[Open] Ready to Start the Conquest of Spaces

[hallabackdir]

WHO: Haldir 
WHAT: Haldir is having a hard time going from the Utopia that was Lorien, to the S*ithole that is Kirkwall
WHEN: This month and the next 
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: None at the moment!

 

 

I.                 The Only Tree Kirkwall

Haldir wandered Kirkwall for several days, trying very hard to make sense of it all.  In Lorien, everyone had a purpose, a place. In Kirkwall however, it seemed like no one did. There were a handful men grasping at threads of power, climbing and pushing over one another for a chance to climb the next rung of the social ladder, while majority of the population lived in squalor, fighting over table scraps dressed up and sold to them as a full meal. 

Besides the political and social climates, the overall structure of city was dreary to say the least. The walls looked to be little more than mud, mortar, and iron spikes slapped upon walls haphazardly. There was no thought to the lines of houses, to their architecture. It was just box, after box, after box. The walls seemed to close in on him, so he mostly spent times on the rooftops. It was easier to for him to move from place to place, especially at night. It seemed like every night, one gang or another converged on anyone who ventured out. Dealing with these ruffians was becoming far too inconvenient as it added at least 10 minutes onto every journey he made. Rooftops were much faster by far. 

There also was very little in the way of greenery. In Darktown, Lowtown, and a place lovingly referred to as the Gallows, there wasn’t a speck of anything green anywhere. Hightown had some shrubs, and a few “trees” hardly taller than he was. In his wanderings on the first day, he came upon a large tree. Well, large in terms of what could be compared to in Kirkwall. In Lorien it wouldn’t be considered much more than a seedling. But, it had been far to long since he had stood under the calming shadow of a tree, or heard leaves whisper on a breeze. The residents here, who also were called elves for a reason Haldir couldn’t explain given their differences, had painted the bottom of the tree red, with curling white filigree. It obviously held a great amount of significance to these people, so out of politeness, he did not climb it even though he wanted nothing more than to feel the cradle of it’s limbs under him. So, he came every day, just to stand under it. As he was doing right now. 

II.                The Wounded Coast

Haldir thought he’d never be able to hear the ocean again. He needed to get away from Kirkwall for a while, and so he just walked. He followed his feet, letting them take him where they would. He came upon a bluff, and his nose was hit with the smell of salt and seaweed. He took a deeper breath, and followed the bluff down to the coast. 

He toed off his boots, letting feet shift into the sand as the waves lapped at them. He hissed at the cold, but couldn’t pull himself out of it. He let his eyes drink in the sweeping seascape, and he felt like he could finally breathe for the first time since coming to this forsaken place. With no purpose, and no home, he felt more wraith than elf.  He swathed himself in the cover of his cloak, just wandering, watching, existing. A ship without a rudder or sail. He turned left to look at the towering rock pillars that had slowly been eroded by the churning sea. He scooped up his boots, and then climbed the rock, very carefully due to the slippery surface. Once up on the rock, he sat and watched, finally feeling like Haldir again.

III.               Speak Friend and Enter!

Got a random scenario? Wanna go climb some shit? Get a drink? Let’s talk. Haldir needs some friends.

 

 

Comments

I

[circleprodigy]

"It is called a vhenadahl. It serves as a symbol of Arlathan, the first elven homeland."

The soft-spoken voice comes from a slight, pale elven woman not even five feet tall. Clad in armor and carrying a staff, she couldn't stand out more from the alienage inhabitants if she tried. The large hound at her side certainly doesn't negate that impression, though he seems calm and friendly enough, wagging his tail at the newcomer. His mistress eyes their company with wary curiosity, a bit protective over people that are no longer truly hers but also keeping in mind that the rifter is new and out of his element. She's not unsympathetic in light of such circumstances.

[hallabackdir]

He keeps his face impartial while he looks over to asses the speaker. At first glance, he thought they must be a halfling of some sort, like the ones Estel had brought with him the last time he came to Lorien. But, it would seem this land had no halflings, at least none of the admittedly few people he'd asked had heard of them. One of the this land's elves then? He wondered why this one was so slight. Sickness as a child perhaps? He remembered Estel had mentioned something akin to that effecting men. Perhaps such a thing had befallen them too. Either way, he was at least 2 feet taller than they were.

