faderift | (no subject)

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The man that Herian whirls around and faces is not a particularly threatening looking one. Maybe if Herian is threatened by bedraggled scrawny mages. Which, honestly: fair.

He's quick to raise his hands up defensively, the chair that he'd been grabbing still in one gloved hand--though he clearly isn't up for carrying it with one hand, and it and the hand sink down until the chair rests on the ground again. Gareth's eyes are wide as he stares at the blade in her hands--a knight enchanter, then. He's never had the chance to see one up close (and if they're all this jumpy, maybe that's a good thing). ]

Hi! Wow. That's a sword. Please don't stab me with it. I'm just...yanno. Collecting furniture. As you do.

[ He gestures to where, sure enough, a couple other of the chairs that are in good shape and a three-footed table are gathered. ]

( Her gaze narrows, and though she eases very slightly, she does not immediately let up her blade. The concentration of the Fade and magic stays pointed at the stranger, until she recognises him for one of their travelling party. Of the Inquisition, though not of her personal acquaintance, and presumably invited by Saoirse.

The blade is raised, and then it is gone, Herian holding only the hilt of the Spirit Blade. )

My apologies, ser. I had not expected any other to be here.

( She looks to the furniture, eyebrow quirking slightly. )

To take back to Kirkwall? ( She sounds... confused. Very quietly confused. )

[ And he thought he was paranoid. Which he is, but. Maybe if he had a big glowing fade sword to swing around, he'd be the same. But he can't, so he's not, and all he can do is offer a sheepish smile. ]

Nah, most of this stuff is half-rotten. I was just...going to stack them. Yanno. Make a big tower. [ That doesn't really explain anything, does it. ] And then, ah. Ask Saoirse if she wants to knock it over. Because...yeah.

( She is slowly squinting more and more as he speaks. Because… why.

But then he mentions Saoirse, and that seems like explanation enough. Saoirse seemed like whimsy personified, at times. )

Ah. ( It is an “ah” of understanding. Of course. ) Is this a training exercise or a game?

[ Oh good, she understands. She won't run him through with that glowy magic sword, probably. ]

It's a game, I guess? Unless you ever think there will be a day when you'll need training to stack things up really high.

Which--you never know, I guess!

I had imagined the stacked furniture to be a target,

( she says, a little dryly. What a strange man.

Then again, they were all of them rather strange, she imagined. )

If the day comes when our only defence depends on how well furniture can be stacked, I will rest assured I know who best to call upon.

( Not that she knows his name, she realises. She holds out her hand to shake, in offering. ) Knight Enchanter Amsel.

( ooc — just in case this is of interest, totally cool if you want the name to be unfamiliar to him though )

Well, yes, that's what the knocking it over part is--Oh! For her. Yes, I guess it'll be good training for her. [ Should stacks of furniture ever rise up against her--But plenty of training is done on stationary objects such as this. ]

Just make sure you get the right Gareth, I've heard there's a handful of us in the Inquisition right now. I'm just plain Gareth, no Sers or anything.

[ Hand shaking! He takes her hand and gives it a quick shake, that is not particularly firm. He is but a scrawny nerd. There is a moment of consideration at her name, though, as he digs around in his memories. ] Did you have an aunt or anyone in the Gallows, by chance? Old as dirt?

[ He also takes a few moments to consider her, as well. A Knight Enchanter in Fiona's army would have surely been in the front lines. That was their whole thing. And while he certainly couldn't have heard of every single person fighting at the front--He decides, as he usually does, to be wary. ]