faderift | [ OPEN ] The sky is on fire, at least that is the word out in the world

WHO: Adelaide LeBlanc and Various
WHAT: Adelaide returns to Skyhold
WHEN: mid Firstfall
WHERE: Courtyard, Library, Tavern, Garden, Battlements of Skyhold
NOTES: N/A, will update as needed

[ Courtyard A ]

The walk had been a long one. A long, boring, exhausting one- but one she'd made out to the mire and one she made back. Catching the odd ride from a cart on the way up the mountain had made stretches of it easier but her only concern now were a few requests and concerns as given to her by her students through the sending crystals. First thing was first: eat. Change. Rest. Then she could tend to the list of errands that brought her here.

Cloak dusted with snow and weight listing heavily against her staff with each step, she made a weary sight as she strode with unwavering focus to the Hold's doors. Students first, the rest would come later.

[ Gardens ]

Her concerns here were twofold- looking over the elfroot for improper trimming (recreational smoking, Andraste's ass, what were they thinking) and proper growth. Sleeves rolled up, hair bound back she knelt and checked every plant by hand to be absolutely certain, from root to shoot to leaf before moving on to the next. For elfroot, embrium, any plant with medicinal properties in the garden- and then a few that were not. The repetition and examination was soothing for her, a shred of familiarity that reminded her much of the time she'd done the same in the Spire's small garden.

Afterward- well. She began examining trees. For- meddling. Before seeking out a particular dalish mage. While it wasn't the only reason she returned, it had been a large part for her taking the walk back.

[ Library ]

Nothing on the plague as far as Bruce could tell while he was here- she hadn't passed him on the road but he'd indicated that he would be coming down to the mire to help when they last spoke. She did not doubt him his research- but the questioned and rather vexed swearing of the latest round of rifters had her seeking anything on the veil, the fade, and Tevinter magics. She could simply ask Dorian, she supposed, but his was more modern, less ancient. Mug of tea steaming at her elbow she picked through stack after stack of either horribly vague or horribly specific and useless information. Now and then she made a note or sat back, glaring at whatever she read, and muttered under her breath- "Bullshit."

[ Tavern ]

Evening found her at the tavern, eating with her students (glad for her return) and enjoying a solitary glass of wine. No books, no arguments over the state of the garden or the improper use of magic- just a meal. She might even be smiling ever so slightly while she listened to how they spent their days or the progress they've made in their studies in her absence. Now and then she wove her way to the bar proper to order another glass of wine for her other students or a mug of tea for herself, trying her best not to bump into anyone on the way there or back.

[ Battlements ]

Exhausted as the Mire had made her, long as her days have been, Adeliade did not find sleep easily. Between stress and frustration at not finding a cure or cause for the plague just yet or any manner of explanation for the rifters weighed on her more than it ought to. She never pretended to have the answers, never tried to know the whole of a problem. She was a healer and as much as it was in her nature to fix things- she wasn't certain if it was her own mind or Compassion that kept her from rest. Not wanting to bother her students (Roul minded the door in her absence) or anyone else for that matter, most nights found her on the battlements, bundled against the cold as she paced. Perhaps it would wear her out enough to sleep.

[ Courtyard B ]

Later in the day Adelaide can be seen coming up from a part of the hold, carting dust bins and cobweb covered brooms- more than a little dusty herself, and dumping the lot out, beating the broom against the stone side of the building, and taking a moment or two to enjoy the light and the fresh air before she wandered back down. Rinse and repeat, several times, until whatever room she was clearing out below was cleaned to her satisfaction. Needless to say it would take some time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Now that sounds tasty and Ellana looks like she would eat a plate full right now if it was on offer.

"I wish we had that here. It sounds delicious."

"Perhaps if we asked the right cook. And if we had cinnamon." Sugar, they probably had, but the other? "I think I remember the recipe."

"That would be a wonderful treat! I'm sure if we brought a plate of it to the council meeting, they'd be gobbled down straight away. But we would need the cinnamon first." And Ellana isn't going to bug anyone about ordering that. Not only would it be impractical, but she can never be sure who doesn't like her for being an elf or for being a mage. Ask the wrong cook and suddenly Skyhold has no cinnamon.

"Nothing soothes disagreeable ire quite like treats." She motions for Ellana to follow her back up into the clean air and light. "It would make the tea breaks less a sign for 'we need to separate these two mages' and more 'actually enjoying something with tea'."

"I like the idea of that," she answers as they head back outside. "We could ask the others to contribute ideas for food to have with tea. We're all from different places and can contribute something to share our culture." After a pause, she adds, "And I will make sure Pel doesn't let our contribution be a plate of insects. I promise." Pel would do it just to sit and glare at the shems turning their noses up at it so she'd have an excuse to say they were disrespecting the Dalish.

"...insects." That- ah. Well. "Do you truly eat insects?"

"Yes, in the thin times. Sometimes there just aren't many animals to hunt, and we don't have farms. We preserve meat, of course, but insects help push our food stores even further." She gives Adelaide a chuckle, knowing how it must seem. "Anything to survive, right? They're not so bad, especially cooked over a fire."

"...I suppose if one must." is it insensitive to have a deep desire to never, ever have to enjoy that particular shade of Dalish life herself? It might be. Should she...try some?

No, no, that wouldn't-

"Sweets. Things that one has with tea. Fruits and cakes and- whatnot."

"Like I said, I wouldn't let her try it." But all that Adelaide is suggesting? Sounds perfect.

"I do love sweets. Did you know one of the cooks here has been making tiny cakes? Practicing for when important people come or some such thing. I love them so."

"The little ones covered in frosting, decorated with flowers? I've often found them too sweet but, on occasion, they put marzipan or jam in the middle and that is delightful." Just as delightful as the sun and fresh air available once they step outside. Adelaide tips her face into the light- some of the tension unwinding from her shoulders.

"Those are the ones," she confirms as they head outside. "What's marzipan?" And directly after that: "I apologize for all the questions. But if I don't ask, I'll never learn."

"A sweetened paste made with almonds, often it is shaped into flowers or filigree and decorated with color." a beat. "It is no trouble, I will answer what I am able."

"In that case, I hope to try a tiny cake with that on it sometime." She can add it to the long list of things she wants to experience. "Ma serannas, Adelaide. I'll think of you as someone I can turn to when I have questions who I know won't turn me away."

"I will let you know if they have prepared any should I find out first." It is a courtesy she can easily extend- everyone should try marzipan at least once. "Well...I am a teacher. This is not normally what I teach, but I do not mind offering what I know to those that appreciate it."

"It's still good of you." Part of that is because Adelaide is Orlesian and Ellana has an idea in her head about how they treat elves. She knows well enough that she should be looking at individual people instead of the whole country, but it's hard not to be wary until someone proves to her that they don't hate her kind.

"For right now, I'd say my curiosity is satisfied. I'll bring you my questions some other time."

"If you need me I'm either in the library, the garden, or the healing tents." More often than not. "If you still cannot find me one of my students will likely know where I am and can send for me."

"I will remember. Thank you again." And with that, Ellana will smile and be off to allow Adelaide to enjoy the rest of her day.

[ OPEN ] The sky is on fire, at least that is the word out in the world

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