{ CLOSED } If I just breathe

[aceso]

WHO: Christine and her closest friends
WHAT: A birthday picnic.
WHEN: Bloomingtide 13th
WHERE: the foothills of the Vimmarks, an hour NW of Kirkwall

As with most things, Christine overplans for her picnic. She studies maps and speaks with the locals about the safest areas outside Kirkwall and finds that heading towards the foothills of the mountains around mid-morning is probably her safest bet. She invites those nearest and dearest to her to join her for a birthday celebration, though it's by no means fancy. There will be plenty of food, drink, and activities to be had, but the part she's most excited about is just leaving Kirkwall. To breathe fresh air and see some greenery again. The brief respite she had for Aleron and Bethany's wedding made her crave this outing all the more.

On the day, they load up their mounts with the supplies and head out. The trip only takes around an hour and the path is well kept, so when she spots the large maple tree and stream cutting through that a local told her about, she knows they've reached the picnic spot. It's a wide, mostly flat field that starts to rise towards the north. To the east at the end of the field, it rises more sharply, the hills dotted with heavy stones. To the west is the path they've veered off, the large tree, and the stream that keeps going west under a short wooden bridge. And to the south is the view. Green hills descend before them, and while there's a hint of Kirkwall's Hightown within sight, what they can see beyond is the shimmer of sunlight on the Waking Sea. Now it's time to set out the blankets, let the mounts graze and lap water from the stream, and relax. Oh, and release the hounds, cats, and fox. Some of them brought their pets.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

"Oh? Well, now you've done it. I can hardly fail to give treats, in that case." Mention of treats has Garahel's immediate attention, and he bumps Ponce gently, just in case the latter wasn't paying attention. Chuckling at the intent, hopeful staring, Inessa reaches into her satchel to offer one to Ponce first.

"I've much talk from others with similar dreams, planning down to the most minute details. Whether or not they believe it can come to pass exactly as they wish, I can't say, but a little daydreaming does no harm." Inessa herself isn't wild about being too far from the griffons, so for now such dreams don't apply to herself.

[aceso]

Ponce is rather hyperactive, and it takes him a moment to catch on to what is being said by the people. People talk he tends to ignore unless his name is attached or his mistress claps her hands. But he focuses on the rustling of the satchel and is immediately alert, staring at Inessa. When the treat emerges he steps tentatively forward, then leans his body in to take it from her hand before darting back with it in his mouth. Because Ponce can't do anything easily and has to be wary of everything and everyone.

"I confess, I have done such a thing myself. It probably is not a good idea to get my hopes up. I will be unable to afford anything above the bare minimum, especially if I want any furniture to go with it." Christine rolls her eyes, imagining herself sleeping on a bed roll in an empty hovel.

[circleprodigy]

Ponce's antics have Inessa chuckling, and though she wants to pet him, it's best not to distract him from his treat. Then Garahel starts whining, and of course it's not fair to deny him. Once the dogs are contentedly munching away, she smiles and glances back at Christine.

"Alone, perhaps not. But if you are not adverse to shared living, you might find it more feasible." More feasible and safer. Kirkwall is still a dangerous place, however others try to sugarcoat it. That's one more reason she hasn't had a burning desire to strike out anywhere.

And then realizing how that might sound, she self-consciously shakes her head. "I don't mean to invite myself, only that much of the company you have here might be eager to join you in that venture."

[aceso]

"That is true," she says, though naturally the thought enters her head about thin walls and she and Church. Sleeping in the warehouse with its temporary walls has been a pain. They can barely make any noise at all!

"It would depend on several factors, but is something worth considering, I think." Like whether or not the walls can block sound well.

[circleprodigy]

Inessa nods, able to guess at least one of those factors even though she's not crude enough to voice it. That is a thought has her hesitant to move out as well, at least to a shared dwelling. The tower walls seem to provide privacy, but what about elsewhere? There are things she doesn't need to hear from her neighbors.

"With any luck, we won't have to wait too much longer before such decisions are ours to make. As far as I'm aware, there have been no major incidents and the Inquisition has upheld its end of the bargain. Assuming voicing it doesn't mean tempting fate, of course." Her tone is lighthearted, less thinking about doom and gloom and more about canine antics and the general silliness of today.

[aceso]

"Ah, now you have gone and done it," Christine faux scolds, wagging a finger at her. She may have tempted fate and where does that leave them? Stuck on the docks, that's where!

