(OPEN) and when the currents circle back again

[ichaer]

WHO: Ciri; open + some closed starters in the comments
WHAT: Ciri finally decides to get her butt to Kirkwall after a month of who knows what and being who knows where.
WHEN: Throughout the beginnings of Bloomingtide.
WHERE: Kirkwall, various
NOTES: Nothing to mention, will update as needed if anything does come up.

— ｇａｌｌｏｗｓ.

It is not cold here in Kirkwall but Ciri cannot stop sniffling throughout the trip across the harbor. She would have appreciated the chance to sit still for a moment after far too much time spent in the saddle following one very long trip across Orlais and back again before the trek through Nevarra, and finally on into the Free Marches. Unfortunately this boat ride across the harbor is anything but smooth and she wonders if she'll be becoming fast friends with the bottom of Kirkwall harbor soon.

Thankfully (or unfortunately?) that is not the case and with a neutral look, she frowns up at the sight of the Gallows and all its... well, she wouldn't call it glory. Huh, weird. She almost misses the cold valley and all its mud now.

"Hey!" She calls out to whomever happens to share this unfortunate space with her after a moment of needed frowning. Ciri possibly even has to turn her head a little more than needed depending on where said person is standing due to the noticeable swelling and dark bruises under both eyes with one verging on closing shut. The barely scabbed over busted lip along with other various bruises and cuts paint a noted story.

"Could you point me to where medical has set up?"

Might as well tend to the important things first.

— ｌｏｗｔｏｗｎ.

A literal month on horseback left little time to spend on any actual walking and even less on training. Despite a few days of rest, Ciri's leg ache and continue to feel like jello if she pushes herself to much. It is, without a doubt, hideously annoying. She also detests being cooped up inside the walls of the Gallows so she gets back across the harbor as soon as she possibly can and gets to work.

Work, of course, means climbing up Lowtown's less than grand build and getting a taste for her freerunning skills once again. She had to be creative in Skyhold but the city here gave her enough obstacles to push herself out of the comfort zone she had fallen into back at the isolated fortress high in the snowy mountains. It is, in all honesty, the most fun she has had in ages but it all ends rather suddenly when a leap between building falls short.

It isn't a long drop by any means but it knocks the air out of her already hurting lungs. It doesn't help she likely barely missed landing atop an unfamiliar (or possibly familiar!) person. A person that she can only look upwards at sheepishly, smiling.

"Uh, hey." Boom, born charmer.

— ｈｉｇｈｔｏｗｎ.

Compared to Lowtown, Hightown is almost a completely different world. The citizens mostly keep their space as she walks, indifferent to the white-haired Warden in her armor and carrying on conversations that don't register much to her ears. Not that she is not curious, this is a new city and new country that she is wholly unfamiliar about despite her travels. Nevertheless, she cannot bring herself to care much about the gossip of latest fashion disasters or who was caught kissing who in the painting room.

She does get distracted in the high class, pricey line of shops and stalls peddling everything under the the great sun. Ciri truly cannot help visiting a few, glancing the wares over and even mulling over a few of them and their details. Maybe you're also glancing over the trinkets, robes, weapons or other wares when suddenly you have a young woman at your side, dressed in shiny Warden armor and wrinkling her nose.

"How many bushels of apples do you think one of those amulets could buy, you think?"

Asking the important questions here...

— ｓｔａｂｌｅｓ.

Perhaps you're here visiting your own mount, caring for the others or just enjoying the day. Whatever the case my be, there is now one black mare invading your personal space. In her mouth, she is carrying a rather large basket of shiny red apples and snorting impatiently toward whomever was unfortunate to be the first person she found. Whatever could she need?

"Kelpie! Kelpie, get back here you terrible apple thief!"

Again, the mare huffs and suddenly moves to trot behind your back as if she can hide as Ciri suddenly rounds the corner. Huffing, clearly out of breath and dusted with dirt and grass as if she had fallen. How strange.

"Don't think you can hide from me!" Just what family fight have you found yourself in?

— ｗｉｌｄｃａｒｄ.

