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

[hallabackdir]

"The flute, indecently. Although, I am no master either. It was the only to pass the little time I had to myself. But i enjoyed it. It drove my brothers mad when I was learning too, so that was an added bonus."

Haldir moved a little closer to the fire, because he was fairly frozen and it's warmth lapped and called to him. He stood awkwadly, not completely sure where it would be appropriate to sit.

"Thank you for the fire. I will get more wood for you tomorrow."

[serannas]

"Really? I wonder who you could drive mad here," she muses jokingly, watching him stand before the fire, so tall and elegant in her simple little room. Yet he doesn't look imposing or like he's too big for the space, which she finds nice.

The offer of wood is kind, and though her first reaction is to brush it off as not necessary, she thinks she knows him well enough by now to know he would really prefer to repay her, so she ends up saying, "Ma serannas. It's good to stay stocked up on fuel. By the way, would you like to take the flute with you? I know I said it was a gift, but the person who gave it to me isn't in the Inquisition anymore to see me give it away, and I think he'd like to know it's getting some use."

[hallabackdir]

His eyebrows flew up in shock at her gift, and he caught his tongue before he said he wouldn't take something meaningful from her. But, he didn't want to be rude, and if she couldn't be without the flute she would not have offered it to him.

"Ma Serannas, Ellanna." He said bowing his head a little, before moving to pick up the flute. He brought it to his lips, and then lowered it before looking at her a little cheekily. "I have improved since the time I irritated my brothers. Would it be alright for me to play for just a moment? I am curious to see what sound this flute wishes to make. I can wait as well, if you would prefer."

[serannas]

"Oh, no, please do go ahead!" Ellana says with excitement, drawing up her legs to sit cross-legged on her bed, face full of anticipation. In her mind, one of the Eldar surely must be able to create beautiful music. Everything they do carries a sort of beauty with it, wholly unique to them.

[hallabackdir]

He smiles at her excitement, and then licks his lips before bringing the flute to them. With deft fingers, he warmed up with some of the less complex runs, but then shifted over to the harder ones. Then, with a deep breath, he played one of the more jaunty songs he knew. It was one his Ada had played for him when he was young, and it was the first thing that came into his mind. It was the shortest one he knew too, so it wouldn't take hours to complete like some of the others, which was for the best he felt.

The song came to an end after a few moments, and afterward he looked at her, hoping she couldn't see his ineptitude too badly. Compared to the masters in Lorien, he was a very poor artist indeed.

[serannas]

As he plays, Ellana's shoulders bounce along with the tune, quite naturally and without her really thinking about it. When he finishes, she claps her hands, giggling as well.

"That was really good! I can imagine dancing to that. Is it a song with words too?"

[hallabackdir]

"There are words, but I have long since forgotten them. I will think on it, and see if I can conjure them back." Her reaction made him swell with pride as he put the flute back on the sill.

"Do you enjoy dancing? I am afraid I don't really know how myself. It was deemed unsafe due to our position in the trees." He settled, still in front of the fire, but nearer to her this time. He liked her sing-song laughter, and the way her eyes lit up. He found himself smiling fuller and feeling more at ease than he had decades, all because of her company and the homey feel of her room.

[serannas]

"I do! But actually, I only know one fancy dance: the waltz. Any other time I've danced, it's been around a fire or at a celebration and I wasn't doing steps, but just feeling the music. So I guess you could call it dancing, or maybe swaying?" She giggles again, raising a hand to her mouth and shaking her head. "I don't know! It feels like dancing to me. Anyway, wasn't I going to teach you to use the crystals? And here I am, wondering if what I do is dancing or not." Clearing her throat, she unwinds her scarf and sets it aside to better hold out her crystal in its locket.

"Go ahead and get out yours again?"

[hallabackdir]

Her melodious giggling and the thought of her swaying and dancing tugs at his stomach. It's a sound he wants to always hear.

"I would very much like to see you dance, not matter the style. I'm sure it is breathtaking."

