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

[fleurdesel]

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.

Comments

courtyard B

[serannas]

Now back at Skyhold, Ellana is once more struggling to find where she fits. She doesn't have a set role. She's not a scout, not a researcher; she's just sort of there, just like she was back in the clan. Oh, sure, she was hearthmistress, but that's an easy role that anyone can fill, and they have since she's been gone. Here in Skyhold, she can only do her best to be of use and know that she's contributing in some small way to the Inquisition as a whole.

When she spots Adelaide all dusty out in the sunshine, her curiosity is piqued, and she approaches her after she's done beating her broom, but before she heads back.

"Hello. Would you like some assistance in whatever you're cleaning?"

Battlements

[gatheringstorm]

[Adelaide isn't the only one up and about. Now that Korrin isn't surrounded by miles and miles of disease and corpse-infested swamp, she's no longer interested in sleeping away her off-time more than can be helped. And she's missed that mountain view, so she'll taking off for the battlements after a round at the tavern. It's when she's searching for the perfect spot to enjoy the view that the Vashoth mage spots someone who's obviously not on patrol. A smile forms as she raises her hand in greeting, heading over.]

Couldn't resist the view, either? Or are you just savoring returning to a place that's not completely horrible at every turn?

Library

[keeperofmagi]

Nerva kept getting drawn to the library. Less because she wanted to be there, and more because out of anywhere in Skyhold it felt the most like a circle. So she kept finding herself drawn there, subconsciously.

Plus, well known and notorious mages kept hanging out there, so she made herself visible, and available.

And never took off her carefully polished templar armour.

Today, at least, she had a real reason to be there. She wanted to see if the Tranquil could be put to a use that wasn't quite so degrading for them. Even if they didn't feel it, she felt responsible, and she knew they would be more helpful for research than for the gardening chores they'd been given. As she didn't know exactly who to discuss it with, she wandered around the library with a vague, if certain, purpose, frowning as she observed each person in turn. She had just walked into one of the alcoves when she distinctly heard the word 'Bullshit' and turned, sharply, to her left.

"Excuse me?"

[fleurdesel]

Just a moment longer in the sun and the cool air, perhaps two. Or another few minutes. Toiling away in the Vault is worthwhile to see that they would have the space needed- speaking with Josephine had been to her benefit even if they haven't called a formal meeting as of yet- being prepared for one is vital if they are to move forward. All the same it is dark and dusty and wearying work, and works she'll be glad to be finished. She's leaning against the wall, face tipped up to the sun when someone calls to her-

"Beg pardon?" Help? From- the Dalish mage that isn't Pel. "Cleaning out the Vault- an extra pair of hands would be most appreciated."

[fleurdesel]

A little of both, perhaps.

[ Adelaide pulls her cloak tighter about her shoulders, turning to greet Korrin with a smile. As awful as the Mire had been spending more time with the Vashoth mage had been a high point. Someone skilled with a unique perspective and an equal loathing for this bog bullshit? Always welcome. ]

[serannas]

"Oh? There must not be anything of value in the vault since it looks to be rather dusty," she jokes. "I would be happy to help. How are you? I haven't seen you since the celebration with the wine after the mages' meeting."

[fleurdesel]

"This footnote." Adelaide murmured, too embroiled in glaring at the text before her to look up at who she was speaking to. As she recounted the veritable maze of academic bullshit she had to wade through thus far she motioned to each book in turn. "'This phenomena is as described in Ephineas Aserathan's The Shape of the Fade'- which does not descirbe the phenomena at all, rather has another footnote that urges me to read Enchanter Mareno's Dissertation on the Fade as a Physical Manifestation, which alludes to something in The Maker's First Children by Enchanter Bader that has yet another footnote remarking on the detail I would very much like to know more of in depth and one would think that, well, these are primarily Orlesian and Tevinter Academics of course they cite rather than quote their sources which is it's own brand of bullshit but no. The end of the chain draws me to the very Fereldan Brother Genetivi who spins me back right to this text in the first place. And not a single one of these stuffy, inkstained bastards has actually written a word on what it is I wish to know."

She sagged back in her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Academia. Academia is bullshit and I will get nowhere at this rate."

[fleurdesel]

"A few torches, paintings, and a rug. Soon enough there will also be chairs and tables for our use should the council wish to meet somewhere private. I have spoken to Josephine and that is truly the only area available to us until more of the renovations are complete." Still it is more than they had before and that? Is not so bad a start.

[Gardens]

[eolasemah]

Reliably, Sina was exactly where she normally was. She wore a pair of leather gloves and several layers of scarves and jackets as she worked, having temporarily shed her more traditional Dalish garb in favor of being warm. At present she was on her knees, inspecting a methodically-planted row of elfroot.

[serannas]

Ellana's eyes light up, having been wanting to hear more on what the council would be doing, since she'll be a part of it. Helping to clear out a space for them is absolutely something she wishes to help with.