For anything not mentioned above! If you'd like a personalized starter then hit me up through a PM or on plurk at kaldwin

Comments

NATE

[ichaer]

To be honest, Ciri would really rather not do this at all but unfortunately she realizes that there is rules and regulations to being a part of an organization even one as in chaos as the Grey Wardens. She considers how to go about this for all of ten minutes before promptly marching herself around the Gallows in an attempt to find some face of authority in their small ranks.

It is Nate that she finds after some running around which is perhaps for the best, perhaps. So with a small sigh, dusting down the front of her armor and a small cough to announce herself she steps forward toward him.

"Reporting that, uh... that I'm back." She doesn't sound terribly sure of herself, or perhaps it is the exhaustion coming through after the long ride. "And that I am, most obviously, not dead."

Her own way of saying sorry for just leaving without so much as a word to any of them.

[pinprick]

"Welcome back." Nathaniel looks up at her over his reading glasses. He has some papers in his hands. He shuffles them away in a meticulously organized fashion before folding his hands together. "Anything else?"

[ichaer]

"Thanks." She says, finding a nearby chair and lounging back in it with a heavy sigh. Although the healers have taken care of her injuries, it was hard to deny that Ciri was still tired and sore.

"Hmm... I guess northern Orlais isn't too bad at this time of year. Spent Summerday at a cute little village."

INESSA

[ichaer]

She considers breaking into her best friend's room and surprising her by jumping out from behind the curtains. That goes out of the window rather quickly when Ciri imagines herself being thrown out of the window when Nessa throws a spell directly into her chest. She would deserve it, of course because that is what people who just vanish in the night definitely deserve.

Instead, Ciri sits just outside the door and waits. Waits for a good long while but it is worth it when she spies familiar snowy white hair appear around a corner. She hurries up onto her feet, leaving her bag at the floor and gives the most tired but happy smile she has managed in more than a month.

"Sorry I'm late for the move, Nessa." Ciri manages, smiling still but also bracing herself for anything that might come her way because (again) she deserved it.

[circleprodigy]

What comes her way first isn't a spell, but a large blur of a canine. Garahel barks enthusiastically, overjoyed at Ciri's reappearance and fully intending to knock her off her feet with his pounce. Inessa doesn't tell him to stop, instead staring ahead at Ciri as though not quite certain it's really her. The Gallows hasn't played that kind of trick on her before, but there's a first time for everything. At least Garahel seems to think she's real, though, and that thought snaps her out of it enough to step forward.

"You missed your birthday, you know." Inessa tries to pout, even as a smile tugs at her lips instead. It's too much of a relief to see Ciri back in one piece and throwing a tantrum isn't her style. She steps in closer, but will have to wait until Garahel stops wiggling all over his second-favorite Warden. She needs a month's worth of nuzzling, according to the mabari. So instead, the elven mage looks Ciri over with a trained eye. If there is need for her non-spirit enhanced healing, she'll go ahead and use it before any protests happen.

[ichaer]

As the blur known as Garahel collides with her, Ciri immediately drops to a knee and bursts into laughter. It is hard to keep her balance but she manages not to fall onto her ass and vanish under the mass of wiggles, and kisses. Ciri, in turn, makes kissing noises and faces because she has missed the mabari just as much as anyone else.

It isn't until Nessa finally speaks that she snaps out of it and peeks upwards through out-of-control, messy bangs and offers an apologetic look. When her friend steps closer (and Garahel stops wiggling so much) does she try to stand again. She doesn't say anything as the tingle of magic flows through her, she only steps forward and happily wraps her arms around Nessa with a happy sound.

"I know, I'm sorry." She sighs, shaking her head slightly. "I've missed you."

Lowtown

[killedwithlove]

The impending Ciri landing is neatly avoided by Cole, who simply moves himself out of the way in a flicker of dark smoke to reappear a few steps away, sitting on the railing of the balcony she's landed on.

Cole is also carrying what looks suspiciously like a jewellery casket, a small one, but expensive.

"... hello."

[ichaer]

"Maker's balls, I've had better landings." Ciri can only groan in pain, rubbing at the small of her back and pondering what new bruise would blossom from this beautiful landing. She almost misses Cole completely simply because of his small voice and looks over with a wrinkled brows, curiously looking to Cole before her eyes flicker downwards to the casket-like object.

"Some noble lady's pet bird die?"

