[open] we ask that life be kind

[eolasemah]

WHO: Sina, the greater Kirkwall populace (including you)
WHAT: dealing with the magic forest backlash
WHEN: early August
WHERE: the steps of the former Chantry
NOTES: with regard to this fiasco

It's early morning, but past sunrise, so many people are still on their way to their daily occupations when a small Dalish elf takes up residence on the steps of what used to be the Chantry and is now a very condensed forest. She's brought with her supplies to see her through the day: a few snacks and plenty to work on, mainly grinding herbs and creating poultices and tea blends, unremarkable and nonmagical activities to put people at ease.
Sina has paid little mind to the guards around the garden's perimeter, apart from offering each of them a bit of dried fruit for their trouble, and she has more of the same for anyone who comes to talk to her. To each, the message is the same: it was me, I did this for you, and there is no reason to be afraid.

Of course, there is a reasonable contingent of those who prefer to shout and carry on, some simply grieving over their chantry and their lack of control in repurposing it, some insisting this is Dalish trickery that should be punished. To both, she listens and says little, with apologies to the former group and polite deflections to the latter.

Over the course of the day she finds herself joined by an assortment of people from the street, who come and go in their efforts to make coin or simply occupy themselves: the occasional musician, bored children, beggars. Sometimes they interact with Sina and sometimes they don't, but regardless, she hold her vigil and, to a degree, actually enjoys it.

Perhaps it doesn't help at all. But whatever the case, the people of Kirkwall who care to look will find a face and a voice connected to the sudden forest, as well as a pointed listening ear and a giving hand.

[Feel free to approach sometime during the day, or we can arrange an interaction after!]

Comments

[eolasemah]

"Oh," Sina says, blushing a bit, "apologies. It just means 'little fox'." The word 'fox' is still strange for her, since 'halaan' is so wound up in her whole existence, but Sina tries to speak Trade when she remembers the right words.

[theexile]

"He is my companion. Though I suppose he is not what one would call a pet." She was Avvar so she didn't agree with that sort of thing, didn't understand it honestly.

The little fennec went over to elf, closer than before. He sniffed at her feet then lightly placed his paws on her leg to sniff her more before darting away and watching her. As if he suddenly remembered he was a shy creature. "I am Kattrin," the woman said when he came to move behind her legs, smiling down at him.

[eolasemah]

"Have you met Araceli? Perhaps he'd play with Lux, if they got along." She holds her hand out, wrist up, for the fennec to inspect, and otherwise pays him little attention, letting him approach her at his own pace. If that means not at all, then no harm done.
"Andaran atish'an, Kattrin," Sina replies, and clarifies, "you have come to a blessed place. I'm Siuona, First of Clan Dahlasanor."

[theexile]

"I have. He may enjoy Lux a great deal." She would have to ask Araceli if she would mind the fox meeting the little fennec. Not all were so comfortable around untamed creatures, of course.

Sitting now, she set her bag down and the fennec darted inside. His favorite location honestly. "I have never been able to behold a Keeper's magic before. It is beautiful."

[eolasemah]

Foxes will do as they do, and Sina doesn't mind when the fennec chooses instead to hide. She'd likely do the same, in his position.
"Thank you," she says mildly, "most don't. And... in truth, I'm not a Keeper. Just her second-in-command, when I'm with my clan." Which hasn't been for quite a long time now.

[theexile]

"You will be a powerful Keeper one day then." She smiled at the plants around her as she spoke. "They remind me of the mountains I grew up in. The hold was within forests like this."

[eolasemah]

Sina smiles, but a bit emptily. Yes, of course. One day.
"You're welcome to assist in tending it, if that's something you'd like," she offers, "Creators know I can't do it all myself." The corner of her mouth twitches faintly into a smile. "And if it would mean something to you, all the better."

[theexile]

"If you would not mind I would like that. The spirits have a great respect for nature and I would find comfort in being able to care for it." It was a part of her Avvar ancestory she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to let go of. That utter respect for the natural world and the desire to nurture it. The hold she'd been born to had been especially eager to partake in things like that.

[eolasemah]

"Then I think you'll be perfect for it," Sina replies, her smile reassuring. It's always nice to encounter people who will show the same respect for nature as she does.

[theexile]

Kattrin returned the smile and looked at the plants again. "I have been away from where I am from for some time now. To see these trees here..."

She looked to her. "Thank you."