{ OPEN }

[aceso]

WHO: Christine and OPEN
WHAT: Returning from the Frostbacks with gifts.
WHEN: sometime after mid-Harvestmere
WHERE: Kirkwall (Inquisition holdings like the docks and stables)
NOTES: She put out a call for people to request items so now she's arriving with them.

{ stables }
Arriving back in Kirkwall doesn't feel like coming home, but it does feel like a relief because now Christine can settle back in after days of traveling by horse and ship. Her horse, Ambrose, is carefully brought off the ship, laden with furs and full saddlebags, but he's a large draft horse with a good temper, so he bears his burdens well. Making her way straight to the stables, Christine is helped by a stablehand and together they set the furs across the wall of Ambrose's stall and the saddlebags are set down in the aisle by a bench.

After feeding and watering her horse, Christine takes a seat on this bench and puts out a few calls to those who requested items from the Avvar hold she made contact with. Then she leans back against the stall and sighs, her journey at an end. She makes quite the picture, surrounded by animal furs and bags overflowing with mead and dried herbs.

{ lowtown }
There's tension in the city now that the Inquisition has elevated rifters to positions of power within its organization, and Christine knows it's ignorance that is leading people towards fear and lashing out. Despite being glad to be done traveling for a bit, her time with the Avvar makes her wish she could be back there, where they don't fear the Fade, or spirits, or strange magic. They take everything in stride and treat everyone equally as long as they're willing to pull their weight. But here in Kirkwall, she worries for the rifters.

She walks the streets on her way back to her house, looking out for any signs of trouble. Any raised voices have her on the lookout to see if it's a rifter getting harassed, or even a native member of the Inquisition. Perhaps they've outstayed their welcome here.

Comments

[aceso]

"Honesty and sense. No wonder the holds are my idea of paradise," she says with an admiring look at Skadi, since she's the representation of the Avvar way right here in front of Christine. "Two things I value greatly, you see, and things not often found in troublesome patients."

[iceblade]

"Watch out, you might 'go native' if you're with us for too long. Civilized folk might never forgive you." She smirks, admittedly tickled at the idea of a 'proper' Circle mage leaving that life before for that of her kin. "As though we're the ones looking to convert everyone, instead of the other way around."

[aceso]

"Ah, it turns out that is actually my plan," she reveals with a hint of a smile. "I want to have a place among the Avvar someday. I could be a healer there and be accepted far more easily than I would in any of these lands." Not counting Tevinter, of course, but she has no desire to live where irresponsible blood magic is rampant.

"I am well on my way to being converted, and I do not mind one bit."

[iceblade]

Skadi was just joking around, but that revelation has her raising her eyebrows, impressed. "Really? You're not wrong about the acceptance, but I haven't heard of many mages who've sought us out. One with ties to our people already, a strong and dedicated healer, though...I could see it. Good on you."

[aceso]

"Most mages do not know anything about you or the way your people treat mages," she explains. "I only learned it from a friend who is no longer with us. He spoke of your gods and how the hold spirits teach mages. In the Circle, we only learn that we are dangerous and that any spirit could be a demon in disguise. It is a very different upbringing." And she's sure if more mages knew what she does, they might consider life among the Avvar too.

[iceblade]

Listening, Skadi grows a bit more somber. She certainly wouldn't support turning away those with a genuine interest, but it's not as simple as 'no Circles'. Avvar ways can be harsh, and she wonders if lowlander mages overall would be able to adjust. At least Christine seems to know what she's getting into.

"We don't shun based on potential for danger, but nor do we deny it. You must know how we train mages; would Andrastian mages accept having such teachers? And what happens when the teacher's guidance isn't enough?" Templars aren't the only ones who kill corrupt mages, and Avvar have to look out for the good of the hold.

[aceso]

"Probably not, but I am already a fully trained mage so thankfully I would not have to make such a decision." Not unless she wanted to become an augur and let the spirits speak through her. Despite all she knows of their magical training and ways, Christine's first reaction is to reject the idea of allowing a spirit inside her. Then again, ever since becoming partners with Faith, she's had far fewer nightmares, as if the spirit scares the demons away.

"And history has shown that not even Andrastrian mages can resist letting a spirit inside them from time to time."

[iceblade]

"Aye, and even benign instances must be watched carefully. Even my people won't approve of a permanent bond with a teacher. Sooner or later, they must be released." But possession isn't the same as having a spirit companion, the way Christine does, and Skadi knows it. "You're already trained, with a spirit companion at your side and not within you, though, so I can't see any thanes questioning your worth to a hold. More likely than not, they'd be delighted that someone outside our kin has taken the time to see the world in a similar way."

She cracks a grin. "At least, that's the take of one Avvar. Living in a hold, there's much you absorb even when you aren't a mage. Especially when your sister is one, and you overheard conversations with her mentor."

[aceso]

Christine gets a little thrill on hearing that her perspective would likely make her welcome among the Avvar. She's had her fair share of hostility for being what she is, and all she's ever wanted was a life of safety and security of her own choosing and not others'. Living in the mountains won't be easy, but she never has to fear that those around her hate her or will turn on her.

"This must have been quite a change to come here and see the differences in how we live." And she's sure Skadi wouldn't wish her sister to have been brought up in a Circle. "I hope people have been civil."

[iceblade]

"Aye, mostly. I don't count the stares, though there's less of them than I thought there might be." It's probably all the rifters, though she's certainly not complaining. "There are a few who were very focused on finding me a shirt while we were up north, even though my armor suited me just fine."

Yeah, her armor is paint, but so what? It covered her body, protected it. As far as Skadi's concerned, that's the important part.

[aceso]

"It was more likely done for their comfort than yours," she says with a knowing look. "But since you have asked for more, I see you have paid them no heed. Which is admirable. The climate here is very tense right now, and there is a sense that everyone must be quiet and conform. It is... unfortunate."

[iceblade]

Her lips forming a thin line at that, Skadi reaches up and strokes the nuglet that's resting against her neck. "I came here to figure out this shard and help defeat the one who caused it, not to be made civilized for the comfort of lowlanders. But nor am I trying to stir the pot, either. I'll be what I am, whether or not it meets with approval. If others want to conform, that's their business."

[aceso]

I'll be what I am. Such words are so good to hear in a world where so many have to hide what they are or feel ashamed about it because of others' fears. Christine knows she would be a completely different person if she had been raised among the Avvar; that she wouldn't still carry a wariness about spirits possessing a mage, for starters, but so many other hangups too. It makes her rather determined to raise her future children in an Avvar hold, where she doesn't have to fear a reinstated Circle taking them away from her. That reminds her: she needs to discuss the children thing with Church when she gets back to the house.

"Skadi, you are a breath of fresh air; do you know that?" Approval +10 right now.

[iceblade]

Shame and conformity for the sake of it is not only something Skadi wasn't raised with, but will never really understand. Perhaps if not Avvar, she would be different in that area as well, but contemplating what-ifs has never interested her. She chuckles at the compliment and flashes a grin.

"Consider it another service happily given, free of charge. I should get this wee one back to my place, I think it wants to nap." Indeed, the nuglet is resting against her with its eyes half-closed. It might as well have someplace more comfortable than her shoulder.

[aceso]

"Very well. Enjoy your new fur, little one," she says to the sleepy nuglet who will have a new blanket or outfit soon. "And you as well--" To Skadi: "Enjoy your war paint."