[open] pick a star on the dark horizon

[eolasemah]

WHO: Sina, you, and A Lot Of Dalish
rWHAT: things are looking grim. some visitors arrive in Kirkwall.
WHEN: throughout Firstfall
WHERE: the infirmary, Hightown
NOTES: This is Sina's last log before she goes, and the last chance for your character to interact with her, with the exception of backdated inbox threads (if you want one). use it well and try not to cry in public

I. Infirmary

Sina's fever broke, and briefly it seemed that she might rally again, like she did earlier this year. Instead she's still exhausted, her breathing short and raspy, punctuated by coughing that grows more violent by the day.
There are flecks of blood on the cloth she holds to her mouth, and each time she barely registers the sight before dropping back onto her pillow, struggling to breathe. Her gentle hazel eyes have a glassy quality to them, and appear subtly backlit by an unnatural vibrant green.

Her days of weepy introspection are behind her. All Sina wants now is relief, her scourged lungs and aching chest consuming her waking days. It's better for everyone when she's unconscious, which, thanks to herbal painkillers, has been increasingly the case.

II. Hightown, midway through Firstfall

Heralded by the quiet patter of thirty-something pairs of bare feet approaching on stone, Clan Dahlasanor arrives from east of the city and is admitted only because the guards on duty are too surprised to stop them. They are joined by some members from Ashara as well, and all are walking silently with weapons sheathed and tied, arms at their sides and gazes forward.
It's a highly alarming procession despite the clan's apparent disinterest in conflict, and it appears they have been cautioned to the effect of not making eye contact with any of the resident shem'len regardless of their intentions.
A small crowd of townspeople have begun to trail after them by the time they've reached the site of the former Chantry, now a forest, led by an impish young blonde woman who alone seems comfortable traversing the streets of Kirkwall.

Finally casting her eyes about, Keeper Thalia, a small and solemn dark-haired woman in her thirties, speaks.
"Siuona and Nahariel of Clan Dahlasanor, and Sorrelean and Beleth of Clan Ashara." It's an uneasy request, as she's clearly out of her element. "Are they here?" She may as well be speaking Qunlat, for how the crowd looks at her.

[anyone can answer, though hopefully Sorrel will arrive soon!]

Comments

I (Open to Nahariel and Araceli?)

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin is there, of course. She comes as often as she can, in between work shifts. Anything that isn't work or Araceli gets pushed to the wayside for now, as she wants to be there for both Sina and Nahariel. So she'll help ready medicines for when Sina's awake, hold her hand when she's not, and try to hold herself together even though that vibrant green in Sina's eyes breaks her heart more and more every time she sees it.

Whenever Sina's awake, she'll try to smile for her friend and is as busy as she needs to be in order to provide her with some relief. When she isn't, though, the weight of it all comes crashing down and she can't hide those tears. This is too similar to what happened with Asher, in many ways, and it's torture to see it happen again.

I (Open to Nahariel)

[circleprodigy]

Inessa doesn't know Sina well, but when she's not mobbed by friends, the slight elf Warden and her large mabari will be a regular presence. She doesn't expect her healing magic to provide much relief, not now, but it will be cast anyway during particularly bad moments. Given permission, she'll do her best to provide thorough notes on Sina's progressing condition. They won't be able to save her, but it's Inessa's hope that one day, all the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place and they'll be able to save other shardbearers.

Garahel will usually curl up by the bed, napping, though whenever Sina awakens while he's present, the mabari will gently nuzzle her and lick her hand. Sina doesn't feel warm enough to him after the fever breaks, so he'll try to be a nice canine heater for her.

I - the caregiver superthread

[nadasharillen]

When the sun rises, Nari is there. Likewise when the sun is high, in the hazy twilight of the forest, and when the dark sky through cutouts in the canopy is speckled with stars. Rare though it may be for Sina to open her eyes, it is rarer still for her clansister to be out of sightlines. Sometimes the First will open her eyes to carving, sometimes to a rambling low wordless humming; sometimes it's the middle of a story, sometimes she's poring over the plans she's drafted for Andraste's small clearing. After a couple of days sometimes she's sleeping the light sleep of a scout, but always, always, she is there with her crooked smile--her calloused hands.

zzz

[nadasharillen]

This time, Nahariel is dozing against a stump that looks like it was in a patch of sunlight an hour ago, one hand relaxed and curling around one or two of Sina's fingers. The other has the same hold on a carving knife, and a half-formed bird covered in small curls of wood rests in her lap next to it.

It appears she fell asleep mid-stroke.

[gatheringstorm]

Her gaze strays to that knife and, worried for what could happen if Nari startles herself awake, Korrin gets to her feet. She'll retrieve that knife as gently and quietly as possible, placing it within sight. Nari isn't allowed to accidentally hurt herself or ruin her bird, of course. Only then will she sit back down and place a gentle hand on Sina's forehead, checking to see how warm or cool she is now.

