(open) our memory will be my lullaby

[sulena]

WHO: Ciri, Saoirse and OPEN
WHAT: Arrivals, settling and a general catch-all for both of mine throughout the month.
WHEN: Post-Winter Palace.
WHERE: Skyhold.
NOTES: Starters in the comments if you're interested in a certain starter with either of mine, feel free to hit me up through PM or on plurk.

Comments

[ichaer]

"That some of my lot call spirits, you mean. My Ritewine is a beautiful combination of fruits and terrible life choices."

And passing black out drunk after three shots usually but details.

"But it's good you brought that up though because much like bottles of booze, I'm seizing your assistance in a very important Warden matter. I'm going down into the Hinterlands, near Redcliffe and the help would be appreciated."

[thecookery]

"What? Why?" One of these days, she is going to have to start making some sense, right?

[ichaer]

"Kelpie is going to see a farrier for some new shoes, I need certain supplies and mostly? I am simply getting away from this fortress for a moment."

She adjusts the weight of her sword, glancing to a nearby window with a frown. "It'll be too much for me to carry back alone. It'll be a good chance for you to meet Acorn anyway."

[thecookery]

Yeah, she's still not getting it. How many better people are there to ask? How many more pleasant and less busy people? But rather than asking about that, all Avery manages is to repeat, more than a little baffled, "Acorn?"

[ichaer]

When you're best friend forever is your horse there really isn't a lot of people. Besides, she kept talking about going riding but pesky things like missions and work tend to get in the way.

"She's a Taslin Strider, young and recently orphaned after her rider was killed during the fuck up that was the Winter Palace. I've been looking after her but she needs someone permanent to care for her."

She reaches up, rubbing at her scar with a sigh. "Either way, she'll be your new best friend today since we're certainly not walking down to the bloody Hinterlands."

[thecookery]

There's another long pauses after that, and once again, Avery chooses not to directly address much of what's just been said. Instead, she asks, "You're aware I'm working, yeah?"

Now, it's not asked harshly, at least not for Avery, but she feels like it's a point that needs to be brought up at least once here.

[ichaer]

"And here I just thought you had some weird thing for kitchens and aprons." Ah, yes. There it is. "Besides, your boss knows that I'm borrowing your help since I'm picking up some stuff for the kitchens too."

With that said and out of the way, she pushes herself off the doorway where she'd been resting. "We still gonna play twenty questions because if not, we need to move on. I want to get through the rough patches before it gets too late in the day."

[thecookery]

She narrows her eyes, like she's not sure if that was a true statement or just a trick to get her to agree, but the only response Avery gives is a small grunt, before she turns and heads back over to Burly's side.

His expression is amused as Avery mumbles something too quiet for Ciri to hear. Probably about how she needs to know whether they can handle things without her for a while, because she may or may be getting kidnapped right now and obligating him to inform the spymaster or someone if she doesn't come back. His only answer, after all, is a wink and a light push back toward the door.

Clearly, this is a conspiracy that he is in on, and Avery shoots him an equally suspicious look over her shoulder as she moves to hang up her apron and rejoin Ciri at the exit, grumbling, "Well? Are we going or not?"

[ichaer]

And Ciri simply stands back, brow raised but idly adjusts the chainmail that falls at her wrist. It is only when Avery's step return that she glances up, looking back over her shoulder and offering the other staff a tiny little wave with a look that screams she is amused despite everything.

At her grumbling, Ciri simply grins and starts up the stairs with a flick of loose hair over her shoulder.

"Obviously. I'll meet you down in the stables since you need to get dressed for a cold ride. Winds are not as bad today but they'll get you to the bone if you go out like that."

[thecookery]

"Making me feel better about this already," Avery comments (though again with minimal bite to it) as she eyeballs Ciri. She will suss out her secrets soon enough, don't you worry!

[ichaer]

"You better hurry it up before Acorn and I just leave you behind," she laughs.

She'll suss something out but one doubts it'll be secrets. Probably terrible jokes or puns, definitely puns anyway. Either way, whenever Avery does show up at the stables instead of running away like a sane person, Ciri will be patiently waiting with Kelpie. The black mare is already ready to go, digging her hoof into the ground and snorting out breathes of cold air.

Nearby though is the fondly named Acorn, reigns currently held in Ciri's hand as the other adjusts the thick knitted scarf securely around her face.

"About time." She shouts, voice partly muffled but still easy to tell that she is grinning somewhere behind it.

[thecookery]

Avery pauses briefly to narrow her eyes, before continuing her approach, huffing out, "You are far too excited about errands, by the by."

Acorn at least gets a warmer reception, as Avery heads first to her muzzle, to share a small bit of carrot and a pet on the nose. If Ciri would stop all this tomfoolery and ask politely, maybe she could get this sort of treatment someday too, hm? Did she ever think about that?

[ichaer]

"It means I get away for this fortress so it leads to a bit of excitement."

Camp can only be so interesting. Still, Ciri watches quietly before shooting a Kelpie a look as the mare glances back with a huff. The last thing she needs is her horse judging her too because maybe she has thought about it? Well, probably. Definitely.

"I knew you two would get along," she murmurs. "Good, Acorn needs someone to ride her every once and awhile so she doesn't get all riled up stuck in the stables."

When it came to horses, at least there is some truth to her nature. A moment passes in silence before she reaches out with the reigns, offering them to Avery before pulling herself back upright in her saddle.

[thecookery]

Taking the reins, Avery gives the saddle one last, little check before pulling herself up onto it with a grunt and commenting in a totally casual way, "Suppose I could do that." What a favor she is doing for Ciri here.

"And the girl I room with needs to learn how to ride, rifter and all that. Might not be a terrible idea to introduce them as well."