faderift | [OPEN] Smoke and Mirrors: Perendale

Inessa is typically quiet as she lingers at the firepit near her tent, polishing her gear and making some potions and tonics while there's downtime. Maker knows they won't have any of that before long, so she'll take advantage of that now. While she's busy, Garahel is plopped down by her side but will instantly perk up whenever someone approaches, tail wagging. Before Inessa can stop him, he'll grab a twig and drop it down at their feet, looking up hopefully.

"I hope you don't mind being recruited for a game of fetch? My hands are occupied, at the moment."

"Only if he doesn't mind a little competition."

James drawled, as he and Interceptor walked over. Interceptor ran up to Garahel, happily sniffing his friend and hopping over to Inessa to give her a 'Hello friend!' lick, then turned around to bounce at James as he picked up the stick.

He eyed the both of them, lifting one finger. "No fighting. Whoever gets there first gets to carry it back."

Eying the distance, and open space, he tossed it off into the darkened field, glancing over at Inessa. "I have done that myself at least five times in the past few hours. I do not think my sword has ever been so sharp or my greaves so well oiled in a long time."

Inessa pauses just long enough to pet Interceptor before James sets the terms and sends them rushing off to claim it first. Garahel is fast, but so is Interceptor, so it's a toss-up as to who will win. Whether or not he does, though, Inessa's certain Garahel is happy for the company now.

"It helps to keep the hands busy, one way or another. I'm certain whatever I cannot carry will see use with others. Take as many healing potions as you like; since I have the spell, I'm much less worried for myself."

Interceptor goes charging after the stick, barking happily as he goes into a straight speed to get that stick before Garahel. James watches the dogs prancing around the stick.

"I shall gladly partake of your generosity. I would prefer to go with tonics and potions than lyrium, if I have to." He plucked some of the better bottles. "Have you picked a battle group to go in with yet? If not, I would offer you myself and Interceptor."

Finishing off another potion, Inessa perks up at the offer and nods. They've fought alongside each other previously, which helps since she doesn't have to worry about how well they'll mesh. Plus, extra mabari. "I haven't, but that is a very tempting idea. I accept. Garahel will be glad to fight alongside his friend, and we can alternate dispelling the Venatori's enchantments." There's an eager glint in her eyes, as she's very much looking forward to that part. The Venatori are more than deserving of some payback.

And Interceptor gets it first. Garahel is a good sport and doesn't whine, just races back with him so that the game can begin again.

James took a moment to praise his pup - he really was coming along with speed - before taking his arm back to throw it again for the dogs to chase after. "Good, I was thinking the same about Interceptor - and of course our abilities have always meshed well together."

He arches an eyebrow back at her, smirking slightly. "I take it you are perfectly fine with being at the fore of the attack?"

Garahel happy rushes off again, all the more determined to fetch it this time. Watching him go, Inessa then turns her attention to James and nods. "I've been a Grey Warden long enough to adjust as need be. With a Barrier spell in place and Haste to boost us, I believe that's sufficient staying power."

She hesitates for a moment, but then comes clean. "I have also been studying necromancy, under a visiting Mortalitasi. My knowledge is so far limited to a Horror spell, but if that troubles you, I can refrain. I have more than enough other spells at my disposal, as it is."

Interceptor is fast, but Garahel is able to move like a freight train through people while Interceptor still has to dart around. Looks like he'll make it to the stick first this time.

James glanced over at her, surprised, before he makes a faint face. Then he sighs. "As long as you do not direct it towards me ... I shall be fine." He sighs, "Besides, I will be using Templar abilities, so it seems only fair."

Garahel's is decidedly smug as he trots back with the stick in his mouth, pleased that his effort paid off. Inessa pats him as he pauses by her before going to James, nodding stoically at James' reaction. She knows that area of magic has a reputation, even if it's not on the same level as blood magic. Still, there's no apology from her; as a Grey Warden, she's used to taking less reputable means to combat darkspawn.