He looked back to the tree, in thought. "If they are of importance, more should be planted. How long has it taken for this one to grow to it's current size?"

[circleprodigy]

She automatically straightens upon being assessed; her height will never be impressive but she'll make the most of what she does have. Her companion does likewise, though he's already a large hound and doesn't need to appear any more impressive. A thin smile forms as she holds back thoughts better unvoiced; this elf is new, out of his element. She can give some leeway based on that.

"I can't say, Kirkwall's alienage is not the one in which I was raised. It's quite likely several generations have come and gone since its planting. As for more, that would require space alienages simply do not possess. That there is even one is a luxury, and some do not even have that."

[hallabackdir]

Her answer was vauge, wheather it be on purpose or not he did not know. He knew these elves were mortal, but he had no idea how long their lifespans were, so guadging the age of this tree by generations didn't really clarify anything.

He knew not what had motivated her to speak with him. Her outward mannerisms spoke of distrust; stiffening of the body after he spoke, followed by a tight lipped smile. He didn't know what it was about his interest in this tree would cause such a reaction.

"Cuttings could be taken and given to those who are without." He suggested. "With care they would take root quickly."

[circleprodigy]

That is a fair point, and her expression softens as she stares up at the great tree's branches. "They could, for those alienages who still honor such things. Not all still do. Some lack the room, or the attachment to the distant past." But she's grateful that one remains in Kirkwall and it shows. Perhaps her own attachment to it is some explanation in itself.

Her hound approaches, lacking his mistresses' reserve. He sniffs at the very tall elf, then lets out a soft woof of greeting, wagging his tail again. Friend? His demeanor seems to have an effect on her own, and the tension in her shoulders eases somewhat. "He means no harm...nor do I. This alienage may not be my own, but I am a city elf by origin. The vhenadahl brings out a certain protectiveness in me."

I

[serannas]

Haldir isn't the only one running along rooftops. Ellana is up here too, practicing her parkour. She's still a beginner, but at least she's able to scale walls without her wrists wanting to detach from her body and run away before she can torture them any more. Strength has built up in her hands and arms these last few months, and she proudly sits atop a roof, legs hanging over as she observes the city below her. It's only the brief movement of someone up there with her that has her snapping her attention towards him, ready to use magic to go invisible at a moment's notice, should he be a threat. But then she recognizes him -- vaguely, of course, since they haven't been introduced -- and her posture relaxes.

"Oh, hello. You came into Thedas with Lady Galadriel, didn't you? I'm Ellana. I knew her the first time she was here."

[hallabackdir]

Haldir cocks his head slightly to the left. He hadn't expected anyone to be using the same mode of travel as he, but if he saw the value in it, it wasn't surprising that someone else had too. He stood where he was with his feet planted firmly on the roof, She had claimed this space as her own, and he would not invade that unless invited.

"I have heard of the assistance you gave my Lady. For that, I thank you." He nodded his head, and bowed ever so slightly at the waist. "You aided her when I could not. An action I do not take lightly. If ever I may repay those actions, you have but to ask."

[serannas]

A smile breaks out across her face and she pats the spot beside her.

"I wouldn't ask for much," she explains. "But you could repay me now -- if you're not busy -- by telling me about yourself. I love hearing about Middle-earth, but I know there's both good and bad." Because Galadriel once told her of the Kinslaying, of Fëanor and his sons and their terrible Oath. Ellana knows that Middle-earth isn't an idyllic place, but Caras Galadhon sounds as close as a person could get. And since she can't visit it herself, she has to rely on stories.

[hallabackdir]

His throat tightened a little at the thought of his home, but her request was one he could grant easily. With a shy nod, he took a few steps forward, but still kept a polite distance.

"If that is your desire. Although, I am not nearly as old as the other Quendi you may have met. Their experiences have been far more...colorful... than my own." He shuffled one of his feet a little, and rested an arm on his sword's pommel. "What is it you would like to know?"

