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WHO: The new Inquisition moving company & friends
WHAT: One important roadtrip to Starkhaven
WHEN: /waves hands in a timey wimey wibbly wobbly vague way
WHERE: Kirkwall, the lovely main roads along the Free Marches & Starkhaven proper
NOTES: None to mention, will add as needed

The group leaves Kirkwall early in the morning just as the sun is rising. Their wards have all piled into one covered wagon, all of their worldly possessions fitting neatly and seemingly... little after several generations living inside the city. Speaking of Kirkwall, the young one's elderly grandparents do spend a few short moments looking over the city before it rightly goes out of sight with quiet tears. Saoirse stands with them, speaking comforting words but understanding well what it is like to leave behind all one knows for something (one hopes and prays) will be better.

Their trip along the roads to Starkhaven are thankfully underwhelming compared to most ventures Inquisition members take outside the city these days. They make good time passing through Vimmark Mountains and Wildervale, making brief stops as needed along the road. One they reach the Minanter River, it isn't long before the city of Starkhaven comes into view and it very clear even at a distance that there is a good reason why it is the wealthiest city in the Free Marches. Nestled in a fertile valley, alongside the river, the air is even different from the tense air that has lingered over Kirkwall lately. It's light, free caring with the citizens clearly at ease within their city walls.

Those here to continue help with the moving process will be led along with Saoirse to the alienage, none too different from any other alienage despite the grand buildings that surround it but the people seem welcoming especially when they realize the group is with two of their own. They are also quick to help with the moving process, removing boxes and helping the family set up their new home. Others are more than welcome to travel the city, explore and visit family. Just... not make trouble, okay? The last thing the Inquisition needs is another Marcher city frowning at them.

OOC: Welcome to Starkhaven!!! Currently this is planned to take place before the group goes to Neverra, backdated to early in the month. The trip is currently expected to take three days (at the most) before returning to Kirkwall. Nevertheless folks are welcomed to stay longer if they wish.

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( although Saoirse visited her father when they first arrived to the city, she returns later once their charges are comfortably inside their new home. her arm is linked around one of Prompto's own and a smile for the ages on her face. it is, in all truth, likely impossible for her smile to grow any more at this rate.

but why try to contain her excitement? this was a good thing! )

I talked a little about you earlier when I first saw him. He's rather excited to meet you. ( she begins with a bubbly laugh. ) So don't be nervous, okay? I'll try to make sure he doesn't ask too many questions."

( is she joking about the questions? probably, maybe... )

[Prompto, for his part, is a mix of excitement and nerves. Saoirse's grin is infectious, and his smile matches her as he walks alongside of her, stupidly giddy on the inside for having their arms interwoven like this and simultaneously chastising himself for thinking that way.

But there's a part of him that's more than a little anxious about this meeting. He really, truly wants Saoirse's father to like him. They may just be friends (so he keeps insisting, over and over again), but she means a lot to him still and he's afraid of what will happen if her father doesn't approve of Prompto.]

You talked about me? Uh oh. [He chuckles.] Are you gonna leave me in suspense as to what you talked about?

[The questions don't worry him too much. And he's just gonna... skip over the nervousness part because ahahahahaha]

( she grins at his words, winking playfully. ) In absolute suspense.

( and then Saoirse laughs with a shake of her head, patting his arm lightly. )

Just little things, mostly. Your name, how I met you and how we fought a giant sea monster once. You know... the typical sort of chatter a young lady has with her father about new friends.

( new friends from different words but friends nevertheless. )

You're killin' me!

[He laughs with her, smiling as he listens. Ah yeah, the sea monster... just the sort of thing a father wants to hear his daughter going up against. Prompto just hopes her father isn't too much of a worrywart.]

At least he can hear a lot of stories from you, even if some of them were kind of crazy. Does your dad like the Inquisition and what it's doing?

I am now? If that is so then know that I shall miss you when you are gone.

( with her home now in sight, not far from vhenadahl now colored with fall leaves does Saoirse slow her walk and separate their arms to walk ahead slightly. )

He very much likes the Inquisition and what we are doing. He hopes it can help us elves and also protect mages from the terrible things that happened in the Gallows, and in other Circles from happening again.

Be sure to place a flower on my grave from time time.

[He notices the slight shift in demeanor - and especially her letting go of his arm (internal sad face) - indicating that they must be coming near. He puts his hands in his pockets and follows along behind her, trying to suppress his growing nerves.]

Yeah, I heard things got pretty bad there, and that it's been crazy for the mages since then. Let's hope it only goes uphill from here. [He seriously hopes so. He's only heard a couple horror stories, but those have been enough.] Your dad must have been worried sick about you.

Despite the dangers, he came to Kirkwall in the aftermath of everything to find me. I don't think he let me go for a whole day after we found each other. The last time I had seen him cry like that was when the city guards took me to the Circle when I was a child.

( she smiles lovingly, touching the pendant around her neck and sighing softly. )

But that is why I am with the Inquisition now. So the things that happened to us at the Gallows do not happen again... and that people like Anders to do not have to make such terrible choices ever again.

That took guts. From what I heard, the place was chaos after the Chantry blew. But I think that's also what any good father would do, if he can.

[He can't even imagine how hard it must have been, to have a child taken away, with no say in the matter. To be separated for years, and then to hear that the place where your daughter lived was in chaos and she might be in danger just for being what she was.

He had to suppress a shudder.]

Yeah, Anders. Talked to him about that. I mean, I'm not a native so I don't feel like I can comment much. A part of me gets why he did it, but... I don't know. There's an optimist in me that wonders if there wasn't a better way to go about all of that, you know?

