{ OPEN } The mood it changes like the wind

[serannas]

WHO: Ellana and open
WHAT: Getting acclimated to Kirkwall
WHEN: Bloomingtide 4-11
WHERE: Gallows, dock, the city
NOTES: Nope.

{ the gallows }
It doesn't take much convincing for Ellana to take one of the free rooms available for the Inquisition's use. She's grown used to having her privacy and especially a nice bed, so when she comes with the second group in late Cloudreach, she's quick to claim a space. That said, there are times when she's amenable to company, even when not seeking it out, and she leaves the door to her room open so anyone passing can stop in. Sometimes she's reading cross-legged on her bed, other times she's playing her lute, the sounds of a bad note occasionally slipping through followed by a frustrated sigh.

{ the docks }
Ellana sometimes stops by to see friends who don't want to live in the Gallows, or to meander around the stables. Other times, she sits on the edge of the docks with her legs swinging, eating an apple or bit of bread as she watches the boats in the harbor. There's often a thoughtful look on her face and from time to time she'll look up at a passerby to ask: "How far do you think it is to Antiva by sea?" or "Have you ever been to Rivain?"

{ lowtown }
She doesn't expect a warm welcome at the alienage, but she mentions she's a friend of Merrill's and some elves are willing to talk to her. The fact that Ellana doesn't lecture them about how wonderful life would be for them in a clan helps, and when she mentions she's voluntarily left hers, there's a smug satisfaction on the faces of the others. But Ellana just shrugs and moves on, asking them about the city and knowing better than to show any pity for their lot. They make do, and she respects that.

When she leaves, it's still light out, but she has heard of the dangers of Lowtown even during the day. So with a wave of her hand, she sets the stealth spell she created on herself and slips back towards the gates at the docks. Maybe you're making your way back as well, and suddenly the space beside you that you swore was empty a moment ago is occupied by an elf with a smile.

"Hello. Heading back? Mind some company?"

{ for felix }
The Gallows is a big place, but there are some areas that Ellana frequents and it's not too difficult for Felix to find her when he needs her. Like now. She's just left the walled in herb garden and is walking across the expansive courtyard when she sees him after he's already spotted her. Her face brightens and she lifts her hand in a wave, moving to meet him.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Normally, Inessa would frown on Grey Warden impersonation. They occupy a role that requires great sacrifice, something that shouldn't be taken lightly. But given the harassment a elf, Dalish or otherwise, might face, she's willing to look the other way. It's even possible she'll play along, if present.

"It's embellishment. He has not treated me with hostility, and it's not because I'm a fellow elf. Matters of heritage don't seem to interest him." Nor do they interest Inessa for the most part, another reason they get along fairly civilly. "He is hostile to the careless use of magic, or magic used to exploit others. However, I've found that those who acknowledge its dangers and take responsibility can find him quite civil. We do not agree on everything, but in my opinion, that is not a necessity for friendships."

[serannas]

"Then I can see why Kirkwall was a place that got on his nerves." Hopefully by now, all those types of mages have fled elsewhere. Probably got involved in the war in some way and are either dead or in hiding now. If only she knew for sure what Kirkwall was like back then, but she only has Varric's book to go off of when comparing Kirkwall then to the one she stands in now. She supposes she'll have to ask someone who was there.

"I think things would be a little too boring if all friendships were between people who are exactly the same," she reasons, reaching out a hand to pet Garahel as they walk. "Of course, too many differences and you just shouldn't be friends anymore. I've had to cut ties with people because of that. Otherwise I wouldn't have any fun being around them. Everything would just be an argument."

[circleprodigy]

"The issues which tainted his interactions with mages are largely a thing of the past, at least." If there are any blood mages remaining, they're well-hidden. Inessa hasn't heard a peep about them anywhere. "...though admittedly, the thinness of the Veil remains a source of tension."

Her lips form a thin line, worried more for the apprentices than seasoned mages, but it would be prideful to assume that they could never succumb. Vigilance is needed here, now more than ever.

As Garahel nuzzles Ellana in response, she continues. "Exactly. Life is too short and too filled with more pressing issues than to spend it in constant argument." Debate is one thing, and welcome, but hostility? Nah, Inessa will just avoid. "Friendship can be a delicate balance, at times. At least those worth our time tend to meet us halfway."

[serannas]

"That's what I've found to be true." The last time she visited the clan was to formally take leave of it for good, and her friendship with her best friend broke then. It was a long time coming, of course; their personalities are entirely different as well as what they want out of life, but it still hurt. Still, best to get it done and over with than pretend when there's nothing left connecting them.

"It's what I love about the Inquisition. Now that time has passed, those who had very black and white views might actually be seeing the shades of gray. They can come meet someone halfway, when initially they wouldn't have thought to. It's encouraging."

