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

[samahl]

Cyril wants to suggest that Sam warm him up, but he doesn't cross that line anymore. Instead he just chuckles very softly. He moves closer to Sam, but not to flirt with him so much as to check on the source of the noise.

"I could always find some of my old favorites, rather than pulling up a list of new ones," he replies, his voice still very low. Their proximity makes it easier to hear him though.

[el_tybs]

"Well nothing wrong with old favorites to bring in the new, right?" he asks in an equally low voice though half paying attention as he leans down a bit more to get a better look while still using the cover.

Doesn't seem like they're coming over just yet, but certainly going over the area.

[samahl]

Cyril ends up putting his hand on Sam's back to brace himself as he looks around the human without poking his head out too far to be seen. He grows quiet as they wait to see if they are discovered.

[el_tybs]

There's a small thoughtful hum from Sam at the touch on his back. After watching a bit more in silence, he eventually sits back up. "Well looks like they found some others before us. Even if they find us we won't be 'it'."

[samahl]

"Phew," Cyril said. He didn't pull away from Sam just yet. "Here I was thinking I'd have to run."

[el_tybs]

"What, we get to do that?" He grins a bit at that, looking over his shoulder at a noise before turning back to Cyril. "Could try sneaking off before they look over here."

[samahl]

Cyril pats Sam's back lightly and lets his hand linger a bit before pulling back.

"Sounds good. Let's try to find some more cover." Then he crouches and starts to slowly sneak away to find a place that's easier to hide in.

[el_tybs]

"Or could just cover ourselves with snow. I'm sure you'd blend in decently," he teases.

Getting up onto his own feet, Sam follows behind, going a bit slower so not to grab too much attention.

[samahl]

Cyril moves his hand across some snowing rocks so that snow falls and lands on Sam's arm by way of a comeback for that comment about his paleness, but it's more a light teasing than anything. He also keeps moving without giving Sam time to respond.

He finds a little alcove not far from where Sam was hiding. It's small, but big enough for both him and Sam to fit in if they don't mind cuddling a bit. More importantly, it's hidden.

"Think you can get into there and get out again safely?" he asks, after all, Sam has to go in first and he'll climb in after him.

[el_tybs]

Honestly the tease had been more about his hair, but if brought up he'd probably have to agree that Cyril was rather pale. He supposes the snow was well deserved, but he still gives a small huff at the snow that falls on him.

He couldn't say he was thrilled by the looks of the alcove, but it was decently hidden, at least enough so that it would take some time to be found.

"I don't think it's particularly dangerous... it'll be a bit tight, but I should be able to fit." Worse came to worse he could always just Fade Step out or even blast a bit of it open, which he'd prefer not to do.

It takes some adjusting, but eventually Sam finds a comfortable enough position to get into.

[samahl]

Once Sam is successfully inside, Cyril slips in after him. It's much easier for him because his smaller and because he's used to being outside and needed to get around different forms of terrain quickly.

The only issue is that he's basically on Sam's lap for a moment. He grins a bit at the mage, enjoying the position a little too much, before he pulls himself off of him and settles next to him. Their arms are touching and they are very close, but at least he's not straddling him anymore.

[el_tybs]

He's a bit busy getting comfortable and making room that Sam doesn't quite notice what Cyril is doing until he has a lap full of Elf. The blush coming to his face is immediate, and when Cyril grins at him he has to look away and give a bit of a cough. Damn him and his teasing.

Once Cyril is off and just pressing against his side, Sam seems to settle down. Though it's a bit tight he isn't at all uncomfortable, certainly fine with this kind of contact. "Think they're still looking for us?"

[samahl]

"They might be," Cyril said thoughtfully. "They want to win the game, don't they?" Cyril didn't seem particularly interested any more. Not when Sam was right there next to him like this.

[el_tybs]

Sam hums thoughtfully at that, considering how long it might take for them to find them here, or if at some point they would give up. Guess they would find out.

"Did you know this was already here, or you just found it?" He kind of wants to stretch his legs out, but that might make it easier for them to get found.

[samahl]

Cyril chuckles a bit. "I had a feeling. I've been scouting around looking for weakpoints that might be exploited."

[el_tybs]

"So does that mean you're the only one that knows about this one still?" he asks with a raised brow. "Seems you've been rather busy. Scouting... massages." That has Sam grinning, giving Cyril a bit of a nudge.

[samahl]

Cyril chuckles a bit. "I'm still willing to give you one, especially if you need it after we squeeze out of here."

[el_tybs]

Sam hums thoughtfully at that. "I did say sometime after getting back from Emprise would be good. That might be a bad idea."

[samahl]

"Is that a yes or a no?" Cyril asked, brow raising a bit.

Might NOT be a bad idea. *dies* Sorry

[el_tybs]

"Hm? Oh, ah, yes?" Sam chuckles lightly, rubbing the back of his head. "I would like to try it out."

<3

[samahl]

"Wonderful. Maybe when we get back to Skyhold?"

[el_tybs]

"I suppose sooner than later would be better. Where do you usually work on people?"

[samahl]

"Wherever they're comfortable, honestly. We can do it in my room if you like?" He wouldn't normally invite people there. It was Merrick's room too after all.

[el_tybs]

"Well as long as I don't have to lay on the ground I can probably make myself comfortable anywhere. So up to you really." Now that he thought about it he didn't know where Cyril had a room.

[samahl]

"Where do you sleep?" Cyril asked, because he realized he also wasn't sure where Sam stayed. It was probably a good sign that he hadn't figured that out.