[nadasharillen]

Catching a glimpse of Inessa through the trees always makes Nari smile with relief in anticipation of the greater comfort her healing magics can bring to Sina, whose face sometimes begins to twist in pain even while sleeping.

And of course Gaharel always brings smiles, no matter how weary or small they might be.

Nahariel raises a hand in greeting. "I'm glad to see you. She had a particularly bad coughing fit a bit ago--although she shortly went back to sleep." The evidence is in Nari's hands; water splashing up the brown elf's arms as she scrubs the slightly larger spatters off a handkerchief.

[circleprodigy]

Inessa smiles, though it soon fades upon hearing such news. She sighs and looks over the increasingly frail elf, brow furrowed. The blue light of her healing magic settles over Sina again, though she knows it won't do more than keep Sina comfortable for a little while. "Anders has recommended herbs which might aid her in breathing easier, I assume? If you need more, I can retrieve them."

Garahel leans against Nahariel affectionately, tail wagging. He's been such a good, quiet boy, not bothering Sina unless she's awake.

I. (Open to others, because she is sneaking in.)

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany creeps in, through the infirmary, trying to keep as quiet as possible as so not to disturb anyone sleeping. She comes to Sina's bedside, brown eyes filled with sadness and quiet grief, before she goes into her satchel. A warm knitted blanket, with a tree embroidered across it, is laid lightly over her, and Bethany gently puts an apple down next to Sina's bedside.

1. If you can catch him ... Open

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

A shadowy figure creeps through the infirmary tents, and into Sina's. No, it is not Death, just a young elven man dropping off a few bags of sugared nuts, and gently, oh so gently, rough charcoal drawings done by the alienage children of the trees and grass from Sina's grove.

He also puts down one branch of the vhendal, by her bedside, giving her a quiet smile before he goes to sneak out again.

[foxsays]

If one of them should have the time to go as often as she should, it should be Korrin. Maybe it's unfair of Araceli who doesn't know death quite so well but Korrin-- Korrin does, Korrin's better at this where Araceli feels as if her courtesies, her attempts to reach out are all just that.

Attempts that go nowhere, meaningless, hollow.

There's always work to do but her mind circles back to her friend in the end, arriving with basket borrowed from somewhere in the crook of her elbow, Lux stalking along at her heels. Anyone passing by can smell what's in it: fresh bread and carefully packed soup for the most, steaming and fragrant, perhaps that's why she took so long to come down here. Even if Sina can't manage it, there's Korrin and Nari who both still need to eat.

"I didn't know when anyone last ate," she says because why would she say hello, how are you, it doesn't matter here when so much of her wants to bolt.

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin's backpack and staff indicate that Bethany's visiting presence isn't the only one. After taking a break to stretch her legs a bit, Korrin reenters and smiles sadly at Bethany's attempts at comfort. She settles back at the other side of the bed, pitching her voice low.

"That looks wonderful, Bethany. I'm sure it'll keep her warm."

[gatheringstorm]

Sina's never satisfies her these days, and she pulls away her hand with a sigh. She's about to sit and do something mindless, like make poultices, but the arrival of her kadan and fox companion are a wonderful distraction. She manages a faint smile for them both, crouching down to stroke the fox floof before offering to take the basket. The scent reaching her reawakens that appetite, and her stomach growls, to which her smile turns sheepish. Her voice is pitched low, so as not to disturb Sina.

"I honestly don't know, but that smells delicious, kadan. Thank you." She glances over to Nari, reluctant to prod her awake but maybe the scent will do that for her?

[nadasharillen]

It does. Emerald eyes crack open and she smiles faintly at the scent of food--it's been a while. They fly open as Nari realizes she was sleeping, and she sits up straight and fast, staring hawkishly at Sina's chest until her clansister takes a shallow breath. Only then does she relax back against the stump with a stretch, a sigh, and a smile for Araceli and Korrin.

"Caught me sleeping, did you? That smells wonderful," she says, eyeing the fragrant basket with some interest.

[nadasharillen]

Nari shakes one hand dry and reaches down to scratch Garahel absently, privately amazed that the dirty dog that had torn through the Kestrel's house the first time they'd met was so sedate around Sina. Of course, animals usually were. And Mabari were more than smart enough to realize what was going on.

She looks over at their stock of herbs and poultices and finds it well stocked; people who loved Sina but couldn't do anything more tangible than fret kept the small box heaped with remedies... although most brought little comfort save to the minds of those that brought them. Nari didn't know about that specific mixture though.

"That I don't know--would you mind checking for me? I use them enough, but I still don't know Elfroot from Embrium once it's been dried and ground," she admits wryly.

