faderift | (no subject)

WHO: Carlos and OPEN
WHAT: Carlos arrives at Kirkwall
WHEN: Throughout the Day
WHERE: Around the Inquisition's headquarters in Kirkwall
NOTES: None yet.

I. Fresh Off The Boat

When Carlos arrived and finally settled away from the ship, he had to brace himself up against the nearest solid structure. He needed that moment to get his land legs back. He had managed to not throw up once during the trip, but that didn't mean he hadn't felt sick nearly the entire time. Now that he was back on solid ground he felt wobbly and it took him a moment to regain his composure.

Still, he had arrived. He had made it! While the statues and gates had terrified countless mages before him, he felt relieved to be here. It had been a long trip. Not just the ship ride over, but everything that had happened to him since the Rebellion had started. He felt as if all of it had moved him towards this place where so many had died and suffered but which managed to hold all of the promise of his future.

Once he had soothed his stomach and could stand without swaying, he grabbed his staff, straightened his robes, and walked into the Gallows. He had someone he wanted to find but first he needed to report to the Inquisition's headquarters here.

II. Settling In

The person he had been seeking had been found, had directed him to a good meal, and had made sure he had a space to sleep and spend his time. Now he needed to settle in.

He was used to not having very many belongings. His mother had never given him anything that was truly his and the Circle had been more about shared spaces and items. As he unpacked he only has a few healing supplies and books really, but he still took the time to arrange them in his space in an organized way.

He liked the fact that he has a bed assigned to him. Having a bed of his own was still a luxury, even if it was in a space he shared with the other members of the Inquisition. He hoped his neighbors were nice, at least. It was always good to like the people who would be around when you were sleeping.

III. Medic Tents

Carlos knew eventually he would be assigned a role and have to stick with it, but after settling in and meeting a few people he really wanted to check out the medic tents. He was curious about how things are set up here and he wanted to offer help where he could. Healing was something he was good at, even if he still had a lot to learn.

He didn't want to intrude on patients though, so for a moment he sort of lingered outside and looked at the entrance with a curious and hopeful expression.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

After another busy day at her office, Inessa just wants to settle back in the quarters she shares with Ciri and have a cup of tea. Perhaps she'll even get to read something that doesn't have 'Veil' or 'rift' in it. Garahel, however, seems to have other ideas. Easily distracted and eager to make friends, he pauses by an open door and stares at her before padding in to greet whoever caught his scent. No one minds a big war dog suddenly up in their business, right?

Carlos turns when he hears the animal come in and then grins widely. "Hey you," he says as he bends to scratch the animal's head. "Aren't you a charmer?" He's heard a lot about mabari but this is the first one he's met in person.

The mabari pants happily, tilting his head into that scratching. People who shower him with affection without being asked are his favorite sort of people. Watching from the doorway, Inessa shakes her head and smiles.

"His name is Garahel, and he certainly can be. Though I warn you, give in and he'll happily pester whenever he sees you." The mabari tries to look innocent and gives a whine. He's not a pest, is he?

Carlos starts a bit when she speaks, but then smiles at the sight of her. He just was so focused on the animal he hadn't noticed the person the animal belonged to.

A long time ago, when he had still been under his mother's control, he would have been terrified of Garahel. She had made him believe that animals such as dogs were out to harm him. Then the men and women at the Circle had helped him unlearn all of that. Dogs were probably always going to be his favorite, though.

"I won't mind that at all. He's always going to be welcome here." Honestly, Carlos will even keep his door open a tad if he thinks there's chances a dog will randomly drop by. He might also try to tilt the odds in his favor by keeping treats.

He focused on Garahel again. "It's nice to meet you Garahel. My name is Carolus, but mostly everyone calls me Carlos." Then he straightened up and came over to greet Inessa, offering his hand to shake. "And it's nice to meet you too."

Inessa smiles, certain she doesn't cut an intimidating figure upon inspection. Garahel barks happily at the news, running around excitedly in a little circle; he always wants new friends. As Carlos offers his hand, she shakes it.

"A pleasure to meet you, Carlos. I am Inessa, also known as Warden Serra. Currently, I'm the leader of the Rifts and the Veil project. Garahel is our unofficial mascot, I suppose."

"I can see why. He's beautiful." Then, after a moment, "I admit this is my first time meeting both a mabari and a Grey Warden. Is there some sort of special greeting I should know?"

"Not particularly, no. I'm just a standard Warden, not a Commander or other ranking official. As mabari--" Inessa tilts her head and glances down at her mabari. "Garahel, be a good boy and show him your manners." Perking up, the mabari sits and offers his paw. Shake?

Edited 2017-10-23 02:47 (UTC)

Carlos laughs a bit and then takes the paw to shake it.

"You're so lucky to have each other," he admits afterwards. He honestly wishes he had an animal that had that kind of bond.

Pleased with the response, Garahel bumps up against Carlos affectionately. Inessa glances at her mabari companion fondly, but sensing the wistfulness soon turns her attention back to Carlos.

"We are, indeed. I do not take his company for granted, not when we only had mousers at Kinloch Hold. It would have been unthinkable just a few years ago that I'd ever have a mabari of my own and yet, now it's just as unthinkable to be without one.

...the Inquisition has access to mabari breeders, you know. It's certainly possible to meet new pups while you're here." Not that she expects him to go do that right now, but...it's something to consider.

Carlos's eyes widen a bit at that suggestion. He hadn't thought of getting into contact with a breeder for real. He's tempted to almost drop everything and go find one.

But then, after a moment, "I don't know if I should. Mabari bond for life, don't they? If the Circles come back, I probably wouldn't be able to keep him. They don't usually have room for a dog as big as them, do they?"

"They do indeed bond for life, yes." Garahel huffs happily, nuzzling Inessa in turn. She strokes his head, then looks thoughtful. "Mabari aren't exactly suited to a Circle tower, it's true, but even before the rebellion, there were opportunities to work outside one. And with the connections gained here, I believe that will be possible. This is particularly true if we succeed in our overall goal."

If they don't...well, the Circles won't be returning either way. But she'll refrain from focusing on such a grim line of thought. Garahel diverts from that anyway, with an encouraging bark at Carlos. "I know, you want more playmates. As though you don't have enough already."

Everything she says is a good point. He might just be ready to accept any line of thinking that gives him access to a puppy.

"I'll keep all of that in mind. Even more so if it will make Garahel happy." He already knows that dog is going to be able to get him to do whatever he wants.

Garahel barks and wags that tail enthusiastically. He'll be even happier if Carlos goes through with it, promise! Inessa chuckles. "Do it for yourself, first and foremost. Garahel will survive either way, I promise. He's probably the most spoiled mabari in the Inquisition."

"I think it would be pretty easy to spoil him, and I just met him." Though he would honestly feel that way about every dog he might meet.

Inessa shakes her head as Garahel happily wiggles against his new friend, glad to hear such news. "Wait until you have one of your own and it wants to be spoiled in the middle of the night, waking you from a dead sleep. Though if you can tolerate that, then you're truly meant to be a mabari-owner."

"Are you kidding, I've had human friends who do that and I didn't mind staying with them," Carlos joked lightly.