Nahariel Dahlasanor (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nadasharillen) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
faderift2017-01-04 01:37 pm
nadasharillen) wrote in faderift2017-01-04 01:37 pm
[Semi-Closed] On the Longest Night
WHO: Everyone who signed up--and maybe you!
WHAT: Solstice celebrated a la Dahlasanor; with a little play (and a big surprise).
WHEN: Winter Solstice, Haring
WHERE: For Sina and Beleth, everywhere but the Skyhold garden. Everyone else (and eventually Sina and Beleth), the garden!
NOTES: Anyone's welcome to take part, just check the sign-up post for deets and drop a line in it so we know to wait for your contribution to the sunburst. ♥
WHAT: Solstice celebrated a la Dahlasanor; with a little play (and a big surprise).
WHEN: Winter Solstice, Haring
WHERE: For Sina and Beleth, everywhere but the Skyhold garden. Everyone else (and eventually Sina and Beleth), the garden!
NOTES: Anyone's welcome to take part, just check the sign-up post for deets and drop a line in it so we know to wait for your contribution to the sunburst. ♥
--[Preparation]
The sun was slowly dipping beneath the parapets of Skyhold earlier and earlier. Dark came sooner, and stayed longer. It seemed to Nari that it echoed the slow dissipation of Sina's energy; like a tide that ebbed a little more each day, receding towards the horizon. Unlike the tide, it showed no sign of returning. Something had broken inside her clansister. Something Nari hadn't been able to reach, let alone try to put back together again. In the night, before sleeping, she stared troubled at the subdued movement of Sina's thin back. Whether the First was asleep or not was immaterial. Nari had learned that either way, she wouldn't talk.
This year, Fen'Harel wins... Nahariel thought idly, chin in her hand. And then she blinked, suddenly energized. She'd been avoiding talking about anything having to do with the People, had translated her endearments to the trade tongue after seeing Sina wince at the sound of their language... but the solstice story--that wasn't just People, that was Dahlasanor. If she were to start it... Sina still loved Ghilan'nain, of that there was no doubt. She'd still honor the Halla Mother, wouldn't she?
And by the end, perhaps she'd remember that there was still light in the Dalish, even amidst the dark. Light enough to live by.
The more Nari thought, the more excited she got. Yes, this was it. But how to do it here? She'd need people, people who loved Sina. And she'd need to spring it on her clansister, or the younger elf would have time to throw up walls. Nari chewed her bottom lip, and thought furiously until she'd come up with a plan. And then she let herself put hope in her heart again. And then she slept. And in the morning, she left their tent with a spring in her step to find her moving parts.
↠Merrill and Merrick
She'd thought at first to just ask Merrill if she might be interested in being their Star, but then remembered how Sina had to struggle to keep from giggling the year the part had been played by the two Halaani siblings most different in temperament, and decided quickly to ask Merrick as well. And so they were both sought out, and when all were together, she told the tale of the Dahlasanor tradition, and how she hoped it would be able to reach Sina, as far away as she was--and seemed to be going.
"The Stars are the first light that Ghilan'nain sees on her journey through darkness... and you'd be the first people that Sina would get to see. I know she's fond of both of you, and I know it would mean a lot to her to see you there, so... would you?"
↠Pel
Pel she found nearer noon as a courtesy, in case she was bothered by morning sickness, catching the other woman on her way to the practice ring.
"Pel! I have a favor to ask," she began, trotting up to join her on the walk. "I know you know well enough that Sina hasn't been the same after you all came back; how she's closed herself off from everyone, even you, I think, even though you were there," she said--and then made a gesture of apology. "I hope that's not unkind of me to say. It's that I've thought of something that might help, but I can't do it alone." Out came the story; Solstice, the tale they'd enacted each year with the clan, how happy Sina had been when she took her place as Ghilan'nain for the first time, and then about the Moon. A wise woman, often a new or expectant mother, who contrasted the bright energy of the Stars with a cool and constant light.
"I want to do it here, as a surprise. I thought even though the clan isn't here that the people she cares about were the closest to clan she has, and I know she cares for you, so...?"
↠Thranduil
Nari, to her chagrin, didn't know the elven rifter. She had, however, become familiar with him in passing as he often came to visit with Sina--first as she healed, and then after, again and again, as patient and consistent as the wind that slowly wears away the jagged edges of a cliffside. She found him in the library, stepping close enough to catch his attention, and speaking quietly.
"I have a request to make of you--and not a small one. I know you're not from Thedas, and so our traditions and our gods aren't yours... but I also know you care deeply for Sina, and this would mean a lot to her. Maybe everything." The smaller elf hugged her arms to herself and continued. "Our clan has a story that we tell together every year on the longest night. We missed it last year in the confusion of coming here and getting used to... everything... but Sina loved it, and I was hoping to put it together with people she loves since we have no clan here but each other.
