OPEN ↠ HARING EVENT

[faderifting]

WHO: All
WHAT: WINTER IS HERE
WHEN: Haring 15-Wintermarch 1
WHERE: The Gallows, Kirkwall
NOTES: You can use this post as an event-style mingle log, or just use it as background information for your RP elsewhere!

It's been a chilly month already, but in mid-Haring the temperature suddenly plummets. One day it's merely cold, and the next morning the Inquisition wakes to frost on the inside of the window panes and an icy draft whistling through every crack in the tower's masonry. Downstairs, the pipes that feed the bathing chambers and the kitchens creak in the walls, loud enough to be heard even out in the courtyard, where they run beneath the stones, and around midday, when the sun has failed to raise the temperature above freezing, a blocked pipe finally gives, cracking open to spill water across the central court and send it running down side passages. The whole area floods several inches deep and almost immediately begins to freeze, presenting at first a gigantic, treacherous slush puddle and, after a few hours, a sheet of sheer ice.

Melting a safe path from door to door and laying down sand or wood to keep it from becoming slick again is a simple enough undertaking, but before the entire courtyard can be thawed, someone appears with ice skates—and that’s a better idea, surely, for at least a few days. Anyone who complains about the frivolity can be assured it’s good exercise, not to mention good training for a force that may have to travel or fight on ice in the future.

Temperatures remain cold enough that even some parts of the harbor begin to freeze, first just at the calmest edges of the shoreline, and then the more protected nooks and crannies of the bay, inlets and the spaces between piers and beneath docks. It snows most days--not real storms, just a couple inches here and there--little enough for the window to blow most of it off the icy plain of the courtyard and other wide open, paved spaces, accumulating on branches and in alleyways, and creating growing drifts in corners and against walls.

After a week or so actual chunks of floating ice begin to fill the narrow channels of the harbor, threatening smaller and less-sturdy vessels, and the situation in the poorer parts of the city begins to grow dire. With the Viscount's blessing, Inquisition teams (particularly mages) are called in to help. Some are assigned to the docks, to clear ice that makes landing and unloading treacherous, others to help escort ships into harbor by melting a path ahead. Others are sent into Lowtown to clear ice and snow and to provide warmth and medical attention where needed. At least one mage is sent with each team, and while many neighborhoods are pleasantly surprised and grateful for the quick work fire glyphs make of cold hearths and frozen streets, a few are unable to overcome their distrust, and refuse the teams entry, determined to take care of their own without the help of dangerous outsiders.

In the last week of the year, a true blizzard strikes, snow falling steadily for more than a day, blanketing the city at least three feet deep. Digging out the Gallows will be a group effort, and most non-essential trips outside the base will be cancelled for a few days until travel is less difficult, while those who reside in the city or elsewhere may be encouraged to stay a night or two in the fortress so they might continue to work without traveling through the storm. But on the first day of Wintermarch the First Day feast goes on as planned, with modest but plentiful food and ale served in the Gallows' dining hall for anyone who wishes to celebrate the new year.

Comments

<3

[circleprodigy]

Garahel is lacking booties or a vest, but his cold-resistant kaddis is certainly helping out right now and he seems as happy and content as ever. Inessa chuckles in sympathy upon noting Ponce, as Garahel bounds over to help/nuzzle his smaller friend. She smiles gratefully at Christine, relieved not to slam onto the ice yet again.

"Yes, indeed. I normally don't bother with kaddis unless we're on a mission, but getting Garahel to wear anything warm can be a challenge often not worth pursuing. That said, he has been very helpful thus far." Garahel looks over and barks happily, all proud about being useful. "You'd think Skyhold would have prepared me better, but it seems I spent too much time in the library instead."

[aceso]

One thing Christine can envy about Inessa having a mabari is that he really seems to understand what she's saying, while Ponce doesn't understand much beyond his own name and the word "treat." But at least her dog is easy to carry around. She would hate to try and wrangle a mabari, especially into winter wear.

"I cannot fault you for how you spent your time. And besides, this is what furs are for, no?" Though she wears her normal blue cloak with the hood resting far back on her head so she can see, she also has a fur vest on over her clothes to provide a little extra warmth.

"The Inquisition should be thanking us for being so dedicated to our work to risk cracking our skulls open out here."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa chuckles quietly at that, not wearing furs herself but clad in the fingerless gloves Ellana gave her, a winter hat from Teren (embroidered with little mabari that will sufficiently cover her pointy ears) and the knitted scarf from Bethany. Her Satinalia stash is definitely seeing use, and she's grateful for the generosity of such friends. "I prefer to be thanked with having solid, ice-free ground, or at least enough of it to move around the Gallows with ease. Hopefully that will be sooner than later, though it's good to see people in a more festive mood."

She watches the dogs fondly. "Garahel has been enjoying himself, rolling all around in it. At least he'll be sufficiently worn out by the end of the day." But for now, he still has energy to spare and will use it to play with Ponce, circling the smaller pup and playfully bumping him. C'mon, it's playtime in the snow!

[aceso]

"It is true. Those who absolutely cannot stand it are hiding inside, and so the rest of us out here had decided to make the best of it and enjoy ourselves."

Her eyes move to the dogs too. Christine hadn't brought Ponce here to join in on the fun, but because with each passing day, the possibility of the snow coming down harder rose. Because of that, she didn't want herself and Church to be stranded on the island while Ponce was at home, cold and lonely.