But of course, Christine agrees with Inessa. The Inquisition has been working hard lately to prove they're a force for good here in Kirkwall. The people of the city had just left everything at the Gallows as it had been, and it was the Inquisition who risked life and limb against red lyrium, spirits, and possessed statues to get everything clean again.

"Look at them. I believe a dog loves nothing more than to eat."

[circleprodigy]

That faux scolding prompts a chuckle from Inessa, whose attention is soon diverted to their dogs. They may be relatively quiet for the time being, but given a few moments for them to finish and that rambunctiousness will resume. Of that, she's quite certain.

"Eat, get belly rubs, play fetch. That about covers it, at least with Garahel. Oh, and take up room in front of the fireplace, greedy." She nudges her mabari with a foot, though he's too busy licking up crumbs to care about her badmouthing him.

"...you know, we could make a habit out of this. Roaming outside, letting the pups get their fill of exercise and fresh air. If we need a reason, that requisition officer is always after local materials. I'm sure we can provide."

[aceso]

Luckily Ponce is small enough that he doesn't take up much room, unless he's cold in bed. Then suddenly his body expands, somehow stretching from end to end and pushing the humans around. It's a remarkable feat.

Her face lights up at the suggestion, because she truly hadn't seen a way to run away from Kirkwall on the regular. But this? This is a good plan.

"Oh, let's! I dearly love this place already, and I know from what I have heard that up there a little farther, the ground becomes more rocky. There must be minerals we could gather there."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa nods eagerly, glad to do what she can to get the ball rolling. The pups will be happier for it and so will they. And if it gets that requisitions officer to back off a little, then that's even more incentive. "Perfect. That will show we have something to offer Kirkwall, while not always operating inside its walls. Whoever needs the break is welcome to join us."

[aceso]

"Truly, this helps me feel better about the change," she says, meaning the big change that forced them all to this city. The price of saving the world is evidently being in one of the most miserable places Thedas has to offer.

"Will you be the one contacting the requisitions officer to see what is needed?"

[circleprodigy]

"Of course! I mentioned this, so I will be happy to see it through." That requisitions officer has a thankless job, so Inessa suspects she'll be thrilled to get any help they remember to pass on. Garahel perks up and barks, encouraging all this.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Garahel. I suppose that settles it, then. And I think it will help us adjust, as well."

[aceso]

Garahel might know what they're talking about, but little Ponce has no idea. He'll just be happy to frolic out in the grass when they come out this way again.

"I think so too. I sorely need to adjust. The place is... affecting my health, I am afraid to say."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa frowns at that, naturally worried. "Have you been to the apothecary? I've had to pay a visit, to ensure restful sleep from time to time. It has been a more difficult feat within the city than I had anticipated."

[aceso]

"I have not. I am afraid it is not my sleep that is affected. I have these episodes from time to time at the Gallows." She frowns and looks away, feeling rather ashamed about it. It's just her way. Christine is a perfectionist and right now, her body isn't falling in line. "Brief moments of panic where it is difficult to breath and my limbs feel heavy. My stomach gets all twisted in knots. And I cannot do anything until it passes." Or until she passes out.

Exhaling a sigh, she rubs at her forehead. "I know the spirit of Faith will help me, but she's needed time to adjust to all the spirits here and the memories they cling to. Once she is settled, she can aid me."

[circleprodigy]

Ignoring the pups as Garahel gets playful again, Inessa nods at mention of Faith, glad that Christine will have support. Even so, that's a large burden to shoulder until then.

"That a spirit would be just as effected, if not more so, I have no doubt. I can't think of a place where Faith will be needed more, so perhaps that will give her opportunity to thrive." Her tone becomes gentler. "I would still recommend the apothecary, even so. I am certain they have remedies for anxiety, and you are far from the only one to need them. It's a very common issue for even the most experienced."

[aceso]

It's a hard thing to accept that she needs help, because Christine is the one who provides help. She's the one who has to keep it together; the one to stay strong when others are weak. They are allowed to be weak because they're hurt, but she can never allow herself to be. It's not that she's made of stone: far from it, actually. She wouldn't be half as good a healer if she didn't have compassion for others. But her reactions are measured and her mind logical. She pushes away all the things that bother her so she can get the job done, and that causes it all to burst out of her in one passionate explosion every now and again.

Right now she has to resist the urge to push all this back again and insist she's fine. Inessa is trying to help, and it does no good to close doors in the faces of her friends. It takes her a moment, but then Christine caves and gives her friend a solemn nod. It's a good step forward for her.

"I will go and ask."