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WHO: Katniss and You
WHAT: A week in the life of a Mockingjay
WHEN: Covering the first week of Haring
WHERE: All around Skyhold
NOTES: Warnings for possible suicidal triggers via music.

Katniss Everdeen is a young woman who does not like to be idle when it can be helped, especially when she is waiting to know where she can help. So if you are looking for the rather brusque 'Some Other Archer', you will find it hard to miss her.

1. Distributing Food and Supplies Through The Survivors

Skyhold has literally become the pilgrimage of hundreds who are seeking to flee from Corpheysus's reign of terror, who are looking for balance in a world gone mad without a Divine, or have lost their homes in one of the many wars blossoming across Thedas. Many of them came without a stitch on their backs, or food to feed themselves -- or their families.

Yet, in the last week, a tall young woman with serious grey eyes and dark hair braided along the side of her head has been handing out provisions - fresh meat mostly, and cleaned leathers and warm furs. Candles, cooking fat, and there are even healing poultices, simple things. She asks for nothing in return, and thanks makes her nervous -- but she is there almost every day to offer assistance where she can. Children make her easier - she brings them necklaces made of leather and small stones, and little toys made of bone.

Do you meet here here or ...

2. Outside in the training areas outside of Skyhold

Someone has taken the time to set up what can only be considered a crude archery training area, out of old barrels and crates, with targets painted on. But it's not just straight targets and dummies, no. It's practically an obstacle course - with the targets being at different heights, and various objects that one had to move around to get a clear shot. It's not just a test of accuracy, it's one of agility and of quick thinking.

Katniss trains here every day, practicing her shots in a dozen different scenarios. Up high, down low, jumping and rolling out of the way to make a shot. Shooting and moving at the same time, weaving between targets. She wants to challenge herself, that's clear enough. Against what? Everything, apparently.

Want to join? Want to gawk? Want to take your barrel back? Come and speak with her, unless you want to speak to her ...

3. Alone On The Ramparts

It's the song that will capture your attention. A beautiful, clear female voice will echo down to you as you climb the stairs to the ramparts, perhaps to go on guard duty. Perhaps only to see the stars. Yet while the voice will make you smile, perhaps, the song itself might just chill you down to the bones.

Or at least wonder who would sing such a song.

"Are you, are you?
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a man they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree

Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree

Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we’d both be free
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree

Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree

Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a man they say murdered three
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met at midnight in the hanging tree..."

If you go hunting down the voice, you'll find it soon enough. Katniss is sitting with her back against the ramparts, looking up to the sky and singing upwards to the stars. As if she is trying to reach someone with her voice that she just can't seem to get to.

Will you come and sit with her, or pass by?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Not sure about that - they're not really for honoring half-bloods either. However, if I get a statue, so do you." She mocked doing a full-draw, her eyes narrowed, before she snorted, "As if any of us are really here for the glory ..."

She looked back at her, her gaze narrowing further, "There have been a few - but I've set them straight myself." With arrows. "However, Cu - the Commander made it clear that if anyone made comments I was to report them." She paused, then scowled, "Have they been making comments about you?"

There might be a report in Katniss's future -- along with more arrows, damn it.

Korrin smiles, not doubting Katniss' ability to stand up for herself. That doesn't mean she won't underscore it by being a 'scary qunari' if necessary, though. At that question, she huffs and shakes her head.

"They're smart enough to keep that out of earshot, though I've caught looks here and there when they think I don't notice. It's mostly the newer ones; those who have been around here long enough either get to know me or know that I'm not going to put up with any crap. Stay here long enough, and I suspect it'll be the same for you, too."

Oh no, Korrin had no worries there. Katniss was no six foot tall Qunari, but she was five nine and as mean as a bear if she was pushed too far.

"Maker, I hope so. I would hate to have to take to task every single idiot who thinks being elvish is lesser. I wouldn't have any time to fight the forces of darkness." She sighed, quietly, "...The Commander wants this Inquisition to be for everyone. What is so hard to understand about that? We need to come together, not hold onto old prejudices."

