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

He takes the sweater off, and tried on the other shirts and knitwear checking for size and also movement. All in all he is happy with them. One of the sweaters, deep blue in color, is larger than the green, and a little longer. He's isn't sure he'd ever want to meet the person it was made for, being as it would be much larger than even he. But, it made the sweater immensely comfortable.

Happy with her choices, Haldir takes the pants she's chosen, and then moves to the laces of his breeches... He then looks up at her.

"Should I remove these too?" he asks far too innocently than he had cause to be in this situation. He pauses, waiting for her answer and then starts toeing off his boots to check and see if the socks fit.

Oh, dear. He doesn't even give her a sly look at that. He's just completely innocent. It's so adorable but at the same time she kind of wants to sit him down and talk him through some things. Since she's left the clan she's been learning of the harshness of the world, but that's been all right with her. To survive, a person needs as much knowledge as possible. It seems like the unchanging beauty of Lothlórien has meant there's a lot he's missed out on.

"To see if they fit? Yes, I think so. We can turn around if you'd like? For privacy?"

Her words hit him like an arrow to the chest and he froze. In his excitement, he hadn't really thought about how little clothes he had on at that moment.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't even think!" In a mad panic, he grabbed the nearest clothing items and started throwing them on himself. "I'm sorry you had to see...that." He screamed at himself as he shuffled backward. "I got excited...and I..." Was it possible to die from embarrassment? Instead, he held the breeches up to himself, and they seemed like they would fit.

"These should be...fine."

Edited (spelling) 2017-12-19 06:44 (UTC)

The quartermaster looks at Haldir like he's insane, before looking at Ellana, eyes pleading at her to do something about his freakout. What is it with rifters and being weird? Thankfully Ellana is much more understanding and forgiving of the elf's behavior, holding up her hands in a calming manner.

"Haldir, please. We all do things without thinking, and we're not uncomfortable." She wisely does not glance over at the quartermaster as she says this. "Just take a breath, okay? I'll fold up these clothes for you if you want to put your armor back on." To the quartermaster, she asks, "Do you have a bag?" and he nods, happy to get away for the moment as he goes back into the supply closet, returning with a cloth bag with a drawstring sewn into the hem. Ellana focuses on putting Haldir's new clothes away, ready to hand them over when he's ready. It gives her a moment to think over how passionately he feels about things, especially his mistakes. It's a bit unfortunate, because he beats himself up far too much. Maybe she could help him with that, and get him to mellow out.

He silently put his armor back on, hardly having to think about the movements because he'd done it so many times. After he breathed a little, he calmed and then went up to the quartermaster.

"Do you have any oiled cloth? One long enough to cover me? I haven't needed one yet, but with the snow I'd like to keep myself dry as I sleep."

"We're all out at the moment, but I've put in the request for more." The man sneaks a quick look at Ellana, to make sure she's near at hand in case the rifter takes exception to that. He is quite strange, after all.

"We can always check back later," she replies with a simple shrug. "Thank you for your help." The quartermaster merely nods and gathers up the excess clothes to store away once more. He'd really like to go back to having peace and quiet, and no one asking things of him. Ellana holds out the bag of Haldir's new clothes to him, drawstring pulled tight.

"Here you go! Now you don't have to go around in your armor all the time. Oh, and here." She takes his cloak off to hand back to him. "Since we're headed back outside."

With a nod, he takes the cloak, and with a bit of a shake, fastens it about himself again. It has gotten a bit colder, and he sighs a bit thinking of the cold night ahead of him. Being effected by the shifts in temperature was irksome, but at least he had a few warm layers to put on under his cloak now, do his shelf will be a bit more tolerable he supposed.

"Thank you for your help. If I can repay you, please do not heasitate to ask. You have been very kind to me, Ellana. It will not be forgotten."

He extened his arm to her again as they exited thd building.

"I was happy to help," she answers, taking his arm once more as the pair leave the building. Now they're at the scene of that passionate kiss, and she recalls the desperate grasp he held her in, and the way her toes curled in her ice skates.

"Maybe if I need something off a top shelf..." she jokes, glancing up at him with a teasing look.

He looks at her while he rolls his eyes a little and then chuckles softly at her joke.

"It seems to be the only thing anyone here deems me useful for, but I will happily retrieve anything outside your reach. You have but to ask. Although, I would not consider something so simple as repayment for the kindness you've shown me. It is something...I haven't experienced before. I don't think I can express how much it means to me."

