get ready everybody 'cause here we go

[dashing]

WHO: Saoirse, Herian & open.
WHAT: a combined birthday hangout.
WHEN: 30th Haring.
WHERE: The Hanged Man.
NOTES: Drink up now and turn up hungover to the Firstday feast. Open invitation over here, no need to reply to the network post or even have prior cr in order to attend. Please add any warnings to subject lines if they come up.

"Party" would be an extreme word for it; the more accurate word would be "casual gathering of people with liquor readily available." It is The Hanged Man, though, so who knows what shenanigans could unfold.

They've taken over a corner of the inn, and though there isn't much in the way of decorations - making sure the place could be easily accessed after all that snow was work enough - there are a couple of strings of bunting.

Don't get too wild; it'd be unfortunate if Herian had to interrupt her own (shared) birthday celebration in the sake of preserving the Inquisition's reputation. (Or do get wild, and simply shrug it off as The Hanged Man's influence. Whatever.)

Be sure of one thing, though - at least one round is one Herian. Maybe. If you're a close friend, or look particularly glum.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Inessa nods as she listens to Herian's own erstwhile plans, approving of her motives. "Ambitious as well, but I expected no less. You have always struck me as the proactive sort. The Divine would have been fortunate to have your continued service."

In response to the question, a fond smile forms on her lips. "One of the reasons I thrived in the tower was due to the attentions of tutors who saw the best in me and strove to bring it out. They were just what I needed, attentive and encouraging but challenging as well. How could I not want to repay their efforts by passing that on to a new set of students? Though I have a feeling my particular magical focuses would be different." Rift magic is relatively new, and necromancy is not met with widespread approval, outside Nevarra. Perhaps she would have secured a transfer, though.

early;

[foxsays]

Something of a stranger to the Hanged Man, it not being the sort of tavern Araceli prefers where it's a little too well-known, and with a curfew, Araceli still slips in with two gifts since she's not going to show up with something just for one person when it's a joint party. It'd be rude after all. Two years in Thedas, the start of what could very well be her third? This is an easier tradition to let go.

"Señora Amsel! Something for you and Enchanter Ceallach both," she greets with a smile when she arrives with a nudge that's this side of being overly friendly. "Just a little thing."

Pretty haircombs, some pins, a little fancy oil - Knight Enchanters and Enchanters both are deserving of some pampering no? (And yes, tiny tiny bottles of rum. Look it's the water of life for her, Starkhaveners should get that.)

[youwonscience]

[Earlier/Herian]

Cosima is late. That's partly because she just is, but largely because she has spent the time between the network announcement and now scrambling to find a gift that is not so much it would embarrass Herian, yet definitely enough to show she cares, but then again something Cosima can actually afford after blowing a lot of her cash on that microscope.

So when she arrives, she's a bit flushed, but triumphant, and works her way over to the birthday girl. (Or girls, possibly.) "Sorry! Sorry I'm late."

[Later/Open]

Cosima cannot monopolize Herian's attention all night, nor does she intend to try. But she does feel the need to stay for moral support, if nothing else. Just in case Herian needs her.

In the meantime, she's several glasses of wine in, and she's decided dancing is in order, because one of the advantages of being a rifter is that everyone assumes you're bizarre anyway so why not take advantage?

[dashing]

Herian is... being Herian. Which is to say she's standing off to the side, as much as she can, watching over things that are going on. She's not uncomfortable in social situations, and it's not that's she's bad at them, she's just stiff; back straight, shoulders back, looking more like a knight on duty than a woman at her birthday party.

With that said, her shoulders ease a little at the sound of Cosima's voice, and her mouth brightens with a smile. "It is no trouble, bláithín." Catching Cosima's elbow, she gently eases her closer. "I'm glad you're here."

Look, she's smiling. Look how 100% totally okay she is.

[youwonscience]

She leans up to press a quick, affectionate kiss to Herian's cheek. "Happy birthday. Although you could have given me a little more warning," fondly. (About the best friend, perhaps, as much as the date of birth; plenty of time for that later, though.)

"Have people been buying you drinks? You look like you might need a drink," she adds, considering Herian's general demeanor.

[dashing]

“I should have,” she admits, a little ruefully. She knows she isn’t the best at this, but knowing isn’t an excuse, more a prompt within oneself for improvement that has been ignored. She must do better. In the meantime, she sets her hand at Cosima’s waist, and gently nudges Cosima’s nose with her own.

“I’ve been doing my utmost to remain controlled.” Which sounds faintly conspiratorial, somehow, “but I could allow it, in this instance.”

early

[circleprodigy]

Inessa glances around, looking and feeling somewhat out of place in the Hanged Man, but her hesitation is put aside when spotting Saoirse up ahead. Of course, Garahel has to get there first, all tail-wagging and licking and happy nuzzling. Following him, she holds out a bag when Garahel's done demanding affection, its contents probably made obvious by the sweet scent of the bon bons within.

