FIRSTFALL RIFTER ARRIVAL

[faderifting]

WHO: New rifters & their rescuers
WHAT: People fall out of a rift and get attacked by stuff, as usual.
WHEN: Firstfall/November 14
WHERE: Somewhere a ways off the Imperial Highway between Cumberland and Nevarra City
NOTES: This arrival log is open to all. Solas was able to alert the Inquisition to the general area where the new rifters would be arriving so people can pick them up. Rifters can then either continue on with the main Inquisition caravan to Nevarra City or be escorted back to Kirkwall.

You were asleep--deeply or fitfully, for the last time or just resting your eyes for a moment-- and then you were not. And wherever you were was not, anymore, replaced by nothing but the sensation of falling, tumbling into endless, bottomless nothing. If this were still a dream, you would wake before you hit the ground. You can't die in a dream, they say. In some worlds.

In this world, when the afterimage left by a flare of too-bright, greenish light fades, you will find yourself landing with a wet smack. There is no avoiding the mud: this rift has opened up in the center of some unfortunate farmer's field, and all his hard work plowing and manuring has now been ruined, first by the rain that has churned it into a thick and especially fragrant muck and then by the arrival the rift itself, splitting the air mid-field and making it impossible to safely plant. And now, of course, there's you as well, tumbling out of the Fade and into the shin-deep mud.

The cluster of demons emerging from the rift seem at odds with the setting, strange stark shapes in this empty space, standing out against the grey sky. Some are tall, spindly stick-things with too many eyes who seem like they should tumble down the hill in a tangle of limbs but instead sink into the snow to anchor themselves and use the long reach of their arms to attack. Some are hunched and hooded with no eyes at all, others mere wisps of greenish light that float over the icy ground. None look friendly or familiar. Also unfamiliar is the narrow splinter of light the same sickly green as whatever brought you here that now glows out of the palm of your left hand. It aches, a bone-deep pain that gnaws even through all the distractions.

All around is more fields, except for an abandoned farmhouse a ways off, beside a windbreak of spindly trees topping a low ridge before the next stretch of pasture. As you find your feet, you may catch sight of a handful of figures in the distance, exiting the farmhouse and hurrying away over the hill. If anyone ventures to the farmhouse, they will find the remains of a camp, and may be able to locate a dropped notebook or what looks like pieces of some unknown scientific instrument, apparently broken in the rush to leave.

Comments

His defender would've come anyway.

[castintoflames]

(Maedhros grabs his arm and hauls him onto the saddle behind him. The demons can wait. Damn them to the lowest pits of hell for all he cares! He has his brother and he will bring him to a safe place.)

Hold on! Let us leave these abominations behind!

Best big bro ;.;

[seawanderer]

[He sucks in a sharp breath but settles himself behind his brother and curls an arm around his waist, even as he ensures no demon hops on as well.]

Agreed, let us away!

[But only because it means his brother is protected. Only when the demons fall away behind them does he frown, perplexed at the back of Maedhros' head.]

...Nelyo? Is it...really you?

He tries ;n;

[castintoflames]

(Any demon within his reach will be kicked or stabbed. He just needs to make a path for them to escape. The horse shies a few more times than his nerves can handle, but they eventually find room to gallop.)

Yes, it's me. (He squeezes Maglor's arm briefly.) And this isn't Arda. I will explain as much as I am able, I promise. But, for now, you are safe.

<3

[seawanderer]

[No demon stands a chance against them! But Maglor sings softly to try and ease the poor horse's nerves, as well as his brother's. Then he leans against his brother's strong back, resting his cheek on a shoulder.

...But something is still different.] ...Nelyo! Your hand! [He simply accepts the rest of what Maedhros tells him, because this is Nelyo.]

[castintoflames]

(The horse settles enough to run without bolting wildly in one direction or another. Maedhros is able to loosen his hold on the reins a little and glance back at his brother.)

Forget it. (He grimaces and tries again.) I arrived whole and unscarred. (A state that didn't last long!) I will take you to where I have been staying.

[seawanderer]

[He absently sheaths his sword, finally, and slips his other arm around his brother. Maedhros won't be escaping him any time soon. He frowns, brow creasing in worry.]

You say this is not Arda, but perhaps is it Mandos? [Maglor doesn't seem entirely upset with the idea of being dead. Because he's not alone.]