II duh XD

[tar_minyatur]

"The sea calls to you too, I see!"

Elros hails him from where he's got a fishing line set up, although he looks more like he's dozing than actually fishing.

[hallabackdir]

Haldir lets out a soft chuckle, and moves his direction, heart lightening. His easy manner reminded him more and more of Estel. Although they had never been as close as he was with Legolas, he still counted him in the few people he would call a friend. He hoped he could also do so with Elros in the future.

"You know us Silvans." He said with a shrug and shy grin once he was standing next to him. "Always were ones to admire landscapes. May I sit with you? Or would you rather scare off all the fish?"

[tar_minyatur]

He laughs and sits up a bit, gesturing to the spot next to him.

"By all means, come and sit! I'm not catching much at the moment, anyway - if there is even anything to catch, this close to shore! How are you finding yourself?"

[hallabackdir]

He goes where he is invited, sitting cross legged next to the other. He took a small moment, wondering if Elros every felt as homesick as he did. He seemed to be the sort to slip easily into new situations. He was more than a little envious. "I am better now. How do you fair?"

ii;

[inagutterson]

Last time Yngvi had been to the Wounded Coast there had been more Tal-Vashoth, the angry kind, the freshly free of the Qun kind still with their vitaar in angry stripes ready to spring out and attack if you thought about taking the scenic route back to Kirkwall. Strange for it to be quiet, downright disturbing for there to be nothing leaping out at him but he makes his way down to the shoreline quite easily.

Easily being a relative term, leaving his room or leaving the Vauquelin estate both being things requiring more effort than he likes to put too much thought into but eventually questions are going to get asked if he's not pulling his weight with the scouting so here he is. Out. About.

Four nugs scurrying along ahead and the slap-slap-slap of a goose. It rears, honking and hissing violently when it catches sight of Haldir, the nugs roll in the sand to leave the dwarf to make a grab for the goose.

"It's water! There's plenty of it will you stop making that noise?"

Re: ii;

[hallabackdir]

Haldir turned at the sound of honking, and felt a wave of amusement at the site of a dwarf, (it appeared to be a dwarf although he lacked the long beard, trying to rangle a goose and a creature he'd never seen before. Most of it's appearance resembled that of a pig, but it had pointed ears of a hare, and small whiskers.

He waited, curious to see what this dwarf was up to.

[inagutterson]

Ushering the nugs into the water is a production but they trot to where the tide buffets them gently, trills and squeaks of delight as the goose-

Is grabbed, steered into the water where it fluffs itself before paddling past dwarf and nugs so the dwarf can shimmy down to his skivvies without any sort of shame. Life in the underworld or on the road doesn't leave you with time for modesty before he too wades in.

"Mate," shouting up since this one looks a bit like a Thranduil, "what you doin' up there?"

[hallabackdir]

Haldir looked down at the dwarf with a shocked expression, mouth agape. What sort of place was this?! Was there no sense at all? The dwarf started to disrobe, with no semblance of shame or propriety, and then...asked him to....

"I do not know what is custom in this place, but I have never, and will never...mate... with a dwarf! I will have you refrain from such invitations in the future."

i

[sulena]

Saoirse, more or less, lives in the alienage when she is not working within the Gallows. She helps the people ready for the winter: repairing home, knitting warmer clothes and helping to store the food gathered from the small garden spaces allotted to them. Her trip to the vhenadahl is also a daily tradition, sitting in silence and simply enjoying the safety she felt near it.

She had noted the unfamiliar face day after day, leaving him to his own silence but after a few days of this she cannot help finally speaking out to him one day:

"Oh! You're back again today, hello." It is said with a warm smile, wildflowers in her lap and more in her hands as she slowly weaves them into a crown.

[hallabackdir]

He turned to the speaker, looking her over as she sat. He watched her deft fingers weaving the flowers together in curiosity. Most hadn't taken notice of him, and those that had seemed to find his presence an intrusion. A friendly greeting was not something he had expected. He turned towards her, and inclined his head in acknowledgement and appriciation.