[circleprodigy]

As Garahel rumbles happily at the scratching, Inessa nods with her own wry smile. "Of course. I had a particularly exacting Enchanter who drilled such differences into us. Thanks to that tutelage, I doubt I can forget."

She heads over and peers at the herb stock, automatically sorting it out in the process as well-wishes weren't always exact about what goes where. With that done, she combs through them until she finds what is sought. "It's not labeled as his, but I think this is it. Mix a bit of it into heated water, and it will diffuse throughout the area."

II.

[writteninblood]

And indeed Sorrel has arrived, soon enough. Where else would he be? What else can he do? There's nothing else but this, and the death-watch. There are many hands volunteering for that duty, at least. He is unmoored.

"I'm here, Keeper," He calls, one hand raised in greeting as he edges past the reluctantly-parting crowd. Don't they have anything better to do than to gawk at grieving people? "I--"

For a moment, when he sees Keeper Thalia, Sorrel stands like a child, small and helpless. He opens his mouth, to apologize for all that's coming, for not being strong enough to save her, for coming too late. He thinks better of it in a dozen ways, tries to think of an appropriate greeting, or a warning, and... gives up.

"Andaran atish’an," Sorrel falls back on formalities, safe harbor of the lost, "This way. Nahariel is with her."

He turns to lead them towards the ever-looming Gallows, and something about him must project his impatience with the crowd, because though clogged by the curious, the gap opens up again in a hurry.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany started a little, but her smile softened as she recognized the pack's owner returning. Her look to Sina's bed is sad, and continues to be pensive as she goes to face Korrin again.

"I hope it gives her some peace - and perhaps a little more strength to fight this."

[gatheringstorm]

"She's beyond fighting, at this point. Now, it's all about how peacefully she can go." Korrin sighs, shoulders sagging. She had known it would come to this for a long time, and to finally see the end of that road is heartbreaking as much as it is a relief, in a way. Sina won't be suffering much longer, but it hurts to see another friend fade away in such a manner.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany made a quiet, pained noise in her throat, as she moved to sit by Korrin. "I remember when Father died. Sitting at his bedside like this, watching him fade away, hour by hour. Glad for every minute of it though -- because that was another moment he was still with me."

She sighed, folding her hands together. "I was thinking of petitioning the city to keep her forest as is, after she is gone. Perhaps put up a statue of her."

[gatheringstorm]

As Bethany sits down by her, Korrin slips an arm around the Warden's shoulders. She gives a sympathetic squeeze to hear about Bethany's father, nodding and grateful that her own is still alive. Given all he's done and been through, he really shouldn't be.

"Make it a memorial tree. That's what the Dalish do, right? They have trees planted above their graves? I remember hearing about that. Though I don't know if her clan will let her be buried there, or take her somewhere else."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany leaned against the Vashoth, looking at the small figure on the bed, her brown eyes going soft with quiet memory.

"Yes ... Merrill told me that. They won't bury her here - she is true Dalish and therefore, will be buried out in the forest. But we could plant a tree for her here, if they will allow it."

[eolasemah]

Visibly relieved to see one of their own, the notoriously serious Thalia smiles a little and steps toward Sorrel. "Ma serannas," she sighs, "we are fortunate Nymii knows the city." This is spoken in a low voice, as though any information at all picked up by the crowd could be used against them.

As they approach the imposing Gallows, some hands automatically move to weapons, even if they don't brandish them yet. This is a place of legendary horror, with some of the worst humanity has to offer. They all know not to attack, but they won't be caught unprepared. The crowd continues to drift after them, rustling with curiosity and concern, picking up more gawkers as they progress.

[gatheringstorm]

"I'd like that. I think Nari would, too. We'll have to ask her what kind of tree would be appropriate." Korrin's eyes rarely stray from Sina, unable to look away for long as though holding on to every moment she still breathes.

[foxsays]

Under the strain, Araceli's smile cracks, stretches itself thin as Lux presses a nose to Korrin's hand then hops up to where Sina's sleeping, curling himself over her feet for now.

"It's stew, bits and pieces from the kitchen," Araceli says as she opens the basket to start plucking out what everyone might need to be set down to serve. "Chicken, vegetables, herbs. There's spare broth for thinning it down I've made enough to leave here or share and," she continues as she dishes it out with a glance to Sina, "if she wakes, she might manage?"

Chicken soup is good for the sick, that's what one of the kitchen staff told her.

[gatheringstorm]

"That's a good boy. Keep her feet warm, Lux." Korrin darts a small smile at Nari, glad to see the other awake. If anyone needs what Araceli's providing, it's her. Her gaze strays to Sina, expression softening as she nods. "The scent alone might awaken her, too. We can help her try, at least."

If Sina can breathe a little better, she might be able to swallow. Maybe it's foolish to hope for that much, but Korrin will do it anyway. She then turns to focus on helping Araceli serve, needing something to do with her hands.