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

"They did their best!"

Elros pauses and then says slowly.

"I... was wondering if you could shed any light on the mistreatment of the elven population here. It seems strikingly odd to me."

"Hm, well I am no historian, but I can tell you what I know." Christine isn't sure if she's the best person to ask, because not only is she a human, but a mage that was locked in a Circle most of her life. She might not know all the facts here.

"Ages ago, the elves had an empire, but refused to allow humans into their presence. For some reason, the humans of Tevinter were desperate to get in. Perhaps they thought the elves had access to magical secrets? As I said, I am not well-educated on these matters. But they conquered the elven empire and took the elves as slaves. It was not until much later that they were freed and settled into the empire of Orlais. Then there was a great deal of animosity between humans and elves in Orlais centuries ago. It is said that the humans asked the elves for aid during the Blight, but the elves refused and hid themselves away in the forest. And so after the Blight was over, the humans marched into the elves' territory to force them to integrate with human society and to worship the Maker. Some agreed, some refused. At least that is what I was taught about the issue. Since then, there has been a great deal of animosity on both sides."

"Complicated, then." Elros sighs and frowns thoughtfully as he listens.

"And the fault of both parties, by the sounds of things. Ugh. No wonder cousin Fingon told me to be careful."

"Yes, though I will admit, people -- humans, rather -- are not expecting such tall, warrior-like elves in their midst. They are already prejudiced because you and the others came from the rifts, but I do not think they will wish to start fights with rifter elves without knowing their capabilities first. They fear Dalish because they are the unknown too, but city elves they believe they have all figured out."

At least that's what Christine has learned. The small village where she lived until she entered the Circle only had one elf family living there, so she's far from a knowledgeable source of information.

"I was raised in a Circle," she goes on to explain. "It is a school for mages -- or a prison of sorts. Both humans and elves attended. Our treatment was more equal there than it would have been outside."

"And what people fear, they tend to turn to hate, instead." Elros rolls his eyes.

"Same story everywhere, it seems. Mph. Well, they're right to be wary - my foster fathers are quite possibly some of the most lethal of the Eldar to walk Arda, and I don't imagine they're much less diminished in fighting prowess. And I met my cousin Galadriel again here, and she's also dangerous, in her own way, as is cousin Fingon. All of them are the sorts of people you normally write stories about, you know? Epic deeds and whatnot. I don't know much about Thranduil, but Maglor speaks highly of him, so he's probably quite dangerous too. Still, they're all mostly good people, so... "

He shrugs, and grimaces at her words.

"That's sad, that you got better, more equal treatment in what amounted to a gilded cage. Let me guess, the circles function as places to keep you all away from the rest of the population so you don't spook them, and so whoever is in charge can keep better control of you."

"And they are all here too?" she asks, knowing she's seen them around, but not who they are -- save Thranduil. Elros mentioned his foster fathers, but she didn't realize they were among the rifters as well.

"What of yourself? Have any epic deeds of yours been recorded yet? It sounds like quite the legacy to live up to." She can't say how she'd react in his shoes. Her father was a middle class merchant, and her mother is an infirm busybody, though well-meaning, of course. Christine prefers a simple life instead of wanting to be idolized or remembered.

"Exactly so. You may hear that it was originally formed at the behest of mages who wished to be separated from the populace that feared them, but it quickly turned into a place to keep us caged. Every Circle was different, and some had a great deal of freedoms. You may even hear of the inequalities between individual mages in the same Circle. That is why there is a great deal of fuss about whether or not the system should return. I am for mage freedom, with an emphasis on properly training mages without teaching them to fear what they are, as well as not keeping them locked up. It is but a dream now, because attitudes from non-mages must change too in order for such a thing to work." Which is why she plans on leaving them to argue it all and move in with the Avvar someday.

"They are, aye - Maglor arrived with me, but Maedhros and Fingon tell me they've been here a month, and apparently Galadriel and Thranduil have been here a good long while." He nods and laughs.

"I don't think anyone has written anything about me yet! I've fought in the War, of course, but I'm somewhat eclipsed by my blood father, in that area. Takes a lot to beat 'Thus Earendil slew Ancalagon the Black, and cast him down from the sky, and such was his size that he smote the towering peaks of Thangorodrim to ruin in his death, for he was the greatest of the Dragons and no others reached his girth before nor after' after all. Maybe one day!"

He huffs.

"Sounds terrible." He says sincerely. "And I'm all for allowing people a chance to be free - especially as you say, if they are properly educated! But it takes a long time sometimes to change how people think."

"Such names!" she says, eyes lighting up a little because these are names that don't appear anywhere in Thedas.

"Your father slew a dragon by himself? Or was it the killing blow? Either way, such is an impressive thing. We have a few dragon hunters among the Inquisition's ranks, but I do not number among them. I would rather stay far away and be ready to heal those who come back injured." And she might have a few comments about foolish recklessness in the pursuit of glory, but nobody ever pays the healer any mind, do they?

"Beyond my lifetime, I am sure. But I know one thing for sure: I will live in a place where I can raise my children free, not have them taken from me, as the Circles practiced."

"He had the help of the Eagles, but mostly he did the work, I think - I was busy fighting and couldn't take the time to properly watch, myself." He sighs regretfully.

"It was a very messy fight, all told, although most battles are, when you get down to it. I certainly saw Ancalagon fall though - I think everyone paused and looked up at that point. Hard to miss a gigantic dragon tumbling from the sky while on fire. I've killed a dragon before, but I had a good deal of help, and it was fairly young. There's plenty of the bastards around - or were. With the war won and Morgoth overthrown, most of the survivors are being hunted now, but the ones that got away are, sadly, far too cunning and large to be easily caught. We'll get there."

