WHO: Adrasteia, Erik, others WHAT: a catch-all with starters in the comments; will match format WHEN: early Bloomingtide WHERE: The Gallows, Kirkwall NOTES: Erik comes with a built-in language warning
The glass gets swept up, and placed in a bowl of other glass shards elsewhere on the table; Adrasteia hasn't figured out what to do about them all just yet, but not gathering them up seems wasteful at the very least.
"Oh no it's fine. I'm trying to get better at my skills as a healer, and part of that can be making potions like this one. When it turns completely red —" and Glimmer can probably see streaks of red slowly appearing as she stirs — "and very liquid, it's ready! It'll be a healing potion when it's done, nothing too intense but helpful in the field in a pinch." She starts busying herself with getting a funnel and a new glass flask together. "Do you mind if you keep stirring while I get another flask ready?"
Glimmer looks down at the stuff in the bowl and lets out a faint 'oh' as she watches the streaks of red begin to appear.
"Oh, it's magic? Helps heal wounds?" She asks, nods. "And yeah, I'll keep stirring! I'm glad to be helpful. I hate just sitting around, waiting for stuff to do. So, uh, if you want more help in here I'm always happy to come lend a hand." She glances down at the potion as more red begins to make itself apparent.
"Oh! Right, uh. I'm Glimmer. Queen Glimmer of Bright Moon. Not that it really matters here because I'm a Rifter or whatever."
"It is!" Adrasteia smiles at her as Glimmer stirs before double-checking the instructions in one of the open books she has to stand on the stepstool to read. Yes, 'counter-clockwise until the formula breaks and becomes a red liquid, should appear in streaks at first' means all is going well. "They don't have fancy names, the healing potions, they just are."
Wait. Did she just say 'Queen Glimmer'? Adrasteia blinks her surprise and tries to think of something to say to that. "I hope the adjustment hasn't been too hard on you. To a new world, and one so far from your kingdom." Yes, that's an appropriate response, isn't it? She certainly hopes so. "Do they have magic and potions in Bright Moon?"
"I mean... I was on a different world than mine before I got here," Glimmer says with a weak smile. "I've kind of gotten used to being away from home. It's still not exactly easy." Her stirring continues and she lets out a faint gasp.
"Oh, there it goes--" The red has taken over more and more of the mixture which is also growing more and more liquid as well.
"That's amazing! And yeah, we have potions and magic where I come from as well. I had a connection with the magic there that's... not as good now that I'm here? It's weird."
"Oh, Maker. I didn't know that some of you were traveling between worlds before you got here." That sounds terrible, honestly. She considers telling Glimmer about Wysteria's theory, that all Rifters are just manifestations of their dreaming selves otherwise connected to the Fade, and thinks better of it.
That's not exactly... comforting or helpful. Who knows how long the dream will take to complete?
"Great job! Keep it up, it's almost done. I can't imagine being in a different world, much less more than one, or losing my connection to magic." There's always the threat of becoming Tranquil, but seeing as how Adrasteia avoided entering a Chantry Circle that's never been a risk she's specifically run into. "The very idea is heartbreaking."
"Yeah. In more than one way. Ugh." There's a long story in that exasperated tone. Glimmer continues to stir, and quickly shifts moods as the mixture turns more liquid and finally completes it's change into a lovely shade of red.
"It's still not quite the same here," Glimmer says thoughtfully. "At home I was... I could feel it in the air."
"How does it feel here, by comparison?" Does Glimmer have a connection to the Fade, like most mages, or is it something entirely different from Adrasteia's experience?
The elf sets up the glass container and its funnel on the table and gestures Glimmer over. "It should be easy enough to transfer this. Pour it slowly, but that's mostly so we don't spill any. Next, we can see about making a slightly more complex one if you're interested."
"...Different? Like it's still there, but..." Glimmer struggles to find a word to describe the way it feels to her. It's like trying to describe color to someone who's never seen it, she finds.
"You know how you can just feel when it's going to rain? That's how magic is at home. Here it's more like... I dunno, a slightly humid day?" She picks up the bowl and carefully begins to pour the concoction through the funnel as she speaks.