[killedwithlove]

Cole watches her for a long moment and then looks down at the box in his hands. "It was her mother's, and her mother's before that, but he wanted to hurt her, to make her feel like nothing, like she had no power, he took it away and she wept that he couldn't stop him taking anything he wanted."

His fingers lightly stroke the surface, tracing the inlays. "It's just a box to him. It's her history to her. The hot springs would have been good for the aches, but there's none here. Nothing warm and soft, just sharp memories and sharper words and swords."

AVERY

[ichaer]

It takes some time to think of when she should speak to Avery. Not out of any serious reasons but simply because she does not know where she might be in their messy maze that once housed Kirkwall's Circle.

She could just contact her by crystal, of course and Ciri also considers just barging into the kitchens like she would normally do but holds off until her wounds have healed a little more before finding the familiar face among all the others in the Gallows. She's seated on a staircase, slicing an apple in slow motions as the other woman passes and she suddenly speaks:

"So because I missed my birthday does that mean I missed out on that apple tart too?"

[thecookery]

Coming to a rather abrupt stop (sorry, random person walking a little too close behind), Avery looks over her shoulder in surprise. There's a long, pregnant pause in which she is unsure if she ought to be more relieved to see Ciri again or annoyed at how long it's been.

So instead she she settles on standard grumpy and vaguely answers the question with another, more grumbled out question. "Should it?"

[ichaer]

There is a moment of pause from Ciri after the question where she continues slicing the apple with an expression that might be considered thoughtful. It certainly helps her focus her attention somewhere that is not on Avery but she is (quietly) happy to hear the standard grumpiness that she has grown so used to hearing.

"Maybe?" Why not just continue this downward spiral. "I've never really found myself in a situation where this has come up before, to be honest."

{ stables }

[aceso]

Now that they've settled in, Christine sticks to a daily routine that includes visiting her horse in the stables. She can't always take him out, especially since Kirkwall is really a city built for walkers with its narrow streets and numerous stairs, but she visits him for his daily brushing and treat. As he stands patiently in his stall, Christine puts tiny braids in his flax-colored mane, thinking he looks adorable this way, when the black mare comes by and her stallion's ears twitch with interest.

When the mare hides behind Christine, she turns to see who is calling and spots Ciri making her way over.

"She stole a whole basket?" Christine asks, turning to get a look at the mare. If horses could look disapproving, her stallion is excelling at it, as he is shooting Kelpie such a look right now. But that's because he's a good boy who never has and never will do anything wrong.

[ichaer]

Kelpie only snorts at the stallion in return and her hoof digging at the ground as if she is saying 'Just watch.' and gives a pointed look back to her rider. As Ciri steps forward there is a noticeable, if awkward, limp to her walk but she seems to not pay much heed to it when she is so busily frowning at her mount.

The mare at Christine's back just breathes out a loud breath, nudging at Christine slightly as if trying to get her to turn forward and look.

"She's been acting up all day," she murmurs tiredly. "Probably still mad for our last trip and honestly? Can't blame her. It was hideous."

[aceso]

Christine doesn't appreciate being nudged, and her stallion butts his body against the stall door as a warning to Kelpie to get back, or he'll defend his mistress.

"Shh, Ambrose," she says gently, looking between the clearly injured Ciri and her horse. "It is all right." Ciri should have her leg looked at. Did the horse buck her off? And just where did Kelpie come across those apples? Someone must be missing them.

"You know you cannot eat all those unless you set them down first." Christine points to the ground and lifts her brows at Kelpie with a look that suggests You know I'm right.

hightown

[unbrokenoath]

Kaisa's been scrutinizing the various sparkly jewelry that the stall had to offer for a few minutes now, pondering if her sister would like any of them. And more importantly, if she can afford any of them. Do senior Wardens get pay raises??

There's a little surprised jolt when Ciri materializes at her side, but Kaisa relaxes quickly enough when she recognizes the other Warden, favoring her with an easy grin. "Depends on the apples, I suppose. They got some pretty fancy apples around here. What is it with you and apples, anyway? Should I get Alistair to come be a pack mule?" He'd been eager enough to brag about his propensity for being able to carry apples, after all.

[ichaer]

The question earns her fellow Warden a small look, brows raised and nose slightly crinkled as if she is trying to make sense of what was just asked of her. As if something offensive had just been asked.