He beamed at her and then rummaged around in his pouch again. Once he has the crystal in hand, he knelt in front of her, and then presented it palm open to her, not knowing what she will do with it once she has it.

[serannas]

Breathtaking? A blush spreads across her face before Ellana can even think of trying to hide it. What a compliment! Of course now she's sure that the first time he sees her dance will be the time she slips and twists an ankle in front of him.

"Okay, well, you need to hold onto it, and this will work easiest if there's a little distance between us, so I'll go out into the hall." She clears her throat and stands, her face still burning a little. "How it works is you either think of the Inquisition as a whole in order to talk to everyone at once, think of a couple of people if it's a message for a few, or think of just one person so it's a personal conversation between the two of you. So I'm going to think of just you out in the hall and then I'll speak into the crystal. You should hear my voice coming from the crystal. Then think of just me in return and say something back."

Without further ado, she steps outside and closes the door behind her. She starts walking down the hall, because if his elf ears are anything like hers, he probably has keen hearing anyway and she doesn't want this to be spoiled from him hearing her through the door. But a moment later her voice appears in the room, coming from Haldir's crystal.

"Hello? Can you hear this?"

[hallabackdir]

He waits, patiently as he hears her shuffle down the hall. He waited and her voice ran out from the crystal in his hand. He smiled, happy that it worked, but now it was up to him. He brought the crystal close to his lips. Now just to think of her.

He thought of her striking eyes, who's color reminded him of the forest. Of nature, of life. Sparkling, brimming with emotion. He thought of her lips, rosy and plump after their kiss. Her nose, small and refined, as it brushed against his cheek and then her cheeks, flushed and-

He had to stop himself before he was lost in memory and had to make a rather quick excuse to leave. He cleared his throat, and whispered a little huskily into it. "I hear you, Ellana."

[serannas]

Out in the hall, Ellana grins to herself, though a moment later she realizes how silly she must look should anyone come upon her. But Haldir's learned to use the crystal so easily, and she's glad for it. Now they can stay connected and she doesn't have to try and find him on one of the city's many rooftops.

"Oh, good! So you see, it's as simple as that. Whenever you want me, just call me on the crystal. If I don't answer right away, whatever you say is stored on the crystal and I can hear it later." Ellana glances up and down the hall before adding a bit sheepishly. "I guess I'll come back in now."

[hallabackdir]

He paces in an attempt to calm down, but her voice ringing through the crystal just pushes images of her even more prominently into his mind. He takes a deep breath, and stuffs it into his pouch once she is done, hoping he can get himself together before she returns.

He turned toward the fire, hoping to give himself a few more precious seconds before he has to look at her beautiful face again.

[serannas]

Ellana slips back inside, all smiles as she closes the door and takes her spot back on the bed.

"There; that was pretty easy, wouldn't you say?"

[hallabackdir]

"Y-yes very easy." He says only turning partially as she entered. He fiddles with the clasp on his puch pocket, unable to close the damn thing. Once closed, he took another deep breath.

Finally mustering up the courage to turn towards her he adds, "Th-Thank you for the demonstration. I am in your debt. Again."

[serannas]

He appears to her to be agitated in some way, but she can't think of a reason for it, unless he really dislikes being in a room with walls. Smiling weakly, she replies, "Well, you're bringing me wood tomorrow, so throw an extra log on, and both debts will be repayed."

Sorry this took so long!!! Ah!

[hallabackdir]

He turned to her, thinking it was perhaps better to go than to overstay his welcome. He would be back tomorrow, with the extra fuel. Hopefully he would have collected himself better tomorrow.

He turned, inclining his head. "I will talk my leave, then. My thanks again for your hospitality and your kindness. I will see you tomorrow." He smiled, hoping she wouldn't take his quick departure as being rude. He would look at procuring some food and wine for her tomorrow as well.

It's okay! Worth the wait.

[serannas]

The smile is returned, but Ellana wishes he would stay a little longer. Whether it's because he has things to do or because he feels awkward about what happened earlier with the mistletoe, she can't say. It doesn't help that she has the urge to take his hand and tug him down on the bed with her, to keep him a little longer.

