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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

(I)

[byblow]

Usually, if he's alone in the office, Alistair leaves the door half open. It's more inviting, or whatever, and more importantly it makes him feel less trapped by the desk and the mounds of papers and books. He likes reading—don't tell anyone—but his current project is suffocatingly dull.

Today, though, and every other day for the last few weeks, he's angry at nearly everyone, in a generalized sense, angry at the world, and shutting the door suits his mood better. That's also the reason why he doesn't just shout for whoever is knocking to come in. Once they've come in, it's harder to get them back out.

So from outside the door there would be the sound of a chair creaking as it's moved, and the heavy steps of a large human in thick boots, and then the door opens only so wide as he can fill with his body—which is pretty wide, he's broad—while he looks down at—

—someone he has no reason to be mad at. And he has a soft spot, one labeled they get enough shit as it is, for elves. The mildly annoyed expression that's his default lately slips into gentler curiosity, all in the eyebrows.

"Don't sneeze on me," he says instead of hello.

II

[misdirection_hex]

"--it's just taken as a given that the primal school is diametrically opposed to spirit, but haven't you ever thought that was a little reductive? I just think the school system as a whole could do with some more--"

Were they on the city side of the docks, it might not be the wisest course of action in the world for two small elven mages to be walking along and animatedly discussing their craft without a thought for those who might dangerously object. But on the Gallows side, they're less vulnerable, and only the sight of the small defeated figure on the pier makes Vandelin take notice of his surroundings at all.

Even were her pointed ears not visible to mark her as a sister, her tears would stir up a teacher's protective instinct toward an apprentice-aged girl. Van catches Myr's attention with a light touch to his forearm and angles in the girl's direction.

"Are you all right?" he asks.

II

[circleprodigy]

Inessa has just returned to the Gallows, after an hour or two spent outside it just to take a break from surroundings. She's about to suggest spoiling Garahel with some treats from the kitchen, when her mabari makes a turn, heading down the pier. Brow burrowing, she follows him, uncertain what this is about until the mabari sits down by the young elven woman she'd spoken to before, huffing and pressing his face against her leg.

Her own tread is quieter, lighter, and she remains standing a couple of paces away. Uncertain if their presence is welcome, Inessa tries to give her personal space that Garahel obviously doesn't think is necessary.

"...Fern?"

II

[doneisdone]

"Miss your boat?"
A tall woman passes by, pins in her mouth and a lump of canvas in her arms. She normally wouldn't give a toss about some stranger having a bad day, but young women in distress generally at least merit an asking after in case there's a man nearby who needs his balls cut off.

II

[iceblade]

Skadi gets restless staying in one place for too long, especially when there's so much to see. So, she heads to the Gallows Docks, planning to take a boat to the city and see what else there is to do other than scandalize lowlanders. At least, that's the plan until noting that the boats departing are full, so she'll have to wait. Pacing along the pier, she can't help but notice the sorrowful young lady in a more secluded part of it.

Back at home, any troubles and reasons for celebration were shared with the hold. 'Not my problem' was a mindset that didn't exist. She can't imagine anything else, and responds instinctively now, sitting down nearby and not giving a thought to how the sudden arrival of a 'barbarian' woman might go over.

"What ails you, lass?" Her voice is quieter and gentler than most would perhaps give her credit for, but she knows there are some times that require a lighter touch.

wildgarden i mean wildcarden

[justice_is_blond]

He's still in the gardens some time later, carefully weeding and letting Purrelden play with what's been pulled up. While he enjoys this task, he's keeping an eye out for the girl's return. The chances of her getting the answer she wants are slim.

Sure enough, when she comes back through, she doesn't look happy. He gets up from his hands and knees to just his knees; towering over her might be the opposite of helpful.

"How did it go?" Anders' voice is gentle.