Adrasteia nods along. Once the liquid has filled the vial, she stops it with a cork and holds it up to the light. "Very impressive! This is the best one that's turned out so far today, and it's all thanks to your help." She smiles at the younger girl. "Be proud of yourself; alchemy is tricky work, and even those with a solid connection to their magic and the Fade struggle with it." A gesture at herself. Case in point.
"Do you know which division you plan on joining, here in Riftwatch?"
"Really, all I did was stir like you told me," Glimmer insists with an embarrassed sense of modesty. The next question is one that she's been having to think about a lot and her brow furrows.
"That may be true, but you've still been invaluably helpful to me. I've messed up no fewer than three of these so far today."
Adrasteia grins. "Forces is great, in my personal opinion, but I'm rather biased since I'm already part of that division. What weapons have you trained with?"
"Uhh, I have my staff? And I know some magic, though I'm not sure how well spells from back home work here--but I also have some of my powers from home back, which is great! So I can blast people." She makes a gesture as if punching with her free hand and there's a brief glow and sparkle as light coalesces around her fist.
Adrasteia raises her eyebrows at Glimmer's brief show of power. Is anyone researching the different kinds of magic that Rifters bring with them? Something to follow up on. "Staves and magic are great tools to have at your disposal," Adrasteia tells her with a smile, "but again, I'm biased towards what I already know. Do you think you'll study more magic here?"
"I might, if only because if I can learn some of the local spells it might be useful. I only know a few from back home, too, but they're useful. I can divine a person or place's location, I can create shields and barriers. Make someone tell the truth, though that one is really tricky sometimes..." Glimmer muses thoughtfully, completely unaware that she might have said something utterly horrifying by the standards of people from Thedas.
"And then I have my natural powers. Or at least, the ones I had through the Moon Stone's connection to the monarchy of Bright Moon--I can teleport, create light. And of course the blasting. Pewpew." She grins and makes a punching motion.
Adrasteia's eyebrows do an impressive climb into her hairline from where they'd already been raised. She sets aside the bottled potion, for now, in favor of moving around the table so she can stand in front of the girl and look Glimmer in the eye.
"If I were you..." She starts carefully, takes a breath, and then shakes her head, folding her hands in front of her. "Hm. Let me restart. Compulsory truth-telling is a feature of blood magic, here and blood magic is... an anathema, at least here in the south. I would be careful of whom you told that you have that ability, and even more careful of those you demonstrated it around. Divining a person's place or location is also a part of blood magic, but more easily understood in the context of where you are.
Just... be careful, hm?" Adrasteia smiles. "You seem very sweet, and I am certain you only mean well." Because Adrasteia is certain that most people only mean well, whether or not that's accurate.
"Blood magic?" Oh. No. Glimmer doesn't like the sound of that in the least. She listens to Adrasteia intently, her brow furrowing.
"I'll keep it to myself, then," she murmurs softly, her expression thoughtful. "I'm not--well, I'm not the sort of person who wants to hurt others for no reason. I want to help, you know? Not... be anathema?"
"There are different types of magic," Adrasteia explains. "Different schools for different types, even. Blood magic is considered the most dangerous because it can change others against their will from the inside out."
She nods and then reaches out to squeeze Glimmer's shoulder. "I'm certain that you want to help; talking to you even for just a few moments makes that much clear, and I hate to scare you or make you worry about something that comes naturally to you. But there are old fears wrapped up in things here, and I'd hate for someone to come to the wrong idea about you based on that."
"I can see why. It... well, the truth spell wasn't exactly popular back home either--but it didn't involve any blood!" Glimmer says by way of explanation. Her smile is a touch weak.
"I do. And I'm trying to step carefully and get used to Thedas. It's really different form home. Besides all that, I already feel like I made a complete fool of myself on the crystal the other day. And I'm still just anxious to do something--just wandering around the Gallows day in and day out is going to drive me mad, I'm sure."
"Well, once your quarantine is over, there are a number of tasks within the city of Kirkwall that can be completed for Riftwatch, plus the operations put forth by the leaders of the divisions. You can definitely keep yourself busy. I think that'll help."
Her hand drops back to her side, but her smile doesn't waver.
"You've got the right intentions, Glimmer." That is important, whether or not many would agree with her. "It'll take time and patience to learn how things are done here, in Thedas, but I have the utmost respect for what you're trying to do."
