faderift | Cloudreach 9:44 Rifter Arrival

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Cloudreach 9:44 Rifter Arrival

WHO: New rifters & their rescuers.
WHAT: Welcome to Thedas.
WHEN: Cloudreach 10, 9:44
WHERE: Amaranthine
NOTES: This is the arrival log for all new rifters, open also to current characters who would participate in their recovery. New players can also assume everyone survives and arrives back in Kirkwall within a couple of days, but please note there will be a brief quarantine period when they won't be permitted to leave the Gallows, to get them up to speed while ensuring they're not diseased or otherwise going to kill anyone, before they're set loose on the city.

You were asleep—whether deeply or fitfully, falling unconscious for the last time in a pool of blood or just resting your eyes for a moment—and then you were not. And wherever you were was not, anymore, replaced by nothing but the sensation of falling into endless, bottomless nothing. If this were still a dream, you would wake before you hit the ground. You can't die in a dream, they say. In some worlds.

In this world, bathed in the light of a flare of too-bright, greenish light you will find yourself hitting mossy cobblestones with an unforgiving smack. You're alive, and you're fine, except for the narrow splinter of light the same sickly green as whatever brought you here that now glows out of the palm of your left hand. It aches, a bone-deep pain that gnaws even through all the distractions.

Above you is a shifting, crystalline tear in reality; beyond that, gray clouds and a sea breeze, framed by the high walls surrounding the city you've landed in. There are people on the walls, some of them armored and armed, all of them briefly and collectively paralyzed by the sight below.

Don't let their terror go to your head. It's not you that has them intimidated, nor is it any of the humans (or Qunari) who are sprawled out on the ground around you, nor is it the assortment of unfamiliar—to them, not to you, perhaps to you it's very familiar—junk that's spilled out as well, most notably some flaming metallic debris and a giant wooden cross.

It's the beings that are coming out after you, almost as if in pursuit. Two are drifting, spindly things with six spidery limbs in addition to grasping skeletal arms, eager to grab hold of anyone who comes too close and fill their field of vision with swirling darkness and corner-of-the-eye glimpses of whatever frightens them. Several more most closely resemble trees, perhaps, with half-melted squids for heads—which might not sound particularly scary, fine, but their ability to dive into the ground and resurface anywhere with rasping screams helps on that front.

All of these things would like to kill you, and the people around you, and the people on the walls, and perhaps the other people screaming and scurrying into taverns and shops for cover. But you're not alone. Out of those same taverns and shops come people who do seem to know what they're doing; many are wearing a symbol that looks a bit like a hairy eyeball being pieced through by a sword, and at least a couple of them seem to know what they're doing. Almost like they've been waiting for you. In fact, exactly like they've been waiting for you.

AFTERWARDS, the grateful citizens of the City of Amarenthine might provide a drink, a meal, or a place to tend to wounds before everyone sets back toward Kirkwall. It's not a long trip, but one that requires boarding a ship to cross a narrow sea. It will be a rough, stormy journey, but there won't be any demons.

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Tina looks both confused and amused all at once, a combination that seems to especially suit her, he thinks. It was an impulsive question to ask on his part; he's actually more surprised that her response is as mild as it is. She would every reason to think him absurd, given that they really have only spent so much time together.

"Not at all, I don't think," he agrees with a smile that comes off much more nervous than he intends it to.

"But then, when have we ever been truly proper?"

"Speak for yourself, Mister Scamander," Tina returned somewhat haughtily. It's still a perplexing suggestion to have been given. The creature belonged with Newt, that was something she felt most keenly. She didn't necessarily want to feel alone here, but living with a man was... Definitely not something she'd particularly considered. Even if it was Newt. No, especially if it was Newt.

She frowned to herself, not yet agreeing to it. "She needs to stay with you," Tina finally said after a moment, dark eyes turning to the creature. It was his companion already, she'd decided the moment he'd appeared. It was more fitting. A breath.

"I don't know, Newt," the woman added, "is it really such a good idea?"

"Of course," he replies, though, given the twinkle still in his eyes, it's clear that he still thinks Tina is capable of improper behavior herself; he remembers, as though it'd happened yesterday, (and with the way time might pass while they're in this world, it may as well have been) that she'd helped him defy the orders of MACUSA. He remembers that even she didn't want to have to Obliviate Jacob, in the end.

His expression grows serious as she expresses her concerns.

"I think the rooms available will soon fill up," he says. "And we'll all have flat mates, as it were. I'd prefer it if I already knew mine."

"But, if it would help, we could set up a barrier in the room," he adds. "There are separate beds; we could still have our privacy."

"But it's your choice," he adds quietly. "I won't force you into a situation that makes you uncomfortable."

She rolled her eyes at his clear disbelief. It was true she didn't necessarily act properly in regards to certain things, but she really wasn't completely unaware. It was a different connotation-- befriending someone you shouldn't be or living with a man you hardly knew. Normally, she wouldn't think of the latter--

--It was even still a hard consideration now as the man spoke. She would think perhaps he could have made friends and stayed with them, but she was all too aware that he found social interactions as difficult as she did at times. School was a long time ago, too, that really... She didn't look forward to the idea with dorming with multiple people.

