[Open] Sometimes...

[wontforgetyou]

WHO: Jamie and you!
WHAT: Recovery after the events here
WHEN: Mid-Kingsway through the end of Harvestmere
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: CW for references to the shardbearer plot, so torture, forced lyrium ingestion, hallucinations, violence and other Bad Things. The first part in healer tents features lyrium withdrawal and may involve the possibility of the getting glimpses of other people's memories. If you would like to have Jamie pick up your character's memories, let me know via pm or in your header, whichever you prefer.

[Healers Tents]

It's no surprise that after being taken by the Venatori and experimented on, Jamie winds up having an extended stay in the healers tents. Not only does the lyrium have to work its way out of his system, contend with, he has a concussion and cracked ribs to contend with as well, and for the first couple of weeks he's fairly out of it, still having problems distinguishing people he knows here from people he knew back home. As time goes on and the lyrium wears off that starts to improve, slowly but surely, although his head still hurts and it's still hard to breathe.

[Still the healers tents]

Eventually, however, the worst of the lyrium has passed through his system, leaving him more his usual self - and that usual self is one that doesn't much care for being stuck in bed, no matter how injured he is. There's more than one time where he insists he's perfectly fine, and more than one time where he might very well wind up being caught at trying to sneak out of his bed and out of the the healing tents entirely. Whether or not he's successful depends on whoever catches him wants to do...but he's supposed to be resting, so steering him back to lie down is definitely always an option.

[New quarters and out and about]

Finally he's deemed well enough to be able to be let out on his own, and left to his own devices. The very tiny room that he's been working on fixing up for months now is finally done, and he's finally able to move his belongings out from where they've been stored and put them someplace he can call his own. He might have to look into getting a roommate at some point, but for now he works on settling in and getting back into something like a routine. Not too long after he's released from the tents, he gets a present of sorts - a set of dragon armor, crafted from his share of the hide of the dragon he helped to kill months ago. There's a fitting or two to make sure everything is where is should be, but once that's done, he settles into training, both with sword and shard. He knows he's got to be able to control that extra ability it's developed, or at some point someone's going to get hurt that he doesn't want to get hurt. So while sometimes he can be found at the pells like everyone else, other times he's in remote areas, practicing at reliably shooting those small projectiles out of the mark.

Days like that leave him tired and his hand aching, but while he used to pop around to the healers tents, even that ache doesn't seem to be enough to get him to go there any more. Instead he can be found at the tavern having a drink, or tucked away in a corner practicing finger exercises on his chanter. Sometimes he still goes to the stables, too, even though he isn't living there any longer. He likes being around the horses, and here more than anywhere else you can catch him idly carving small pieces of wood. Nothing he does is terribly fancy, but some of pieces do eventually turn into things someone could wear or display - well, if you happen to like tiny figures of various semi-recognizable beasties, that is.

[Once a piper... (end of Harvestmere)]

It takes quite some time for his cracked ribs to heal to the point where it doesn't hurt to draw a breath, and longer still before he's able to sustain the breath he needs to properly play, but eventually, one day, there's a noise that's possibly familiar to the people who know Jamie well - the skirl of bagpipes, the sound carrying from high up on the battlements and traveling throughout Skyhold. Unlike some of the other times he's played, it's a somber sound, the tune itself sad and maybe just a little haunting. There's a reason behind the song, a promise he'd made to himself awhile ago, and even though it may be a little rougher around the edges than usual, it's something he's determined to see through, even if there's a risk someone might come up and try and figure out what's going on. He can deal with that if it happens. Until then, he's going to play.

Comments

[Healing tents, picking up on memories is fine!]

[circleprodigy]

Inessa isn't a regular healer at the tents, as she's often set past Skyhold. When she can be more effective elsewhere, it only makes sense for that to be a priority. That said, one night she'll sit in so more of the regulars can get some rest. If an emergency arises, well, that's what the sending crystals are for.

The slight elven woman divides her time between mixing potions at a table and checking on patients. If they seem to be resting and not in pain, she'll let them be, only pausing to refill glasses and the like. However, Jamie's lyrium-poisoning is noted and she takes care to observe him more often, as he seems to need it. Her mabari companion agrees, and heads over whenever Jamie's awake, not demanding petting or playtime, just gently nuzzling a hand or being a comforting presence. She tends to be just behind, at least long enough to ensue that his presence is wanted. Sometimes people just need to rest, and that's understandable.

Approaching with more water, Inessa nods, expression sympathetic. "How are you feeling? Do you need anything more?"