A pause, and a wry smile. "Even my own."

"I know what you mean on that. And speaking of which, that's damn reasonable of him. It's weird to think that he was a Templar at some point, though maybe the 'reasonable' part is why he left. I never bothered to ask, but if he's ever not surrounded by all those agents sometime, I might."

Maybe. Korrin hasn't sought him out and he always seems busy, so she'd feel guilty interrupting important business just to satisfy her own curiosity. Still, she listens to the rumors about what happened at Kirkwall and wonders how much of it's true.

"It is weird ... and yet at the same time? He's the perfect example of what the Templars should be. Honorable, straight-forward, hard-working. Willing to accept people despite their backgrounds or mistakes." Katniss paused for a moment, before she tilted her head at Korrin, "Haven't you ever read 'The Tale of The Champion'?"

"Templars shouldn't 'be', period. The whole system is geared toward keeping mages prisoner. Fuck that." But Korrin just barely holds back from another rant, as she's made her opinion quite clear at this point. She nods to that last question. "I did, and a better warning for one of my kind not to visit Kirkwall I haven't seen. Can you imagine my company there, even briefly? It'd probably send those people into a panic all over again, nevermind that we're not with the Qun."

"I don't think they were always like that - I think once upon a time they were something good. But that was once upon a time. And this is now." She glanced over at Korrin, "So ... will the mages and the apostates take care of the blood mages now?"

One corner of her mouth twisted, "Well, then you should know he used to serve in the Fereldan Circle - I think ... right when it almost fell, in the time of the Fifth Blight."

"Yeah, I know. It was overrun, wasn't it? It went to hell all at once and then the Warden swooped in and saved them all. Between that and the Blight, I'm surprised he didn't just quit then and there. I'll have to get Zevran's version later." Maybe, if she bribed him with drinks and flattery. He likes the attention, to be sure, but that's still not easy subject matter.

"As for blood mages...I've fought them before and I will again. Any mage worth something doesn't need to resort to that crap, and I'd bet anything that the council agrees. The Templars aren't the only ones that can deal with them, and if we're going to advocate mages' freedom, then we need to take the responsibility that comes with it. Which includes those who misuse it. "

"It was - abominations and demons and blood mages." She sighed, rubbing one hand over her face. "I was in Redcliffe then - Maker, the tales they told ... I just think more of him, for surviving that. For still wanting to serve." She shrugged her shoulders, her grey eyes bright, "And when it became clear that he needed to make a stand, he did. Brave beyond measure ... " She paused, cleared her throat, and focused.

She hummed softly at that, "Are you going to form like - what was it - Enchanters Colleges again? You know, like ... open circles?" She really had to read more about the Circle of Magi.

Watching Katniss talk about Cullen that way, she can't help but grin. That crush is so obvious, and perhaps when she knows her better, there will be some teasing about it. Friendly teasing, of course.

The question shifts her focus and she wrinkles her nose. "It'd better not have anything of the Circle in its name, I'll tell you that much. I don't know the details yet, other than that everyone disagrees about everything but that we need to look out for our own interests. Predicting what will come of this right now seems nearly impossible. I know I'd like something where the interests of fellow apostates can be respected, but I have no idea what will come.

...ugh, I can't escape politics no matter where I go."

Honestly the only people it is not obvious to is probably Cullen, and just how smitten she is, is utterly lost on Katniss.

"... it could always be called the Magical Square instead." She states, with a completely straight face. She looked thoughtful, "What about outside people? People who aren't mages?"

Korrin snickers in amused surprise at that suggestion, then shakes her head. "Thanks, I needed that."