I suppose it is not something easily understood. The love a parent carries for their child unless you are a parent yourself but I am proud and I am lucky to have him in my life. In truth, I am blessed since many are not so lucky.

( she lost her mother and a sibling but was lucky enough to keep her father. lucky enough that her father did not shun her when she came into her magic, did not vanish from her life while she spent her youth within the walls of a two different circles.

Saoirse knows that, yes... she is quite lucky. still, she frowns as he speaks on Anders and looks honestly torn on the matter. perhaps, lucky for her, the door of the home she has stood before opens and a middle-aged man, blond haired streaked grey and supporting himself with a cane walks out. )

A shìorraidh. I thought my ears were burning, ( he says, itching a cheek. ) Are you out here telling your friend embarrassing stories about your poor father?

( in turn, Saoirse laughs before moving to wrap her arms very tightly around the man only separating after a good moment. the cheer doesn't leaver her face as she approaches Prompto, taking his hand and leading him forward. )

Father! This is Prompto, who I told you about before.

Ah, yes. The boy brought through a Rift that my daughter talks about so much. ( somewhere in the background there is an embarrassed "Dad! as he offers a hand. ) Graham Ceallach. I have to thank you for having look out for my daughter, but for now why not come inside? I've put a kettle on.

[Prompto wonders what it's like, to be so close to a parent, even when you've spent so much time apart. His parents - adoptive parents - never got close to him. They took care of him, made sure he was provided for, but did very little with him beyond that. And they were gone so much of the time. He doesn't even know if they're alive back home, or if he'll see them again if they are.

A part of him's a little envious, he won't deny.

Before he can say anything, her father walks out, and Prompto immediately stiffens. Oh boy. Here we go. Please don't screw this up, please don't screw this up...

"Talks to much about"? Well now, that's unexpected. He almost gives Saorise a questioning look, but her father diverts his attention. He takes Graham's hand in his and gives him a firm shake.]

Prompto Argentum. Really nice to meet you, sir. Thanks so much for having me over. [That didn't sound stupid or anything, right??]

Think nothing of it. It's not often I get to meet friends of Saoirse outside of the ones that still linger here in Starkhaven and also have my daughter here. You'll have to excuse the mess though, I'm something of a collector as it were.

( if it does, Graham only offers a smile and tilts his hand upwards toward Saoirse once he has shook Prompto's hand to ruffle her hair. she pouts, not unlike a child but smiles warmly at his back as he turns to slowly return inside. )

It's not much but please, come in.

( Saoirse offers with another smile as she leads the way inside the small home. like the other homes in the alienage, it is not much but it is comfortable with a fireplace warming up the small living space that connected to the kitchen where Graham stands near another small wood stove. perhaps what stands out most are the books that line the walls and whatever flat surface might be able to house more. with a chuckle, Saoirse glances upwards to her friend. )

My father is a scholar. He mostly works in Elven history along with both the religion of our ancestors and that of the Chantry now. When I came into my magic, he also began to study it and better understand what was born inside of me.

[Even if it is small, there's something so welcoming and homey about the place. Perhaps it's the fire, or all the books laying around that lend to its coziness. Prompto looks around in a slight state of awe, wondering just how many books occupy this house.]

Your house is great. I don't think I've ever seen so many books in one place. [Pause.] Er, outside a library, of course. I swear, I've been in a library.

[Smooth.

He looks back at Saoirse, though occasionally still glancing around at all the books as she explains.]

He must have been at this for years.

( she giggles, hiding her smile behind a hand with a nod. ) I know what you mean.

( the musty book smell has always been familiar and safe to her. it was why Saoirse spent so much time lost in the libraries of the Circles she called home though in the Gallows they became more of an escape than anything, in truth. to be now? it allows her to relax and for all the stress she has felt in these months to leave her. )

Since before I was born. He even traveled to Orlais to the University there just to be closer to all of what they had. Of course, he wasn't allowed inside since elves are not allowed... but he met my mother there so I suppose things work out, hmm?

[The more he hears about Orlais, the less he likes the place. Not that he had much of an opinion at the start, but all he hears is racism, snobbery, racism, weird accents, and oh, racism.]

I shouldn't be surprised by that, I really shouldn't. [Freaking Orlais.] But that's where he met your mom? Oooh~ [At least something good came out of his trip there!] How'd that happen?

Things are getting better though. The Empress says the school is open school to us as long as they're willing to learn but... it is hard since they usually must find a noble sponsor.

( it is... tiring, at times but she has faith in every little step. it helps to keep her going during the darker times. )

But most importantly, as I said, the University is where my mother and father met. My mother was a servant in a noble household, maid to the oldest daughter who attended the University. My mother would take her in the mornings and wait in the evening, my father happened to notice her after many days and finally decided to speak with her.

( a short cough brings Graham back into focus as she steps in carrying a tray, a bit awkwardly given his cane but Saoirse hurries over to take it from him without missing a beat. returning to Prompto, she offers a cup of the tea to him with a smile. )

She didn't speak to me at first and when she did, it was telling me to go away in Orlesian. My attempt at trying to speak the bloody language is what finally got Lisette to laugh.

Hey, that's progress! Sounds like that's a major roadblock, but at least they're allowed to. [He knows the racism is rampant, but surely there are a few who'd be willing to, right? It all has to start somewhere.

Prompto barely had the presence of his mind to get up and help before Saoirse's already over there, taking the tray. With a smile and thanks, he takes the cup. He'd never been a big tea drinker back home, but he's learning to be so here.]

Well... at least she didn't ignore you? And you got her to laugh!
[Laughter is always good, even if it's aimed at you.] But oh man, I can't even imagine trying to speak it. I heard what I think were snippets of it back in Kirkwall a little while ago.

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