faderift | OPEN ↠ HARING EVENT

OPEN ↠ HARING EVENT

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Haldir, who sat currently perched on one of overhangs, had been watching the proceedings below with a cocked eyebrow. He'd never seen anything quite like it in all of his years. The inhabitants of the Gallows had spent a good while scooting about the ice with blades strapped to their feet. Most unusual, but still entertaining.

One individual, who he had met before, seemed to be causing a rather large amount of mayhem on the ice. The corner of his lips curled up slightly as he watched her build up speed only to careen into whatever object could slow her down, sometimes those objects were people, othertimes pillars or walls. Most lead to her landing somewhat harshly.

After a particularly nasty fall, she cried out, and his smile fell. He hopped off the overhang, dropping deftly onto the ground with worry etched on his face as he made his way over.

Ellana is sitting on the ice, wincing and gently rubbing her elbow with a gloved hand. She's decked out in a lot of layers to hold off the chill, but that doesn't mean that it softened the blow of hitting her bony elbow directly on the ice. When she sees him approach, the curse to Fen'harel she's starting to say dies in her throat and she gives him a sheepish smile.

"I really thought I could stop myself that time," she says, before blowing out a breath that fogs the air. "Would you mind giving me a hand back up, please?"

Cocking his head to the left slightly, he let out a soft chuckle as he extended both hands out to her. He balanced himself firmly on the ice as best he could, thankful the grip his boots seemed to keep on the ice.

"I saw your progress from above. What... is the purpose of this? I am having a hard time determining it."

"Oh, just having fun, really," she replies, taking both his hands in hers and getting back up. Her blades slide across the slick surface and she nearly goes down again, squeezing his hands tightly as she adjusts.

"Whoa! Okay, wait. Here we go." Ellana steadies herself and slowly releases her tight grip, smiling once she's sure she's balanced. "It helps get around faster too, but I think I might be going a little too fast. I can't figure out how to turn or stop, so I've really only got half of it right so far."

In an effort to keep her from falling, he moved one of his hands to grip her upper arm until she found her feet again. Once she seemed to get herself balanced, he slid his hand back down her arm until it was back in her hand.

"I believe your assessment to be correct, although I can't offer any other advice to you. But, perhaps I could walk with you while you practiced? I could keep you upright, and keep you from going too fast. I do not want you to cause injury to yourself if it can be avoided."

"Oh, would you? It wouldn't be any trouble?" She gives him one of her bright smiles before adding, "Maybe I do need someone to remind me not to go too fast. At this rate, without someone watching me, I'll become one giant bruise." Turning herself carefully, Ellana flicks her long plait back over her shoulder, tugs down her woolen hat against the chill threatening her ear lobes, and nods in a direction.

"Why don't we try this way?" She starts slow, pushing off and gliding, hand still holding his. "Does the cold bother you much?"

He let her lead, following carefully to prevent them both from falling. His footsteps where sure though, and he managed to keep her righted when she wobbles.

"I admit the sensation is still quite a new one for me. I was unaffected by it before I found myself here. But, I have taken it in stride, I suppose. I will however need to find something thicker to wear under my armor if the weather holds. My cloak provides some protection, but another layer wouldn't go amiss. Although, I do not know where I would procure such garments."

He could ask Lady Galadriel to weave him something, but she had more important things to concern herself with. Her cloak was enough.

"I think Thedas changes things for a lot of people," she says with sympathy, "But maybe elves from your world a little more." Since they now find themselves having to sleep here.

"I'm sure the quartermaster could get you what you needed. When I first arrived, I got my very first pair of boots. The Dalish don't wear shoes." Which she always thought rather silly. Sure, they have tough feet, but the winter chill still hurt, as did sharp rocks and tree roots.

"And if all else fails, you could try the market place. I could show you some places, if you wanted. Well, once the weather is a little better. I don't think many vendors are venturing out right now." As she speaks, she unknowingly starts to speed up a little, until she's aware their arms are stretching out between them and she wobbles, waving her free arm to try and slow herself.

He looked up at her, rather than staying focused on her feet after she mentioned that she often went without shoes previously. It was an interesting concept, but such a thing wasn't unheard of in Arda. He remembered the halflings went without shoes as well, although he had a hard time picturing her with the tufts of hair that also accompanied the hobbit's thick soled feet.

"Thank you. I admit I am unsure of even the quartermaster's location. Any help you would be willing to give would be appreciated."

He saw her wobble as her free arm stretched out for balance. He closed the growing distance between them quickly, reaching out around her waist to steady her before she could fall.

"I can take you there. The office is in one of the outbuildings, though I'm not exactly sure which one. Maybe near the armory? We'll find it." No sooner has she finished speaking than she starts to slip, only to find herself steadied even as her body flails, turning towards him to fall into his chest. Whoops.

