OPEN: this will be a better year

[faderifting]

WHO: Everyone
WHAT: First Day
WHEN: Wintermarch 1 (forward-dated)
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Scouts from both the Western Approach and Emprise du Lion are welcome (but not required) to have returned to Skyhold in time for this event.

There have been better First Day feasts, and less crowded ones, and cheerier ones. It isn't a good year for many to look back on, and this one isn't starting any better. Reports from both Eastern and Western Orlais are grim. Many in the Inquisition can't afford to take more than a few hours away from their work, if that.

But for those who can, the ambassador does her best. At lunchtime some tables, hot food, and finery are reserved for visiting nobility and wealthy pilgrims--cause for grumbling in some quarters, perhaps, but they're the people filling the Inquisition's coffers, and allowances must be made--but there's plenty of stew, bread, and ale for everyone, even with the soldiers and refugees who stay outside the fortress invited inside for the holiday. The recently repaired garden and its carefully tended plants aren't off limits, but anyone noisy and holding a drink will be stopped at the door; the battlements, with their potential for deadly falls, are blocked by Inquisition guards. But the courtyards brim with people, most of them happy despite the possibility that the world might end before another First Day arrives.

If the courtyards are too full of tipsy visitors for comfort, there's also the valley beyond the fortress, expansive, barren, and covered in snow. By the river the soldiers help the refugees make a bonfire larger than would ever be allowed inside Skyhold's walls, and some lend their shields to use as sleds down the embankments. A group of scouts start the most intense game of hide and seek Thedas has ever seen, with snowballs to the face for whoever is found first. In the camp, a refugee girl with her hand wrapped in a green scarf chases other children around the tents, shouting raaar, I'm from the rifts!

Comments

[el_tybs]

It would make sense that he hadn't heard of it before now if it was particular to the Dalish. "So the magic differs from clan to clan?"

[arlathvhen]

"Well," Beleth appreciated Korrin being careful with the dancing, doing her best to stay along with her. "A lot of it wasn't too important. Knight-Captain Alayre is the official spokesperson for the Order, voted anonymously. Warden Alistair was there--I'm not sure why. Maybe since there are Wardens among the Mage Council, they wanted someone for the Templars? He was a good voice of reason, though. Said a lot of things I think most anyone could agree with." It was good to know that even if Alistair didn't serve the Order in an official capacity, there was someone there saying something intelligent.

"The new Knight-Commander, Norrington. He's got a pretty good head on his shoulders, too. He seemed downright reasonable. I think the biggest things of note were that..." She frowned a little, glancing off to the side. "They don't like the new version of Harrowings. They're going to ask for Templars to be present, at least. And they want the mage council to be punished if another abomination happens. Some suggested that they be dissolved, but it was pointed out that it would be impossible for the Inquisition to do that. But they feel like another incident would be the fault of the mage council for not taking enough measure to avoid it."

That was, at least, as much as Korrin would probably be worried about. And that wouldn't get revealed before too long.

"I'm only telling a few people what I heard. The bulk of the decisions, they'll probably announce soon enough. But I think that a few people should know what's going on behind the scenes. You can use it as leverage, if you want." Not that Korrin seemed interested in the politics of the Inquisition, but a few extra secrets never hurt.

[arlathvhen]

"Uccicervi?" She'd never heard that word before. It sounded...kind of odd. But she rolled with it, especially when she was getting more praise and kisses. Those were pretty nice. Maybe...she shouldn't tell him that she'd gotten caught. That might get a scolding.

"It was pretty interesting--They squabble as much as the mage council does. They are not from as radically different backgrounds, there aren't really any Templars raised by Dalish or escaped from the Qun, you know? But they do have different beliefs on how the Order should be reformed, and they are all very...adamant. That their beliefs are the right ones. So they are more similar, but more stubborn." Which summed up the Order pretty well, she thought.