He tsks.

"Taking children from their parents is never a good thing, even if they wind up as lucky as Elros and I. I still have so many conflicted issues with that, and it was war, when things were all upside down. To take them from parents perfectly able and willing! Tch. A poor system all round."

"I wonder if you have heard this time called the Dragon Age here? Every one hundred years is the start of a new age, and it is determined right before what it shall be. The dragons awakened right before the start of this age, and thus was it named the Dragon Age. Before this event, it was thought dragons were extinct." But if he's a hunter of dragons, he'll probably come across a few to slay here.

"Yes, indeed. For now, however, we are in a state of waiting. Once a new Divine is elected, then decisions regarding mages shall be made." And if they aren't to her liking, she'll leave.

"I had not - but it certainly sounds ~~exciting~~troublesome! Equally though, it sounds as if the dragons here are closer to beasts than what they are in my world."

He hums thoughtfully. "Waiting. Always the worst part! Are there deliberations ongoing at the moment then?"

"From what little I have heard, the Grand Clerics and Revered Mothers are all arguing over it. Some want a stricter Divine than the last; others want one who will follow in her footsteps. For the time being, they are in a deadlock and I do not know what would make them stop squabbling and decide." She cares little for the Chantry anymore, but that isn't something she'll reveal to someone she's just met.

Elros pulls a face.

"Bureaucracy. Sounds like it's the same in every world. Hopefully they'll be sensible about it."

"Yes. Indeed." Christine doesn't bother adding that there is little sense to be found in the Chantry. He'll discover that soon enough.

"Anyway, enough of that depressing subject. What about that new home you were building? It sounded like an exciting time for you."

He lights up.

"It is! It's an island - the Valar pulled it up out of the sea for us, a reward, if you like, for all the long years of war and standing against the dark. Little enough, for the widows and the mothers with empty arms, but it is a safe place - a good place to rebuild! We're going to build a new home there, one where we can raise our children. We're just getting the fields ready before the winter hits, and then we can really get started on the houses. We've got basic structures up, of course, and the elves are helping us build, but it'll be a while yet before we have stone walls for everyone. Hopefully we'll beat the winter storms! I named it Elenna - 'Starwards' in the common tongue."

"And so this is an island home for humans only?" she asks, trying to understand the makeup of the races of his world as he has with hers. "Might I ask who the Valar are?" To pull up an island from the sea, they must be extremely powerful, whether that be mages, spirits, or gods.

"Well, of course anyone can visit! And even settle, if they want! But I doubt the dwarves'll venture a month out to sea just to get here, and the elves have their own homes already. I'm hoping I might persuade cousin Gil-galad to settle an embassy though, because if so, I can apply some leverage to get the ambassador to be Elrond, and then we can see each more often than once every few years!"

He nods.

"Ah, sorry - I keep forgetting people won't know... alright, so the Ainur is the collective term for the powers that wrought our world, and the Valar (that's a plural, the singular is Vala for the males, and Valie for the females) are the most powerful of those spirits, and the Maia are... well, all the others. There are seven lords, and seven ladies, and one fallen, who... well. Let's just say, all those long years of war? His fault, the bastard. My family hold particular fondness for Ulmo, the Lord of the Waters, or maybe I should say he's very fond of us? I still see Osse Stormbringer & Uinen Sea Queen, his greatest vassals, from time to time. Although I think Osse just is happy to find someone who doesn't mind his storms, really."

Edited 2017-12-07 04:40 (UTC)

"A month? Goodness, that would be an arduous voyage." She doesn't think she could do it unless the island would be the answer to all her hopes and dreams.

"Ah, spirits. They work a little differently here. I take it you see them in your world instead of in dreams?" Not that she only sees her spirit of Faith in her dreams. Because they work together, Christine can feel her presence beside her and feel Faith's thoughts, without the need for the spirit to actually possess her.

"It rather is." He agrees.

"I was talking to Cirdan's mariners, and there are some experimental designs to see about faster ships, but if you're transporting large crew across open ocean, there's a limit to how small you can safely make it, you know?"

"Hm, well, that's if they show up at all in physical form? I've seen Osse and Uinen - but Ulmo I only hear, sometimes. Eonwe wore physical form to lead the War of Wrath, but there were other maia involved - mostly unclad though, or they looked like birds or deer or something."

"Safely, as well as comfortable for all aboard." She thinks of the cramped quarters below deck when traveling to Rivain. It's something she wouldn't care to repeat.

"I can understand that. It is good they are a presence in your lives."

"Exactly." He nods and smiles.

"It's odd. We could hear them, as children growing up, but the wild ones of the world tend not to show themselves, not even to Luthien's line. But ever since the War... well. I'm glad Osse visits, at least."

"Ah, I see." Well, she thinks she does. War changes everything, and it wouldn't surprise her if the gods retreated back after such devastation.

"I am sure those ones who enjoy the water will come visit on your island." Which reminds hers...

Standing up, she pauses to stretch, looking back towards the the buildings behind her on the island that makes up the Gallows.

"I have enjoyed speaking with you, but I realize I should have returned to work by now."

"Osse gets bored, so he, at least, will!" He grins at her and then looks up at the sun and grimaces as he realises how much time has passed.

"Ai! Forgive me. I had not realised so much time had passed. I did not mean to keep you from your work - will there be any trouble?"

"No, no, none at all. I tend to make my own schedule, but I am very strict on myself when I do not keep to it." Already she's backing up to head towards the central tower.

"But I did so enjoy our conversation! I hope I will see you again?"

"As did I!" He smiles and bows to her, court-proper, hand over heart.

"I will be about - I look forwards to speaking more with you!"

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[CLOSED STARTERS + OPEN] Month long catch all

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