faderift | [OPEN] Why trouble her lonely soul

WHO: Velanna, Fen-Purrel, and YOU
WHAT: Catch-all for Velanna
WHEN: moments throughout Firstfall
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Velanna will be in Serrault for the middle of Firstfall, and is not attending the Winter Palace ball, so threads can be beginning or ending of the month. If you would like a personal starter lmk.

i. Warden Camp

Velanna, per usual, spends most of her time in the Warden encampment. Unlike some of the others she's still living in her tent, though a little more of her time is spent split between sitting in her own personal camp and at the larger campfire. At either one she's usually wrapped in a blanket with a book open on her lap, only actively engaging in others if they approach her first.

Fen on the other hand is a little bolder, and at times Velanna finds she has to look up and click her tongue at him as he climbs into a lap uninvited.

ii. Library

Often if Velanna can't be found in the Warden camp she's making use of the Skyhold libraries. She's been working her way through the books for quite a while, looking for anything of interest that might reference dalish culture, or just something that catches her eye in general. Even if they do not resonate with her, she still knows many shemlen tales.

She is always in her usual alcove surrounded by books, scribbling in her journal every once in a while, cat stretched out on the table next to her snoozing in the sunlight coming in through the window.

iii. Gardens

The gardens are not a place that Velanna frequented, at first. She grows many of her own herbs down in the camp, but there are some that simply don't thrive there. So a little more time is devoted of late to tending to some of the herbs growing throughout the open gardens while also pointedly avoiding any looks from the Chantry nearby. It's something she's grown used to, ten years as a Warden and the nasty looks from Chantry sisters always seem to start with her, despite traveling companions that range between dwarves and apostate humans.

Sometimes when she's working and she thinks no one else is listening she sings quietly while pruning leaves, old Dalish songs with meanings mostly forgotten but are soothing to her all the same.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

For the most part, Aleron is backdrop in Skyhold. He prays in the chapel every morning and evening, he trains daily in the courtyard, he visits Bethany where the Wardens are encamped for lunch and sometimes a ride, the afternoons are spent in the Skyhold library working on research. If it weren't for the obvious Seeker uniform, he could well be any random member of the Inquisition. Though his career tends to put people ill at ease. He's used to that.

Today, however, his reading and research interests have veered away from any possible information he can glean on red lyrium. Something's been niggling at him for a few months now and he's determined to get to the bottom of it. That and he's looking for any excuse possible not to answer his mother's letter demanding to know if he'll be traveling to Halamshiral later in the month. He is, but he really doesn't want to. Or the nagging. Or her hounding him to dress his station not his job.

He's staring intently on the very few offerings the library has on Dalish history and culture. What's available is lacking in both quantity and verifiable sources. Speculative commentary by Brother Genitivi or the frothing condemnation of a Chantry mother outraged by their faith are hardly ideal sources. But somewhere in here, there might be an answer to be found. Perhaps.

Aleron's only vaguely aware of Velana's presence as he browses the shelves, collecting a book here and there to check. When one slips out of his fingers and hits the floor, it's the poor startled cat he feels badly for. "My apologies, madam. I did not mean to disturb." Neither her, nor the poor kitty.

It's Fen's head shooting up from his relaxed position that really gets her attention, she likely wouldn't have noticed the book drop if the cat had ignored it. Books fall sometimes, especially with clumsy humans handling them. Velanna looks up at the man as he apologizes, her eyes narrowing slightly as she recognizes him as the man who she's seen spending a great deal of time with Bethany. They hadn't spoke, but there's few people who can come and go from the Warden camp that Velanna doesn't notice.

"It's fortunate the books have such solid bindings otherwise they'd fall apart from such abuse," she replies, a little dryly, before glancing down at the book on the floor, her brow wrinkling. "Though that is unusual reading for a human."

Aleron has the good grace to blush at the mild scolding he's received for the poor treatment of the book. He sets the others down on the table, to avoid spilling more of them. All their titles pertain to something or other with the Dalish. He does take the time to examine the book for any damages at being dropped. No rips, no tears, binding is still surprisingly intact.

"Is it?" He hadn't really given much thought what could be considered unusual reading. Then again, he can and will read just about anything he can lay his hands on. His thirst for learning and knowledge knows no bounds. He holds the book out to Velana politely to inquire, "Are you familiar with it?"

The look she gives him is, to her credit entirely blank and maybe doesn't entirely show her exasperation with that question. Or maybe she's just giving him an opportunity to noticed the vallaslin on her face. It is fairly light, perhaps it just isn't that noticeable in this particular light.

"I have read it, yes." she's read everything on the Dalish people the library has to offer, even things that weren't worth the time spent printing them. "It isn't the worst book written on the Dalish." Though most of them are pretty terrible.

Ah yes, he can vaguely make out the vallaslin in the light, but more importantly, he's been trained never to focus on facts rather than broad assumptions based on appearances. Drives his Orlesian mother mad with frustration that he's not a raging bigot about elves.

The important thing here is that she's read the book and can help him determine if it's worth looking through for what he seeks. The man goes from stoic and dispassionate to eager in an opportunity to talk books with someone. "No, the worst, without doubt is Mother Agathe's A Discourse on the Cult of the Creators." Terrible book. Started by calling the Dalish faith a cult, offered nothing at all factual to back her claims, then spent 300 pages spewing contradictions about how Dalish life would corrupt all of Thedas. It was nonsense. He is a man of faith but it's astounding how terrible some Chantry mothers can be in their condemnation of others.

The book gets another curious glance before he looks to Velana again. "Was there any references regarding creatures which have horns? Not halla. More like women."

He hears the singing first, as he examines the elfroot currently growing in the garden. It's looking good, but as Skyhold's population continues to grow they're going to need more. Another item on a list that grows and grows, things to do, things to try to help make sure get done, and so on.

Only after he stands and dusts his knees off does he see who is singing. For a few moments he simply listens and watches. He's not seen Velanna do this often, after all, and he's not sure he wants to disturb her. But after that he quietly strolls over so he can hear it better and keep a little company while he checks on the other herbs near her.

Velanna stops singing as soon as she realizes she isn't alone, looking sharply over her shoulder. She relaxes when she sees it's just Anders, and returns to what she's doing, although a great deal more silent.

"You humans always make so much noise when you're moving around. It's a wonder things here aren't all trampled." Always a bright and cheery one, that Velanna.

"And you're always so welcoming," he says dryly as he takes a seat next to her before letting Purrelden down off his shoulder. It's all right, though. He knows what she's like, and while sometimes a smile would be nice... he knows it's not him that's keeping her from smiling.

"It's a wonder you don't have people literally hanging from your elbows with how eagerly you're greeting me."

[OPEN] Why trouble her lonely soul

Early Firstfall

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Gardens, early on

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