Another pause, and she smiled. "Alistair was there! He said a lot of good things. They accused him of thinking like a Warden, not a Templar, which...Isn't really a surprise? I hope they let him stay for future meetings, though. They need more people who don't think like Templars."

[el_tybs]

The fact that they all had gotten rather serious all of a sudden was worrying enough, but the fact that they had to drag him to a more secluded spot?

They did everything they could.

"James what happened at Ostwick?"

[salvatore_underfoot]

It's his turn to look worried. "I think you may win this round. Are you alright?"

[arcaneadvisor]

"Such as if or when the lyrium supply is interrupted." There are enough Templars here to require a great deal of it and though the dwarves will likely be more concerned with profit, this might be as much of a surface problem as the Blight was ten years ago.

Rifts are less likely to open up beneath the stone though should they, and so close to the Deep Roads then perhaps the dwarves will face the choice of coming to the surface or risk dying out at last. At least they have a great deal to offer in trade and in lyrium - there will always be aid from somewhere.

"There are things children should not have to witness, their horrors should be simple things easily fought by looking under a bed." Even if Morrigan's stories for Kieran might be rather different to the norm and darker than some parents, they're what Kieran asks for and not awful tales filled with expectation for her to commit the same acts.

"Were you his teacher then in the Circle? I know more of what happens when they are taken or once they age but less of how you actually raise what is often still a very young child in such a place."

[el_tybs]

"And Sina hasn't come after you for doing that?" he asks with his own chuckle. He's teasing of course, but the other Dalish elf was rather protective of the garden to say the least.

[salvatore_underfoot]

"Is it? I'm not familiar with mercenary work." Mirroring Sideswipe's pose, Salvatore forgets about his food entirely in favor of the company. "Have you worked elsewhere?"

[el_tybs]

"People as in people of Skyhold?" Did they really have nothing else to worry about? Sam gives a frustrated sigh then, looking back at the fire then at Sal. "Would the whole age and statues stuff be different if you weren't a mage?" He hates to ask that, it's obvious it how his lips thin out a bit when he says it, but it's important to know. Would any of this have come up if Sal wasn't a mage or if Alayre had not been a Templar or at least not one in his position?

[salvatore_underfoot]

"That is a lovely name. It suits you." He raises an eyebrow at the snowball deflection, and then claps. "And such quick reflexes. I am impressed."

He hunkers down, hoping to put as much of his red self out of sight as possible. "We collected a wealth of information. Maker willing, my time spent drying out in the wasteland will not have been for naught. Though there was an oasis that was quite lovely, if you could forget all the deadly things surrounding you."

[salvatore_underfoot]

He draws a breath, ready to answer, but reconsiders a moment. Alayre seemed to think their being Templar and mage played some role in it, though he couldn’t recall Adelaide mentioning it during their talk. They must have had a different kind of talk.

He shakes his head. “I don’t know, Sam. I think if I were a Templar of the same age and no rank, it would matter just as much.” Though he doesn’t know if she would have bothered to say anything. “She was worried about coercion and power dynamics and appearances… And when I brought it up with Alayre, he … He agreed.”

[serannas]

"Sina has the talent of a First," Ellana explains patiently. "She can make plants grow. Pel can too. All Keeper's apprentices can. And so I know I'm not depriving the garden of anything that she can't easily regrow. I don't leave the Commander flowers every few days, either. Just when I think of it."

It's a simply gesture, meant to be calming. The scent of flowers amidst all the parchment and ink is a change, but something only faintly noticeable.

[salvatore_underfoot]

Oh. Shit. That's a face he doesn't want. "Bad subject? Sorry. You did mention it first, but I will not mention it again. Fair?"

[el_tybs]

"Well the Inquisition still has some blue vitriol left over so it shouldn't be too much of an issue if some does end up getting botched." He'd rather it didn't happen, but to know there was backups just in case.

At the mention that it's for him, Sam raises a brow at Maxwell then looks back at the sketch, moving his finger when the page is turned for him to see the other part. At hearing that one was getting made for Gavin he smiles. "Why aren't they both lockets if I might ask?"