"It's a story about finding light even in the dark, and two of the Creators--our gods--sparring over the nature of the People. Sina always plays Ghilan'nain, and Fen'Harel is usually the most senior hunter, but I'm narrating since I know the part, which means I don't have anyone to be Fen'Harel. Since it's sort of an adversarial role, I was hoping someone who Sina trusts a great deal would play it, so she knows for certain in her heart that no-one there wishes her ill. And... I was hoping that could be you." Nari paused, took a breath as if she was going to say something else, and then decided against it, releasing the air instead with a small worried smile.
↠Korrin, Rydia, and Sam
Next stop, mages. There had only ever been the Keeper providing magelights, while the rest held rushlights, but here in Skyhold... well. She had it in mind to make this a particularly bright and lovely Sun, and what could extra magic do but help.
One by one, Nari sought them out. First Korrin, who had become very dear to both of them, then Sam, ambushing the first shem'len friend she'd made in the workshop, then Rydia, who'd seemed so earnest and lovely over the crystals. Each time she explained her idea, and the great importance of what could seem like such a small part; in essence, representing the good in the world, the heart-light that sustained through the dark of the cold season, and the surety that the days would again get longer. And in this case, the lit up faces of people who cared. And each time she stood, shifting back and forth a little, waiting for an answer.
↠Ellana
And then for the fire that wasn't magic, Nahariel went straight to Ellana. She was slightly breathless from gallivanting around Skyhold when she found the other woman, but buoyant all the same.
"Savhalla, hearthmistress!" she called with a lopsided grin, "Would you help me with some fire?"
Despite being sorely tempted to leave it at that for humor's sake, Nari launched into an explanation of the evening; Dahlasanor's story, Sina's part, the attempt to reach her clansister who continued to slowly pull away. How she'd recruited mages for magelight, but how important it was that non-mages could participate, which meant actual fire, and could Ellana help to make sure everyone was safe, and what the best vehicle for the fire would be, and how they could light up very quickly at nearly the same time.
"From all my rambling, I think you can probably tell I'm out of my depth." Nari drawled wryly. "At home we usually had two people at the midline of the circle dip rushlights into the fire our hearthmistress had prepared for the occasion, and then we sort of passed the fire around quickly until everything was lit..." Nari said, and then spread her arms with a helpless look. "but the garden is so big?"
"...And even without all the questions, I know it would mean a lot to Sina to have you there, and know that the fire was ours. Does that sound stupid? I mean, it's all fire... but I think you'd make it different. Will you come?"
↠Beleth
This one was important. Nari was sure none of this would work if Sina caught the scent of it, and she could think of no-one better suited to preventing that than the Bard. Nari found her in the evening, sliding up next to her with a rather obvious air of conspiracy.
"Would you take a day to distract Sina? On Solstice. I need to make sure she doesn't go into the garden for the entire day... but then get her there somehow near midnight? And have her not suspect that's what's happening?" Nari's requests tapered into questions, not sure how that might be accomplished without arousing her clansister's suspicion, but the earnest look in her eyes made obvious her hope that Beleth would know.
--[On The Day]
In the afternoon, after she was sure her clansister was occupied, Nari passed the word around that it should be safe to meet up in the garden to go over any last additions, changes, and questions anyone might have before they met again that night to put everything into motion. The normally rather stalwart carver is full of nervous energy that she seems to be holding in check by pacing enough to plant a new row of elfroot, but she nevertheless has a broad smile for everyone as they appear.
"Thank you, all, again. Really. It means a lot to me. And Sina," and by extension, the future of their tiny clan, but that wasn't anything anyone needed to hear. "There're just a few things I wanted to mention, mostly about light," she said, then nodded to Pel, and to Merrill. "Since Sina doesn't know where she'll be going, would you two mind making small lights as it comes time for her to go to you?"
"For everyone else, Ellana's going to explain how the sunburst is going to go," she paused for a moment to nod at the Hearthmistress, "and then we'll get to any questions anyone has, and then," she grinned, "I think Cyril wants to to make you all pretty." She paused, then amended, "Well, prettier."
With a last crooked grin, she'll step back to let Ellana talk about fire.
--[Solstice Night]
All was in readiness. Everyone was in their places, rushlights had been passed out to the non-mages, all the lanterns quenched--save one small one right at the entrance--to let the full dark of the night blanket the garden, and Nari had scrambled up to perch on top of the well so as to pitch her voice better.
And then they waited, attentive to the sounds that would mean that Sina and Beleth had arrived.
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"Of course! I'd love to, I'm so honored that you thought to ask me! Is there anything special you think I should do, anything that will really reach out to her?"
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"I can't think of anything that would reach out better than just your being there and taking part," she says, her confidence buoying along with the mood. "We'll meet in the morning after I'm sure Beleth has Sina to go over any last questions and figure out where to stand and everything, and then come back that night to get everything ready. Is that all right?"
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"That sounds perfect! Oh- should I wear a costume? What do stars look like?" You know, up close. She's aware of what they look like in the sky.
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Because, you know, those are a thing.
Though sparkles are very Merrill.
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"I'll leave it to you. Just come and meet us on the day? There'll be a little meeting for questions in the morning once Sina's with Beleth, and then we'll gather around sunset to get ready."