"Likewise, I would prefer spell purging not directed at me, but I trust you to manage that." The Venatori will be doing their damnedest to strip her spells away as it is, they don't need the help. And just to be clear-- "My studies are centered on the spirits drawn to death, not reanimation. That particular area is a Nevarran aspect, one which I have no interest in obtaining. As it is, though, my rift and ice magic is far more likely to see use."

James chuckles, stroking his hand across Garhael's head and making sure that he was feeling good and praised for what he had done. Then he took the stick and tossed it again to the more wooded area, to give them both a fair chance at tracking it down.

He nods his head in agreement, "I shall, so ... trust on both ends." A faint twist of the lips, before he looked over at her. "Considering what we are against - we need every advantage but we cannot fight on their level. If we do, they will overwhelm us."

Inessa watches the dogs streak off again, but she's more pensive as her gaze turns back to James. "The shardbearers will require the brunt of our defensive efforts. We cannot allow anyone to become prisoners and experiments for the Venatori. Not again." She's heard and seen enough for that horrifying possibility to make her blood run cold.

He leans back on one leg, looking to where the dogs were running of to. He paused, for a long moment, watching the dogs happily race one another, dancing around the both of them.

"You are absolutely right." He stated quietly, and with a touch of pensive horror in his own mind. "Whatever we have to do to save them ... we must."

Edited 2017-11-04 01:20 (UTC)

"At least they are just as unsubtle to us as they are to the Venatori. All we must do is remain watchful for that green light." Maybe saying that will make it so. She can only hope, right?

And then she tilts her head...and chuckles. Garahel grabs the stick when Interceptor does this time, and a playful tug of war emerges. "Time for a wrestling intermission. That will tired them out enough to rest well, at least. How do you manage the night before battle? I never seem to know what to do with myself." Aside from keep the hands busy, but she's running out of vials and supplies. Sooner or later, there will be nothing to do. Frightening thought.

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"Have you ever known me to refuse a game of fetch with Garahel?" Kain smirks a little as he approaches, noting that she's definitely well occupied. They'll undoubtedly need it, too, so it's best she has enough time to finish.

He turns his attention to Garahel now, reaching down to pet him fondly, before going for that twig. "I hope you're ready for a challenge, you know I throw farther than Inessa."

Garahel barks happily at that, and Inessa shakes her head, a smirk forming. "Blunt, if apt. Wear him out enough, and he'll sleep well for the battle tomorrow." She picks up a new vial. "You know, he wanted me to put on that dragon costume when we left for battle. I had to remind him it would be quickly ruined, unlike his kaddis."

"I'll be sure to do that, then. We'll have a long day ahead of us, after all. And... it was a great costume," Kain remarks, thinking back to the night of the Satinalia revelry. It had all been... rather unexpected. He looks at Garahel, "Your kaddis will also be more useful with its enhancements, unless Inessa managed to enchant that costume of yours."

Which, well, you never know. Kain readies himself with the stick. "Be prepared to go long for this one." He holds it up, winding back and then throwing, giving it a good, steady toss with plenty of momentum.

"I'm not a Formari or a dwarf, so enchantments are beyond my skill." Thankfully, she doesn't want to be guilt-tripped by her mabari into wearing whatever he wants just because he can.

Garahel wiggles with excitement, his mind solely on the ball and Kain's ability to throw it. The moment it leaves his hand, he streaks away in search of his prize. Inessa shakes her head. "My throwing arm is rather decent, thank you, but I do appreciate the spare time to finish these. Afterward, I'll make us some tea."

"This is all too true, I suppose... ah, well, he can still save it for parties. A dragon-mabari sounds like the fiercest and most clever creature to ever live..."

He looks amused, as he watches Garahel run off eagerly. "Well, and I have to admit, you've had considerably more practice, as well... you're probably at an expert level for fetch by now. I'm still improving my skills." He nods agreement. "Tea sounds like a good idea, at the moment." It'll be relaxing at the moment, something to calm their nerves.

"Then give a moment and I'll start on that." Inessa raises her flash to the light for inspection. Satisfied, she places it in the flask before grabbing another. "James has asked to fight alongside us. I believe there's a good chance he will become the next Forces division lead."

