The Days That Bind Us 2: Still Bound

[exequy]

WHO: Mages, anyone else who cares
WHAT: Give us liberty or give us potatoes, or: a most noble strike for a most noble purpose, or: pissy mage babies throw a tantrum
WHEN: 14-19 Cloudreach 9:44
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: This is for consolidating RP regarding the strike. Your character doesn't have to be striking themselves to top-level or tag around, as long as it's tangentially related.

The morning of Cloudreach 14, with minimal fanfare, a significant fraction of the Circle mages working with the Inquisition across Thedas stops showing up for work. On the other hand, a significant fraction doesn't stop. But the not-working fraction is significant enough to cause problems, and for the Inquisition to not delay or prolong the discussions already set to take place at Skyhold with a few representatives of the aggrieved mages and a number of Templar and Chantry representatives.

In the Gallows, most of the mages who are refusing to work relocate—voluntarily, unless being scowled at by Kostos Averesch qualifies as being forced against one's will—to the dusty recruits' quarters in the former Templar tower for an indefinite, politicized slumber party, featuring uncomfortable bunk beds and a lot of unseasoned starches. For a cause.

ooc | Remember that striking characters are generally losing access to confidential information, Inquisition equipment or materials, and any amenities, comforts, or privileges beyond the "plain potatoes for dinner" and "not thrown out into the streets" level.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

He pats the arm around him before yanking the shabby blanket up. When he speaks, his voice is back down to normal volume. Conversational, not teasing. "It's all right, love. There's still an element of the forbidden to this. If they keep the phylacteries, that's a step back down the path to when you wouldn't consider falling asleep with someone because chances are that's the last time you'd see them."

It's not a pleasant thought. Especially considering what some people who had likely once slept in this very room had done to so many mages. Anders curls up a little smaller against Nate.

"You locked the door so the cats are safe?"

[exequy]

Heckling cannot wait until morning. But it can switch to Nevarran, save a common Maker's breath in the middle of the sentence, before Kostos puts his pillow over his own head and shuts up.

[pinprick]

"I locked the door so the cats are safe," Nathaniel assures him. After a moment, Kostos' grumbling finally ceases and he adds in a whisper, "Maybe you should be quieter when we do things in our room."

[justice_is_blond]

He lets the assurance sink in before snorting, but he matches Nate's volume.

"I've been far more quiet lately, and we're doing nothing right now. If he's going to keep complaining when you simply came for companionship, maybe I shouldn't make the effort I have to be quiet. We're not doing anything wrong or anything intrusive." If they were getting up to things in this large room he'd not blame people for being bothered. But he has someone who wants to be with him despite it being uncomfy and cramped and Anders is feeling a little defensive.

[pinprick]

"Then let him complain." Nathaniel cuddles closer. "Though if he keeps it up, I will file a noise complaint of my own. I am going to sleep."

[justice_is_blond]

"Mm." He pulls one of Nate's arms from around him so he can bring his husband's hand to his lips for a kiss before snuggling back in and relaxing. The bed isn't as comfortable as he's gotten used to, but with Nate here he can sleep.

[foundmyselfagain]

Exactly ten minutes (he counts them) after Anders seems to have fallen asleep:

“WAIT, WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME WE COULD FILE NOISE COMPLAINTS?”

[justice_is_blond]

He jerks awake, scrambling for his staff before the source of the yelling (and the words) sink in. Then Anders stops, halfway out of bed, and fixes his eyes on Gareth.

"Love, I'm going to be exceedingly loud once we're all back in our rooms. For several nights in a row, I think. Maybe we can invite Kostos one of the nights. He's an intriguing reputation."

Without breaking eye contact Anders sets his staff back down on the ground and lays back down against Nate, tugging the blanket back up around them.

"Oh, and Gareth? I'm a Grey Warden. You'd have to file a complaint with them. Did you hear who one of the heads of the Grey Wardens is?" Nate's hand gets a pat, and Gareth gets a smug look before Anders deliberately closes his eyes again.

[exequy]

"There is a box," Kostos reminds Gareth, and doesn't touch the rest of it. Anders may have just discovered one of the rare ways to kill his interest in a threesome.

[pinprick]

Without opening his eyes, Nathaniel gives all three of them a loud, threatening growl. Then he tries to go back to sleep. More drastic measures will be used if necessary.

[justice_is_blond]

The warning growl gets another snicker before Anders is reaching back to pat Nate on the ass.

"I love you," he says quietly, "my magnificent grump."