Wintermarch Is Always Interesting

[el_tybs]

WHO: Samouel Gareth and Anyone
WHAT: Sam celebrates the 16th quietly with a letter from home. Catching up. Work and lessons as usual.
WHEN: (Backdated to) Wintermarch 16 and onward
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES:No warning at the moment. Catch all for some CR with Sam. Birthdays are weird.

After First Day it had taken a few days for Sam to pull himself out of the weird rut he had fallen into, what with a variety of good and bad things to start off the year; seeing James and the others from Ostwick, finding out that the First Enchanter and Knight-Commander had been killed, Krem having gone off on a mission, playing in the snow with others, etc. After that Sam seemed like his old self, falling into his usual routine of various lessons, magical and otherwise, as well as work. Even so it seemed like around the middle of the month his attitude took a dip again, appearing when he wasn't actively doing anything or paying attention.

[Magic Lessons]
Lessons sure have gotten more interesting since getting back from Emprise du Lion. Sam is even more determined to progress his training in spirit healing, and the other schools of magic. Even so he still has fun with it, learning to chill his hand without freezing it for the most part, or letting the younger mages 'teach' him how to do spells.

[Sparring: Magic or Melee]
For Sam being efficient in both his magic and his physical strength together or separate were important, both himself and anyone else who might be with him on missions. What little he had learned before Emprise du Lion had certainly saved him rear, so he makes a habit in shadow sparring about every day. Anyone is welcome to give him some pointers or kiss his butt challenge him to a spar.

[Armory]
Without any orders, Sam has been spending less time in the armory, though he still goes in some evenings to practice. Anyone looking to have something made or just wanting to talk where it's warm are more than welcome to join or meet up with him here.

[Tavern]
Even though he isn't a big drinker Sam has been enjoying certain drinks now and again at the tavern since he isn't needed at the armory as much. For the most part he spends his time chatting to various members of the Chargers, or just sitting in their general area, listening to their stories. Otherwise he can be found a the bar, the bartender giving him a look every time he decides to just drink tea instead of alcohol.

[Baking with Christine]
Christine had mentioned that she was starting to bake. Curious to how things were going and wanting to be of some support, Sam figures it would be a nice gesture to show up. Maybe offer a hand to help her with whatever is she is planning on making.

[Sina: This is how you pot (a plant)]
Well Sam had agreed on First Day that he would help with potting and moving plants with her. Even so he hadn't been expecting to be grabbed after magic lessons by the Dalish and getting his hands dirty. Not that he's complaining, but it was unexpected.

[Birthday The 16th]
The day before Sam let everyone know that he was planning on taking this day off, that nothing was wrong, but just needed a little time. For the most part Sam takes the chance to sleep in, wasting as much of the morning while he can, and coming out once lunch was being served. It's during his meal that he receives a letter that he tears into with a bit of urgency. Halfway through a small smile spreads across his face, though just as sad as it seems happy. The rest of the day he can be found sitting around watching other in the training ring, taking a walk along the battlements or in the tavern drinking, checking out his letter every so often.

[Wildcard]
Pick your own adventure.

Comments

[el_tybs]

Sam shakes his head at the question, his lips pursing a bit. "She still lives in Ostwick. I'd be gone for a while and there's some things I need to do here first. Maybe later when we have something going that way." He shouldn't travel on his own, and it wasn't like he could ask anyone to go with him right now.

"She got married. Apparently I have a couple cousins now."

[samahl]

He nodded. "If we have any need to go in that direction, and if you find need of company for the journey..." He trails off a bit, realizing that it doesn't really need to be said. Krem would probably be the one to go with Sam.

"And the cousins are good news. It's nice to know she managed to make a life?"

[el_tybs]

He notes how Cyril trails off, not quite sure what's going through the Elf's head. "I would welcome having your company, Cyril, if we ever do head out that way." He means that.

"Yeah, it is good news, and it sounds like there's a third on the way." Sam gives a small laugh at that, obviously glad to know that she was well. "Dad got to see the first one born before he passed away. They named the second one after him."

[samahl]

After a moment, Cyril moves closer and puts his arm around Sam. It's meant as a comforting half-hug combined with a bit of a lingering cuddle. "I'm happy you got the chance to learn all of this." It's not something that would have been allowed to him if he was still in the Circle.

[el_tybs]

Sam hums at the contact, leaning slightly into the hug so that he wasn't draping himself over the Elf. "I'm not happy to hear that my father has passed, but it is better news than what I was expecting." News at all really.

[samahl]

Cyril rubs Sam's back lightly. "It will still be a joy to meet your little cousins," he pointed out. "And spend time with your family after so long."

[el_tybs]

"If they're like Henri or the others I'm sure." He's had a lot of practice with kids. "Hopefully I'll be able to find some time in the future. As long as they stay safe... at least I know I can contact them now."