"A barrier would be needed," She said after a moment, brow arching in partial amusement, "I'm well aware I'm not very feminine, but we are different genders." Though maybe he didn't look at her as female, she supposed, but she'd rather hoped not. But she'd want to be able to change in privacy-- even with her sister, some days.

"It's not the worst idea," Tina added in hastily, "I don't trust those around here." Even the Rifters who had just arrived with her. It was nice not to be alone, but you didn't live as an Auror or even under American wizarding government without some wariness of the situation. And she trusted Newt.

"I'm sure we can get creative," Newt says. "We ought to be able to establish something of a barrier, between the pair of us."

Newt might be shy socially a lot of the time but when it comes to dressing and undressing himself, he truly doesn't seem to pay much mind. But that he would be undressing and dressing in a room shared with Miss Goldstein, well. A barrier would be quite welcome, indeed. A flush creeps into his expression at the thought of Tina potentially walking in on him in the middle of changing. Or vice versa. Truthfully, there is a lot of potential disasters waiting to happen with this living situation. But Newt can't say he's overly daunted.

He nods. "It's a delicate balance," he says. "There is so much going on. Evil trying to take over the world, and all that."

"We'll see what we can do," Tina agreed simply, forcing an uneasy smile to her features.

Sharing space wasn't new to her-- She'd grown up in dorms and in a one-room apartment. All she ever wanted was a bed to sleep in and a place to read when she wanted to. She'd likely not be in there very much, as it were, but she wasn't going to tell Newt as much-- The demiguise being with the man was more important than either.

"That's not unusual," Tina responded quickly, brow furrowing, "it wasn't helping for the sake of helping, though. They get more out of the arrangement here than we do." After all, they were the ones at a disadvantage not them. Especially with their magic the way it was.

Newt nods, recognizing that Tina doesn't want to pursue the topic more closely. He can understand that. She's been through a lot as it is; no need to add to what worries she must be collecting like flies.

"They do," he agrees with a nod. "But there are some interesting sorts of people here. And good ones, too."

"Also they have dragons," he can't help but add with a bright grin, eyes shining. "And other magical creatures. So there's bits like home as well."

Tina raised a brow at his sparkling amusement and then scoffed something of a breath. "I'm not you, Newt," She offered mildly, a certain teasing to her tone, "I'm not immediately at home so long as there are creatures."

It's the truth, at any rate. She folded her arms across her chest, frowning in turn. "But I must imagine that's gotten you into a fair bit of trouble already."

"No...I know," Newt says, feeling sheepish and awkward once again, the stranger at dinner who wanted nothing more than to lose himself among the contents of his own plate. He offers Tina a sympathetic smile.

"But it does feel nice to have someone familiar here," he says, hoping the words sound as meaningful out loud as they do in his head.

"Well, people already think I'm strange, that's nothing new," he continues, his smile turning wry. "Except now they think I'm an actual demon on top of that, depending on who you talk to."

His expression grows serious, then. "I'm trying to avoid making trouble, I mean it," he says. "This world isn't always friendly to those with magic. Especially those who've fallen through rifts."

She can manage. She's always managed before, after all. Alone or with only her sister-- She'd work it out. Because the truth was she wasn't like Newt-- Not really. She was more used to being alone, without the aid of creatures. She'd done it so long before that it's odd hearing his earnest remark.

Her brow shot up while she tossed him a look. Someone familiar here, she knew she'd always be glad to see Newt again. Though the circumstances are different from what she imagined.

She doesn't respond yet and her answer faltered when he continued, the frown tugging onto her features. Her job was protecting their kind and yet she couldn't and they were surrounded by people who hated them on principle.

"You are strange," She agreed mildly, the only hint of teasing she can give while she considered their options.

"I could already tell," Tina added, glancing at the demiguise, "but then people being afraid of magic isn't unusual." They lived it everyday, after all, even if Newt disregarded it.

Newt blinks at her remark, before realizing that she is, in fact, teasing him slightly. He grins, knowing very well that she also speaks the truth. Newt has been, and likely always will be, a strange creature, especially in comparison to his fellow humans. Here, in Thedas, his oddities are only further highlighted.

"Very," he agrees with a nod of his head. He's never really much concerned himself with how other people think, up until now. Until Tina, really. He flushes a bit, thinking of their last meeting.

"No, it isn't," he agrees. "But the people here especially seem to distrust it." He'll have to wait to tell her about the Circles, he decides. The way magic works here is a lot to take in on its own.

Tina was glad he took it for what it was than shying away. She'd be vexed with herself if she had said something where he'd be too nervous to speak to her-- But then, he was the one who just asked her to live with him. If anyone had that right, it'd be her--

Not that it was something she considered more than, her arms folding protectively against her chest. "Nothing new," She mumbled mildly. Learning American wizarding history taught her enough of that fear and hatred people had, but even more, dealing with Mary Lou Barebones hadn't helped. "And not being able to control it properly would just make them more afraid."