[circleprodigy]

That 'shades of grey' comment has Inessa's lips briefly twitching because get it? Grey Wardens? Cir's terrible sense of humor is rubbing off on her, just a little. Thinking of her absent friend, departed suddenly and without word, sobers her up fairly quickly. "It's quite true, I've been present long enough to see -if not full understanding- at least the door to such opening a crack.

Do you think it will last, should we defeat Corypheus? I hope the memory of such widespread cooperation and shared adversity will mean something for the future." For elves, for mages, for others marginalized. But anything before the election of a new Divine, who will doubtless affect Thedas at large, seems premature.

[serannas]

Ellana blows out a thoughtful breath, giving the question time to sink in. It would be wonderful if this changed people's views, but she also knows (from personal experience with the clan) that change scares people and makes them hold on more stubbornly to what they know.

"I think it can only last if we refuse to be silent. If we allow everything to return to the way it was like the war between mages and Templars never happened, or elves, dwarves, and Qunari fade back into the background instead of standing tall and reminding everyone that we were a part of this too, then the prejudices of the past will return. We've saved people from rifts, ended countless conflicts, housed refugees, and if people try to brush that aside like we don't matter, we remind them that they'd be dead without us." Her face is serious when she's done and she turns her eyes on the shorter elf to see what she thinks of Ellana's view. It's a little intense, and certainly not the sort of milquetoast answer she might have given a year ago, but times change, and she doesn't want to see all they've accomplished be forgotten.

[circleprodigy]

Intensity isn't a problem for Inessa, who tolerates small talk but really prefers hashing out such issues with someone rather than just in her own head. Plenty of times she's been told to take it down a notch, so the fact that she doesn't have to now is a welcome change. So she nods with a serious expression as Garahel leads them to the longer set of steps downward, to the docks.

"Relying on momentum alone would be a mistake. We can't trust that everyone will be open to continued change, rather than try to cling to what once was. I've seen it in times past; after times of great disruption, many will try their hardest to reinforce the status quo, no matter if it was worse than before. It's familiar, after all." She can understand, if not excuse, such a way of thinking. It's a very appealing mindset to the privileged or frightened. "You're right, remind them as often as need be, for the sake of those who stand to gain...and lose, if we remain silent."

[serannas]

"Oh, believe me, I know. No one is as stubborn about staying the same as a Dalish clan." It's said with the smallest hint of bitterness to her tone. She's never wanted to disparage their way of life, but at times it's so frustrating that she just wants to grab a Dalish elf by the shoulders and shake them, asking why they can't see that this way of life and isolation is killing them just as much as the threat of humans might.

"Well, we may as well start now. No need to wait until the war's over."

[circleprodigy]

That slight bitterness in Ellana's tone prompts a small smile of sympathy and understanding. "My knowledge of the Dalish is limited, but I will take your word for it. Preserving old lore has a way of causing one to focus solely on the past, to the detriment of the present. That is a problem I've encountered in Circle towers and Warden keeps alike." Her own tone echoes that bitterness at the latter part, given how her experience in Weisshaupt effectively stripped any rose-colored view of Grey Wardens from childhood.

[serannas]

"That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid as I explore old elven sites. I don't want to look at what's left and only think of how we lost so much. I just want to fill in the missing pieces. Have more information to pass on to future generations." Her forehead wrinkles as she considers what she can relate this to.

"It's like... picking up a book with the first chapters ripped out. You read the rest, but you wish you had the start to fill in what you don't understand. Then you find those chapters and get to read them. Why would you despair after that? You have the whole thing now, and though it came to you in the wrong order, you can see the whole picture now."

[circleprodigy]

Her smile returns a touch wider, putting aside her sore feelings in favor of a better subject. "A very apt analogy, I must say. It sounds as though your perspective will be what the elven artifacts project needs." With Ellana's passion for the subject, it's safe to assume that's where her attention will be. "Will you be vying for any position of leadership? With much of Skyhold's remaining where they are, it seems that there will be much in the way of opportunities."

[serannas]

"Oh, no," she says seriously, shaking her head no. After feeling like she could barely keep her head above water with the council, she's not keen to make big decisions that affect others ever again. She prefers to sticking with making decisions for just herself.

"I like the freedom that comes with what I'm doing now. Being a leader means running after people and issuing orders. I'd much rather do things on my own."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa nods, as Garahel barks at the seagulls soaring up ahead. "There is a certain flexibility that would be lost stepping into a leadership role, true. I might apply for leadership of a project, but I don't expect to gain it. There are many more qualified than I. I don't mind, though. The work matters more than the position."

Besides, even as a low-ranking Grey Warden, there's enough responsibility to go around. She won't be any more idle than she during the month-long cleanup.

[serannas]

Her gaze lifts skyward as Garahel barks, and she smiles at the sight of the birds so unconcerned with the world below and all the troubles of Kirkwall.

"Who knows; you might end up surprised," she replies, looking back down. "But I know that every little bit helps, whether you're a leader or following orders. This is a big change for all of us, but we can rise to the challenge."