"What's with me and apples, what? They're good." Duh, Kaisa.

There is nevertheless a slight pause as she considers the prospect of making Alistair a pack mule for her future apple empire that will, no doubt, finally become reality now that could actually get their hands on the fruits so much easier than they did in Skyhold. Finally, she tsks and brushes a lock of hair behind her ear.

"It's always a good idea to keep him busy and he did once tell me he could carry a lot of apples. Plus it is always a joy to watch Kelpie pick on Alistair too."

lowtown.

[poleaxe]

Ioane is here on errands, if you can believe it. Her life has been lately taken up with getting trinkets for nobles in the Inquisition's service, cleaning their rooms and taking their orders. She doesn't mind it, if she's honest. Sometimes, they even ask her for interesting things. Like this one, that wants her to deliver alms to the poor in his name. She's currently trying to resist the urge to pocket some of said alms for herself (ain't she poor?) when someone nearly lands on her.

And that, there, is a scarred warrioress in Warden armor (that, Ioane can spot from a mile away). Ioane stares down at her in utter confusion for a moment, before her mouth catches up with her.

"Hate to break it t'you, but that griffon on your pauldron don't mean you can fly none." Ioane reaches down to give the girl a hand up.

[ichaer]

Said scarred warrioress (questionable, that one) in Warden armor can only laugh at the words passed her way. Ciri, despite the laughter, is nevertheless grateful for the helping hand and happily accepts the help to get back onto her feet. Her laughter is briefly interrupted by a noted pain where she so beautifully landed by ultimately shakes her head.

"And I hate to break it to you but considering some of the griffons we've got put up now? What I just did could make the Maker himself cry compared to those feathery drunks."

Wardenland!!

[doneisdone]

(wherever they've all congregated)

Though Teren is much less likely to judge anyone for fucking off indefinitely, she does note Ciri's return and even approaches her when she's got a moment to herself, offering a little cuff on the shoulder by way of greeting.
"Not dead, then," she observes, "had your fun?"

[ichaer]

And what a nice place they've all congregated! No mud but possibly full of ghosts instead. They are, indeed, living the life here.

Either way, Ciri glances up from whatever has currently held her undivided attention (probably food, there wasn't a lot of it on this trip) to glance at Teren through messy strands of grey-white hair.

"Not that I'm aware but I could always be a real fancy Fade spirit now," she counters. "So much fun that I'm utterly surprised to not be dead, let me tell you."

Gallows

[justice_is_blond]

He overhears the question and glances at the person she's asked, one of the scouts who might know. They're a decent enough choice. But they're probably not headed there and frankly, he could still use company when walking in to the Gallows from the docks.

"I can show you." Anders' voice is on the quiet side, face paler than usual. "It's where I'm going."

There's a beat before he attempts a joke: "On the other hand, she's cute. I'll not object if you want her to show you instead."

[ichaer]

"Is she? It's rather hard for me to see, you know." Ciri's own attempt at jokes because it is just about all she has left in her currently.

Said scout is given a smile and a wave, she ducking her head politely before hurrying off to just who knows where because this place is new and she is verging on being half-blinded at this rate.

"But you'll do, we can look like shit together and make quite the pair scaring all in our path."

stables

[universal_charm]

Thankfully, Atlas had conditioned Kirk to not be quite so shocked when he saw an equine face so suddenly near his. He didn't jump thank goodness, merely blinking and taking in a breath of that hay-horsey smell mixed with apples. Oh, apples! His mouth watered, realizing he hadn't eaten since breakfast this morning. He heard Ciri a moment later and chuckled when the horse attempted to him to hide behind.

"I'm not quite that big, sweetie," he shook his head at the horse, but reached into the basket and took an apple, tossing it up and down in one hand by the time Ciri came around. He grinned at Ciri, the horse obviously behind him. "Kelpie? I haven't seen a Kelpie anywhere."

[ichaer]

Ciri huffs, breathing hard and clearly favoring one leg over the other as she steps forward with a small smirk. Kelpie lowers her head more, ears flicking and giving her owner a equally loud huff of air in greeting.

"Is that so?" She asks, verging on amusement more than exhaustion. "Perhaps she has finally come to live like her name. If that is the case then I should go to check the the harbor, perhaps the locals have noticed a shape-shifting horse."