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WHO: Fenris and YOU!
WHAT: Fenris is back around Skyhold, catch-all prompts for the month!
WHEN: March/Drakonis
WHERE: Around Skyhold
NOTES: No warnings likely, just the occasional grumping from a certain elf here.

Herald's Rest

Not long after he returns to Skyhold, Fenris inevitably ends up in the tavern. He's been exhaustively busy over the time that he's been away… so of course some drinks are in order. His own stash is largely depleted, and who knows when he’ll next get a chance to replenish it? He orders a bottle of wine, but refrains from using the glass that he’s given. Nope, this is one of those times. Fenris simply grabs the bottle and starts drinking it down…

Stables

At the moment, Fenris isn’t really planning to get a mount. It’s something he may consider if he does stay longer at Skyhold, however, because it could come in handy for getting around the expanse of Ferelden or Orlais, for that matter. Who knows where the Inquisition may take him? Not that he's planning to be anything more than loosely affiliated with it. It's his choice to be here and it'll be his choice if he wants to leave again. That's essential for him to keep in mind. He'll always make sure to have an escape route, when it comes to this sort of thing.

So he’s wandering through the stables, glancing curiously at what’s there. The nuggalopes get particular attention, since they’re totally new to him. "Imagine that… Giant nug-beasts."

Gardens

“I still don’t trust that demons or spirits cannot listen in on this thing…”

He mutters to himself as he’s settled in the garden, staring intently at his Crystal as he looks through the most recent messages. He’d rather not speak into it, at least for now, so instead, he’s just getting himself caught up. Sure, nothing bad has come of it so far, and it didn’t before… but he still doesn’t entirely like it.

Wandering: Wildcard Location!

At some point, Fenris decides to get a look around, mostly to see if anything has changed. But he’s actually quietly trying to see who's still around that he recognizes, too. There are people he’d like to see if possible… and also people he’d like to avoid if he can. He’s not one for formally announcing his presence, preferring to remain down low about being around. Like a ghost or a stray, he’s kind of just slipped back into life here without making a big deal of it.

So he’s on the prowl, so to speak, looking for familiar faces all over Skyhold. He’ll drop by most anywhere, approaching those he knows, and eventually interrupting whatever they’re doing. “It’s been a while.”

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Ah, yes, Inessa. He hadn't gotten to know her that well but they'd shared that mission together, and to his least favorite place and home in all of Thedas at that. She's always seemed to be... very level-headed despite being a mage, readily and calmly taking any advice he'd given. She's a lot like Bethany, in that way, really. One of the mages who aren't weak-willed.

"I've been well... or as well as can be expected. I've kept myself busy enough. How about yourself?" He glances down as Garahel comes over, even managing to smile slightly at him before reaching toward him for petting. He's always admired mabari like Hawke's, and Garahel as well. Such intelligent, loyal creatures. "I see that you're better than ever, Garahel..."

Garahel rumbles contently in agreement, eagerly soaking up the attention as though Inessa never gives him any. This is markedly similar to his routine of 'she never feeds me and I'm starving' despite obvious evidence to the contrary. Some things never change, and a mabari reverting from war hound to silly pet in an instant is one of them.

"I've been likewise occupied, though thankfully away from the Winter Palace. I'm certain you've heard all about the events by now. Gaspard executed, an elven Marquise...peace reigns, as much as it can ever be found in the Game." Her tone, though mostly neutral, has a slight bitter tinge at that, though she interrupts herself with a sip from her tea. "I can imagine how you've kept busy; has your work been so successful that you are free to rejoin us in the south, or have you followed it here? Are we to assist?"

Mabari truly never change. It's even a bit amusing to him how they can become so docile when around the company of those they trust. He also knows that to earn that trust is an important thing, where such intelligent dogs are concerned. He's glad to have earned it from Garahel. He continues petting him, while listening to Inessa.

"An all-powerful evil magister is at large, and they're still concerned about their Game." Yes, he sounds so less than impressed. "That sounded like a mess, one that I'm glad I avoided. For now, I'm back to aid the Inquisition with whatever may come next. I needed the variety." No, there are plenty of other reasons, and just maybe he feels a vague sense of affiliation with the Inquisition. Maybe. "Not that things are much better in the Free Marches." Because of course he's spent a lot of time north, again, where his particular slaver-hunting business often takes him.

Fenris is a good buddy, he knows what's important (petting). Inessa smiles, watching the two for a moment though she focuses as she meets Fenris' gaze. Whatever his motives, she doesn't intent to pry too deeply; she doesn't know him well enough for that, and in the end having him around to help is more important. She doesn't need to be privy to the details.

"Regardless, welcome back. We would be pleased to work alongside you again." Garahel's enthusiastic tail-wagging confirms it on his end. "I'm not yet privy to the Inquisition's next move, but if there are as many rifts there as the south, the Free Marches deserve more direct attention."

Garahel gets plenty of attention, and Fenris again thinks of Hawke and her mabari, wondering how she's doing. He supposed he'll find out from Bethany eventually, given he's sure she's still here with the Wardens. He's lost touch again with people. He hadn't meant to, but here he is, this is how his life seems to go.