That seems to please her. Ser Norrington is a good man with battle experience, and just as importantly, a native Andrastian human. Given the rest of the present leadership's makeup, they definitely need someone who might calm those more anxious about outsiders.

"Good." Kain awaits Garahel's return, watching the mabari running along happily, getting in his exercise for certain. He glances back at Inessa with a nod of agreement when she mentions James. They've fought together enough by now, been on enough missions that he has a good sense of the man, alongside other times they've spoken.

"Norrington, hm... I could deal with him." The Inquisition division leader isn't his true leader, that would be Alistair or Nathaniel, as he still considers himself more of a Warden working within the Inquisition than an Inquisition member who is also just a Warden on the side. But, he still has to answer to them in some way, so he'd prefer the leadership be tolerable. "He's one of the finer Templars I've met. He's always reminded me of Cecil in that way. He's one of the few who... takes their responsibilities in the right direction. I think that this could work out well."

"He's a man of good sense, one with the experience of a native who can balance out our rifter division heads." Inessa smiles as Garahel returns, all smug with his prize. "Not that we don't answer to the Wardens in the end, but what happens within the Inquisition still affects us regardless.

Have you heard from your friend Cecil lately?"

"Good point there... Nothing against rifters, of course, but a native in such a role is good for building trust with outsiders." He knows the Inquisition still doesn't always have the best reputation, that they've gained it in some areas of the world, but still have work ahead of them in others. He nods agreement. If ever the Wardens had some disagreement and broke ranks, he knows he'd follow them at once. But for now their goals are the Inquisition's.

He nods. "He and Rosalie are settling in well to married life, though he complains often of being entangled in various noble quarrels and the like. It sounds very wearying, and reminds me that I made the right choice in joining the Wardens instead. That life isn't for me. He really sounds as if he needs to take a vacation."

What he doesn't tell her is that he also has most certainly been asking his best friend for advice on impressing one's girlfriend. Well. Not directly, because Kain has a hard time communicating. But in the most round-about, indirect way, he's asked Cecil some 'hypothetical' questions. Between that and advice he's gotten from among the Inquisition he thinks he's ready. Once they're home and have some downtime, he intends to put his plan into action too.

"So much for hoping that the end of the War of the Lions would lead to a lull for the Game." Inessa shakes her head, carrying nothing but disdain for the royals who tore their empire apart for the same of it. At least Kain's friends seemed to be a decent sort, but anyone playing the Game is in danger, as much from themselves as others. She's just as glad Kain isn't entangled in that mess, as it would be more than she herself would want to endure.

"You can always invite them to Kirkwall, when there's time. I know there isn't much to spare, but I would never discourage your friends from visiting." She's interrupted by Garahel's insistent barking. Throw it again, Kain!

The Game is a tedious tradition, one which Kain hopes to never deal with again. What little experience he'd had with it had been... frustrating, to say the least. He can only play the kind of game involving swords. Battle is so much more straightforward, kill or be killed. He's glad not to be involved with any of it, too, though he also hopes for the best for his friends. It's not like it's exactly been a popular thing, Cecil marrying a mage and all.

"I'm glad you like them. They like you, as well, you know. Both have asked about you. I've... I told them about us. They both have been very encouraging." They're his childhood friends, and mean so much to him, so he's just relieved that everything has gone so well for them. "I'm sure they'd enjoy a chance to get away for a while. I'll have to ask, sometime. It's been a while since I've seen them." Not since their wedding, really.

"Go long, boy, this one will be out of sight!" Kain gives another impressive, strong throw.

And Garahel is off in a flash. For someone of his size and bulk, the mabari's pace is pretty effortless. He has the perfect incentive, after all.

Inessa smiles, both at that and Kain's news about his friends. Their opinions are important to him, she knows, and it's good to know they approve. That isn't something she wanted to take for granted, even when all signs indicated they wouldn't protest the match. "Please do. At the very least, they will know they are welcome in Kirkwall, whenever they can spare the time. And yes, we can show off Potato as long as they're careful. You know how enthusiastic she gets, but she'll behave herself if we remind her."

Inessa (Open)

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