Tell me a story long and true

[lettersfromhome]

WHO: Mia Rutherford and OPEN
WHAT: So much to do, so little time. Bustling around Skyhold.
WHEN: Wintermarch. Feel free to fudge the dates as needed.
WHERE: All over the bloody keep.
NOTES: n/a

The weeks press on. The world looks to the Inquisition to see what happens next, the mages and templars struggle to prove their independence and their willingness to work towards the greater good, and a calm finally seems to have settled over the keep in the wake of the abomination attack. Personal trials seem almost trivial in comparison.

Almost. She's still noticeably avoiding Pel, and stiffly departing if the woman ever comes around.

But there's more to be dealt with than one sour encounter. She drops in on Cullen from time to time now, a little less concerned with keeping her distance than she is with how well he's dealing with the lyrium-induced headaches. She visits Katniss soon after hearing about the unfortunate scuffle with one of the soldiers, though part of her is pleased that she's holding her own. There are care packages to be made up and delivered to various families and individuals within Skyhold -- herbs for the healers from the travelers and scouts, and sometimes cookies for the children -- and all in all life is as busy as it should be.

Better than sitting at home in South Reach and fretting, with no one to tend to. Though what must it say about her that she only feels at ease when she's seeing to someone else's needs? Likely nothing she wants to hear, admittedly.

Comments

[onlyhymns]

Cade shakes his head, internally berating himself for his answer. "Um..." he stalls, trying to focus his thoughts, "...cakes." Everyone loves cakes, right?

[lettersfromhome]

"Cakes. Little ones, perhaps?"

She motioned with her hand, cupping in the air. "You know, I think I do have a way of making honeycakes. Dreadfully messy, but I doubt the children would mind," she continues, eyebrow raising.

[onlyhymns]

He considers this, then nods. Yes. Little cakes. That's ideal.

"I doubt it," he agrees, a bit sheepishly still, but the side of his mouth quirks upward again. It's been years since he last had a honeycake, and now she's reminded him of them.

[lettersfromhome]

"Ah. So you're familiar with them."

There's a faint twinkle in her eye as her attention turns towards the stone steps, leading down towards the lower levels of the bailey, and eventually the kitchens proper. Already the smell wafting up is incredible.

[onlyhymns]

Cade blushes again, busted, and just nods his head. Now that they're approaching the kitchens, his temporary duty is nearly exhausted.

"I hope I was able to help," he says, his voice soft and genteel, "and that the rest of your day finds you well."

[lettersfromhome]

"You did. Though perhaps you might help me again when the honeycakes are finished, and test them for me? I'd hate to give them to the childreen if they weren't any good."

And it's an excuse to see him smile again. Truly warms the heart to see. She already feels like he might deserve a little care package or two, if only she knew who to leave it with...

[onlyhymns]

A light laugh escapes him, but only for a moment. "If my lady insists," he decides, and bows to her in the usual genteel manner.

[lettersfromhome]

"I may, in fact. Come back in a few hours, or whenever you have the time to spare. I'll require your help then."

And it might prove a slightly less numbing alternative to skulking around on the battlements. He had the look of a starved hound pacing a cage up there, by himself. There was no reason she couldn't try to help at least one more person while she was at it.