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

Korrin Ataash

[gatheringstorm]

[Courtyard]

Relieved to have made it back in time, Korrin is all about socializing now that she's had hours upon hours of much-needed rest. She'll search about for familiar faces, eager to catch up while spreading around ale or spiced wine. For her part, the Vashoth mage is pacing herself and isn't interested in ingesting enough to be inebriated just yet. There's a celebration to enjoy, after all.

[Bonfire]

Upon hearing about the creation of a bonfire, Korrin's eager to help with its creation. After setting it alight, she'll turn her attention to those gathering and join in on festivities. As it happens, she knows how to dance and isn't shy about nudging friends to join her, because why not? The same thing is liable to happen with sledding, as doing so alone just isn't as much fun. If friendly faces don't get to her about it first, it's a fair bet she'll drag them into it. Unfamiliar faces who also seem interested will be made an offer to join in as she spots them.

Amidst all that, she's keeping an eye out for a certain rifter woman with gorgeous curls and a hearstopping smile. Araceli has been in her thoughts ever since leaving Skyhold, so it's no surprise that she'll be seeking her out. Though given Korrin's height and horns, it's more likely she'll be spotted first. Still, that doesn't stop her from trying.

[Wildcard]

Place her anywhere!

[wontforgetyou]

"Sledding? Whatever do you want to go sledding for?"

Alright, so there's snow, and plenty of it, to be sure, but Jamie's not at all sure that going sliding through it is something that he particularly he wants to be doing. But then again, it's not as though he hasn't been talked into doing so plenty of times before. It seems no matter how often he decides he doesn't want to do something, he winds up getting dragged into it one way or another - and even though the people who normally do that sort of thing aren't here, he has a sneaky suspicion that part of things aren't going to change.

Still, he decides he's going to have a go at talking his way out of it. After all, what's the fun of giving in if he doesn't at least get to make a couple of token protests first?

"Look, aren't you sure you'd rather stay here and have some spiced wine or something? One of the cooks came up with a batch of the stuff that's actually quite good."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin slips her arms around Jamie's shoulders, gently steering him in the direction of those already sledding. Token protests are fine, but her smile says that Jamie's wasting time they could be using to sled down the hill instead. Everyone else is doing it, why not them?

"I love spiced wine, and I'll love it even more after a doubt of sledding. You will, too. Besides, see that enormous shield still ripe for the borrowing? If we claim it fast, that ought to be enough room for the two of us."

[wontforgetyou]

"Aye, but-"

There could be a lot of reasons to not join in, like the shield shooting out from underneath them and turning both of them into giant snowballs as the tumble down the side of the mountain. Or other ones he could probably think of if given half a chance.

It doesn't seem he's going to get that choice, though, as Korrin inexorably steers him towards that oversized shield. Somehow he's getting the feeling he's not going to get out of this one, and he lets out a heavy, resigned sigh.

"Alright, then. I'll go down with you, but I'm not responsible for what happens if we fall off that thing."

[gatheringstorm]

"You can be, if you'd like. You can steer and I can see about protecting us with a Barrier spell. Or I can steer, but then I won't be able to renew it should we need it."

An encouraging thought, she's aware, but Korrin's always looking to find practical applications for magic outside battle. If Adelaide can use it for something as frivolous as ice sculptures, why can't she do the same in order to make sledding a little more fun?

[wontforgetyou]

A barrier spell had been just about the furthest thing from Jamie's mind. The notion of using magic for something as mundane as sliding down at hill honestly hadn't occurred to him. He'd been thinking that they'd just have a go at it the old fashioned way and if they did tumble off the shield, they'd do so in a way that wouldn't have his kilt wind up being a problem. Korrin's suggestion is unexpected, and there's a flicker of surprise on his face before he starts to mull over the options. After a moment (and just as he reaches the shield and plants a foot on it to claim it for them), he looks back over at her, quizzical expression on his face.

"Well... that might work. Wouldn't it be cheating, though?"

[gatheringstorm]

"Why? It doesn't make us go faster or change the sledding itself in any way. It just saves our asses in case we have a hard landing. I don't know about you, but I'll stick to earning my scars in battle." Granted, she can take a lot of punishment, but she's more thinking about slightly more delicate humans riding with her.

[ungovernable]

Benevenuta's is not the smile that Korrin is looking for - but to pass a little time, it is freely offered by the side of the bonfire, the diminutive Northern mage that it's attached to looking far more relaxed and at ease than she is usually seen as Councilor Thevenet. Playful, though there is always a hint of that in her manner.

"Korrin," she says, holding her hands out from the dancing. "You are back, I did not know!"

