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[wheretheferngrows]

WHO: Fern Doirnáin, Alistair, any other Wardens who want to be around to witness this sad scene + OPEN
WHAT: One elf tries in vain to convince a Grey Warden to let her join their ranks.
WHEN: Directly after this thread with Anders.
WHERE: The Grey Wardens' office; directly after, the ferry pier.
NOTES: The scene with Alistair is open to other Wardens only; the second scene is open to anyone!

I.  BADGERING ALISTAIR


There are so many twists and turns and corridors that lead to no where in particular in the Gallows that it takes Fern--already keyed up and anxious and fighting back frustratingly childish tears--longer than she'd have liked to find the office used by the Grey Wardens in Kirkwall. If nothing else, the time spent walking herself in circles does give her a bit of time to dry her eyes and regain her composure, which means when she finally stops in front of the closed door and raps on it, she only looks like she's fighting off a cold, rather than recovering from crying like a baby ten minutes ago.

Waiting for the door to open, she waits outside and picks at her nails, bouncing on the balls of her feet to release some nervous tension.



II. THE GALLOWS DOCKS


She's dealt with disappointment before in her short life, but somehow, it's never quite hit her like this.

Regardless of how her conversation with the Grey Warden went, by the time she's left the Gallows and made her way outside again, her disappointment has transformed itself into an all-consuming, despairing ache in her heart, and the tears she'd thought she'd finished crying before are threatening her again in earnest. Humiliated and furious at herself--what a stupid thing to think she could do in the first place--she finds an isolated part of the pier and sits down on it, face pressed into her hands. 

Comments

[circleprodigy]

That blush doesn't go unnoticed and Inessa smiles, though she won't tease or prod at such a delicate moment. And since they've already met, it will be a bit easier for Fern to speak to her about professional matters. "You're welcome, Fern. I truly hope you find a path you enjoy, whether it's eventually with us or not."

Garahel barks happily at that, and Inessa reaches into her satchel, producing a treat since he's been such a good boy. "You should join us at the kennel sometime soon. I hear we're getting a new litter of pups, just weaned. Garahel absolutely loves playtime with young mabari." It's the cutest thing, and she firmly believes no one can be sad for long, interacting with such energetic adorableness.

[wheretheferngrows]

"I do like dogs," Fern replies, her little smile warming a bit more at Garahel's enthusiastic bark. She gives him another fond scratch under the chin, and tries not to sound too hopeful when she asks, "Maybe one of them might need a new home...?" Rooster will undoubtedly be jealous to share her time and attention, but the stubborn old mule will get over it.

[circleprodigy]

Garahel loves treats, but he also loves getting his chin scratched, so he can delay for one, closing his eyes and letting out a content sound. Inessa nods, suspecting that particular goal will be more easily achieved and might help Fern feel more at ease besides. "Precisely. And once they decide who to follow, that's it. You have a companion and protector for life. If you wish to visit with us, we tend to go just after breakfast."

[wheretheferngrows]

"Would you go tomorrow?" she asks, already latching onto this idea with some enthusiasm, though she recognizes the likelihood of one of the pups wanting to come home with her is quite low. Besides, Sina had said she didn't like them much--

--still, it can't hurt to go look at them, can it? "If you go tomorrow," she says, "I'll go with you. If--if that's okay."

[circleprodigy]

"It's entirely okay. What do you think, Garahel? Tomorrow?" The mabari responds with some enthusiastic tail-wagging, always happy to play with the pups. "I believe he agrees. Tomorrow, it is." Will there ever be a time when she comes to think that mabari can't cure every mood? Probably not.