[castintoflames]

(He keeps his sword out, but he does glance at the arms around him. Having Maglor with him again feels...right. Leaving him had been wrong. All wrong!)

It is not Mandos. This is...another world entirely. (He pulls the horse to a stop so that they can all catch their breath.) Are you hurt, Kano?

[seawanderer]

[He shakes his head a little, not quite sure how to accept that. Not that his brother lies, just...it's a strange thought. Uncomfortable.

When the horse comes to a stop, Maglor breathes a little easier, adrenaline slowly fading. It leaves him feeling strangely drained, and he leans a little heavier against his brother.]

'M fine, Nelyo... [Only various cuts and bruises, mostly gained in the fights with the demons. But Maedhros might notice just how thin Maglor is now, even under the sturdy clothing he wears.]

[castintoflames]

(It is bound to be more uncomfortable and all Maedhros can do is cushion the blows. He turns in the saddle and embraces his brother tenderly, checking over him.)

You are not. Look at you. You are skin and bone! (And it's his fault, he knows.) Alright, you are getting in front of me.

(He dismounts and nudges Maglor forward before he sits behind him.)

Just rest against me.

[seawanderer]

[He doesn't care if it's uncomfortable as long as he's not alone! He'll suffer any manner of thing if it means he can stay with his brother.

Maglor blinks up at Maedhros, not protesting the embrace or check so long as his brother doesn't push him away. It's when the other dismounts that he tenses and makes a distressed sound, reaching for him even as he moves where directed and settles back to quiet when Maedhros remounts behind him.

His hallucinations, memories, ghosts- whatever one calls them- have lied to him before.]

...You said...where are you staying, Nelyo? [Clearly he has to try harder and do better!]

[castintoflames]

(No, he is never alone. Surely, unseen, Maedhros's spirit tracks his steps. Yet it is understandable that having him alive and whole is preferred.

He makes a soft sound in his throat, soothing in nature, pulling Maglor against his chest when he is back on the horse.)

Kirkwall. It is a fortress and they have all the implements we need to make new armor.

(He kisses the top of his brother's head and spurs the horse into a trot.)

[seawanderer]

[But only unseen and unheard, outside his own imagination. Feeling his brother's heat, hearing the resonance in his voice, that is what Maglor has needed!

The soothing sound helps settle him further and he presses back against his brother. Nelyo won't let him fall.]

It has been a while since I have worn armor...Are there more creatures as those we fought here?

[castintoflames]

(He can feel how thin his brother has become and he is cautious with how he directs the horse. He wonders if the flight from the demons injured Maglor - or made him sore. He needs to be careful with him - and he will be.)

Yes, but I will deal with them. If armor is not comfortable for you, you need not wear it.

[seawanderer]

[Thin and broken but still trying his best to keep it together.]

We will deal with them. [He responds firmly, tipping his head back to look at his brother, gaze steadying and firm.] Armor will only help, since there seem to be enemies here.

[castintoflames]

(He can rest now. Maedhros has the strength to look after both of them.)

In time. (He kisses the center of Maglor's forehead.) Enemies I will behead and gut to no end while my brother regains his might.

[seawanderer]

[But when he wakes up, Maedhros will be gone again, just like every other time!

Maglor hums, settling under the kiss, and tucks himself back just a little closer to his strong brother.] They won't harm you either. I won't allow it.

[castintoflames]

(No. Not this time. He gently clucks his tongue, urging the horse onto a paved road.)

Don't worry for me. I have no desire to chase death, Kano.

[seawanderer]

[He flinches.] ...You already did, Nelyo. He took you.

[castintoflames]

Which is precisely why I am not seeking him again. (He soothes, embracing his brother for a moment.)

[seawanderer]

[Maglor attempts to soak up the soothing touch, but it's harder this time.] I won't let him have you again.

[castintoflames]

(He rests his chin on Maglor's shoulder.) I won't leave you. I'm sorry I ever did.

[seawanderer]

[He leans his cheek against his brother's, letting out a quiet breath.]

You are my brother, Nelyo. I- [am sorry I wasn't enough] will stay at your side as long as you will have me.

[castintoflames]

(The simple warmth is sweet and it fills his mind with memories of a much younger Maglor. His Kano.)

Forever.

[seawanderer]

[Always Nelyo's Kano!]

Then here I will stay.

[castintoflames]

(Is any other brother more blessed than him? He thinks not.)

We are close. Do you think you can walk?