"Happy birthday, Saoirse."

[dashing]

Herian remains Herian, and bows politely when Araceli arrives, regardless of nudges. "You are very kind, thank you. I will make sure the Enchanter receives these."

Gifts, Herian isn't.. she wasn't expecting gifts. Gifts from several unanticipated gifters has left her a little taken aback, but in a largely positive way. There's a slight smile, surprised though it is.

And, actually— "Have you been introduced? I would be glad to do so, if you are not yet acquainted?"

[dashing]

"Of course." There's no sarcasm or disrespect in it; she's simply never really had to be concerned about the well-being of birds, but that must be the sort of things that a noble has the time to become invested in (literally).

She is doing her utmost not to feel that she should also be assisting, though it is a difficult impulse to quash. "Very well, thank you. You generous gift was greatly appreciated by Enchanter Ceallach and myself - I wanted to thank you for your kindness."

And— "Can I offer any assistance with the impending relocation?"

[sulena]

Yes, of course, remember that time when she could have been stabbed or her head cut off or whatever was in fashion that year. It is hard to forget but if there is something that Saoirse excels in then it is both kindness and learning from her past, even the awful terrible things that became her life when she came to Kirkwall.

It is admittedly a surprise to see Cade and it probably shows but his gift is quickly received with a smile. In fact, her smiles only looks once she looks back up to him.

"Thank you, Cade. You are too kind." She says, placing her fingers atop the cover with a delicate touch. "I'm glad you decided to come. It is good to see you."

[sulena]

It has been a busy night and Saoirse has (much to own displeasure) not been able to spend as much time with Prompto. Especially when she was busy introducing herself to Herian's friends, being overwhelmed by gifts and torment her best friend. That is why when he appears, as she waves goodbye to another friend, her face lights up.

She stops short of hugging him as the gifts are handed to her and looks at them, eyes wide. Saoirse cannot even being to think on the fact that Herian went and told because she is just so... surprised in the moment that he would actually get her a gift. Then again that has been the theme for the night when she has truly gone so long without this sort of occasion.

"They're really for me?" She sounds just floored and hasn't even opened the bloody things yet.

[crowncitizen]

There's no denying in Prompto's mind that Herian and Saoirse definitely seem like great friends who are incredibly fond of each other. The way they speak of one another, how they interact, and how their relationship lasted over the years all speak to it. It reminds him of his friendship with Noctis, and a part of him desperately misses his best friend in that moment. But he's glad for both women that they have each other, especially in such uncertain times in their world.

"And she makes it look so easy." For all that he's an extrovert, Prompto doesn't command a presence like Saoirse does. He lived for too many years being a forced introvert.

His ears turn a little red at the compliment, complete with a bashful rub behind the back of his head. "I'm glad she does. It's hard not to like her and want her to like you. And you two have been friends since forever, right? You're practically sisters." The rest goes unsaid but implied: that says quite a lot more about Herian.

[crowncitizen]

Her shock's kind of surprising. Is she not used to it? Was it not allowed in the Circles? Maybe it's just... not a thing done much in Thedas? Honestly, he's not sure what to make of it.

"Well, yeah," he says with a little laugh. "Of course. It's your birthday, right?" He just feels bad he wasn't able to get her more, or have more time to pick out stuff. Not that he isn't grateful to Herian for the heads up, but Prompto's never been quick on gift ideas. "Sorry it's not much, but I hope you like them."

If Saoirse does finally open them, she'll find a locket in one package and a hair comb in another. Herian did say pretty things would be good, given how little of them they were allowed to have in the Circle.

[sulena]

"I'm sorry, I must seem ungrateful." She says hastily, looking back up to him and sighing. "It's just been such a long time when I was able to celebrate the day I was born. It's almost overwhelming but... but I know I'll love them because it's from you."

Carefully Saoirse removes the packaging until she's holding both gifts in each hand, looking between them and absolutely beaming. "Prompto, they're beautiful. Thank you."

[dashing]

She like the version that says they were too dignified and ethereal more, this version is sad :C


"I will, thank you."

Herian catches the barkeeps attention, requests a tankard of ale for each of them. There's a quiet control in all her movements, respect and formality in how she addresses the barkeep. It's not until they're waiting for the ale and she's paid her coin that she continues to unwrap the gift, carefully folding the paper back; when it is revealed, her mouth catches with a small smile. Surprised, in part, delighted as well, though both emotions are like subtle ripples on the waters surface.

"A very fine beast indeed." She runs her fingers over the scales, and looks up to Elros, genuine warmth in her expression, even though the smile remains subtle. "Thank you."

[tar_minyatur]

He's sorry?

