faderift | the start of something new

WHO: Sansa Stark
WHAT: Sansa learns about the changing of the years in Thedas; Sansa works on her sewing.
WHEN: 1 - 8 Wintermarch
WHERE: around Skyhold
NOTES: A general catch-all for Sansa to start out the new year.

i. the changing of the year.

Sansa has slowly been learning how life in Thedas works since arriving through the rift two moons prior and one of the things she's learned about this month, actually, is that they celebrate the change of the year in Thedas with a holiday called First Day. It's a simple thing to celebrate, really, and somewhat arbitrary but Sansa likes the idea of visiting others throughout Skyhold and drinking with them, breaking bread with them and generally making their acquaintance.

She's been terrible at making acquaintances since coming here, after all, and so First Day and the days after give her a chance to work in the kitchens and make simple little cakes to pass along to others. It's nothing taxing, certainly not for her since she isn't much of a cook, but it is a kindness that she wants to bestow upon those who have made her feel welcome since coming to Thedas and she wants to demonstrate she has an interest in learning how their world and celebrations do work.

ii. slip a stitch into something new.

In the afternoons, Sansa likes to work on needlework. It's become a way to make a bit of coin while she stays in Thedas and she's always loved her embroidery besides so making clothes and mending cloaks has become a way to earn money and pass the time. It reminds her of long, cold days at Winterfell when she'd sit by the fire with her mother and the septa, learning how to make her stitches small and neat, and oftentimes she dreamed of mending things for her lord husband someday. It's a mundane dream but, funnily enough, one afternoon it occurs to her that she's done that very thing and sometimes she smiles to herself or laughs just a bit.

Yes, the shirts are much smaller than she expected of a lord husband and often they are in shades of Lannister red and gold but she doesn't care about that. Here in Thedas nobody cares about Lions or Direwolves or Stags and when she draws her needle in and out of her mending, it's a soothing and calming activity that she doesn't have to worry about. No one cares about the subject of her embroidery now and she's free to do whatever she likes. The freedom is exhilarating.

iii. the frost falls upon the ground.

When the weather is clear enough, Sansa takes the chance to walk around outdoors. It's cold still, even to someone with Northern blood like hers, and the ice is still evident upon the grounds. Sometimes there's ruts from horses or wagons, crusted over with mud and ice and Sansa is careful to keep her skirts clear of them; she still doesn't like to be dirty even if she's much less squeamish about it than she was as a child in Westeros.

When a bit of ice falls from the edge of a roof, she dodges it carefully and when snow slides into the back of her cloak after shifting off the eaves of Skyhold proper, she squeals in surprise but it doesn't drive her indoors. The winter sunlight is weak and thin but she soaks up as much of it as she can and when snowflakes alight on her cheeks, she often pushes back her hood so that they can catch in the shimmering auburn of her hair.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I suppose it would be an understatement to say I am concerned about Corypheus," Sansa says, watching Korrin for her reaction to that statement. What little she knows about him frightens her and she wonders if it's the same for those who are native to Thedas.

"Especially considering I don't have training in arms or magic. All I can do is keep a house and sing a pretty song."

"If you want to learn other things, this is definitely the place. Skyhold has an informal school going, covering a variety of topics. I handle introductory Qunlat, mount care, and grenade-making, for instance. Other people teach archery or first aid or potion-making...you get the idea. I'd like to think there's a place for everyone, soldiers and civilians alike. You don't have to be on the front lines to make a difference."

And yes, mention of Corypheus provokes a grim nod, Korrin's lips forming a thin line. "Trust me, you're not alone. I was there for when he destroyed Haven; our best night turned into our worst one, thanks to him and his damn dragon. It's something I'll never forget. Skyhold is a lot more defensible, at least." Even so, she'd hate to think about what that red lyrium dragon could do in the open.

"I'm sorry to hear he destroyed the place you lived," Sansa says, voice soft and full of condolence. She never wants someone to lose their home; having lost her own, she understands how painful it is.