"Then we'll make sure it's so clean you could eat off the floor." And she'll hold out her hand to carry something back for Adelaide. "I'm looking forward to being a voice for the mages here. Of course, I suspect there will be plenty of arguing and disagreements too."

[gatheringstorm]

[It helped Korrin, too, the perspective and the shared venting. That needed to happen before she did something foolish, as hot-headed as she can sometimes be.]

Yeah, same. I know it's not true, but at the moment, I feel as though I'll never be able to complain about mountains and cold ever again. Feel free to point that out at my expense later.

[fleurdesel]

"Sina." Adelaide dipped her head in greeting, looking over the elfroot to the left of the Dalish mage. "They are looking well, don't you think?"

[fleurdesel]

"Honestly I would rather we have a permanent office but with the hold being rebuilt and the demand for room? It will take some time. We shall have to make do." But for where they are now? It is enough.

She hands over the dustpail without further prompting. "You are sharing a seat with Pel, yes?"

[fleurdesel]

I will make note of it and call you on such complaining should you forget yourself enough to say as much. Likewise you are welcome to do the same for me. [ Once she's dried out and the ice sets in for winter she's sure it'll come up. Most likely when neither of them remember how awful the Mire had been any longer. ]

[keeperofmagi]

Considering that her initial reaction had assumed that someone had been swearing at her, Nerva ended up so taken aback at the rant she had somehow inspired that she stood there in silence, frowning, for a long moment.

And then she managed to filter the information into what was important (that this woman was a researcher), and what wasn't (everything else in that diatribe). She cleared her throat.

"I am afraid I have no knowledge of footnotes," She said, bluntly. "Though I know some who maybe be able to help you with them."

[eolasemah]

Sina gave a start, looked one way, then the other, then smiled when she saw Adelaide peering over. "They are," she agreed, and gave the ground a small pat by one plant's roots. She stood then, tucking her hands under arms to keep them warm.
"How was the Mire?"

[fleurdesel]

"Please." Without looking she stretched a hand to the side to pick up her mug of tea, taking a deep sip. It had chilled somewhat during her furious searching for some manner of specificity but it was serviceable enough. "If I have to hunt through another round of this bullshit I am going to scream."

And that would be hardly becoming of one of the members of the Mage Council. She probably shouldn't have vented to this stranger as it was. Merde.

[gatheringstorm]

[She flashes a grin and nods firmly to that.]

Consider it done.

[Then again, if they're constantly sent back to the mire due to fate laughing at them, they might never forget.]

I hope you've been sleeping better, now that you're back. Between Grey Warden stuff and cramped tents, that couldn't have been easy.

[And Korrin hadn't forgotten her offer, but still. Those tents weren't made for comfort, especially when considering someone of her size compared to the humans she had to share it with.]

[keeperofmagi]

It was, of course, incredibly rude, and Nerva couldn't help but feel the vein in her neck twitch slightly, at being spoken to in such a manner - but she chided herself for the feeling, and set herself to the task at hand.

"I am sure screaming isn't necessary." (It wasn't, nor did it sound like, a joke.) "I travelled here with two Tranquil, who have been put to use in the gardens, but are scholars themselves. I am sure they would welcome the opportunity to put their skills to better use. If you ask after Pericelle and Beaufort, you will find them."

Well. Welcome was a strong word. Nerva would welcome it, however, and that was enough.

[fleurdesel]

"Wet. Full of the undead." She sat back on her heels and peered at the next in the line of elfroot. Everything seemed to be growing as they should. "Beplagued. In short, awful."

[fleurdesel]

One would think, but no. Hence the pacing along the battlements. [ Her smile is crooked, thin, but present. ] Not having answers to questions never sat well with me in the Spire. That much has not changed even here.

[eolasemah]

Sina's face fell sympathetically, and she couldn't mask the horror she felt at the mention of undead. It was probably for the best that she had stayed behind.

"Was... there anything of use to be found there?" she asked hopefully.

[fleurdesel]

"I have been combing through similarly vague commentary on the Fade and the veil for the better part of two hours." Her tone could not be more dry. "Perhaps writing a strong letter to one of the authors would be appropriate."

It would certainly make her feel better.

The mention of Tranquil had her sitting up and blinking past her fingers at-

Templar.

Stern, Orlesian, in shining, well kept armor. Oh. joy. At least she had already been terribly tense and thus the locking up of her shoulders and jaw were somewhat hidden by her irritated tension. Voice low and as even as she could manage, she spoke again. "It would be warmer for them in the Library, I am certain."

[fleurdesel]

"Veilfire runes, some progress on the cause of the plague, and something people have taken to calling a 'bog unicorn. An undead horse possessed by a simple spirit with a sword shoved through it's skull much in the manner of a unicorn's horn. It is...terribly friendly." And terribly odd.

[eolasemah]

"Veilfire," Sina breathed, her smile returning as she somehow missed everything about the bog unicorn; she'd come back to that later, no doubt. "Pel showed me the other night, it's fascinating." Unconsciously, one hand moved to clutch at her chest. "They're connected-- the veilfire and the shards. I could feel it."