faderift | [CLOSED STARTERS + OPEN] Month long catch all

Entry tags:

[CLOSED STARTERS + OPEN] Month long catch all

WHO: Christine + closed starters + OPEN
WHAT: Meeting new people and catching up with friends/acquaintances throughout Firstfall
WHEN: spanning the entirety of Firstfall whenever convenient for you character
WHERE: The Gallows, the docks

{ open to all: wildcard option }
Christine's schedule rarely deviates. She arrives at the Gallows in the morning, heads to the kitchens for tea, then her office where she spends a few hours. If it's a red lyrium research day, she can be found heading towards the basement where they have a warded laboratory for experiments, though no one except her team is actually allowed inside, so you'll have to catch her on the way. If it's not such a day, she heads to the infirmary and heals patients for several hours as well. Add in lunch and moving between rooms and buildings to see people, and she's pretty easy to find.

{ closed to adalia }
The day dawns foggy with a crispness to the air as people awake and attend to their duties at the Gallows. For Christine, it's an early morning trek from her house in Lowtown to her office in the central tower, but today she stops first at the infirmary to see to her patients from the day before. The fog closes in around the island and she steps out from the infirmary, producing a small wisp of light that she sends out ahead of her to light her way to the tower. Along the way, she nods politely to those she passes, well aware that some still don't like seeing a mage perform magic openly.

Though she has reports to read in her office, she's in no rush to start, and will be making herself a cup of tea before she dives in. That time can also be used for conversation, should anyone need her.

{ closed to skadi }
Though she's spent time with Skadi in the past, there is still much about the woman Christine has yet to discover. In particular, she's interested in learning about the hold gods that Skadi grew up with, and what being a Spirit Warrior is like. One afternoon, she sets aside her work a bit early to meet with Skadi over at the stables, where they can take out horses and have an open conversation without eavesdroppers.

She arrives promptly at the time they agreed upon and gives Skadi a smile. "Good afternoon. As you can imagine, I am looking forward to discussing the Fade and spirits with you."

{ closed to carlos }
Now that he's more settled in, Christine is happy to take Carlos under her wing and instruct him with working as a healer within an Inquisition base. After showing him around the place, she's set him loose to tend to patients, with herself hovering close by in case he needs help or a second opinion. She's also ready to swoop in should she feel he's making a mistake, but she hasn't seen reason to just yet.

Standing within earshot, she organizes a set of potion bottles so their labels all face outward again, and waits to see how he handles this latest case.

{ closed to elros }
Despite the Inquisition's remodeling, Christine really only stays in the Gallows for a few hours at a time because her office and the infirmary are there, not to mention their research laboratory for red lyrium, tucked away behind warded walls in the basement. She will never be comfortable in a place where her fellow mages as well as Tranquil were treated so horrendously by the Templars. Their pain and sorrow will forever be etched into the stonework. And so she can often be found down at the dock where the boats transport people from the island back to Kirkwall's docks, staring out across the water. It's better than sitting in the shadow of those imposing towers, much like the shadows of the Templars who used to breath down her neck at Montsimmard.

{ closed to myr }
It isn't often that Christine speaks out about her thoughts on the Circle system. She well knows that Montsimmard Circle was more lenient than other Circles, but that didn't mean it wasn't a prison in her eyes. Yet the fact she doesn't voice these thoughts out loud means assumptions might be made, such as today. Out walking in the Gallows, Myr's sensitive ears will likely pick up the end of a conversation between Christine and another woman.

"It's just... well, you seemed so level-headed, I only assumed you were a Loyalist."

"Libertarians are not without sense. Those who claim the title, then use blood magic or make deals with demons to destroy the innocent are not Libertarians; they are selfless and psychotic. My ideals are nothing like theirs."

"They are still far too lenient, in my opinion. And as this meeting is for Loyalists only, it seems I can't invite you after all."

"C'est la vie. I wish you a good day, Enchanter."

The other woman sniffs in distaste and her footsteps loudly clack across the stone as she leaves, but Christine stays in place a moment longer before she spots Myr and heads towards him.

"Hello," she begins, unsure if he needs help or if he's perfectly capable of navigating the Gallows unaided. It seems presumptious to ask, but a healer always wishes to help.

{ closed to thranduil }
Today the weather has broke from the near constant cold and drizzle, leaving the sky a brillant blue dotted with flocks of birds migrating north towards warmer temperatures. But Christine is unable to see it, as she's been inside all day, reading reports. And now she must put off going outside for a little longer, as Thranduil has requested to see her. Setting aside her paperwork, she rises and stretches, before making her way towards his office, walking at a leisurely pace because she's always early. Knocking on his door, she announces herself.

"It is Christine Delacroix, ser."

{ closed to the medicine seller }
Christine is incredibly work-oriented, and it's not unusual to see her going over reports, supplies, and the like even when she's supposed to be taking a break. There's only so long a person can work around red lyrium before they need a week long break, and she's in the midst of such a break right now. And even though she's out of work to do, still she heads to the infirmary, reorganizing what's already been organized by herself.