Elros sits quietly and is only slightly visibly anxious about whether it will suit, but he relaxes and grins brightly at her pleasure.

"I'm glad you like it! I had to ask Maedhros for help over the fine details, and it doesn't much look like the one we fought, but I thought it seemed fitting."

[dashing]

"We are. Even when we went to the Circle we were separated only by a matter of months." I am her senior there, she might have joked, though there is something of a thoughtful weight to her words now. There is an inhale of breath, followed by the inevitable exhale, that skirts about the edges of being a sigh. "I was much different when we were children. Prior to her joining the Inquisition, we'd not seen each other some twelve years."

That carries an implication as well; the person that Saoirse grew up with and befriended was not the same person she is now. Herian has certain doubts that Saoirse would look so fondly on her now, on what she has become, were it not for that shared childhood. A much used line of concern carves into her brow, much the way that paper falls into patterns where it has previously been folded, and then she shakes her head a little. It is self-indulgent, and self-pitying, at an event which should carry none of the latter, even if it is allowed a happier shade of the first.

"You've no need of such self-consciousness. Her regard for you is sincere, and I trust her judgment implicitly." Suffice to say, he's a good dude, so far as she's concerned. Not that she would ever use, or think, phrases like good dude.

[dashing]

"Thank you." It is a bittersweet thing to hear, all kinds considered.

"Perhaps," Herian agrees, but she has no great certainty on that count. How can they judge what might have been, when the world as it is lies so far beyond their expectations? "Are there any focuses that particularly called to you, before you departed the Circle?"

[dashing]

Yes this is definitely about her and not about his family sadness

"You made this?" She looks to him, surprised, but all the more pleased. "I have spoken with Maedhros, but only briefly. He was very kind to me." Kinder than she deserved, considering she lead two of his kinsmen into a dragon battle that did not go entirely to plan. "Is it more akin to the dragons in your own realm?"

[tar_minyatur]

"Well, I tried." He grins at her. "Maedhros did most of the work, I freely admit it. He's a far better carver than me. I can manage shapes - but details like scales and such are more his forte than mine."

He shrugs. "Maedhros looks scary, but he's a soft touch." He says knowingly. "Unless you get him mad, and then he's terrifying. But yeah, it is."

[circleprodigy]

"A spirit healer, perhaps? I had wanted to be useful, and that seemed a solid path to that end." But spirit healers were in short supply after the fall of her circle, and the creation of the Breach shifted her focus. What it had left in its wake needed to be studied and harnessed, and at least in that end there has been some success.

She shrugs, after a small sip. "But that was then, and the world has changed so much since. Now, with the turning of the year, it's probably more appropriate to consider what to do with this new one."

[dashing]

"I will make sure to thank him as well, then, unless you think he might prefer not." Some people were like that, she knew. "Enchanter Ceallach does not look scary by any means," because she looks like the gentlest and more endearing person that can be imagined, really, "but she can be fearsome when pressed. When we were very young, a boy made some... cruel remarks about my father, who had recently passed." Passed, a euphemism for was horribly murdered, which she will refrain from getting into when this is meant to be something of a happy occasion. "Her... response was such that the young man in question fled the next occasion he saw us, and he was both older and larger than she."

And here is their ale. She thanks the barkeep, and passes one of the drinks to Elros. "To your health, Elros, and to that of our fearsome friends."

[dashing]

“When I was younger I hoped I might have the talent for Spirit Healing. My mother healed people in the alienage, and her father, and I’d… hoped to share some trait with them, even in absence.” Her smile is barely present, disappears as quick as it arrives. “I have no talent for the healing arts of magic - the best I can manage are defensive barriers, to try and prevent injury. I’m told one of my aunts was a Spirit Healer, though.”

Herian sighs a little. What was done was already done; they could only do everything moving forward. Life was not a canvas where errors might be painted over. “You speak rightly. I dread that the Inquisition’s reputation may prove to jeopardise any chance we have of defeating Corypheus, if we continue to alienate those who might prove allies and lend aid.”

[youwonscience]

"Alright. Oh, wait, do you want your present first? Or are you going to do presents all at once later on? I don't know how birthdays go in Thedas, there are surprisingly few birthday parties in the Inquisition." Or at least parties that have been more formal than 'we're all already at the tavern, let's have a drink.'

[dashing]

She looks surprised, for a moment, mouth opening and closing before she seems to figure out what to say. "I wasn't anticipating gifts," she admits. A little sheepishly, "I've not celebrated my birthday in some time."

Gifts weren't much of a thing in the Circles, not for lack of friendship, more for... lack of shopping opportunities, and before that had been the alienage. She smiles, though, and leans back a little, looking to see if anyone is coming before, before moving closer again, with a conspiratorial air. "Is it rude to say 'now'?"