[wontforgetyou]

It's been a long time since Jamie has been in a situation where he's had dogs around on a regular basis - a very long time, as a matter of fact - let alone a mabari, but he doesn't object to Garahel's presence at all. Quite the opposite, actually, as there's something quite comforting about having Garahel there, and even when he's not entirely lucid, the gentle nuzzling gets him to react in some way - even if it's as simple as moving his hand to rest on the mabari's back.

When Inessa comes over with some water, he's feeling just well enough to try and see if Garahel wants a good ear rubbing, but he's attempting it while lying on his side, which'll make having a drink a bit trickier than he'd like. He hates having to ask for the help, though, and that may be why there's a grimace directed not at her, but at the container in her hand.

"Aye, well, I'm alright but...don't suppose Thedas has invented those straw-things yet, have they?"

[circleprodigy]

That ear-rubbing is definitely welcome and Garahel leans in with a happy rumble. He may be a large and very capable war hound, but right now he seems perfectly content as an affectionate animal companion. Inessa glances over, fairly satisfied that he's not being a pest. The moment that changes, he will have to wait outside.

A straw? The elven woman's eyebrow arches. "Since the definition which comes to mind doesn't seem to align with drinks, I would assume not. But I can pour it into a flask for you. That ought to make it easier to drink from than a glass." More spill-proof, at least. She can't blame him for wanting to preserve what dignity he can scrape together for himself.

[wontforgetyou]

He can't say that he's all that surprised to hear that, not really, and there's a sort of resigned acknowledgement on his face even before he clarifies a bit more.

"Ah, it's a sort of hollow tube that you can use to in a glass so you can drink from it easier. Sometimes it's got a part up top you can bend different ways."

That part might have been one that he'd played with for a good few minutes the first the he'd seen a bendy-straw, but that's beside the point. Unless someone comes up with a way to make one here, it's not going to be an option. A flask, on the other hand, is something he hasn't considered - but when it's mentioned, he perks up ever so slightly.

"Hey, if there's a flask, though, that should work fairly well. You've got one, then?"

[Healing tents, post-lyrium withdrawal]

[gatheringstorm]

"Jamie? Tsk, for shame." Spotting his escape attempt, Korrin crosses her arms and smirks at her own hypocrisy, knowing she'd be just as stir-crazy by now. "Are you and Araceli in a competition to see which can be the worst patient? Because I have to tell you, she's probably still going to win that one."

And while she speaks, the Vashoth woman approaches to help support him.

[wontforgetyou]

Just for that smirk, Korrin gets one of Jamie's more spectacular mouth-pulled-off-to-one-side faces, large enough that a deep crease can be seen on the side that's tugged off the most.

"Now, look, I'll tell you the same thing as I've told everyone else. I'm perfectly fine."

He can walk perfectly well, after all, and the fact that the room decides to spin just as Korrin gets to him is a simply a coincidence - as is the fact that he feels a sudden need to try and cling on to her for support.

"And I'm no in a competition with your girlfriend to see who is the worst patient either, for that matter. I can't be the worst patient if there's nothing wrong with me."

[gatheringstorm]

"Uh-huh. 'Fine', my shapely ass. Somehow, I doubt I'd get the same answer from the healers inside." Despite the teasing, Korrin's hold on him is firm but gentle. He'll remain upright with her around. Of course, if he pushes things too much, she'll just have to princess-carry him back for his own good. But she can hope for the best, can't she?

"I get it, I do. Being in there can make you fucking stir-crazy. But in the interests of not finding you faceplanted onto the ground somewhere, I offer my services as Vashoth transport. Tell me where you want to go, and if it's close enough not to tire you out, I'll be your crutch."

[wontforgetyou]

It seems that she's not about to let him go anytime soon - which is for the best, really, and not just because he's still healing. If she actually does have to wind up princess-carrying him somewhere, he's going to never live it down, and he knows it

At least it seems she's not intending on marching him back to his cot straight off, something he's grateful for. And if she's willing to help him go somewhere else, even if it's only for a short time, he'll take it - something that gets him to flash her a distinct look of thanks.

"Look, I just want to get out of here for awhile. Go somewhere to get a bit of air. Maybe a wee bit away from everyone else. Would that be close enough for you to be willing to help?"

Post-Tents

[youwonscience]

Cosima isn't exactly going around to check on everyone who was in the dungeons with her. (She's a little embarrassed about talking to Martel, for instance, even though being draped over one another while too hurt to fight was a hell of a bonding exercise on paper.) But Jaime and Lexa are something a little different. Of course, they were together in the tents, but that wasn't really a time that encouraged conversation. Especially the part where they were blurrily sharing memories and hallucinating.

So she's seeking him out now, just to... see. She doesn't expect okay, but she hopes for healing. For her part, she looks physically well enough, if a bit pale; she's not proud of that, and what it says about her own uselessness.