[samahl]

"Where are they?" Cyril asked after a moment. "Are they far enough away from the fighting?"

[el_tybs]

"Ostwick. That's all I know for right now. She doesn't mention any issues and I don't think any of our reports have anything that far north... so they should be fine right now." There's some relief with that said.

[samahl]

Cyril looks relieved by that as well. "Good," he says after a moment. "And it will make for a good vacation when you get some leave."

[el_tybs]

"Don't think Ostwick would be the first place I'd pick for a vacation, but I suppose you're right." Actually now that he thinks about it he isn't sure where he would want to spend a vacation; not like he's been many places to think of it, and they were kind of in a war.

"So that's what the letter is all about. Another thing to be cheerful for on this day."

[samahl]

"Another reason?" Cyril asks, curious. "There are more?" He really wants to hear about anything that brings Sam happiness.

[el_tybs]

"Since six years ago my birthday was always... a bit depressing so I generally try ignoring it. This is the first year I've actually enjoyed it again. Probably because James and the others made a point to let everyone know about it." Sam smiles a bit guiltily as he says that, folding up the letter and finally putting it away.

[samahl]

He nudged Sam lightly with one of his elbows, just a small bump up against Sam's arm. "You deserve to enjoy it. Happy birthday, Sam," he says. "Is there anything in particular you've always wanted to do for your birthday?"

[el_tybs]

"Thanks, Cyril." Even if he hadn't planned on celebrating his birthday, hearing Cyril wishing him a good one makes him happy. The question gives him pause though, turning his head to look at the Elf, his brows raising in curious surprise. Was there something he had wanted to do?

"Not really. Should there be something I want to do?" There's a pause and tilt of his head. "What about you? What do you usually want on your birthday?"

[samahl]

"I'm Dalish," Cyril pointed out. "We think of birthdays differently. Humans are more gift happy, for instance. The only thing I'm really interested in is the same thing I'm interested in most every day, finding myself in the company of a good looking man."

That isn't perfectly honest, but Cyril isn't one to share anything too serious.

[el_tybs]

"How do the Dalish celebrate birthdays then?" he asks with clear curiosity, leaning some on the table closer to Cyril.

"Really? You're only interested in the same thing you think about everyday? There's got to be something else you think about, Cyril." There's a small grin as he presses the matter, but if Cyril doesn't want to actually talk about it he's fine in letting it drop. Even if he wanted to know more he wasn't looking to make Cyril uncomfortable.

[samahl]

"There really isn't a lot time for things like that? You celebrate when you come of age by getting your vallaslin. Sometimes you might get things that are useful, a new bow or something like that."

Then, after a moment, "Maybe I'll think about doing something more exciting? Have someone tie me up or try out a new position?" Now he's just plain teasing Sam.

[el_tybs]

"How old are you when you get your vallaslin? Do you get to pick it out yourself?"

Thank you, Cyril. He really needed to think about that. Sam knows Cyril is just teasing him, but at the same time he knows there's a certain seriousness about it as well. At least whenever anything sexual came up with Cyril. As per usual Sam finds himself with a bit of red on his cheeks, his lips a bit thinned out as he gives Cyril a look, trying not to quite imagine it. "Well... that certainly does sound... exciting."

[samahl]

Just seeing Sam go red is enough to let Cyril drop that line of talk. Instead, he focuses on talking about the blood writing.

"I was 15," he explains carefully. "And yes, I picked it out. I liked the lines and thought they'd compliment my features." That is completely honest, and it's probably the first time that he fully admitted his reasons for picking these designs out loud. Every other time he's been asked about it, he's been very vague.

[el_tybs]

Maybe someday they can talk about such things without him turning red and shying away a bit. At the moment it was just... embarrassing and awkward? He's still very inexperienced about such things, and having Cyril as the main part of the picture certainly did not help.

"You picked them out because... they complimented your features." He's pretty sure from how others explained it that, that wasn't how it worked, but with Cyril? Sam gives a bit of a huff - that made complete sense for the Elf. There's a smile after that and he gives his head a bit of a shake. "What does this one supposed to represent?"

[samahl]

"They're the markings of Mythal. Our mother goddess. She's a protector and the patron of love and justice." If he had believed in the gods, she would be the one he believed in the most. As it is, he just loves the stories about her.

[el_tybs]

Mythal. He's heard some stories on her, but obviously not enough to have asked about her in the first place. "Well... even if it's just for the looks it sounds like her mark is perfect for you."

[samahl]

Cyril took that as a compliment. "Thank you," he said. "Too bad I'm too shallow to enjoy that on any deeper level."

[el_tybs]

Well good, because it was supposed to be. "You say that, but I don't think that's true." The shallow part, Sam still didn't buy it whenever Cyril eluded to it.