. Then no one has a right to complain about a lack of them. Crouching, she offers. "Hello, there. Hungry?" Garahel sure is, and he inhales his promptly, of course.

[el_tybs]

It's been quite some time since the last time they had a gathering like this, the healers taking an unified break to lounge and enjoy each other's company. It had been fun, a bit messy perhaps, but there had been drink, music, and dancing. For a moment, remembering the last gathering has Sam falling silent which catches Kirk's attention. It's easily dismissed though, especially when Sam brings up that he can bring someone with.

Actually arriving, Sam has to take a moment to take everything in, giving an impressed whistle. The area looks completely different, clearly work done with the use of a bit of coin. Going inside Sam is equally impressed, perhaps more so, what with the variety of drinks and food spread out along the tables.

He is quick to grab himself some tea and place some food on a plate before he starts to roam around and see who else has arrived. At some point though he does find himself a cushion on the floor to relax on.

Kallian

[kallian_endris]

It's not easy for the little elven healer to relax. She spends more time getting fresh drinks for the others attending, and making sure their plates are filled, than she does tending to herself. She doesn't sit; instead she slowly circles around the edges of the area when she's not taking care of the other guests.

In terms of the socializing, she's still largely reserved. She hasn't asked anyone to come with her, and otherwise she's watching the others more than talking to them. Well, every party has a wallflower, doesn't it?

[universal_charm]

"Sounds like he could use a bit of wine, too."

Kirk waved at Christine as he approached, his own glass in hand. He paused a couple of feet from here and crouched down, offering his hand to the small dog while watching the woman.

"Long time no see, Christine."

[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.

breaking the rules

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ Bruce, that is not the way you party. And Kirk should know, he has been to quite a few in his time. Working at a part is practically tantamount to a party foul, which would be funnier if Thedas had that concept. Maybe he should work on introducing it.

In the mean time, he's come over with a cup of tea (a cup of wine for himself) and thrust it directly beneath Bruce's nose. ]</sub>

Take it or risk getting yelled at later. Your choice.

[universal_charm]

Kirk had indeed noticed Sam's initial quiet earlier in the day, but decided it wasn't something to push in that moment. Later he might ask about it, but the party was one for relaxing and festivities, so why bring it down with cloudy memories? He makes his own rounds at the party, leaving Sam to do the same, though now and then he drifts by and gives Sam a new glass of tea.

When Sam found cushions to lounge on, Kirk was not far behind in joining him, glass of wine in hand for himself and one for Sam, and a light flush to his cheeks.

"Enjoying yourself?"