"Sure," she says instead, rising from the mattress and moving to get the door. "I look forward to it." Her gaze moves from his eyes to his lips and then back up again. No, she can't do it. Even though she wants to be bold, he's proven he's a little skittish. She can't give him an impulsive goodbye kiss to see how he reacts.

Oh fuck it! Prepare those lips for smoochin!

[hallabackdir]

His heart skipped several beats as her gaze, which could only be considered hungry, fell to his lips and back up to his eyes. Before she could open the door, he reached out and took her hand. He couldn't stand not knowing if she wanted him. Because he most definately wanted her.

"Ellana, I-I do not wish to make you uncomfortable, nor do I wish to overstep again. But-I" he sucked in a breath. He just had to say it. "I wish very much to kiss you again. I admit I have been wrestling with myself since-If-if you would like to..." he looked at her hopefully but also a little like a lamb facing slaughter. "If you do not please tell me and I will not broach the subject again. Your friendship is dear to me..."

Oh my

[serannas]

Always one to wear her heart on her sleeve whether she wants to or not, Ellana can't hold back her bright smile at his confession. When she and Felix separated, she had had to reevaluate herself and the way she acted when in love. With time and experience comes wisdom, and she hopes that she's now in a spot where she can have feelings for someone without going overboard again. Whatever will come will be a surprise, but she's determined to go into it all with clear eyes.

Instead of answering him with words, she goes up on tiptoe, pressing her lips to his and closing her eyes.

Re: Oh my

[hallabackdir]

A soft ah managed to escape before she kissed him. His eyelids fluttered shut and his body screamed for him to pull her towards him to have her tight against him again. But, he would not do so without her permission. Not again. Instead, he tucked one finger under her chin, and let his lips push a fraction harder into hers. He opened his lips, much like she had done earlier, deepening slightly. After a few moments, he pulled back just enough to end the kiss, but not enough to take his face away from hers. He couldn't bring himself to take himself away from her. Not yet.

His breath was ragged, both from the flood of emotions and his waning contol. He ran the tip of his nose back and forth along hers as their foreheads touched. His hands carressed her face and neck, silently searching, asking for more if she wanted.

[serannas]

By the end of it, Ellana's tingling from head to toe. She comes back down on her heels and giggles softly at the picture they make; her own hands lightly wound around his back.

"This isn't what I expected to happen when I went ice skating today," she murmurs, voice cheerful. There are some vague, nagging thoughts in her head that she might want to figure out what courtship means to the Eldar so she's sure they're on the same page, but those are pushed aside in favor of kissing him again. No one can really blame her for that.

[hallabackdir]

He can't help but smile against her lips and whisper into them as he gathered her closer by winding his arms around her shoulders.

"Nor I. Although I can't say I am unhappy with this developement." He tilted her lips back up to his, deepening the kiss and content just to hold her. He very much enjoyed holding her. And kissing her. And just being with her. He kissed down her neck, and then moved up to nibble her earlobe.

[serannas]

"I can't say that either." It's an easy admission to make, as she's happy to encourage him further now that he's aware of it. Her toes curl in her socks and she releases a breathy sigh as he finds a sensitive spot with his lips. Fingers grasp onto his armor, holding on for dear life as her knees knock together.

"H-How do you know how to do that if you've never kissed anyone before?"

[hallabackdir]

He felt her legs quake, which gave him a swell of confidence he had never experienced before. He held her closer, keeping her upright as he kept kissing and nibbling his way up the shell of her ear. At her question, his ego swelled again, and he let out a soft chuckle.

"I have keen eyes and even keener ears. I stumbled upon many lover's in my time protecting Lorien. This particular area seemed to generate adequate results across the board. I took a risk, and hoped for the best. And," he nuzzled his nose into the hollow of her neck, leaving soft kisses along the way. "Hearing you. Feeling you. Tasting you, is the best experience I ever could have hoped for. You shine, Ellana. Like a beacon, like a star. I am lucky to bask in your light."