[gatheringstorm]

Benevenuta's smile is definitely welcome, and Korrin steps in closer with a warm smile in turn. "I'm not surprised. Most of what I did before now has been sleep, sleep and more sleep. But now I'm wide awake and eager to join in the festivities. Might I have a dance, milady?"

[ungovernable]

"As many as you like," she laughs, delighted. They have not spent enough time together, she thinks - Korrin is interesting and charming and intelligent, a colleague, someone outside of her usual realm. She will have to correct this, and

what better way than with a dance?

"Come, before the musicians tire--"

[gatheringstorm]

"That's a dangerous thing to say when I have enough energy to keep dancing all night." Such a fate would be just fine with Korrin, who knows Benevenuta mostly via the Council and what transpires during such meetings. Here, among a more social setting with less pressure that talk of politics brings, is the perfect chance to learn more about the likewise charming and intelligent Neverran woman. She nods, leading the way as people tend to automatically give room to the larger woman, often without thinking. When sufficiently close to the music without obstructing anyone's path, Korrin smiles and steps in to place her hand at her partner's waist, offering her other to take.

[ungovernable]

"I have no urgent business elsewhere," Benevenuta says, airily, sliding her hand into Korrin's - few of the dances happening this evening are the sort with which she is best acquainted, but blind enthusiasm and a willingness to be led around by someone with biceps the size of her head have served her very well thus far. She might even remember the steps to some of the things she's picked up, come the morning--

Probably not all of them, but some. The wine does flow freely.

[gatheringstorm]

Fortunately for Korrin and her partner, she's familiar with plenty of the dances she's seen so far. This one is no different and she'll gladly lead Benevenuta through it, guiding her steps and turning when need be. Her touch is more gentle than one might think for someone of her size and presumed strength, used to working with smaller and more delicate partners.

"Good. I wouldn't mind the chance to show you that there is more to me than what is presented at Council meetings. Especially since I know that side can be trying, at times." Korrin isn't exactly sorry about her vigorous defense of mage freedom, but she knows her temper can get her carried away. At least she's usually willing to buy drinks afterward, as a way of making up for it.

[foxsays]

When she heard that everyone was coming back, she'd been dying to find Korrin only to get sidetracked along the way thanks to having to listen to songs and stories, or playing with children. It's a trifle difficult to squirm through everyone when she spots Korrin - it's easy enough to spot her, not quite so easy to convince people to move out of her way or to not stand on her feet or almost elbow her in the mouth.

"Korrin!" A captain has to have a voice that can be heard over the roughest seas and wildest storms, and as a captain's daughter she was taught just such a skill. "Korrin-- sir, if you could just move-" Another shove and she's free enough to actually run, a bright smile on her face, weapons and jewellery jingling.

Korrin had better be ready to catch her or they're about to go sprawling rather unceremoniously.

[gatheringstorm]

"Araceli?" Korrin perks up the moment she hears Araceli's voice, turning toward it but not able to spot her immediately thanks to people in the way. But thankfully, Araceli breaks free before the Vashoth woman loses patience. Her own shoves are likely to be a lot less gentle, after all.

A wide grin forms as she has a clear path to Araceli at last, and Korrin meets her halfway. She indeed is ready to catch her and upon doing so can't help but pick her up and spin her around. The tiny human weighs nothing to her, and she's been aching to do that all day.

[foxsays]

Slinging her arms about Korrin's neck for support, she laughs for what feels like the first time in weeks, something tight and awful in her chest easing. It's not that she doesn't have friends in Skyhold or that she's lost for companionship but Korrin's message came at such a terrible time, when Skyhold was reeling from the attack by the abomination, when missing home really kicked in so it's been rough. Sighing happily, she presses her face to Korrin's neck for a moment before pulling back to cup her face and kiss her, only for a moment because she's smiling too much.

"You sly lady, sneaking back to Skyhold without a warning, a terrible thing when I've had no time to prepare. Oh but I've missed you."

[gatheringstorm]

Grinning as she sets Araceli down, her arms slipping around the small woman with the smile that she adores so much. Araceli's not the only one feeling better for the first time in weeks, as that tension and pain slide away for now. She'll have to deal with it later, no doubt, but being near Araceli again and not just hearing her over the crystal will help by an infinite amount. Hopefully she can return the favor and somewhat make up for not being there during the abomination attack.

"I've missed you, too. Your lips...." Korrin can't help but dip in for another kiss, because she can. "...curls, smile, stories...and yes, your cooking. Rations just don't compare. I've missed it all. And...I have something for you, though it does mean I have to move away. Give me a moment to savor this, first?"

[foxsays]

Somewhere in one of her many inside pockets, there's a small gift hidden away for Korrin because when the kitchen staff are this busy, there's no point in trying to cook. Once they're all happy to plate up leftovers and make great heaving pots of soups and stews she'll sneak back in, as well as figuring out what Korrin's favourite things are, even if that might involve staking out all of her friends. Including the smaller grumpy teenage boy shaped one.