Eventually her hands are empty, there are no patients, and she has to admit defeat with a sigh. Time to walk around the Gallows to see where she can be of use.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Mostly, I was hoping to find a ship and crew that would not mind a new deck hand - I cannot go far or for long, but I grow restless for the sea. People seem rather... er... suspicious."

If not downright unfriendly, at times.

Closer, there's something a little more solid to him, than the etheral elves of Arda - something a bit more earthly, perhaps.

"Ah, as to that, I would direct you to our Naval office. Its leader is named Araceli Bonaventura. She would know far more about these matters than I." Christine pauses, eyes darting down to see whether or not his shard is covered up. "Though I must caution you: the greater the distance that grows between you and other shardbearers, the greater the pain will be." It's why the Inquisition either keeps them gathered in one place, or encourages them to go out together on missions.

Elros' eyes light up at the suggestion, and then he grimaces - he hadn't bothered to cover the shard, which probably explains the looks.

"That is a problem. And I am guessing when I was urged not to cut it out that there is a reason for that too."

"Well," she begins, looking serious, "It involves the magic of the Fade. You cannot physically cut out what is now magically a part of you. Besides, you gained the shard when you came from your world. If you intend to return, having a shard may be your only way."

"That does make a terrible amount of sense." He sighs.

"Is there any way around the 'needing to be close to other people with it' part? Because although I'm not adverse to staying around, I do miss the sea."

Her lips purse in thought, because she does know a bit about the shards based on having patients with them.

"Two methods I can think of, ser. Either ensure your ship has a good healer aboard, or take a soothing salve with you for when the pain becomes too intense. I am a Spirit Healer and have cared for many with shards before, but some do not like magical healing. For them, I prescribe the salve."

He shrugs.

"If it works, I'm not about to push aside any form of healing! I'd try and heal it myself, but my brother Elrond was always the better healer of the two of us. How long can one safely stay away?"

"That, I cannot say. I think it must vary by the individual, but from what I have heard, possibly a week? If you are with other shardbearers, it will hurt less. Perhaps a month away from the Kirkwall group as a whole before the pain will become too intense to stand."

At least that's as far as her knowledge on the subject goes. Being a healer and also having a rifter beau means she's aware of a few things.

"There is a research project ongoing on the rifts and shards," she continues. "Warden Inessa Serra is the leader of that. I am sure she can provide you with more detailed information than I."

"Huh." He considers the information thoughtfully.

"Thank you - I suppose I will ask after the Warden, but that has already been very useful. Do you know if the naval crew often include rifters like me? I assume we must be something of a liability, however."

"I can tell you that Araceli is a rifter herself, so she will well understand what you must be going through. As for the rest, I believe the Inquisition is still trying to build up its naval presence. We are looking for allies as we start to build our own fleet. She can surely tell you more, but I can at least tell you that much, ser."

Though the use of ser reminds her that she doesn't know his name. She knows his brother's name, but not the man before her.

"I am Christine. I suppose we should be exchanging names if we are here talking."

"Milady Christine." He bows to her formally, open palm over heart.

"Well met, and thank you! Elros Earendillion, at your service. You've been a tremendous help. Are you involved in this hopeful navy yourself?"

Well, isn't this fancy? Her lips twitch with a smile, but she doesn't speak out about his refined manners, merely inclining her head instead.

"No, I am not. I have been on ships before, but that is as far as my knowledge goes. Do you come from a sea-faring culture, Elros?"

"Yes, and no? We're a very new culture, I suppose you could say. But the sea's in my blood - my father and grandfather both were sailors, so I suppose it was inevitable. I've been on dry land for a year and a bit, and the itch is growing stronger. Especially since I've not got things to keep me busy with, here." Which he did at home.

"There are always things that need doing here. I know you did not ask to be here, but if you wish to keep busy, you could find work within the Inquisition, I am sure. Perhaps even on a ship, but until then, you could help on the docks, or in the stables, or here at the Gallows somewhere." Christine has no desire to push him into anything, but he seems like a man who needs to have something useful to do, and she knows that feeling well. Years of languishing in the Circle, wanting so much to go out into the world and be a healer, has caused her to want to rush to help others find a place for themselves here.

"I could suggest things, if I knew where your talents lie. Or your interests. Of course, as I already said, I do not know much about the naval situation here. I am a healer and a researcher."

"Very much not." He agrees dryly. "I have a new nation I'm supposed to be helping to establish, right now - we were still in the middle of building our homes!"

He nods, thoughtfully.