"Yes, quite," Newt nods. "There are a lot of similarities to home, you'll find." He tries to come across as comforting, but he knows only too well that many of those similarities are of the less than ideal circumstances they were facing back home: war, prejudice, fear of magic, etc. He would soften the blow for Tina if he could, but then, he suspects, she would much prefer honest truth.

"It's not easy," he admits. "You won't be allowed to venture to certain places unaccompanied, and there is a curfew for us rifters," he adds.

"I admit, it is...vexing," he says. "But I'm learning to make the best of it. I'm trying to think of it as a new adventure."

She was looking for similarities, desperately even. If there was something similar then there would be something she could find comfort in this place for-- But it seemed that all the similarities were the negative ones. The ones she fought against, it left for little comfort and even less hope.

Her fingers twisted into the familiar chain of her locket, glad at least for its presence. The locket, the wand, her clothes, and the book. The things that screamed most familiar. The demiguise, new but familiar and needing protecting.

And then there was Newt.

She frowned.

"I know something about adventure," Tina answered with something of a huff, hands shifting to the pockets of her skirt. Her brows furrowed as she considered what to add.

"This isn't an adventure," She managed, "it has the workings to try to be, but it's a forced presence. On both sides." They weren't wanted here and they didn't want to be. But instead it was clear that the would be treated just so and she wasn't exactly good at taking to that. How could she be? She protected and to be treated like she'd lash out or some such was laughable.

Never mind that she has before.

The circumstances there were different.

Newt bites back a smile as Tina huffs, unable to help himself. He's reminded of her expression when they first met, back when she was arresting him and taking him into MACUSA for questioning.

"Adventures work in all sorts of ways," he says with a shrug. "You have to take the bad with the good. And there's a lot to see in this place."

He finds that, much to his own surprise, he means it. As strange as it is to admit, the longer Newt remains in Thedas, the more he takes to it. Yes, it's a land backwards in time, as far as he can tell, from the technology (and lack thereof), with its own darkness and wars brewing. There is much to dislike and to fight against. And yet, there's also much to explore and discover; new creatures unlike any they have back home, and new lands similar to their own but different all the same.

"Besides all that, we can always make it one," Newt adds with a soft smile. "You and I rather good at adventures."

And by that, he means 'nearly dying,' which is likely obvious in the way his smile suddenly grows cheeky.

"It'll be okay, Tina," he tells her, growing more serious. "We have each other here, and that's not nothing."

Tina's expression said she didn't agree, but then she rarely ever agreed with such matters. It wasn't a Newt thing, she just had strong ideas on how things should work. She may have been a Thunderbird but her adventurous days had stopped long before they started-- Lost in a time where she forced herself to grow up too fast and into a world of adulthood.

Or maybe her idea of adventure these days was a good mystery.

Not being sent to an alien planet where they're hated on principle and hated more just for being magic.

She's good enough to not say anything about that, but her eyes never leave Newt. A part of her wonders how long he's been here to be able to just say things like that. Like it's becoming normal and an interest-- But then Newt since she met him has had the imagination and curiosity that she could never have. At least, she hadn't had since she was a girl. She doesn't laugh or smile at his attempted joke, only sighs.

If she wanted to say anything then she's unable to-- We have each other here, and that's not nothing.

Her eyes dropped down to her feet as her teeth caught onto her bottom lip.

"I imagined a rather different adventure, you know," She said with a breath, startling herself and shutting her mouth as quickly as she said it. Her hand brushed at some of the dirt smeared into her skirt in lieu of something to do-- Mind racing for an answer that didn't sound so embarrassing.

"We'll just have to manage."

That was hardly better.

"Oh?" Newt chews on his own bottom lip, watching Tina. His stomach flutters; he's suddenly aware of the way Tina's hair frames her face like a portrait, an especially lovely image among this spring weather. He finds himself hoping, though he also knows he has no right to hope for anything, all the same.

"What sort of adventure did you imagine then?" He asks, his voice breathy and bright with curiosity; anticipation. He finds himself wanting to reach out and take her hand.

"We've managed before," he tells her, hoping he sounds assuring. It's not quite the whole truth; again, by 'managed,' he really means 'haven't died.' But still.

She considered Newt from underneath the cloud that was her hair. It's a leading question, she's all too aware. The same as the one she'd given him just a short time ago for her-- One that had given her hope when he'd asked to come back. A hope that was that he was coming back to see her. One that was extinguished when she'd arrived here to what--?

Only see him again sooner than she'd imagined.

Perhaps this place didn't do something wrong there, but it only made her more intimately aware the complexities of his earlier suggestion might have. Living together would be more problematic if she was still hoping. Hoping for something, anything. And she can't help but think in the way he speaks that he feels the same--

She bit down on her lower lip again.

"Well," She answered in a breath, offering him a smile-- One that was as earnest, hopeful, and honest as it had been on the decks some short time ago, "if you can't figure what that particular adventure might be, then perhaps I shouldn't tell you."

Managed. Another breath. "Let's hope we can do more than manage, yeah?"

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Cloudreach 9:44 Rifter Arrival

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