{ 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

[thecookery]

Avery looks mildly uncomfortable under that maybe-compliment but has plenty of other things to focus on, like...

"Aye, these alleys aren't always so kind as I." It's said somewhat sarcastically, but at the thought, she finally pauses and raises an eyebrow in Christine's direction. "What are you doing down this way?"

[aceso]

"I live not far from here," she explains. "And I have just returned from a long trip." Hence the large bag she's set down at her feet.

"But when I heard your voice, I had to investigate. I have heard rifters are the victims of greater hostility now."

[thecookery]

Ah, yeah. That.

Avery may spend the majority of her time holed up in the bowels of the keep rather than out on the town, but even she's aware of all that. Her roommate(/possibly best friend???) is a rifter after all, and her first response is just a quiet, unhappy mumble of agreement.

"People do stupid things when they're scared."

[aceso]

"Yes," she agrees, restraining herself from adding something like: I am well aware. A mage like her is very used to frightened people reacting badly to things.

"But now that I know a rifter was not involved here, I can breathe a little easier. Until the next time, of course."

[thecookery]

"I'll try to keeps it down, should I have another go." She taps her own chest with a thumb twice, roughly, and gives a little nod. "To save your breath?"

[aceso]

"Very kind of you," she says with a smirk. "Now, which way are you walking? I could go with you a ways, unless you are heading back towards the Gallows or docks? Then I am afraid I am going in the opposite direction." Back to her little house that's only a home because of who is there waiting for her, not because she finds Kirkwall to be homey.