we could be immortals

[paperwing]

WHO: GREY WARDENS!! Alistair, Kaidan, Rafael, Sabriel, Sigrun, and Scipio. Maybe others non-Wardens later?
WHAT: Warden things. Very secret. The Skyhold Wardens discuss important things like the fact they're not dying and they should probably get about to killing this Corypheus and saving their kin quickly. Annnnnd then they get drunk. As you do.
WHEN: Haring 18, early hours of 19.
WHERE: Skyhold, kitchens. There's food, there's Joining stories, there's ale, and beautiful and attractive Wardens to boot. What more could you possibly need?
NOTES: There are two parts to this post, one to discuss the Calling/Corypheus, and the other for them to celebrate the fact they're not dying (right now). There's also an open thread for anyone who wants to crash their party when they get particularly loud/annoying/entertaining! COME BOTHER US.

1. WE'RE NOT DYING AND THERE'S A DARKSPAWN MAGISTER WE NEED TO KILL. WARDENS ONLY.

2. WE'RE NOT DYING PARTY. WARDENS ONLY.

Plates are piled high, drink is forthcoming, and the fires are low, but despite the crisp winter night outside the kitchens are rather cosy. The cook has long since left the Wardens to their own devices and for the time being, they are alone with the company of their own, and the rather wonderous knowledge that none of them are prematurely hearing the Calling. Corypheus will be defeated another day. For now, it is a time to celebrate, pass the cheese, steal food off each others plates, and tell stories in the dim light.

3. IT'S 2AM AND YOU'RE MAKING A RACKET. EVERYBODY.

It was a dark night and Skyhold was peaceful and there was not a peep. Except not really, because it's the small hours of the night, and maybe someone left a door open somewhere, but that noise is incredible and the perpetrators only seem capable of increasing in volume. And seriously, all you wanted to do was sleep. Or maybe you're already awake and wondering why the fun is not at the tavern tonight but in the kitchens and the party doesn't start until you walk in. Do you investigate the noise? Do you join in the merrymaking or do you tell everyone to shut up and trudge back to your bedroll to no avail?

4. WHATEVER.

Comments

[byblow]

Alistair has a cup (of water! only water) raised to his mouth, and for a moment he freezes, as if despite dragging everyone here he hadn't been expecting to be asked to talk. Which is in fact the case. "Warden Kaidan can--" he says, the beginning of an attempt to hand the explanation off to him, instead, but he stops short. Bad habit. He can do a little better than passing responsibility off to his superior at the very first opportunity.

He puts the cup down and glances at the cook. She's preoccupied, but he still lowers his voice.

"We--the Grey Wardens--had Corypheus imprisoned for a long time. Since right after the First Blight, wasn't it?" To Kaidan, for confirmation. "And a few years ago we, uh. Lost him." That's another story. Probably one they should discuss with a dwarf and/or Seeker at some point. "Kaidan has been digging around to find out what happened and why he was there in the first place. They had to imprison him because we could never manage to kill him. He can control us. Us and the darkspawn."

There's good news, too, but before they can get to it--there's this. Very bad news. He smiles, a grim but valiant effort.

"Your first few years in the Order might wind up just as exciting as mine."

[foodsofmypeople]

Kaidan had been sitting back, a cup of ale in his hand - unlike some, he could handle his drink. He'd been waiting for Alistair to pass off the responsibility for the news onto him - not only had he brought it, but it fit with all he knew about Alistair, and was quietly surprised when he took the lead on this.

It seemed like the baby Warden was growing up.

"It was, yes," Kaidan agreed. "At least, that's what all the records say." As for losing Corypheus, well, the less said the better. "It would seem that he is like the Archdemon - unkilling except under specific circumstances - and not simply by having a Grey Warden present at his death." It was frustrating, and he hoped that they would eventually find what could kill Corypheus once and for all. But in the meantime, the ability to control Wardens was something that could explain the Calling they were hearing easily.