"Oh! Sorry!" She can't help but giggle at the picture they make, her practically flinging herself at him like this and he not even in a pair of skates. Her hands search for a safe spot to push back off of him as her cold cheeks turn even more pink. Maybe she can blame that on the cold weather.

"It's so good of you to help me; I shouldn't be repaying you by trying to knock you over, right?"

And suddenly she was pressed against him, very very close. He felt his body go ridged at the close comtact, but willed himself to stay rooted so she wouldn't fall. His grip moved to her upper arms, and he attempted to steady her while his face went uncomfortably warm with a flush. He could hear his heart hammering in his chest, and he swallowed hard.

She had a knack for getting closer to him than he was at all used to. He didn't know what was appropriate to do in this situation.

"Wo-worry not. I am hard to knock over, or so I've been told," he managed to choke out after she created a little distance between them.

At first she worries that perhaps she's insulted him. Maybe the Galadhrim get annoyed at young people flailing about at them? But then she takes note of his flushed face and the way he stutters, and has to remind herself that he still considers himself to be young. Her blush doesn't go away, but now she's smiling a little too, better understanding.

"Ah, well, I'm still sorry," she says softly, taking a moment to smooth fingers over his cloak where her grasping fingers have wrinkled it. Then she moves her hand down to take his again. It worked well for them before, until she became distracted and moved ahead.

Turning is still difficult for her, but with someone to brace against, she's able to move into a new direction.

"The quartermaster should be this way. Now, who told you that you were hard to knock over? It sounds like there's a story there."

With a slow shaky breath he tried to recover from the rush of adrenaline. With her now a little farther away, he could collect himself. From what he could gather from their conversations, the Dalish were more lax with personal space. He assumed that this amount of contact was in no way abnormal for her, so he tried to clamp down his own anxiety at his inexperience. He enjoyed their conversations immensely, and he would not wish to be the cause of ending them.

He continued to let her guide him, mindful of the placement of her feet as they shuffled over the ice. He watched as she grew more confident in her strides, but her hand was still clamped firmly on his.

"My brothers-" he said a little haphazardly and then tried to keep his breath more even. "I believe I mentioned them before? During training, they often tried to topple me over, with little success. I got very good at reading them fast enough to dodge out of the way. Not that they were ever very subtle."

Now that they're making progress, she keeps her eyes on their path ahead, giving him time to collect himself. The Gallows' courtyard is full of out buildings dedicated to various necessities, like the armory, training area, infirmary, and gardens, though sadly the latter is getting buried in snow right about now. Around each building, there's a bit of bare stone showing where mages have melted the ice away, or industrious people have chipped it away with shovels, though most people are heading in and out of buildings still in their skates. Ellana figures she'll do that too. They should only be at the quartermaster's for a minute.

"Mmm hmm, though I don't know their names." She hadn't thought to ask before. "What does training involve?"

Now nearly at the right place, she doesn't notice the strange green foliage clinging to the wall of the building, ready to jump out.

Haldir saw her pause and look at the bare ground around the building she was keen on entering. The ice around had been cleared, and he realized her predicament.

"Would it be easier for me to carry you inside?" His stomach flipped a little at the thought of having her near, but he worried she would turn an ankle if there wasn't any ice. He extended his arms out to her slowly, trying to judge her reaction.

"Oh! Well, I was planning on just walking in, but I haven't tried walking in skates yet." The same thought occurs to her, especially since she doesn't have especially strong ankles. It would be pretty easy to overbalance on the cobblestones.

"Maybe... carrying would be safer. If you don't mind, that is." He seriously just offered, but here she is worrying about the inconvenience anyway.

With a nod as an answer, he heasitantly scooped her up, supporting her legs and back while she could secure herself around his neck. She was very close again, and he felt his cheeks color. He looked slightly up to keep himself from having to make eye contact, fearing it would make him blush even more, and tried to keep her from being pushed up against his unyeilding armor. He decided to continue where their conversation had left off in an atempt to stave off awkwardness.

"My brother's are called Rúmil and Orophin. And our taining was fairly intensive. Only the very best fighters could join the ranks of the Galadhrim. I had to be proficient in unarmed combat, sword and shield, and I had to be exceptional with a bow. I learned how to travel by the trees, how to move silently, how to track and ambush enemies, and eventually I learned how to command."

"I trained harder than most. Much like you, I felt called to serve. And in order to serve, I had to shape myself into what my lady could find useful. She does not require a protector, but I act as the first line of defence."

It isn't everyday that Ellana gets literally swept off her feet, and she can't help but smile as he carries her the rest of the way.

"Maybe you can give me some tips sometime on how to be more stealthy? I have my own methods, but I'm always looking to improve."

Now that they're at the building, Ellana reaches out, saying, "I'll get it," as they come to the door. Then she opens it up, unaware of a sprig of mistletoe removing itself from the building to latch onto Haldir's leg, starting to crawl upwards.