"I... I appreciate you saying that." Glimmer raises a hand to squeeze at her own shoulder, half hugging herself.
"I just--I know what it wasn't the most diplomatic way to start things off. I've just... I've seen my own people displaced by wars and invasions. It's awful and I can't imagine how much harder it is for people who are being attacked by the people they had to turn to for help," she takes a breath.
"...I didn't expect so many people to be so cynical. Or so hostile. Even if I was overstepping myself."
"It's... difficult, when someone from the outside becomes demanding, telling us that we're doing things wrong or with little to no consideration when we're really hamstrung by the situation itself. When the war has gone on so long that the losses are nearly incalculable, and many of us have difficulty imagining what the world will look like after it is all said and done."
Adrasteia gives a little shrug. "It's terrible, no matter how it's viewed, but it's also just very hard for everyone. Especially the displaced, those fleeing from the war. I think that there are those who know that your heart was in the right place, and those that cared more for the specifics of what you said as opposed to your meaning; the latter were louder, is all."
She takes a beat, and then opens her arms to enfold Glimmer in a hug. "I'm sorry if it felt unkind. I, for one, look forward to seeing what you're capable of in this war effort."
Glimmer winces, just a little, as Adrasteia lists out what she'd done incorrectly. She knows she'd made mistakes--but there's something surprising about the fact that the other simply gives her a hug as she ends. Glimmer is taut as a bowstring for a moment, then she wraps her arms around Adrasteia in return and hold son tight, burying her face in the other woman's shoulder. For a moment, she can pretend like things will be alright.
"I'll do my best," she says quietly. Her voice feels wavery, like she might cry--but she holds it in check because blubbing all over a relative stranger is just kind of awkward. Keep it together, Glim.
"I hold no doubts about that," Adrasteia promises, holding the hug for a little while longer, at least until she feels that Glimmer has received enough support for the moment. She knows what it is to feel overwhelmed in the presence of strangers, and she doesn't want to press the girl if she's not ready for that type of catharsis.
"Have you had anything to eat today?" As she pulls away, but keeps her hands on Glimmer's shoulders. "Come on. Let's see what's available for lunch, shall we? I think I'm too hungry to focus on alchemy for any longer."
"I had a little breakfast, but nothing since then," Glimmer admits. It's a little embarrassing to feel like Adrasteia is fussing over her--but it also feels like something of a relief, after she's been essentially tossed into what feels like the deep end all over again.
"I could bake something and maybe bribe the kitchen staff into making food, if you need it, but otherwise, yeah." Meats, cheeses, and bread are always on deck in her experience. Might as well get some sustenance in them. "Are you more of a coffee person or a tea person?"
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"Oh no it's fine. I'm trying to get better at my skills as a healer, and part of that can be making potions like this one. When it turns completely red —" and Glimmer can probably see streaks of red slowly appearing as she stirs — "and very liquid, it's ready! It'll be a healing potion when it's done, nothing too intense but helpful in the field in a pinch." She starts busying herself with getting a funnel and a new glass flask together. "Do you mind if you keep stirring while I get another flask ready?"
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"Oh, it's magic? Helps heal wounds?" She asks, nods. "And yeah, I'll keep stirring! I'm glad to be helpful. I hate just sitting around, waiting for stuff to do. So, uh, if you want more help in here I'm always happy to come lend a hand." She glances down at the potion as more red begins to make itself apparent.
"Oh! Right, uh. I'm Glimmer. Queen Glimmer of Bright Moon. Not that it really matters here because I'm a Rifter or whatever."
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Wait. Did she just say 'Queen Glimmer'? Adrasteia blinks her surprise and tries to think of something to say to that. "I hope the adjustment hasn't been too hard on you. To a new world, and one so far from your kingdom." Yes, that's an appropriate response, isn't it? She certainly hopes so. "Do they have magic and potions in Bright Moon?"
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"Oh, there it goes--" The red has taken over more and more of the mixture which is also growing more and more liquid as well.
"That's amazing! And yeah, we have potions and magic where I come from as well. I had a connection with the magic there that's... not as good now that I'm here? It's weird."
