faderift | [Open] I can't take the distance

Entry tags:

[Open] I can't take the distance

WHO: Hermione and OPEN
WHAT: Catch-all for the month while Hermione gets used to Kirkwall
WHEN: Throughout Bloomingtide
WHERE: The docks, the Gallows, and exploring Kirkwall
NOTES: Will update with any warnings if necessary. If anyone wants to plan or would like a specific starter, feel free to either PM this journal or hit me up on plurk (

StarryOblivion).

Arrival

While Hermione had never had trouble with boats, she couldn't help feeling nauseated during the entire trip. She was still convinced that she'd left Harry behind in Skyhold, and that she could have done more to find him, and the concern and guilt weighed on her heavily.

By the time she'd disembarked, she was a little unsteady on her feet, and the sight of the Gallows wasn't really helping to foster a cheery disposition. She lingered by the docks for a time, often stopping to stare back across the water towards where they'd come from, but she knew that eventually she'd have to make her way into the Gallows proper.

The Gallows

Though it wasn't as dismal as it had been when she'd been kept a prisoner there in that horrible future world, the Gallows still wasn't the most inviting of places. Hermione didn't consider herself sensitive to that sort of thing, but she could swear she could feel the pain and anguish that lingered, soaked into the walls despite the Inquisition's best efforts to make the place livable. Though she sat in the library more than once and took a few meals in the dining hall and tried to settle into something resembling a day-to-day schedule, she didn't feel wholly comfortable anywhere. It wasn't until now that she realized just how much Skyhold had come to feel like home, and that posed a whole host of other problems in itself.

The city

Though Hermione hated the Gallows, she'd heard enough mixed tales about Kirkwall to be reluctant to travel there. But she knew that staying in the Gallows all day every day wasn't healthy, and so she eventually managed to borrow a set of clothes that wouldn't look too out of place among the locals, and so wouldn't attract any undue attention as she spent a few days familiarizing herself with her new surroundings.

[OOC- For the last option, anyone in her current CR circle is free to venture along with her, and anyone is welcome to encounter her throughout Kirkwall as she tries to get her bearings. She's curious enough that she'll at least pop her head in anywhere that doesn't look clearly dangerous, but feel free to contact me if you want to be sure or want something specific!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Considering that Garahel is the first non-feral animal Hermione's seen in quite some time, she's more than happy to keep giving him attention, scratching behind his ears and in general making as big of a fuss over him as she can while giving Inessa most of her non-physical attention.

"I don't know that I can even bring myself to go in there," she admits softly. "Not that I doubt you and the others did a fine a job of fixing it up, but... it seems considerably less homey than Skyhold, doesn't it? And Skyhold is a lonely fortress in the middle of a harsh mountain region, so that's no small feat."

Ooh, behind the ears attention. Garahel will overlook Hermione's lack of treats, pretty easily appeased. If she's steadier, he'll move away enough not to be overbearing. Inessa has lectured him in the past about not being underfoot.

Inessa's expression softens at that admission and she nods. "Were this nearly any other former Circle building, I might disagree, but...even now, it's difficult not to see it as it once was. That dark history clings tightly to the Gallows, and that's difficult to wash away. Perhaps it shouldn't, not entirely. We might need a reminder of what else is a stake, aside from Corypheus' efforts.

...though I think we can manage that without the overbearing statues of old. There is currently a vote on what to do with them; I'm strongly in favor of them being scrapped. The metal can benefit Kirkwall, and we will not have slave statues in an area we are attempting to rehabilitate."

It's not solely the Gallows' history that sets Hermione ill at ease, but its future. She can't very well tell Inessa that, though. Focusing on something that hasn't even happened yet isn't healthy, and emerging fresh from a long sea voyage isn't the time to be told that she's being foolish. So instead she focuses on Garahel for a bit longer, giving his neck a few gentle pats before making her way to her feet.

"If metal is needed, that's probably the best use of the statues," she agrees, though a touch absently as she looks around to survey their surroundings. "If not for the city, then for the Inquisition itself, I would think. Skyhold didn't have much in the way of decorative attributes either, really, so unless there's a specific reason to keep the statues up, I don't see much of a need to keep anything beyond the functional."

"Nor I, but some believe in having a physical symbol of hope; a memorial to the Herald, for instance. I think it would ease minds more not to have a reminder of the time statues were animated, even though the red lyrium responsible is gone."

She starts them off again, gesturing to the boat docked not too far away. "We can reach the Gallows from there, within a few minutes. The griffons have a roost atop one of the towers, but...well, you can see the issue with landing them anywhere in the city." So, boat it is. "Is there anything you wish to know? I'm up to date regarding our progress and projects."

Perhaps she'll even be working with Hermione on one or two of those soon? That's a pleasant thought, given the woman's skill in research.

"... ah," Hermione mutters upon hearing the statues had been animated. "In that case, I vote 'no' on the statues." She knows that inanimate objects are simply that when there's no magic imbued in them, but why take the chance?

