faderift | FIRSTFALL RIFTER ARRIVAL

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(Maedhros grabs onto Elros's arm, lifting him onto the horse as if he weighs nothing.)

I thought so too! (He kicks a pair of demons away and growls, frustrated at their stubbornness.) I was revived!

[ Elros settles easily behind him, blade turning to cover the other side ]

Why didn't you come to Elenna! You haven't sent word or anything!

I was revived here; not there. (He shifts the horse onto another path.) This is not Arda.

What?

[ He isn't so used to horses, these days, but he was well trained and he matches the movement easily ]

... Please tell me I'm not dead, Elrond will never forgive me.

No! You are alive. (He is searching for an opening to take his foster-son to safety.) Just hold onto me and all will be well.

(Hopefully?)

Are you sure?

[ He shrugs at that ]

We could just kill them all - and then you can explain properly?

Rifts are unpredictable. I would rather not stay close to them. (He tramples some stray demons beneath the horse's hooves.) Am I sure we are alive? Yes.

Is that comforting?

Is that what the green glowing thing is called?

[ Elros frowns at his back ]

Of a sort. I'm a little concerned as to why you're here and not in Valinor, however.

Yes. They bring forth beings from different worlds.

(He glances over his shoulder, eyes haunted.)

Why would I be there?

[ The scowl deepens ]

If you're dead, you're supposed to be in the Halls. Please do not tell me you did something idiotic like try and throw yourself into the void.

(He focuses on the road ahead, body tense.)

The Halls, yes, but not Valinor. I have not earned that right.

[ Elros thumps his shoulder ]

That is not a "No Elros I did not try anything that stupid".

(He takes the blow without complaint.)

I would not be dead if that were the case. I'm sorry, Elros.

[ He thumps him again ]

You are not allowed to do anything that stupid. Promise me! You'll destroy Elrond if he gets to Valinor and finds out he has not even the slightest hope of seeing you again.

(He winces. Elros's blows have gotten stronger!)

I have no say in it. I would like to see him... I would like to see you too. But I cannot make any promises.

[ He should hope so! ]

Then promise me that you will try, rather than sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. Elrond needs you to be there, Maedhros.

(He is still incredibly adorable.)

I am filled with regret, Elros. I do not feel sorry for myself. (Maglor needs him too.) I know where I am needed; I will beg Lord Námo.

[ Is not! ]

Same thing, with you. [ He squints and nods ]

Good enough. I'll yell at him too, on my way past. They owe us, after all.

Edited 2017-11-21 04:26 (UTC)

(Is too times infinity!)

Is it? (He has long since forgotten how to keep score.)

What of you? Could that be a second favor?

[ HE REFUSES ]

For what? I want to go on, Maedhros. Who knows what's out there? I don't want eternity with relatives who can't even sit down in the same room civilly, if your stories are any indication! I want the next great adventure.

(That makes him more precious.

His smile is pained and he closes his eyes against the inevitable sting.)

I would be there too if I could.

Oh, well, I could ask for that as a favor, but won't your family miss you?

No matter what I choose or how I beg, my family will not be whole. (Maybe that's okay? If he can go to Maglor, Sail and reunite with their brothers, their father and mother... Maybe that's enough?)

Don't get all gloomy on me. [ Elros says sharply ]

You were the one who always told me not to lose hope! I am only going ahead of you that's all!

(A muscle in his cheek begins to twitch.) Elros, Elves do not go to the afterlife meant for Men. You know as much.

(no subject)

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