Ponce looks curiously at Garahel, then to the snow, then back. What is he saying? Is Ponce supposed to investigate? He heads over, head low as he sniffs. And then he puts one paw in. Then another. And that's all it takes. The sensation of paws pushing through snow is exhilarating and he quickly dives right in, bounding through to make a trail with his legs and belly.

"Oh, dear," Christine says with a groan. "I am going to have to thaw him out by a fire later, I think."

[circleprodigy]

Garahel barks enthusiastically, glad to see Ponce getting into the spirit of things. He flops down to roll around in the snow, flinging some at Ponce with his tail. Snow fight!

Shaking her head, Inessa darts an apologetic grin at Christine. "Garahel's moods do tend to be infectious. Let them get run themselves ragged for a bit, then we might be able to lure them inside. I've some towels and treats to spare in my room, if you'd like."

[aceso]

Ponce flings himself atop Garahel to try and wrestle with him, as always, forgetting he is a small dog. Christine can't stop the motherly expressions, this time clicking her tongue.

"Please. I think Church is more worried about Ponce catching cold than I, so I do not wish to fail him there. I sadly do not know how to cure illnesses in animals."

[circleprodigy]

Ponce by the the smaller dog, but his determination wins Garahel over. He wiggles happily in the snow, giving his friend big long licks before wrestling some more, just because. Inessa nods, likewise having little knowledge there.

"Garahel has for the most part been ridiculously healthy, but even mabari have their limits. That's one thing the kennel keeper impressed upon me when I first had him, not to neglect his health just because he rarely needs the help. Even with the kaddis, he doesn't have a thick coat, so I'm fine with going inside whenever Ponce has had enough."

[aceso]

"It will be sooner rather than later, I feel." Because Ponce is such a tiny thing, and though he may have a long coat, he doesn't have much body heat to hold onto.

"Perhaps we should start driving them towards the stairs? And then we can take off our skates."

[circleprodigy]

"Right, I think I can manage that." Inessa reaches into her pockets, then draws out a couple of mabari crunch treats. Shifting them so she has one in each hand, she calls out to the pups. "Stairs, you two! If you hurry, you get treats!"

That word causes Garahel's head to perk up from the snow and he gets to his feet, nudging Ponce to do the same. Time to get those treats, buddy! Granted, Garahel doesn't really need a treat to obey her, but it seems rude to just offer one to Ponce.

[aceso]

Ponce looks up with interest, even though he has no idea what stairs are. He does however, know what a mabari crunch is, and it's been a long time since the pampered pooch has turned up his nose at one. He leaps from the pile of snow and slides across the ice to hop in front of Inessa, clearly saying Give, give, give!

"Come along," Christine says, skating towards the stairs. "You get a treat if you come here." Ponce drops down to all fours, looks at Christine, back to the treat, then trots after his mistress a few steps before looking back. Garahel's mother is bringing the treat, right?

[circleprodigy]

That she is, and Garahel's in hot pursuit as well. Joining Christine at the stairs, Inessa gently tosses the treats one after another, bending down to remove the ice skates while they're distracted. "I've more, if that's what it takes."

Setting the skates aside, she quickly slips back into her boots before her feet have a chance to freeze more than they have already.

[aceso]

"Oh, do not let him know that," she says as she sits on the stairs, untying her laces. "He will never leave you alone. I have never seen such a small creature be so ravenous. He makes it look as though I do not feed him."

Skates off, she unties her boots from where they hang at her belt and slip them back on before the cold can penetrate her thick socks. Meanwhile, Ponce greedily scarfs down the treat, and probably would have stolen Garahel's had he been quick enough to intercept it.

"Now, come here," she says, snapping her fingers at Ponce, but being that he's still a stubborn little thing, he refuses to come. Sighing, Christine pushes up from the step and airily says, "Fine; stay out here and freeze," before she turns and heads up the stairs. The dog watches her go, standing completely still as she gets farther and farther away. Then, suddenly aware that his mistress is truly leaving him, he hurries up the stairs after her, crossing in front of her because all little dogs tangle themselves around their owners' legs. It is a sacred pact they share, passed down generation to generation.

[circleprodigy]

Garahel has mastered the fine art of inhaling his food as though his life depends on it, so there is no mabari crunch treat to intercept. Not this time, anyway. He trots right alongside Inessa until he realizes that Ponce isn't coming too, and barks at him to catch up. When the little dog scurries after them, Inessa chuckles.

"That's one benefit to having a larger dog, I don't have to worry about Garahel getting underfoot. On the other hand, getting knocked over is a real possibility."

[aceso]

"I must admit, I do not think I could handle a dog I could not pick up. I never thought I would be handling a dog period, but c'est la vie." Christine has come to accept her fate as a dog parent.

Once inside, Christine throws back her hood and smiles as Ponce tries to bite at her feet as she walks. This is common behavior for him, and just because the location has changed doesn't mean his actions will.

"I think if we were to swap pets for the day, I would find a well-behaved boy that I would still worry would knock me over, and you would have a little terror on your hands."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa shakes her head at that feet-nipping, but as long as Christine isn't truly bothered, she'll remain amused more than anything else. Besides, Garahel moves to distract him before long. "I suspect so, but it would be entertaining to see his big attitude compensating for such a small size. Everyone needs at least a little chaos in their lives, don't they?" The last question is directed at Ponce with a smile as Garahel distracts him with a lick.

[aceso]

That last statement makes Christine laugh and shake her head no. "I am the person least likely to welcome chaos into her life, and yet it has arrived regardless of my wants." Ponce remains oblivious to it all, hopping around Garahel to play with him even as they walk towards a nice, warm spot by the fire.

"Perhaps he is good practice. I do not know."