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That's not exactly... comforting or helpful. Who knows how long the dream will take to complete?
"Great job! Keep it up, it's almost done. I can't imagine being in a different world, much less more than one, or losing my connection to magic." There's always the threat of becoming Tranquil, but seeing as how Adrasteia avoided entering a Chantry Circle that's never been a risk she's specifically run into. "The very idea is heartbreaking."
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"It's still not quite the same here," Glimmer says thoughtfully. "At home I was... I could feel it in the air."
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The elf sets up the glass container and its funnel on the table and gestures Glimmer over. "It should be easy enough to transfer this. Pour it slowly, but that's mostly so we don't spill any. Next, we can see about making a slightly more complex one if you're interested."
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"You know how you can just feel when it's going to rain? That's how magic is at home. Here it's more like... I dunno, a slightly humid day?" She picks up the bowl and carefully begins to pour the concoction through the funnel as she speaks.
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"Do you know which division you plan on joining, here in Riftwatch?"
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"...Probably Forces? I think?"
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Adrasteia grins. "Forces is great, in my personal opinion, but I'm rather biased since I'm already part of that division. What weapons have you trained with?"
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"And then I have my natural powers. Or at least, the ones I had through the Moon Stone's connection to the monarchy of Bright Moon--I can teleport, create light. And of course the blasting. Pewpew." She grins and makes a punching motion.
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"If I were you..." She starts carefully, takes a breath, and then shakes her head, folding her hands in front of her. "Hm. Let me restart. Compulsory truth-telling is a feature of blood magic, here and blood magic is... an anathema, at least here in the south. I would be careful of whom you told that you have that ability, and even more careful of those you demonstrated it around. Divining a person's place or location is also a part of blood magic, but more easily understood in the context of where you are.
Just... be careful, hm?" Adrasteia smiles. "You seem very sweet, and I am certain you only mean well." Because Adrasteia is certain that most people only mean well, whether or not that's accurate.
In this case, though, she's betting she is.
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"I'll keep it to myself, then," she murmurs softly, her expression thoughtful. "I'm not--well, I'm not the sort of person who wants to hurt others for no reason. I want to help, you know? Not... be anathema?"
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She nods and then reaches out to squeeze Glimmer's shoulder. "I'm certain that you want to help; talking to you even for just a few moments makes that much clear, and I hate to scare you or make you worry about something that comes naturally to you. But there are old fears wrapped up in things here, and I'd hate for someone to come to the wrong idea about you based on that."
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"I do. And I'm trying to step carefully and get used to Thedas. It's really different form home. Besides all that, I already feel like I made a complete fool of myself on the crystal the other day. And I'm still just anxious to do something--just wandering around the Gallows day in and day out is going to drive me mad, I'm sure."
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Her hand drops back to her side, but her smile doesn't waver.
"You've got the right intentions, Glimmer." That is important, whether or not many would agree with her. "It'll take time and patience to learn how things are done here, in Thedas, but I have the utmost respect for what you're trying to do."
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"I just--I know what it wasn't the most diplomatic way to start things off. I've just... I've seen my own people displaced by wars and invasions. It's awful and I can't imagine how much harder it is for people who are being attacked by the people they had to turn to for help," she takes a breath.
"...I didn't expect so many people to be so cynical. Or so hostile. Even if I was overstepping myself."
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Adrasteia gives a little shrug. "It's terrible, no matter how it's viewed, but it's also just very hard for everyone. Especially the displaced, those fleeing from the war. I think that there are those who know that your heart was in the right place, and those that cared more for the specifics of what you said as opposed to your meaning; the latter were louder, is all."
She takes a beat, and then opens her arms to enfold Glimmer in a hug. "I'm sorry if it felt unkind. I, for one, look forward to seeing what you're capable of in this war effort."
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"I'll do my best," she says quietly. Her voice feels wavery, like she might cry--but she holds it in check because blubbing all over a relative stranger is just kind of awkward. Keep it together, Glim.
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"Have you had anything to eat today?" As she pulls away, but keeps her hands on Glimmer's shoulders. "Come on. Let's see what's available for lunch, shall we? I think I'm too hungry to focus on alchemy for any longer."
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"Are we just going to raid the kitchen or what?"
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