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

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[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!]

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Inessa and Garahel come into view, the former having finished her errands outside the Gallows. Now she's ready to return, feeling the better for the brief change in setting. The former Circle isn't as claustrophobic to her as it is to some, but that doesn't mean a break isn't welcome every now and then.

As the latest (and last?) batch of agents from Skyhold disembark, she pauses to glance around...and then her mabari darts ahead, barking happily at Hermione. Spotting who he's heading toward, the slight elven woman perks up and approaches, gesturing for Garahel not to jump. He probably won't anyway, but it never hurts to take precautions. "Hello again, Hermione. Welcome to Kirkwall." The unsteadiness is noted, but before she can offer assistance, Garahel remains at her side in case the rifter witch needs to lean on him.

Jamie didn't much care for the Gallows, either. Having been there when they'd first arrived and having been part of the initial clean-up had been more than enough to instill a sense of unease that'd stayed even after the work had been done. As a result, he tended to spend his free time anywhere but there...and over the past few days that'd been especially true, as he'd come to a conclusion that bothered him quite a bit.

The Doctor'd gone missing. That in itself could've been explained away easily enough - Kirkwall was a big place, and Jamie knew that sooner or later the Doctor'd want to go poke his nose into places and see if there was anything worth finding. Normally, though, Jamie'd be able to touch base with him, either at night when he'd come back to the place that'd been set up in the docks, or over the crystals. Lately, though, there'd been nothing, and that worried Jamie.

Something could've happened...and as a result, when Jamie was able to slip away from his duties he set out into the city itself, determined to check every alley and corner until he could figure out where the Doctor'd gotten off to. Today he'd made his way out to the foundry district, wandering through the maze of streets. There were some signs that someone'd been in the area recently, and he'd followed them until he'd come to an area with small set of stairs with a door at the top of it - and a very familiar figure standing not all that far away.

"Hermione?" It wasn't that he wasn't glad to see her, because he was - in fact, just seeing her caused his heart to beat just a little bit faster. But the fact she was all the way out here rather than in one of her more usual haunts got him to pick up his pace, closing the gap between them until he was able make it over to her side. "What're you doing over here, anyway?"

Hermione doesn't exactly expect anyone to be waiting for her at the docks, so she doesn't register that loud bark heading towards her as being meant for her. But it's still enough to draw her attention, and she looks down at the familiar mabari with surprise before seeing his person not too far away.

She smiles, petting at the top of Garahel's head and giving herself a moment to get her bearings so she can stoop down to a crouch, putting herself at eye-level with the large dog. "Hello, Garahel. Still keeping Inessa safe, I see?" Looking up at Inessa, she gives her a small nod and tells her, "The library's been quiet without you. Well, it's supposed to be quiet, but you know what I mean. How have you been?"

Hermione hardly had a moment to turn towards Jamie before he was quickly at her side, and she blinked in surprise at how fast he'd closed the distance. It wasn't as though his was an unwelcome sort of presence - far from it, really. She'd just gotten so used to keeping a reasonable distance from the locals who seemed to eye her with some degree of mistrust.

"A simple hello would have sufficed," she told him, cracking a small, dry smile. Rubbing absently at her arm, she looked off down the nearby street or alleyway or whatever one might call the paths here and remarked, "I had to get away from the Gallows for a bit. I thought I'd walk around the town and feel my way around, but... well, it's not exactly Orlais, is it? For better or worse, I mean."

It also wasn't exactly London, or even a small village in London, but she'd come to expect as much, given the sort of world Thedas was.

"What are you up to?"

Garahel rumbles happily at the attention, looking rather pleased with himself as it's obvious Inessa is alive and well. "I've been...busy. Making the Gallows fit for widespread habitation has been an uphill battle, but we managed it. Garahel has well-earned spoiling and acclaim, I can say that much. But I think you'll be pleased with our new library, rather larger than what we were accustomed to in Skyhold. There is abundant work space near it as well, for research purposes. I suspect that will become very useful in times to come."

Cosima hasn't really talked about their trip through time since she was formally debriefed upon getting back. She isn't sure who to talk with, for one. Most of those who had gone with her she had known glancingly or not at all before they were sent out together, and she doesn't have a great sense of who might welcome commiseration and who would rather just put it all out of their heads.

Without a proper lab, it's almost inevitable that she'll drift toward the library, for work and otherwise. When she sees Hermione, she hesitates at first, but then decides to head over. Quietly - it is a library, after all - she says, "Deeply weird, isn't it?"

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."

Hermione, for her part, would rather stop thinking about what she'd seen in the future, if only for a little while. But it's difficult, and some aspects of it stick out in her mind more than others, and she's largely been quiet about it since the Doctor had left Skyhold. She'd assumed she would find him here and would be able to get some more things off her chest then, but in the midst of all her acclimating she hasn't been able to find him.

But someone else has found her, it seems, and she looks up from her book in slight surprise at the young woman she hadn't seen since they'd returned from the future together. Blinking a few times, she glances around as though expecting to see something specific, then returns her gaze to Cosima. "... what is, exactly? I mean, yes, probably, but I'd like to know what I'm agreeing with."

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."

Cosima grins despite herself. "Okay, fair. Like, everything since 'went to sleep at home and woke up being attacked by demons' would technically qualify. But I specifically meant being here in the present after being here in a future."

She doesn't go with "the" future, because god, that'd be depressing.

"It's just made the whole thing a weird exercise in deja vu. For me, anyway."

"Oh," Hermione replies upon realizing what Cosima means. She's not wrong, not in the least; nothing about the past year and change has been anything but weird, but the same could be said for most of Hermione's days since she'd found out she was a witch. This is all just a new sort of weird.

She also doesn't want to think of it as the future, and so she doesn't remark on Cosima's subtle choice of words.

"One would think that after we'd told the higher-ups in the Inquisition that we'd been held captive in a dreadful place called the Gallows, they wouldn't have decided to forcibly relocate a sizable chunk of their people to that very same place. Seems a little... counter-intuitive, really." After a pause, she admits, "And weird. Really deeply weird, yes."

Cosima's smile grows a little. "You know, it's sort of weirdly comforting that bureaucracy sucks in every world. Or at least most of the ones I've heard of so far." Of all the things to be the same.

"You mind if I join you for a little? Only if you're not too busy." Cosima isn't sure if she's presuming, but even beyond the time travel, they had friends in common; Jamie, for one. (The Doctor, though Cosima is fairly sure he's gone. She can't imagine him laying low for so long otherwise.) And she could use the company, if Hermione's open to it.

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."

Hermione manages a small smile in turn, though really, it's not exactly the most amusing topic when she's witnessed the downsides of bureaucracy firsthand.

Though she doesn't have much of a mess, she does put her book off to the side, allowing Cosima free reign to sit at her table. "Go right ahead. Just don't get me started on bureaucratic incompetence, not if you were intending on doing anything else for the rest of the day. It's gotten to the point where I'd been beginning to consider a career in the government myself, just so I could be sure that something positive actually was being done."

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."

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Page 1 of 6

[Open] I can't take the distance

Arrival

The city (Lowtown)

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The Gallows

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