faderift | [OPEN]

WHO: Nerva Lecuyer and literally anyone who wants in on the fun
WHAT: A Templar escorting two Tranquil arrives at Skyhold
WHEN: From nowish and open to people as they come back from the Mire
WHERE: The courtyard
NOTES: lots of hatred

It was incredibly cold, and getting colder, but the deep fur cloak around her shoulders insulated her armour and kept most of the wind off, so it was bearable. Her charges, however - two Tranquil that she had rescued as she fled from the Templars - were difficult. They would not mind the cold even if it was killing them, so she had to be extra vigilant in checking them over for frostbite every night that they made camp. When they finally made it to Skyhold, her soul was as exhausted as her body, and she only made a very cursory introduction before pleading for a place to lay her head, and for protection for the Tranquil. Once she had both, she slept for a long time.

The next morning was bright and clear, and the air felt warmer in the castle despite the early winter that stormed in the mountains around them. She was at a loss, for a few minutes, as to what she should be doing - the entire Inquistion unfamiliar and disconcerting. So few templars, and so many mages, coming and going freely, with no regulation or safety structures in place...

She would take her concerns directly to the leaders of the Inquisition, once she better understood the situation. Until then, it was time to get her bearings.

Training in the courtyard made things easier - let her take her mind off of everything and focus only on shield and blade. She had to pause, however, as she found that her two charges were watching her, waiting for orders.

"The Inquisition is our Order now," she told them solemnly. "You do not report to me, but I am at your disposal if you are in need of any assistance." She knew that assistance would never be requested, but she would offer it again, when she saw them.

Later, she would spend a long time in the Chantry, trying to find some kind of guidance.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Ah, forgive me for the assumption," She said with a stiff bow of her head. "I forget that this castle is populated first and foremost by its army - of course those with other duties would share those that would normally be governed by other means. I doubt we have any here who could call themselves only gardeners."

"I am sure your skills are appreciated, with the need that the Inquisition must generate for them."

"Oh, no, its alright," Bruce quickly assured her, hardly bothered at all with the mistake. Truthfully it was kind of nice to think of himself as a gardener - at least then he was only really helping to grow life, rather than having to witness death, or to take it with his own two hands. "It would be nice if we did have some proper gardeners in the future, but for now we're all just making do with what we have on hand."

He gave a tiny smile after saying that, not really wanting to comment on the rest of her words - after all for Bruce he came here to offer his services for himself more than anything else. It was hardly as noble as other people would have thought.

The smile, however small, had the effect of calming her, slightly, and she relaxed enough to turn her eyes from him and down to the plot of land that he and the tranquil were working.

"... Yes. I did not truly know what to expect, on my way here. But I should have. The Inquisition is an army, like any other. There is little room for men whose only mind it to tend flowers." Her voice softened slightly - the Orlesian accent relaxing into something more mixed and murky, as she was no longer truly aware of it.

"I only hope that this army remembers its purpose, and keeps to its calling."

As much as Bruce didn't like to think about it, her words were true - the Inquisition was a military force as much as it was trying to do good, and with his history Bruce generally wasn't a fan of anything that involved weapons and violence. But it was a necessary evil, and right now the Inquisition was here because of the greater threat that was Corypheus. Words were barely going to work on a person such as that.

"As long as there's still the giant hole up in the sky, I think everyone will remember why we're here," he returns wryly, absently fiddling with his hands. Everyone was here to help make this place better, one way or another, and it was important to remember that. Or at least it was important for Bruce to remember that.

She nodded in agreement - or at least in acknowledgement. It was unclear if she believed what he said, but she heard it, at least.

"One can hope. Though I worry for the discipline of this venture, often." Her frown deepened. "They keep strange allies."

It did not even occur to her, that from most people's perspective, a proud templar was probably a very strange ally in itself.

Even with that, Bruce couldn't blame her for her comment; from the outside it would see that the Inquisition had a strange collection of forces. From humans to elves and even Qunari - clearly an uncommon sight.

"We're all threatened by the same danger that can possibly destroy Thedas itself if its not stopped," he said, glancing down at his hands for a moment. "At this time, boundaries aren't what they usually are. We're here for a common cause."

She sighed then, but nodded, unable to keep the real trace of worry from twitching in her brow.

"A common cause... If one I cannot even hope to understand. But the sky must be set to rights, and if that requires more... leniency than I would otherwise think wise to give, then so be it."

"Things are quite different from what many of us are used to." That, Bruce had to agree - even with his own experiences the Inquisition was undeniably something very different from the norm. And if he found it strange, others would easily find it even stranger.

He looked back up to the Templar and gave her a small smile. "It's a time of change for many of us, one way or another. But I'm sure we'll weather through it the best we can."

She frowned down at him, her brow twitching as she tried to assess whether or not the smile was a mocking one, but seemed to decide that it was intended as presented. She didn't smile back, but she nodded.

"Yes. I should hope. And I hope that the Tranquil meet which such dignity from the rest as you have afforded them. You have my thanks, and my shield, if you should require it."

"Ah--its no problem at all. Think nothing of it." Bruce raised his hands up with his palms facing towards her as he said that. As much as he appreciated the offer he really didn't want anybody to feel like they owed him anything - he didn't deserve something like that.

"I think much of it. Kindness and decency is difficult to come by, in this age." It was said with a solemnity. "It is only right, to offer what I can in return. But I shall take my leave, and allow you to return undisturbed to your work."

Bruce nods back, continuing to smile as he replied in turn. "And I don't want to hold you up either. I'm sure we'll see each other around, in time."

She nods, and doesn't smile, but she does offer him a tight bow and a fight raised to her chest. "Good luck with your work," She offers, before giving a short bow to each of the Tranquil as well, and then taking her leave.

[OPEN]

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