[gatheringstorm]

"Ugh, I hate politics...but thank you for telling me, I'd rather know the truth, whatever it is." Korrin frowns, eyes narrowing though not at Beleth. "So, the Templars can commit atrocity after atrocity and they are allowed to continue existing, yet one more abomination -which we are already trying to prevent- and that's it for us? This is why I can't trust any Templar, no matter how reasonable they seem. They never stop treating us as inferiors, and it shows now more than ever. Norrington and Alayre are no better, if they allow it to happen."

She sighs, trying to continue the dance and not raise her voice while ranting. "Adelaide should be made aware of this. If you haven't told her, I can do it. I'd rather not have her be unprepared when the Templars try to steamroll us with their demands."

[gatheringstorm]

If it helps, Korrin seems used to having partners shorter than her and compensates accordingly, making certain not to outpace him as she also does when they walk. "So will you do me the favor of catching me up on what I've missed? I know it's been a busy month."

[the_effect_she_has]

She waved her hand, giving him a small smile. "I'm all right, Salvatore, I promise. And whatever I'm not fine about -- I'll work out on my own."

Eventually. When she made herself face it.

[el_tybs]

Sam gives a huff at that. "Even if she did it's only a stuffed animal. Not to mention Krem gave it to me." Well Krem hadn't given him that one specifically. The Charger had told him to pick one out, but that had been the one that was shoved into his face and lap. There was history.

"Perhaps next First Day." Not that he really wants this war to last that long, but he was more looking at the idea that they'd all be around in a year.

[el_tybs]

She? The fact that Sal isn't mentioning who it is by name probably means he doesn't want to disclose that information, so he decides to not press that. From what he could tell though it sounded like a noble if appearances was a big deal, and a mage for the issue of power dynamics.

And he thought he felt down. He wasn't spending tonight with Krem, but he could spend any day with him when he got back. Sal though... "And what do you think about it? Forget whatever she had said. Do you actually want to break it off?"

[judgemewhole]

He paused, then sighed, waving his hand. "It is ... a tense subject. I have not caught her. Yet."

[el_tybs]

"They can make plants grow?" Sam asks in mild bewilderment. He has to stop and think about that for a moment considering he had seen Sina use her magic a bit earlier. It hadn't occurred to him that, that was what she was doing with the roots; he had thought she was simply moving them. That certainly was different kind of magic.

"Well I'm sure the Commander enjoys them. All the soldiers must be jealous he's getting flowers from a cute girl."

[judgemewhole]

"She does." James looked at the other man, arching an eyebrow, "Although I doubt she goes by it, unless she is a fool."

[fleurdesel]

"Then this is a service done well." Adelaide does not know what to make of the bow, what to make of the reverence nor the twist of emotion in the woman's throat. To miss home keenly, she supposes, is reason enough- but it is no grand thing she has done. It is a sculptural work, nothing more. But perhaps it means more than she can possibly understand. "Enjoy it."

And enjoy it she seems to well enough, climbing immediately with all the skill of a great sailor- which should not come as so terrible a surprise.

[fleurdesel]

"We are raised communally, more or less. Some children require more attention than others- to be honest I was not often given charge of students quite so young." A beat passes as her lips twist into a wry smile. "I did not have the appropriate temperament for minding children. When they came to be thirteen or fourteen, depending upon their level of skill, then they came into my care."

And yet in time since the Spire fell, she's come to care for them as though they were her own blood, as though she'd been marked as their protector from the start. These apprentices are hers and she guards them fiercely. "Their usual minders did not make it in the chaos. I have done the best I can. I think it may be enough."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin smiles at that, having similar thoughts. "War or no war, I'd like that. But I'm more for focusing on this night than that one. Ready to go have a look?" She indicates the direction of the ice fortresses, not about to let this devolve into any gloom about what lies ahead for the future.