She slides in next to him at the tavern. "Can I buy the next round?"

[wontforgetyou]

In some ways Jamie's fared better than when it comes to the others, at least in terms of visible injuries. He hadn't gotten directly involved in fighting the Wolf, and unlike Araceli, he's okay with letting healing magic be used on him. Physically he looks hale enough, if one doesn't count the darker-than-normal bags under his eyes. Sleeping well isn't something that's been happening lately.

Still, he's up and moving and healing, so things are better than they had been, and he even manages a slightly lopsided smile for Cosima when she sits down. That part's fairly normal, actually - since he tends to make faces by pulling his mouth off to one side, he often smiles like that as well.

"Now, I know there's been a few things that've changed since I left Scotland, but am I still no supposed to be the one to ask if I can buy you a drink first? Not that I'll say no, mind you, but I'm thinking I'm supposed to at least check there."

[youwonscience]

"Okay, first of all, things have definitely changed, and second of all, I'm pretty sure that's only if you asked me out first. I think you're off hook." She manages a smile of her own. "What's your poison?"

[wontforgetyou]

"Aye, I know. It's just hard to keep track, sometimes."

But she has a point, and since he's not planning on asking anyone out anytime soon after that fiasco with Kallian, he simply nods, acknowledging that she's probably right. And since he's already more or less agreed to the drink in the first place, he decides that it's not worth arguing who's going to get who what, and nods down to what is, at the moment, a mostly-empty mug.

"Whisky. Or what passes for whisky around here, I should say. It's not bad, but...it's not exactly the same, if you know what I mean."

And not just because it's in a small mug rather than a glass. But she's a rifter, and while he can't be completely certain, he thinks there's at least a possibility that she'll understand what he's on about. In the meantime, however, he settles back a bit in his seat and gives her a thoughtful look.

"How're you holding up, anyway?"

Healing tents, memory glimpses fine

[justice_is_blond]

Between patients, even after he's seen to Jamie, Anders spends a fair amount of time checking up on the man. He counts him as a friend, and he can't exactly say he has a lot of those even though he has far more now than at any other time in his life.

When Jamie stirs, Anders offers him a faint smile. "How is the beauty sleep going? It seems to be making a difference in the new look. I approve." There may be a little worry in the pinch of his eyes, but he's trying to keep that contained. Jamie will live. There's just no telling, yet, what the lasting effects of this may be.

[wontforgetyou]

It's the thirst that wakes him, like it has so often since they first started giving him lyrium in the first place, and even as he slowly starts to let his eyes flicker open his tongue peeks out ever-so-slightly, running over his lips in a futile attempt to moisten them.

The tent seems larger for a second, more like a proper room, albeit one with dilapidated walls that could maybe be a bit of repair. But then Anders's voice cuts through it, and he finds himself back in the tent, looking up at that faint smile. The worry that's there as well doesn't quite register - at least not as much as the words do, anyway, and all that really happens is that he winds up letting out a snort that's more than a touch on the skeptical side.

"Aye, well, maybe so. It's a thirsty business, though. I'd not recommend it. Can I have some water?"

[justice_is_blond]

"Mm. Yes. I think you can." The snort is promising. It shows Jamie's recovering in other ways beyond the physical. Anders grabs the water pitcher and fills a glass, holding it out but still supporting it.

"Here we go, sip slowly. I suppose it's a good thing I never need beauty sleep; this way there's more water for you."

He lets Jamie have time to drink before speaking again: "Any residual aches or pains? In short, how are you feeling?"

[wontforgetyou]

This time, he smirks - briefly, but it's there, another sign that he's starting to get that much better, perhaps. He doesn't say anything further about beauty sleep, though, choosing instead to take a long drink from the glass of water before settling back up against his pillow and closing his eyes briefly.

It's not that he's planning on falling asleep, however, more that he's taking a few moments to take stock before actually answering the question. When his eyes flick open again, he winds up frowning up at the tent's ceiling before letting his eyes drift back to Anders. It really does keep looking like it's some sort of building, which is odd, but he's not worried about that as otherwise he thinks he's perfectly fine.

"I'll not be playing the pipes for at least another couple of days but it'll take more than a wee knock on the head to keep a McCrimmon down. I feel almost like myself again. Could I not get up from this cot now?"

[Out and about]

[conqueredhearts]

Iskandar could often be found at the stables these days since that was where his horse resided. He even tended to sleep in the stall with him now that he found he actually required sleep again. Honestly it was rather comfortable and he enjoyed the smell of the animals around him.

It was from this stall that he stepped out, patting the nose of a very large black horse. Then again, he was impressive himself. Nearly seven feet tall and a solid mass of muscles. Of course, he made up for that intense appearance by having a warm smile on his face as he closed the stall door then fished for a treat for the horse.