"I am glad Skyhold has received us, though. It's comforting to me."

"...thanks. It wasn't my hometown or anything, but it still meant something to a lot of us." Even after the Temple was destroyed, it had become the birthplace of hope after the Herald of Andraste appeared. That it was lost as well was a significant blow to morale.

And the kettle seems heated enough, so Korrin takes it off the hook, reaching for some cups to snag. "It's a lot more defensible than what we had, and they're in the process of upgrading it. When I'd heard that the elf Solas was guiding us to this abandon castle in the middle of nowhere, I thought it was bullshit. But I have to admit, he really came through for us. I don't know what we would have done without this place."

"It seems like a strong place of defense," Sansa agrees.

"From what I know of castles, Skyhold is one that could withstand a long siege and that is always an admirable trait in a castle. My own home was sieged from within - that's the reason it fell. It wouldn't have fallen if it had only been attacked from the outside."

Korrin frowns at that news as she pours the heated cider. "...I'm sorry, that must have been awful. I hope those who made it possible got what was coming to them.

It makes me wonder why it hasn't been put to the test. Skyhold's not exactly hidden, after all. But every day that doesn't happen gives us more time to prepare, I guess.

What was yours like? If you want to talk about it, that is." Given what Sansa just told her, Korrin won't take that for granted.

"Winterfell's in the midst of a frozen field," Sansa explains.

"There's no mountains nearby and the closest lake is leagues and leagues away. It's got high walls, though, and it can withstand a decent siege. It's just hard to get to it from the south, you see, because there's a very narrow neck of land that's marsh and swamp - few armies can cross it to make it north to begin with. I think my ancestors relied too heavily upon the Neck and didn't shore up defenses elsewise."

Nodding as she slides over a cup, Korrin holds hers in both hands as she waits for it to cool a little. "I've seen that happen time and again, with different fortifications. People find a good idea and rely on it just a little too much, and forget that there's more than one way to take down a fortress. Why go for the most heavily defended spot, when others get less attention?"

She pauses for a sip, letting out a content sigh afterward. "I'd take a frozen field about now, to be honest. Mountains may be defensible, but it's a pain getting supplies to and from here on those paths."

Edited 2017-01-26 03:15 (UTC)

"They could simply starve you out, if they had to," Sansa says, nodding in agreement. "That's how the Siege of Storm's End went back home. Lord Tyrell had to do nothing at all but wait until all the men were hungry and simply opened the gates. It's not wise to go into a siege without proper supplies."

And, with these mountains, she imagines Skyhold would be in a worse position than Storm's End was.

"I think -hope- that the advisors have prepared for that, but in the end, it could play out just as you said." Taking another sip, Korrin perks up a little. "We do have griffons, though. They're still pretty young, but a Warden friend of mine said they might be able to carry people soon. There's only twelve that can carry people -one has a missing wing- but still, it's not nothing."

"You have creatures that can fly while you are upon their backs? Thedas is truly a strange place," Sansa says, shaking her head a bit in disbelief and wonder.

"That would definitely give someone a tactical advantage."

Korrin smiles at that as she warms her hands with the cup. "I've seen them once, but didn't get close since I like my limbs where they are. They used to be completely extinct, you know; the Fourth Blight killed them off. I don't know the story behind why these ones exist, but the Grey Wardens keep that news to themselves. You can be sure they'll guard them as though they were their own children."

"They're dangerous, then? I suppose that's good information to have to hand before I go wandering around trying to pet one," Sansa admits. She's glad to know this ahead of time.

"Thank you for telling me."

"You're welcome. It's better than losing a hand or arm. Maybe they'll let you pet them, but that's honestly not something I'd attempt to try without one of the Warden carers around. They're probably the only ones that can calm the down if their feathers get ruffled, so to speak."

"I'll keep my distance," Sansa assures her. "I am not looking to lose any limbs and I think my husband prefers all my fingers intact."

the start of something new

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