"Hello. I was unaware my presence was of much notice. I hope I am not intruding. I..." he cleared his throat. "I will go if it causes discomfort."

[sulena]

In turn, Saoirse's smile does not vanish as she idly continues her work for a moment before looking up to him as he speaks and shaking her head.

"You are not intruding in the least. It is always nice to have company in shade of the vhenadahl," she says lightly. "And it is always nice to have visitors as well since many of us from the Inquisition do not venture into the alienage. I hope though that your visits has brought you some comfort in these days."

She knows what it is like to be taken from your home but to be thrown into a completely new world? Saoirse could never utterly understand it.

"My name is Saoirse, by the way. Although I'm with the Inquisition, I mostly work here with the alienage and its residents."

[hallabackdir]

Haldir cocks his head to the side in thought, and then inclines his head politely. "Well met, Saoirse. I am called Haldir." He looks down at the flower crown being constructed in her hands. "What purpose do these serve? You say you work on behalf of the inquisition to serve those who live here?"

Before she has time to even answer him, the one of the many questions he has comes tumbling out of his mouth. "Why are there no trees except this one in the city? There is precious little of any green, growing things around and I do not know why."

ii.

[kecharitomene]

It's winter, and this is fucking mad, but nevertheless:

a slip of a thing flies past him, a blur of long braids flying behind her and the pounding of bare feet in the sand and the way pale undergarments become slightly confusing at speeds where it's hard to tell where fabric starts and bum begins - whooping like a little spring-loaded demon when she puts her hands out and launches herself bodily into the surf.

So that's happening.

It is winter, so while she swims out she doesn't go far, spinning upside down in the water and righting herself, surfacing with her hands smoothing back the hair that's come loose of her braids and plastered itself to her tattooed face. What a fucking rush. It's a moment to find her footing again, toe at the bottom and then plant her foot and march out, delighted with herself.

[hallabackdir]

He was frozen to the spot on the beach, watching as this person, this unabashed and seemingly naked person, dove headfirst into the serf. In winter. Haldir, only moments ago, stuck his feet in the water, and the cold pierced his skin like a thousands daggers. He couldn't think of what it would feel like to have his whole body submerged in the water.

He waited in anticipation as they swam out a ways, hoping against hope nothing happened that would require him to lend assistance. He was just getting used to feeling cold, and he grimaced at the thought of having to go in after them. They dove back into the water after a time, and he caught his breath until they surfaced again. He cocked his head to the side as their hands smoothed back the hair that had escaped from the tight braids before continuing their frantic swimming back to land.

To his relief, a few minutes more and they were on the shore again, laughing and shivering all the same. He was fairly confident now that she was in fact female, for undergarments provided very little in the way of coverage, wet and clinging as they were. Haldir flushed, and averted his eyes upward.

"Ex-Excuse me. Are you well?" He called out, hoping she wasn't as mad as she appeared to be, and this was some sort of joke or wager.

[kecharitomene]

At his inquiry, Galatea looks up -

and up, good grief

and up

and there's his face. It's kind of him to ask, though as she stands in front of him squeezing salt-water out of the end of her braids, she looks more politely amused by the question than anything else- “Hello,” as a sly prompt, like maybe he forgot how greetings work.

(He did not.)

(He is not the crazy person here.)

“Very well, merci! Much better now. I think I will do that again.” Not, like, now.

[hallabackdir]

His eyes widened, thinking she would run back into the water immediately. When she did not, he chanced a glance at her face. She had the swirling designs of the other elves, but in a pattern he hadn't seen before. Her wet raven hair was plastered on her face, which was flushed with cold, and her lips were tinged blue. She was impish, only coming up to his chest, if that. But, from what he could tell she was quick, and must have endurance to keep swimming in such cold water. He was not bold enough to asses below her face, for fear of it being interpreted as lecherous. She was a strange little thing, but he found her intreiging.

With another blush, he unclasped his cloak, and held it out to her. "To keep warm-for the time being. What...what is it you were doing out there?" He cleared his throat, and clenched his free hand a little.