At the first sensation of constricting force, he yelped and clutched onto Ellana. He could not see what it was that was biting his leg, but he did know that ge couldn't fight off the threat and hold her at the same time.

First, he had to get her out of harms way. He let her legs drop, and then moved away, hoping distance would keep her safe. He felt the thorns of the vines bite into his skin, and he growled. The vines had tangled themselves across both his legs now, and he could no longer move. He drew a dagger from his hip, and looked to Ellana, eyes a paniced.

"Run!" He cried. "Get as far away as you can!" He started hacking at the vines, but the twisting tendrils latched onto his arms.

"What?" she exclaims in alarm, until he's moving to put her down and she can see what's happening to him. A hand flies over her mouth for a moment as she witnesses his struggle, before she composes herself enough to speak.

"Oh, no no! It's that mistletoe stuff! It's been attacking people but it's not deadly, just really annoying and exceedingly hard to remove." Ellana winces a little. "In fact, the only foolproof way to get them off is -- this is going to sound ridiculous -- the person under attack has to be kissed. That gets the plant to let go."

His eyes widened as he stared at her, convinced he'd heard her wrong. His brain and body crashed to a halt, his focus on her now as the vines continued to travel up his body.

"What-what must happen?" He stammered. "I-I don't think I heard..." his face flaired bright red as he let his eyes flit to her lips, lingering a few seconds before looked back to her eyes. "...you correctly."

There was no way she would-would....with him?

"I know how it sounds! But that's what others have said and I don't think they were joking. These plants even try to push peoples' heads together. They'll let go if two people kiss. And then once they're off you, I can light them on fire so they can't attack anyone else." Who knows how many of these plants are still out around the Gallows, but she'll do what she can to get rid of a little of it.

If he's keen, that is. If not, she'll have to get him to someone he would like to kiss.

"Should we try it?"

He could barely hear her over his own heartbeat. He swallowed hard and his eyebrows came together a little.

"I-I've never-" he cleared his throat and let out a quick exhale that came out more like a whimper than I wanted. "I wouldn't want to make you-with me-if you don't want to. I've never- with anyone-before. Never really let that type of situation happen. I-"

He was coming to pieces and cursing himself the whole time. She was beautiful, obviously. As well as being kind, and smart and all together quite lovely. If she was willing to offer this kind of assistance, he would do his best to make it up to her.

But, there may be someone she had feelings for? He wouldn't want to cause trouble for them. His mind raced trying to think of an alternative but the vines kept getting tighter. All he could do was look pleadingly at her and hope that she'd either kissed him or kill him so he could be pit out of his misery somehow.

Ellana's eyes widen in utter surprise. Six thousand years and he's never even kissed anyone. Does that mean he's also never-- No, focus! He's being attacked by annoying little plants. Now is not the time to ponder something like that.

(But she will. Later.)

Even if she had someone, she would still help Haldir now. She would never want to be with someone who became jealous or angry over her helping someone in need.

Pressing a hand to her forehead, she realizes she'll be his first kiss ever, unless he doesn't want it to count. The situation being what it is, she could hardly blame him for that, but she plans to make it a good one so here's hoping he doesn't think it's awful.

"I want to," she confesses, though that could easily be taken as her merely wishing to help. That's part of the reason, yes, but it doesn't hurt that he's immeasurably handsome. Stepping up to him, she's still shorter than usual, but less so in her skates. She doesn't even think about her weak ankles on the cobblestones when there's an elf to save here.

"It's okay. It'll work." A hand is placed on his shoulder, but then she moves it to his cheek to help guide him into the kiss. For all the gossip swirling around about the mistletoe, she doesn't know how deep the kiss has to be to convince it to let go, so she wants it to be thorough. Slowly, she leans in and angles her head so their noses don't collide, then presses her lips to his, eyelids drifting shut.

He watched as her eyes fluttered shut so her lashes kissed the tops of her cheeks. He closed his eyes as well.

The kiss was sweet. Tender. Her lips were soft. Unimaginably soft. He'd never felt anything as soft as her lips in all his years. Her mouth ghosted over his lips, pulling softly, opening him to her little by little. He had no idea if this was at all enjoyable for her, but he could not for the life of him understand why he hadn't kissed anyone before. Why he had not kissed her before. He gave a small sign, and then tried to deepen the kiss.

He felt the vines pull away from him, and his hands were his to move again. His left hand buried itself in her hair, while his right grabbed her around the small of her back, pulling her whole body flush to his. This was anything but sweet, now. It was scalding. He felt weak and powerful all at once. He wanted more of her. Needed more.

He then realized she had in no way given him any indication she wanted anything other than to help him get out of his rather precarious situation. With more willpower than he knew he had, he pulled back from her, terrified he'd taken too many liberties with her kindness.

The most broody elf on a shelf you ever saw....

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