"Likewise." He'd liked Inessa well enough, the last mission they'd been on together. She wasn't one for hysterics, and seemed to have a cool head when it came to most everything. That's important for being a mage, having such self-control. "I'm not too sure about rifts, but Venatori and slavers are everywhere. My- our- work won't ever be done." It's oddly comforting sometimes to know there's always someone horrible out there to fight, it means he has some direction in his life, somewhere to aim that seething anger that's never cooled off.

"No, I suppose not." Inessa shakes her head, wishing the Inquisition could make a serious dent in that area as well. However, they have their hands full just dealing with the rifts and Corypheus' plans. Any aid they can provide against slavers and the like is incidental and hardly constant. Her lips form a thin line as memories surface. "Seeing Tevinter with my own eyes, I understand a little of why you feel that way. And elf's life in Thedas is hard enough elsewhere, but to see it mean even less in the north...it's something I won't soon forget."

And sure, she doesn't often speak in terms of race, but when so many of the slaves are elven? It matters.

Fenris tends not to want to go there, when it comes to talk of 'elf things', but he can't deny the truth of the matter. Reality is very grim for elves across much of Thedas, although it's especially true for those up north. His face darkens.

"I'm glad you saw it firsthand. Nothing can be fully understood unless you see it for yourself. Which is why the Dalish are so out of touch... How could they be otherwise, when they haven't faced the oppression of Tevinter magisters? Not that I would wish that on anyone. I wouldn't wish that life on my worst enemy."

Well. Maybe his worst enemy, Danarius deserved what he got and more. But even the allies he dislikes don't deserve such a fate.

"Nor would I." Inessa shakes her head, still sickened by bleak outlook most slaves face unless they try to escape. Even then, that's just as likely to result in death, one way or another. Or a fate worse than death. "I know little of the Dalish, but they are similarly out of touch when it comes to city elves, at least the majority. Even when they mean well, I've heard some presume to speak for us. As though we cannot do it on our own."

If they try to escape at all. He knows too well what it's like to have no other option in sight, to be so downtrodden there's not even a thought given to escape. He sighs and nods agreement.

"I could see that. They're naive and misguided at best, and at worst... their views could actually be damaging." He thinks about Merrill, who basically exemplifies all these traits. "The more they realize we share almost nothing in common, the better off we'll all be." The point ears seems to be where any similarity ends.

"And yet, we have more in common than some elves from beyond the rift, who claim us as kin and want to guide us." Her lips form a thin line, still annoyed by the responses to Margaux's message. "I don't care if others have different ways of following their heritage, but deciding for others is so patronizing."

He'd purposefully stayed away from any of those messages, in fact the moment he saw someone asking about the Dalish, he'd rolled his eyes hard. It's not one of his favorite topics. Ugh. But elves from other worlds entirely stepping in and having the audacity to speak for others...

"They're wrong. We are not kin. Not any more than the humans of this world are kin with human rifters." His expression darkens into anger, which is rising more and more as he thinks about it. "They don't speak for me. If I meet any of these elves, I'll be sure to remind them of this fact." Yeah. He is definitely Not Happy about these rifter elves' attitudes.

Perhaps it isn't wise to turn Fenris' focus to such things, but the bad mood that entire debacle inspired still surfaces when she dwells on it. Because of who he is, she can vent and be certain he understands, better than many present at Skyhold. She nods, patting Garahel who seems to be following their conversation.

"I suspected you might say as much. Perhaps it won't be necessary, but...I doubt it. Thus far, I have not had reason to draw a line; there is company I prefer far more, such as you own." She doesn't waste time with people who get on her nerves; that way lies drama and headaches.

Oh, he sure does understand, and he doesn't like it at all. He hasn't had a chance to speak with her much about this, yet, but realizing there's another who feels the same is... helpful. He'll remember he can always vent at her if and when other elves get preachy.

Well, and Garahel, for that matter, whose head he pets and scratches for a moment.

"I always told Hawke it was useless getting too overinvolved in others' affairs, I still stand by this. But if they're persistent and overly vocal... there may be no choice." He tilts his head curiously as he looks at her, realizing he feels likewise. He's never been one to care about being around other elves (or not), just finding most Dalish views insufferable. So... actually... "And I feel the same. I'm glad we've met."

As Garahel rumbles happily at the attention, Inessa nods as she listens to him, a slight smile on her lips. It's a relief not to feel judged about such things...ironic in a way, given how Fenris feels about most mages and that she's one herself. But allies can be found in the strangest places. "As am I. We should probably head back to camp soon--"

Garahel straightens and whines, looking pleadingly at Fenris. He wants to play, dammit. Please?

It really is a strange thing that they've managed to find common ground. But Inessa has proved herself a worthy ally, and he's seeing all evidence that she'd be one of the strong mages. One who wouldn't succumb to the use of blood magic or invite a demon inside of her- sorry, spirit- who cares about the difference? he invited him inside his head!. Anyway. He's come to genuinely like Inessa. A shame they hadn't spent more time together before.

"We probably should. Though it seems I might be obligated to play a game of fetch as well." He nods all solemnly at Garahel as if making him a very serious promise.

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