"That can't be true. Give it time, and once people get to know you, things won't feel so hard." She smiles encouragingly. "People here can be suspicious, but that's not true of everyone. You'll find friends here. I know it."

It just appears that self-confidence may be an issue for him, and she can commiserate there. Little by little, she's been coming into her own and finding where she fits in the world, but that doesn't mean there aren't bad days too.

He smiled at her, one of his polite ones, and nodded his head. "I hope that is true."

He looked down to where her hand was nestled in the crook of his arm. Hesitantly, he took his other hand, and placed it softly over hers.

"That doesn't diminish what you have done for me. Lady Galadriel placed much of her faith in you, and I find myself doing the same. I am in earnest in saying that if I can be of any assistance, small or large, consider it done. I haven't many I can call friends, but those precious people I hold very dear. I would like to count you among them, if you have no objection."

"I believe you. I know I've been making jokes, but I understand that you're serious. And I promise, I'll let you know." Ellana gives him her best reassuring smile. "Of course. Friends for sure."

Now back on the ice, she takes her time getting readjusted to the feeling of gliding. With him by her side, there's much less chance of her falling now.

"But keep an eye out for more friends you could make. Like I said, some people are really nice and welcoming."

He took his hand off her's with a nod, the polite smile settled into place again. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you."

His goes quite again, retreating a bit into himself, eyes on the ice but looking far away. He is unsure of what to do or say next, so he hopes silence is the best course of action. He has put his foot in his mouth enough today.

Nodding, Ellana focuses on skating back towards the mage tower to get back to her room. The silence isn't uncomfortable, and she doesn't stop to think that he may be silent because he feels awkward. Finally at the base of the stairs, she stops, turning to look at him.

"I had fun today. Thanks for helping me with skating. I probably would have fallen a ton if it wasn't for you."

"At your service." He said a bit bashfully with an awkward half bow. "I am glad you enjoyed yourself and also remained uninjured."

He lets his arm fall down to his side again. "I look forward to our next meeting. I am sure you will have more stories from your adventures by then."

"Adventures around the city," she stresses. "I'll still be around here if you'd like to meet up sometime." Taking a seat on one of the bottom steps, she works to remove the skates to leave them for someone else with her shoe size.

"You know how the crystals work, don't you? I'm only a message away."

He stood as she unlaced the skates, and then peered down at her questioningly at her question.

"Crystals?" he asked while rubbing the back of his neck a little. "I...tend to stay away from shiny baubles if possible. After the silmarils and the rings of power, I hope you don't blame me. What power do these crystals posses?"

"Oh, I see." Setting the skates aside, she pushes herself up, thick socks just managing to keep out the cold clinging to the stone steps.

"They let us talk to each other over any distance." Reaching inside her coat and under her scarf, she pulls out a golden locket on a long chain. Clicking it open reveals a small crystal inside.

"You speak into it, and you can hear the other person's voice come through. The Inquisition issues them to anyone it houses."

He moved closer to her in an effort to examine the crystal. After inspection, he gave a nod and then a sudden realization hit him. He rummaged in one of the pouches he has hidden in his armor, and pulled out a similar one. it was roughly cut, nothing like hers, and it wasn't mounted to anything, rather just a loose stone.

"I did not believe this to be of any wealth when it was given to me, nor was it's purpose explained. My apologies. Would you...teach me how to use this? I find it quite intriguing." He looked up at her, and then at her feet, which were bundled in thick socks, but still very much susceptible to cold.

"It could be at a later date as well. You have already helped me quite a bit. If you are tired, I can leave you be. I will retire to my...lodging...shelf." He didn't really know what to call the place he only used when his body couldn't go on anymore. He did not live there, nor would he call it a home. And really he was in no hurry to return there due to the fact that is was likely covered in snow, and very cold indeed. He grimaced a little at the thought.

"Oh, I don't mind doing it now. We could go inside." She nods her head up the stairs before beginning to ascend them, though she gives him a curious look as she does so.

"A shelf? What do you mean by a shelf?" It doesn't sound familiar to her. Galadriel has never referred to lodgings as being a shelf. How strange.

He continues behind her, unsure of what vendor they are seeing next, but he follows regardless.

"I was issued a...room.... when I first arrived to Kirkwall, but it was...uncomfortable. There were walls on all sides without any windows and I felt as though I couldn't breathe. So, I... placed... some sleeping shelves throughout the city. I can climb up to them, and with a tug they unfold and are comfortable enough to lay on. When my body demands sleep, I go to the closest one. And after, I fold it up and can be on my way."

He was rather proud of them. They were quite practical.