The questions make her brow furrow, though, and she quickly changes her focus. "You mean how we'll interact with them? I know the council plans to police misuse of magic, so some idiot mage doesn't decide to burn down a fruit stand and think he can get away with it. But I don't think any set rules are in place, not yet. I'd like there to be something more, though, so non-mages can learn not to fear us. Keeping people secluded away in Circles or on the run has only contributed to that fear. When people have more exposure, learn to see us as actual people ourselves...well, some of them will still be bigoted assholes, but hopefully less of them."

"You looked like it." Katniss said, with a faint smile, then she shakes her head slightly, "No ... like, are you talking to common people? To see what they think should happen? Getting opinions outside of the Circle of Magi? I only ask because - well - I know we're not mages but I would be curious to know what you all decide, and how you decided it."

That gives Korrin pause and she mulls that over for a while, not having seriously thought about non-mage people opinions, other than Templars and Chantry-folk. But for a few reasons, it's not a bad idea.

"As long as said people aren't going to try and shut me in a Circle, I'm willing to listen." Really, that's her major sticking point. She's never going to be imprisoned in a tower or go through a Harrowing, just let them try it. "When it comes to mage issues affecting them, it's only fair. What do you think should happen?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I just think ... when the Mages decided to break free, and the Templars decided to fight them, the people who got hurt the worst were just - every day, normal people. People who now don't trust either side. Giving them a voice would probably help you all with people not screaming 'Circle, Circle!'"

Katniss counted off her fingers, "I tell you right now - mostly what we'll want is - No Blood Magic. No Fighting Where There Are People."

Korrin nods firmly to both of those points. "Agreed, civilians should never be at risk. That's one of the things that pissed me off about some of the rebel mages, giving the rest a bad name things that crap. And anyone who thinks blood magic, especially in a time where the Veil is already shredded, won't bring in more demons is a fucking idiot.

If you're really that interested, I can find out if they wouldn't mind a non-mage guest to attend the council sometime. Though I'll warn you now; it's a lot of arguing and headache."

"A suicidal fucking idiot." Katniss confirms with a completely straight face, before she lifted up one eyebrow, "You really think they're going to listen to some lowlander from the Hinterlands? I didn't even finish my Chantry schooling, Korrin."

She shrugs, not presuming to speak for the Council as a whole but certain that plenty would be reasonable about it. "So? Chantry schooling is no benefit anyway, not in this situation. You lived through the past few years, and that included the war between the mages and Templars. Some people really don't know how it affected the average person, and it's something they ought to hear. We've had non-mages listen in before, though they didn't speak up. If the world falls apart, it won't be because there was an exception that one time."

Katniss gnawed on her lower lip, looking uncertain, before she pushed herself up and went to the other side of the ramparts. Looking down at all those tents, all those people who didn't have a lick of magic. All those people who never got a say on what the Mages and the Templars decided to do with their war.

She nodded her head slowly, "All right ... I'll come, and I'll speak, if they'll have me."

Korrin smiles warmly, nodding her firm approval. She can't promise what will come of it, but the fact that Katniss is willing ought to at least make them think. At the very least, listening to her would be a break from all the circular arguments. For a little while, anyway. "I'll do what I can to find out about that. And since those meetings always end with a headache and a powerful need for a drink, I'm buying."

"I don't actually drink." Katniss stated simply, before she gave the woman a wry look over her shoulder, "Not as much as some around here, anyways. I've always had to be on my guard so ... didn't seem like a good idea, honestly. But ... I think I'll be safe with you."

At that, Korrin's expression and tone are utterly serious. "You will be, I promise. I look out for my drinking buddies, however much or little they have." And her grin returns. "Just try not to rush out and climb the barn, though. I'm an effective landing-pillow, evidently, but it's not a role I relish."

"... Do I even want to know why they climbed the barn?" Katniss asked, one corner of her mouth twisting up. "And was there, at any point, no pants?"

"I think you know the answer to that last question." Korrin smirks, shaking her head. "And yes, I was got drunk too, but that wasn't part of my evening. I heard about it afterward, though."

She gave a wry smirk in turn, before she crooked an elbow on the wall itself. "And now you see why I don't drink that much."

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