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

"I was probably going to go that route, before the war broke out, but I didn't have the chance to do it beforehand." He was still pretty young, and had honestly been distracted by other methods when he had been at the Circle. He had thought he would have all of the time in the world to learn a specialization.

"Are you a spirit healer? I know Sam is. He just told me he got his spirit recently. We knew each other, before. Same Circle. He's older though so it's not like we were really close. He's still a good guy though. I'm really happy to see he made it out of the fighting alive." He rambles a bit before he realizes he's doing that, so he stops talking and looks a little embarrassed.

Christine nods her head, but doesn't have the chance to explain as he keeps going on. She listens, nodding along all the same until he's finished.

"Ah, Ostwick Circle. The one where mages were treated well." It's said with a knowing look but little bitterness. There's no room for that anymore. From her accent, it might seem that the Orlesian mage was well taken care of in her Circle, and she was certainly fed and looked after. But the Orlesian Circles had both Templars and enchanters who played mind games and damaged their charges psychologically all in their quest to get ahead in the Grand Game. Sam's Circle had James and his Templars who treated him like a brother. Very different Circles; very different worlds. Grand Enchanter Fiona of Montsimmard wouldn't have led the rebellion if everything was fair and perfect in her Circle.

"I am a Spirit Healer, yes. And I am very close to Sam, so I am also grateful he made it to the Inquisition unscathed. He is important to me."

Carlos has heard many stories from other mages about the circles, and he bites his tongue to respond to her comment. It's something they might be able to talk about later, if they get to know each other better, but he doesn't want to assume anything about her treatment. Talking about Sam seemed safer.

"Really? Are you two...?"

Her lips twitch with a smile and she's quick to answer: "Family. I consider him my brother. We tease, we help one another, and we care. He is one I trust explicitly." And her life would be much poorer had she not met him.

He could understand that. There were people he considered family too.

"He seems like he'd be good at that." They might have been close, but Sam was a trustworthy sort.

Then, something seems to dawn on Carlos. "Oh! You were the one he actually told me to see! You're with the research division aren't you?"

"Ah, yes, in a way." She begins to gesture with her hands, trying to explain. "I have taken up research duties, so they do fall under that division, yes, but I am also a healer and the head of the Inquisition's red lyrium project, and those both fall under the forces division. In those ways, I am more familiar with the inner workings of the latter than the former, if you were wishing to join the research division?"

"I was thinking about it. I like research, but a lot of that depends on what projects they're working on." Then, after a moment. "What does the red lyrium project do? Isn't that stuff dangerous?"

"Oh, yes, very much so. We have taken a great deal of precautions, and the work must be done on a very slow schedule so we are not exposed to it for too long. But I feel the work is important." She waves a hand towards the Gallows' towers. "When we arrived, red lyrium was all over the Gallows, but my team developed a cleansing rune to destroy red lyrium and keep it from returning. Those runes have been placed all over the Gallows." That's been their biggest breakthrough so far, though the team has accomplished other feats.

"As we know the proper wards to place on boxes to transport it, we are often the ones to fight Red Templars and shut down their operations, as well as confiscating the material for further study, if we do not outright destroy it."

"Wow. That's really impressive and a great way to make sure that we're all safe here. Thank you for your work." He is sincerely grateful about that. He would rather not be too distracted by creepy lyrium singing to sleep.

"Oh, well, thank you." She honestly doesn't expect thanks for this task she's appointed herself. Knowing the dangers, she decided it was something that still needed to be studied before it overwhelmed them all. But Christine is thankful to her team for sticking with this too.

"I have a very dedicated team that has done much to get us as far as we have."

"That's one thing I've noticed, even working on the field with the Inquisition. It's people really do want what is best for everyone else."

"We would not be fighting this war if we did not," she answers soberly.

"Maybe that's one of the reasons we can get both mages and templars. Even after everything that happened. In the end, most of us are good people who want to do right by the world."

"This is true. The Inquisition is proof of that. If only the rest of the world would see our example and not think us mad for it." But change comes slowly; so very slowly. And the more you wish for it, the slower it seems to go just to spite you.

"I don't know. I'm probably a little mad," Carlos answers, meaning it as a bit of a joke.

"Oh?" she asks lightly. "I am sure you will find a table to sit at here. Plenty would admit the same." Mostly because of their sense of humor, wishing to be contrary at every opportunity. Christine makes allowances, but she would prefer if people spoke plainly.

"Oh good, it's nice to know I won't have too hard a time fitting in, then," Carlos replied, meaning it as a joke only halfway.