"There Bucephalus. I will see if I can obtain more for you, my friend." He laughed a bit then looked over at the boy carving wood. "Good day, my friend. What is it that you make there?"

[wontforgetyou]

In contrast, Jamie was a much smaller man, a good four inches under six feet in height, with a build that was closer to wiry than muscular even after spending months fighting for the Inquisition. He'd seen quite a few people built like Iskandar, though, and the man's height didn't faze him, even if it did remind him a bit of people he'd once known.

The memories, though, were of brave and good men, and when he glanced up, it was with a smile - albeit a slightly wry one, based on the question.

"Aye, well, I'm not sure yet. Could be a horse. Or a bear. Or maybe a terrible beastie. Depends on how it wants to turn out."

He couldn't say he was worried, either way. It was more something to do to keep busy, since he was stuck in Skyhold for the foreseeable future, and he gave Iskandar a shrug.

"I'll figure it out along the way. Here, did you want an apple for your horse? I've got some here still, and I should do something with them anyway."

[conqueredhearts]

"You have one? Bucephalus would certainly enjoy one of those."

He went closer and crouched down, a grin still on his face. Of course Iskandar generally seemed to always be with one of those. There was just so much joy to be found in life that he just wanted to discover all of it and live with all of it.

"Perhaps I might fetch you something in return. Or offer you company for a time. I may have little currently but I can offer that much to another."

He gave a soft laugh then. "I am Iskandar, my friend. Who might you be?"

Healing tents, memories are fine if you want!

[ancarrow]

Eirlys hears the sound of bare feet slapping on the canvas floor and pokes her head through the compartment to see Jamie halfway to the door. She's encouraged that he feels strong enough to move, but she knows that he's not ready to try going anywhere yet. Setting down her pestle she comes through to wrap an arm around his shoulder and guide him back to bed.

"Let's get you settled, shall we?"

[wontforgetyou]

Okay, so maybe he doesn't know where his shoes have gotten off to and maybe he's still just a wee bit dizzy, but other than that he feels perfectly fine...and for about three seconds he thinks he'll be able to make it out of the tent and maybe even over to where the rest of his clothes are stored. His shoes could be there, and then he can just get back to normal.

The moment he sees Eirlys coming his way he knows that it's not to be. Still, he's stubborn man, and even though he doesn't physically fight her attempt to steer him back to bad, he still starts to protest all the same.

"Och, look, I don't need to be settled. I'm fine, I'm telling you. You don't need me taking up space in your cots."

[ancarrow]

She turns down the top of the blanket for him to slip back underneath, still keeping a gentle hold on him with her other hand in case he decides to make a break for it.

"If there's one thing I've learned, it's that we're never the best judge of how 'fine' we are ourselves." She finally lets go of him, hoping he'll acquiesce and get back into bed. "And thankfully there's enough space and the time to make sure you're truly well."

Bagpipes. Always bagpipes.

[bookish_lioness]

She might not know Jamie overly well, but she certainly recognizes that sound. She's heard it often enough, though most of the times she's heard it back home had been linked to sorrowful occasions. As it is, the notes don't sound particularly cheery, so when she steps out onto the brisk battlements and finds the source of the music, she's immediately concerned.

Even so, she doesn't interrupt him, or even move directly into his line of sight. Let him play what he needs to play, and notice her in his own time. When he's ready to look up, he'll see Hermione standing there, looking at him with a concerned question in her eyes.

The siren song which lures people in or something?

[wontforgetyou]

Even without Hermione coming directly into his line of sight, he's not completely unaware of her presence. He's had plenty practice at piping with other people being nearby. Usually it's been during a battle, a place where he has to be aware or risk being attacked or worse.

Here it's a slightly different story, though. He notes when she comes up, but when she doesn't come any further, he stays where he is and plays on until the song is finished. Only then does he lower the pipes and turn towards Hermione, his brows arching up somewhat as he catches sight of her expression.

"If that look on your face is wondering what that was all about, I'd made a promise to myself to pipe someone on when I had the chance, since I couldn't do it at the time. figured it was the least I could do for the man."

Or something. Definitely or something.

[bookish_lioness]

Jamie's answer doesn't manage to do much more than confirm Hermione's concerns, and she draws a little bit closer, moving slowly in the event that he chooses to maintain his space instead. She only knows of one particular person who'd died recently, but given that this is Thedas, she can't count on it happening to be the same person.

"Anyone I would know?" she asks instead, though it's clear from her voice that she won't feel any less sympathetic if it turns out she doesn't know the person. If she does, though... well, any hug or other shows of comfort she gives Jamie wouldn't be solely for his own benefit so much as hers as well.