"It was so cold in my bed here, lying awake and wondering what your were up to, I couldn't see the snow without thinking about your beautiful hair," because she is determind she will see it unbound at some point. It takes standing on tippytoes to do it but she traces fingertips around the base of Korrin's horns as she returns the kiss, sighing happily. "As many moments as you like, a year is to be started the way it is meant to be continued, no? We already have lost time to make up for sirena."

[gatheringstorm]

Araceli on the tips of her toes is an adorable, heartwarming sight and Korrin allows her to touch all she likes. She'd probably even let her unbind that currently twisted back hair, though the outdoors would soon make a mess of it as she lacks that hair oil. "That we do, and I intend to make the most of it. You need not endure a cold bed again, not while I'm here. And perhaps next time, I can persuade you to join me."

Not that she can fault Araceli for wanting to avoid more snow and ice, but the thought of traveling together does have its appeal. Later, though. Right now, it's more important to live in the moment. Giving into impulse, Korrin spins her around and dips her gently, sneaking in another kiss.

[arlathvhen]

It's been a while since Beleth has seen Korrin, so when the qunari approaches her, Beleth gives her a warm smile, moving around other people to come greet her, reaching out to clasp her arm.

"Korrin! Andaran atish’an, it's good to see you well. How was your mission?" She tried to remember where it was that Korrin had been placed--Emprise du Lion, she was pretty sure. All that she'd heard from there had not been particularly pleasant (not that the other option was much better).

[gatheringstorm]

Searching around for familiar faces, Korrin perks up as that familiar face is a very welcome one, of course. Korrin flashes a broad smile, clasping her hand firmly in turn. (Though gentle, to her; she has no desire to crush the more delicate races.)

"Shanedan, Beleth. It's good to see you, too, after all this time." It's been...weeks? Something like that. Much of the past month has blurred together, giving her a skewed perspective of time. "The mission was awful, but we made a good case for the Inquisition heading out there en masse. I wouldn't be surprised if that announcement comes any day not. The area's a damned mess, and we can't begin to fix it soon enough."

[arlathvhen]

"You found an awful place that is a damned mess, and your first thought was to make the rest of us go there, too? Korrin, did you learn nothing from the Fallow Mire? Next time, you should consider scouting out a meadow of flowers, maybe a farm with puppies and kittens, and send the Inquisition there." Her words, however, had a teasing tone to them, and she was smiling. Emprise du Lion, huh? Well, she'd make sure to bring an extra scarf with her.

But Korrin's arrival prompted a memory from Beleth, and she reached her hand out. It would be better to speak to her privately. Or as privately as they could get, in the middle of a party. "Well, we're all here for now, and we should celebrate! Would you like to dance with me?"

[gatheringstorm]

"Hey, if I have to suffer, so does everyone else. Misery loves company." Korrin grins, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. She can't quite bring herself to joke about Emprise du Lion, not while knowing what's there. Beleth's presence will be genuinely needed, and appreciated.

The offer of a dance is a pleasant surprise and Korrin takes the hand with a smile, that tension leaving her for now. "I would love to dance with you, of course. And I hope you don't mind my asking for news on what I've missed." Not necessarily the abomination; she knows about that, but other things."

[arlathvhen]

Beleth recalls Korrin's message to Skyhold regarding Emprise du Lion--It was a less than stellar evaluation. And being there must have been something entirely different. So Beleth stays her jokes, and turns to the next subject, as she leads Korrin to the other dancers. It'd be useless to try a Dalish dance here, but a lot of the country dancing is simple enough to pick up, and Beleth has already given it a try a couple of times before--enough not to embarrass herself, at least.

Though her previous partners had been...shorter.

"Well, the most interesting news--" She glanced around, but the people around them were busy in their own dances. "--You didn't hear this from me, mind, but you remember how we talked about if the templars were going to have a meeting, someone would need to eavesdrop on them? Well, guess who just recently had a very secret meeting, no one but templars allowed?"

Pause. "It wasn't the Dalish, if it helps."

[gatheringstorm]

Simple is the way to go when there's a significant size gap to deal with, and Korrin's used to that anyway. Only a handful of certain -horned- people are taller than her, so she adapts. She manages well enough, used to the steps so that Beleth doesn't have to endure any trod feet.

That particular news has Korrin raising her eyebrows; so the Templars finally got off their asses and organized. She'd bet anything it has to do with that new Knight-Commander. A slow grin forms as that idle discussion from earlier has apparently borne fruit. "No, never. And what happened during this very secret meeting? Aside from Nerva complaining about the mages, that's a given."