She follows after Inessa, managing not to sigh at the thought of having to climb on board yet another boat. It's not much different from having to take a boat from the Hogwarts Express, but Hermione had gotten accustomed to the relatively straightforward trek through the mountainous Frostbacks. Then again, it hadn't been all that straightforward the first time she'd made it, so she's sure she'll acclimate.

"What sort of projects are you working on, exactly?"

Smiling faintly as Hermione seems to understand her statue reservations, Inessa pauses to let Hermione enter the boat first before gesturing for Garahel to do the same. When she settles down, the elven mage glances toward the Gallows ahead.

"Primarily, I'm now involved in researching red lyrium. We need to learn its properties, to prevent its spread and to combat the Red Templars. We stand to gain much from it, as long as precautions are taken. I'm also involved in the rifts and Veil project to a lesser extent. Strengthening the Veil, learning about the anchors...it's a high priority for more than just those bearing them."

Absently wondering how someone as seasick as Jamie had claimed to be had managed the trip to the Gallows, Hermione maneuvers into the boat, reaching out for Garahel as she does so to help keep her steady on the last leg of her trip.

She nods as Inessa speaks about red lyrium, having had minimal experience with it aside from a few run-ins with Red Templars. She mostly remembers it from the future, and Inessa had been involved in that, too, so needless to say Hermione jumps at the chance to think about anything else.

"If you strengthen the Veil... wouldn't that make it difficult for anything to pass through the Fade? Including new rifters? Or... rifters who might be trying to find a way back?" Because really, even though she hasn't heard anything to that effect, Hermione has to believe that there are still people looking to get back home instead of simply resigning themselves to living out the rest of their lives in Thedas.

Inessa's pauses for a long moment, letting the waves and seagulls fill the silence. She knows why Hermione's asking, of course, how could she not? A small, sympathetic frown forms. "Honestly, I don't know. That's what we need to discover, among other answers needed. I want to see everyone adrift return to their place of origin, if they so choose. The Veil in Kirkwall is already far too thin, however. I don't know if you can feel the difference, but I can. It's...distracting. That thinness has caused many problems; demons, possessions, said statues, and many believe it is responsible for the upsurge in blood mages, last decade. Such chaos benefits no one. I hope you'll consider a place on the project, so we can seek such answers together."

The pause at least tells Hermione that Inessa is thinking about it. It also tells her that no one else working on this project has been asking these sorts of questions, and that's something she simply can't let stand.

"I've lost a friend," she tells her. "Harry. He was from my world. I don't know where he is - that's why I stayed in Skyhold until I was forced out - but I have no way of knowing if he's gone off on some secret mission like he sometimes does, or if he's gone the way of so any other rifters before him. If the latter is the case, I need to know what that means for him. And what that means for the rest of us."

Trying not to be grim about it, she gives Inessa a determined nod. "If there's a place for me on this project, I'll take it right away."

That's encouraging, and Inessa manages a small smile at the news. "Good, I'm glad to hear it. The projects are newly formed or being reorganized; I'm not aware who is the project leader for the rifts, not yet, but I suspect such news will be forthcoming soon, now that the Gallows are cleared and settled."

If nothing else, it sounds more organized than simply sitting in the library for days at a time, poring through any book that crosses her path. Not that she won't still do that, of course, but having a central area of focus would at least make her feel more productive. "Thank you. I suppose, for now, I can just help you with whatever you're doing, until I get assigned something officially. That is, if you don't mind."

"No, not at all. And it is personally relevant; I'm studying anchor evolution, attempting to learn what I can in order to alleviate their pain. Or, at the very least, diminish it." Inessa scratches Garahel behind the ears as the boat fills up enough for them to move off. "I may not possess one for myself, but it's not completely selfless. I worry for those dear to me." Too many people she knows, not just rifters, have a shard. What will happen to them, in time? It's something she intends to find out.

Hermione looks down at her shard hand as Inessa speaks, frowning down at the fingerless glove she'd taken to wearing to hide the green glow from random onlookers. She's had to deal with the pain and discomfort for so long that she hardly registers it anymore, but she'd remember how terrifying the entire thing had been when she'd first arrived. "It's like an open wound that won't heal," she murmurs after a moment. "Such a thing usually results in an infection, or in the wound getting even larger, so I'm glad rifters aren't the only ones worrying about it."

Especially since it's not something as simple as blood that spews out of this wound, but raw power from the Fade. If that isn't cause for concern, she doesn't know what is.

Nodding solemnly, Inessa tucks strands of hair back in an attempt to keep them from blowing into her eyes due to the wind. "I have not heard of them growing in size, but that doesn't mean they can't evolve. We have several people who have discovered its capacity for defense and offense. Which is useful, to be sure, but I would see that it doesn't come with a further price."

"I don't see how relying on anything that closely connected to the Fade can be good for a person's body," Hermione brings up, trying not to pout. It isn't exactly the most mature thing to do in light of the severe topic, but it's been so long since she's talked to someone about the shards that her reactions aren't entirely what they could be. "Magic is one thing; magic is filtered and controlled by the mage in question. But this is a hole in a person's hand, if not in a more inconvenient body part. If the filter has a hole, it's no longer effectively filtering out what it was built to keep out."

