[open]

[onlyhymns]

WHO: Cade Harimann, you?
WHAT: A weary and disoriented Templar shambles through the gates of Skyhold, seeking Commander Cullen. Most would be advised not to agitate him, but mages in particular are likely to find themselves at swordpoint.
WHEN: Not long after everyone left for the Fallow Mire.
WHERE: Skyhold gates
NOTES:This might be weird but I want to request that responders keep the scene to one thread, since I imagine he's only going to arrive once and I think it would be cool if things happen simultaneously. (please let me know if this isn't cool for some reason)

The journey alone from Redcliffe had been taxing in itself, and the long and winding way up the mountain pass to Skyhold had Cade near collapse. He had defected from his company in the Hinterlands, and while common sense stated he should go into hiding and leave the life behind, his blood yearned for lyrium and he knew he still belonged to the Order-- whatever state it was in, and whatever it chose to do with him now.

Wearing his lighter traveling armor, Cade wandered in the front gates and peered around the open courtyard. There was a strange look in his eyes as he took it in, and became aware that this couldn't be real; there couldn't be a Qunari over there next to a Circle mage, with no armored templars in sight. Something was terribly wrong with this place.

Comments

[wickedchase]

The way she speaks is certainly strange, but not all of it is meaningless drivel. Somehow, she can interpret a person, despite whatever is wrong with her. A very intuitive person indeed.

"And he's going to get it." Whether Twisted Fate thinks he should have it or not. "Look, y'can watch him if you want, but if I come back and he's got his sword in you, I ain't saying sorry to you, bean."

He glances at the templar. "You get that? Try to keep your pointy bits to yourself. Be best that way."

[girlinthebox]

To that she says nothing. She and Simon had encountered trouble on the road, people who meant to hurt them. Cade was lashing out in fear, terrified he'd stumbled into a trap. He'd see, given time.

The elf gets a shaky nod in response. She's not alright, she won't lie and say so, but he's done all the damage he's going to do for now. He needs someone to watch him, and she can do that from a distance.

[onlyhymns]

Cade certainly seemed not to have any intention of enacting further violence, and in fact looked more like he was ready to have his own head lopped off. He rested pitifully on his knees, his sword in front of him, breathing measuredly in and out as he struggled to maintain his presence of mind. He could get up and walk forward, further into Skyhold, but Maker only knew what he would find there. He could turn around and walk back out to eventually die of starvation or exposure, whichever got him first. There were no options that didn't end in total disgrace, so remaining where he was and taking a breather seemed perhaps the best course of action.

[girlinthebox]

So afraid. So empty and alone. The songs filled up the hollow spaces and pushed everything else away, like he'd tried to push them. Now things could creep in, doubts and fears where strength had started to falter.

"They'll bring it back," she murmured, after a moment. "Stop the shaking. They don't like it when people hurt."

Her tongue darted quickly over her chapped lips, toes curling against the stone. No good trying to get closer, he'd spook. Let him have his little bubble.

Sorry for slowness, holiday traveling!

[onlyhymns]

Cade waited, and the longer he did, the more the girl affected him. He buried his face in his hands and hunched forward, riding out the panic that continued to surge through him. He was certain he was about to die, or worse, despite what she said.