Ellana listens with interest as she lead him inside, moving with sure steps even on her socked feet towards the staircase. Her reaction to the concept of rooms with walls and a door was much different to his. Living in a clan without privacy meant she craves it now. She adores being alone with a door shutting out the world from her where she can be alone with her thoughts and her feelings.

"Oh, like the flets of Lorien," she says, remembering the tales Galadriel had told. "Is it like a bit of home here? I hope it's not too cold for you up there? It's been a harsh couple of weeks." From all accounts, it didn't usually get so cold here in Kirkwall. Unfortunate that he should arrive to find it, as well as some of his elven resistance to it muted after his fall through the Fade.

"I was going to take you to my room so we could test the crystals in privacy. There's a window, and I could leave the door open if you'd like, but if it's too restrictive, we could just stay in the hall. There's a big window facing the stairs." Indeed, there are windows looking out over the frozen ice rink on the courtyard as she continues leading him up to her floor.

Her concern for him made his already high opinion of her rise. The thought of being alone with her in the privacy of her room, made his anxiety at the same time his anticipation rise also.

"I will be well enough as long as I can see outside, Ellana, I assure you." He sighed a little as he felt warmth seep into him slowly, causing him to flex his hands a bit. "It is very much like our flets. It has been an uncomfortable few nights, and as I never experienced cold to this extreme, it seems I was woefully unprepared. But, no longer thanks to your intervention."

"Oh, I wish you had told someone earlier," she replies, brow furrowed in concern. "No one here wants to see you freeze to death." But at least they've remedied that with their trip to the quartermaster. Still, Ellana wonders if the new clothes will be enough.

"Maybe you could stay in the stables? That's not too closed off and there's plenty of straw for the mounts." It isn't easy to hear how cold he was and simply let it be, but now they've arrived at her room and she figures she shouldn't stick her nose in too much if he's fine sleeping on his shelves.

She waves a hand at the door, removing the ward she placed there, and then takes out her key to unlock the door the traditional way. Not that she has much of value, but you never know with such a varied group as the Inquisition. Opening the door she gestures inside. On the wall opposite the door is the window, and her bed runs along the wall under it with the headboard against the left wall and a cozy bear skin thrown across the mattress. There is precious little furniture: only a nightstand, trunk, armchair, and a few shelves, but it's obviously a homey space, made more so by the fireplace on the right wall.

"Oh, I'll make us a fire," she says, closing the door behind them and heading over to add some kindling from a basket on the floor. "And then we can get started. Feel free to look around." Waving a hand vaguely at the room, she then gets to work, using magic to light her fire.

The space has plenty of personal touches, like the lute leaning against the trunk, or the green tea set arranged on the wide sill of the window beside a tiny wooden halla figurine and a wooden flute. The shelves store toiletries, a opalescent comb, and several books. The end table has more toiletries, candles, another book, and another comb, this one with flowers carved into the handle. A discarded scarf similar to the one she is wearing lies across the armchair, and leaning against a corner is her staff, with its prominent dragon's head staring out unblinkingly across the room.

He watched as she moved about the room, gathering what she needed for the fire. Her hands were remarkably graceful, he couldn't help but thinking. Which, of course made him blush a little, and in an effort to keep himself from flustering he shifted his focus to the room. It seemed a cheery place. More cheery than the room he was given, but he suspected that had everything to do with Ellana, and nothing to do with original state of the room. As he looked around, he answered her questions.

"I found that once the temperature became unbearable, I walked around the town for a bit, and it seemed to help. I-" he stopped mid sentence, unsure of how to express the feeling of helplessness and over all isolation he felt in the last few months. "I did not wish to cause anyone any trouble." He didn't really have anyone to tell if he was completely honest, but he wouldn't have wanted to trouble anyone who would worry. He wouldn't want Galadriel to think he was inept or incapable of looking after himself either. "But, perhaps the stables would be a good refuge." If he knew where those were. He hopefully could figure that out.

His attention moved to flute on window sill. He walked over to it, letting his fingers run over the rough grain of wood until the tips of his fingers sank into the holes along it. I missed playing his own flute, which was now lost to him. It was his own little secret, something he did just for him and him alone. He sighed a little, and let his hand fall slowly down to settle back at his side. There was precious little music in Kirkwall, and the songs of the trees and animals here still eluded him.

The statue of a stag caught his eye, although the twisting antlers where like no stag he'd ever seen. It was beautiful, the most beautiful animal he'd ever seen he would guess. "What type of stag is this, Ellana?"

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