At those shared concerns, Inessa sighs and glances to the palm of her own hand as though imagining what it would be like to bear a shard of her own. She's in no hurry to make that a reality, though. "That is a worrying issue, yes. There is no filter, no protection, from what is beyond. I wonder if the toll it takes is even greater on one entirely unused to magic. Without any previous connection, would further problems arise?"

What would happen to Kain and others like him, previously lacking a mage's connection to the Fade? Now he was more intimately tied to it than even most mages.

Though she'd apparently thought about all sorts of things that most other Thedosians hadn't taken to account, Hermione hadn't really considered that the shard may behave differently for rifters with a magical background than it does for those without one. "Are you saying there's a chance that those without magic might be at a greater risk?"

It's likely clear, given her reaction, that she has a rather specific rifter in mind, resulting in an extremely personal stake in all this. The lack of proper books on the rifts is going to drive her mad before long.

That reaction is noted, and Inessa fights off another sigh as she straightens. Hermione's worn and stressed enough without her thoughtlessly adding to it; this was a conversation that could have waited until she was settled. But nor will she lie or divert the topic. "I...don't know, but that is something we must study closely to be certain. Who do you believe would be open to this?"

Hermione is likely never going to be properly settled in the Gallows, and now is as good a time as any for this conversation. At least it gives her something to work on right away, so she can take her mind off of everything else.

She opens her mouth to say the first name that had popped into her mind, but instead she says, "Most of the people I've come to know from different worlds don't have magic where they're from. Or, at least, aren't capable of performing magic themselves. Someone like-... like Jamie, for instance, is as magic-free as they come, and even those who can do something similar to magic, like Rey, call it something else. I'm one of the small handful of rifters I know who has magic that can even be considered the slightest bit similar to Thedas'."

Inessa nods at mention of Jamie, thoughtful. "That is a good point; my knowledge of rifter abilities and how many of them echo our standards of magic is not what I would like. That will be amended, soon. If Jamie is willing, I'd welcome his help...and I would ask Kain's, as well. He is no rifter, but nor does he have magic of any kind beyond that of the shard. It's a decent place to begin, I believe."

A small, worried smile forms at mention of Kain. "I did not learn about his...addition for some time after he received it. So I feel the need to make up for lost time. I'm not certain that I'm done being upset with him for that."

The idea of working together with Jamie makes something strange and vaguely familiar flutter in Hermione's stomach, but she tries not to think about it. Instead, she focuses on the new subject, since that seems an easier thing to talk about on her end.

"Kain? The Grey Warden with the long blond hair? I didn't realize-... how did it happen?" She knows some natives have had shards embedded in them, but other than Mal, she hadn't known any personally.

"He was near a rift when it reacted and...well, gave him that shard. It must have happened while I was on the way to Skyhold and he still in the Western Approach." Inessa sighs and shakes her head, wondering if she would have been able to prevent it were they fighting as a team. He was always too careless by himself, and this was a prime example if not the only one.

"I'm... sorry," she replies softly, frowning a little. It's strange to apologize for someone else having the same sort of situation that she has, but she can tell by Inessa's response that she's troubled by the idea of her friend having a shard. She has any number of reasons to be troubled by it, really, considering how little they know about them.

"If there's any research or projects that can be done to find out more about the risks of having a shard, especially on those whose bodies aren't equipped to handle magic, I promise I'll do all I can to help. It's scary enough when it's on my hand, but if my friends may be facing greater dangers, that's all the more reason to get what answers we need as quickly and efficiently as possible."

"Agreed. All those affected deserve that much. It's new territory, academically-speaking, so the library will not be as of much assistance as I would prefer. But that doesn't mean we lack resources; the condition of the Veil here in Kirkwall might be just we need to aid our understanding. The rifts have been sealed, but the thinness remains. I'd like to believe we can use that to our advantage...if we exercise caution."

Unpredecented magic will likely require unprecedented means of research, but the risk needn't be reckless. She'll have to seek out the project leader once they're decided, but even before then there's time to jot down ideas and a plan of action. Whether or not its taken, at least it will be there if required.

Garahel perks up as the boat carries them closer to the Gallows, wagging his tail as he's eager to be back on land.

Hermione hesitates, her understanding of the Veil and all it encompasses not nearly as strong as she would like for it to be, considering how closely her own hand is tied to the rifts. "For the purposes of experimentation, you mean? Even if we're cautious, that sounds dangerous. We'd need a large store of people involved in that, to act as healers or forces if something were to go wrong and we only ended up opening an entirely new rift."

As much as she wants to help those with shards, it's always better to err on the side of caution, after all. She doesn't want to rush blindly into something and end up being killed by a demon before she even realized that something had gone wrong.

Between the dark thoughts and the sight of the Gallows approaching ever closer, Hermione is even more disappointed that she'd been made to leave Skyhold, but there's precious little she can do about it now. She only hopes that Harry is okay and out of harm's way, wherever he might be.

[Open] I can't take the distance

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