"Well, let's see. I can build boats, although I'm not as good as some, and sail them too. I was a war-leader, before that - I can fight, and I would like to think I'm decent at strategy. Certainly, I don't think I lost more than I should have done. I'm learning to build houses, now! And things like till fields and so on. All hands to the sails, and all that. I'm a healer too, but that's more my brother's thing than mine - but if you need a hand there, I can always try. I can hunt, too - I was brought up to know how to live off the land, at need.

Does that help?"

"Indeed? That sounds exciting. They are sure to miss you as well." And Christine does want to hear more about that, since she knows woefully little about rifters' homes beyond Church's, but she doesn't want to change the subject when she's in the middle of helping him.

She listens to his list of skills, nodding along several times until he's finished. "Yes, a great deal, in fact. If the Inquisition is to build its own naval force, it must have shipbuilders. We have a great many battles and skirmishes to fight, and a willing soldier is always welcome. Building houses is not very relevant here, but if we happen upon areas destroyed during the war and the Inquisition wishes to rebuild, your skill will be perfect there." Now she smiles. "And I would be happy to take you in as an apprentice healer, should you desire to improve your skills. Is it magical healing you do, or are you more of a surgeon or herbalist?"

Considering he's their newly crowned king, Elros rather thinks so too, but he's not going to actually say that.

He grins.

"Mind, don't ask me to design any boat bigger than a skiff. But if you give me the plans and tools, I can work as hard as any! As to that - well, there's some healing ability that I suppose you could consider magical that got passed down? Things like easing pain and speeding healing. If I had some athelas I could do more, I suppose, but mostly I know my basic way around a sickroom with herbs and bandages and such. It's always been more my brotehr's thing than mine!"

Christine laughs, waving a hand in the air. "There go all my plans to appoint you official ship designer for the Inquisition!" Alas, they'll have to find another now in this fantasy scenario of hers.

"Hmm, I am not familiar with athelas. I do not think we have it here." But what they do have is more than enough to take care of the sort of ailments that patients parade through the infirmary here. "If you have a desire to learn, you need only ask me, but I will not press you to if you think you could do more elsewhere, or perhaps not have the time if you take on other duties. Have you joined a division yet, by chance?"

"Well if the Inquisition wants a whole fleet of little pleasure ships, that I can do!" He laughs with her.

"Might make for interesting tactics in war!" Hm, something to consider for his home, perhaps.

"It wouldn't surprise me - it's a hardy little thing, but so far as I know it came from the Blessed Lands and isn't native to my world, although trust me, once it's established it grows like a weed. I suspect I'd be of minimal use to you, in honesty, although I don't mind being pressed into service at need. And I have not, no. How would one go about doing so?"

"Who knows? They might want a few to impress nobles." But that's hardly something she's going to concern herself with. Christine will stick with what she knows.

"There are four Divisions and being a part of one means your duties to the Inquisition will fall under that branch. They are Research, Forces, Scouting, and Diplomacy. Each has a division head with their own office. I suggest you ask around to see which might suit you best. Technically, I belong to the Research Division, but my project, Red Lyrium Research, falls under the Forces Division. It can all be a little confusing, honestly."

"Hm. I suppose I should try for scouting, but you're right, it really does sound quite confusing. Do the projects often overlap like that?"

"Or forces, since that is the division for our soldiers. And no, it is I who am the overlapper, not the projects. I chose a division first, and was assigned head of Red Lyrium Research later." And perhaps it does make sense to have her research under the research header, but she could make a case for forces too.

"The Red Lyrium, you see, it is a dangerous thing being grown by Templars, and in order to confiscate it, it often comes down to a battle."

But she doesn't want to go on about herself and her project when she's trying to help him. This should be about finding him his place; finding him something to keep his hands busy.

"I am sure you will find something to suit you here. It sounds like you have many talents. I am only sorry I am not more well versed in everything available in Kirkwall. I can only give you a taste of what to expect."

"Or forces." He hums thoughtfully. "It would be interesting, either way - do not apologise! You have given me much to think on, and have been most helpful!"

He cocks his head curiously. "What makes it dangerous? And is it a current threat?"

"It is a material that corrupts that which it touches, or even if it is in the area. It drives a person mad, and those who have been exposed for too long see their bodies transformed into the stuff of nightmares. Red crystals grow throughout their body and break through the skin. It grants its victims some measure of strength, however. That is what first caught my attention. Our enemy includes Templars who willingly ingest red lyrium, and it has changed them. I wished to know if we could find a way to negate their new abilities through studying it, and my team and I created a cleansing rune to do it." They've had breakthroughs before, but this is their crowning achievement so far. Now if only they could remove red lyrium from a patient...

"It is currently still a threat, yes. Red Templars continue sowing fields of red lyrium and we go in when we hear of it to defeat them and destroy it, replenishing our sample supply if needed."

He frowns.

"That ... is it even safe for you to research? And there is no cure, I am guessing? Not even the Black Breath does that. I wish I could say I am surprised that any would willingly ingest it, but even as biased as I am I know that Men are... well. Some of us are very very stupid and power hungry."

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