faderift | Skyhold

Skyhold

WHO: Anyone & everyone
WHAT: Open post for business as usual around Skyhold
WHEN: The first couple weeks of Harvestmere, 9:41 (aka October)
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Please mark any necessary content warnings in thread subject lines. Also, make sure to check out the other log posts already made!

Far from the glamorous adventurous world-saving people signed up for, most of the hustle and bustle in Skyhold at present is cleaning. The Great Hall is a disaster, and crews are assigned to haul out the cracked and rotting planks fallen from the wide-open roof, and tear down the vines covering the walls. Ivy encrusts the main staircase outside and many of the fortress walls and is cleared in section while other groups assess or begin shoring up the stonework as it's revealed. There are scaffolding to build, materials to sort, crates to unload, tents to stitch together or set-up, and on and on and on, endless mundane chores vital to the survival of the organization.

When not hard at work, people cluster around fires across the courtyards. Many mingle freely, going about their business, running errands and messages, planning scouting missions, tallying up supplies, distributing or playing with the sending crystals that were found in a basement vault and which a group of mages have just today finished preparing for use. Once a good number have been passed around and the first Inquisition-wide transmission made messages start being broadcast; maybe you can help someone out.

The rebel mages and renegade templars mainly keep to themselves at opposite sides of the complex given the choice. Mages assist with healing and research and bicker amongst themselves about their options and their fate. Templars help train recruits in swordforms and basic combat techniques or spar with the more advanced and bicker amongst themselves about their options and their fate. Despite having all pledged themselves to the Inquisition, they still feel like separate factions and tension between them is palpable wherever they cross paths.

Like at meals, or the communal message board in the courtyard, or at the Herald's Rest. The mess hall/tavern is so new it still smells of sawdust, and its stock has been limited to one type of strong ale until today, when a shipment of West Hill brandy has finally arrived. The mood in the place is convivial in celebration of that, but there's still plenty of muttering, especially as the night drags on and the discontented get further into their cups.

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[The young qunari is trying to be inconspicuous, but it's a moot point among the rest of the mages and librarians. Especially when he's wide-eyed and staring at the Templar helping the Tranquil.

Weren't Templars supposed to beat and hurt mages? That's all he had ever heard, and some of the people here seemed to agree. Still, they were really impressive with all that armor and shiny things.

Torn between worried for the Tranquil and curious, he stops near the man, hearing his offer about the lifting. Maybe... not so bad, then.]

You're real nice for a Templar.

[The Templar doesn't answer immediately since he's currently carrying that mentioned crate across the room. The Tranquil from earlier hurries along to fetch a few books now that he's done.

It's then that Sauveterre answers.]

A poor compliment, young man. Though it's a compliment nonetheless. [Despite the ornate helmet he wears that Orlesian accent rings clears. He nods in greeting to the qunari before glancing back at the busy Tranquil.]

A fussy one he is. I'm gladden to see him at ease now amongst his tomes. The library was quite a mess earlier.

[He turns back towards the youth again.]

A scout, are you? You seem to dress like one.

[The helmet is kind of weird and it bothers him a bit that he can't see more of the man's face. Maybe that was the point, though. Full of cool scars or something.

The comment about it being a poor compliment makes him scowl, but Kas somehow managed to keep his mouth shut, if so only to not bother the busy Tranquil. he really had to stop taking everything as an insult.

When he's recognized as a scout, however, the teen's heart fills with pride and he straightens up a bit, giving a somewhat clumsy salute.]

Yeah, I'm a scout trainee!

[A quiet rumble of a chuckle is heard a second later after the youth's mock salute. He could just see the pride gleaming within the boy's eyes. It makes this old Templar smile beneath his helmet.]

A trainee, you say? My, I pegged you for a seasoned scout. You have a commanding air about you. [Harmless flattery to stroke the youth's ego. He wants to encourage the boy in his endeavors as others once done to him in his younger years.]

I'm grateful to see new blood amongst us.

[Kas tries so hard to not grin like an idiot, but he can't help it. He's so proud, so excited to hear those words from someone as amazing as this tough-looking Templar guy.

He was noticed, and he was worth something. The knight was grateful for new blood, and he was that blood!]

Um... thank you, ser! I'll be the best scout the Inquisition has seen!

[It was a weird mix to be so distrustful yet desperate for attention, flourishing at just one hint of praise.]

Is that a promise I hear? If so, you must keep that promise! [Sauveterre says with a nod of approval. There's something rewarding to see such pride in others. It's good to see the youth so willing to do his best. He can tell that uniform means much to the boy.]

I expect to hear great things about your exploits on the field, but do try to avoid an early grave.

[It would be a shame for the lad to perish so young.]

Tell me, what is your name?

Y-yes, ser!

[Oh man, he's getting praised and his tiny ego stroked and Kas isn't quite sure what to do with it all. He tries to somehow figure out what to do with his hands, wringing his fingers into the cowl of the uniform.

The possible threat of dying doesn't seem to faze him, only make him more stubborn to prove himself..]

I'm Kas, ser!

Kas?

[The Templar nods in approval of the name. While he knows virtually nothing about Qun culture, he's certain the boy's name holds some sort of meaning much like his own.]

Sounds like a strong name. What does it mean?

[He rubs the back of his head, still a bit unused to the cowl.]

It's kind of a suffix for anything that's used for melee fighting. Sata-kas is a maul, and Taam-kas is a greataxe.

[A thoughtful hum is heard beneath the Templar's helmet. A suffix, eh? Qunari names are a tad odd at best but Sauveterre shan't admit that. He eyes the youth for a brief moment before an idea comes to him.]

Are you proficient with any particular weapon or skill as of yet?

[It's a mildly random question at best to better know the boy.]

[It was more of an afterthought that the brat their woman pushed out should probably be called something, but that was a whole other story. Kas liked his name, that was the important part.

The Templar's next question makes him squirm a bit, though.]

I... kinda know how to use a dagger.

Kind of?

[The lack of confidence in the lad's answer worries him a little. A scout is most times forced unto battle and if this youth cannot defend himself, then he'll surely be killed.

A thoughtful hum escapes the Templar as he ponders more on this.]

...Do you believe you could possibly handle a sword instead of daggers? If so, I may be willing to assist.

[He cringes a bit at that reaction, trying to toughen up in case he neeed to prove himself or argue.

...instead the Templar asks him about swords and Kas deflates a bit.]

Swords are heavy.

[He would probably need to gain some muscle on his rail-thin body, first.]

[The youth's honest answer wins a chuckle or two.]

I should've known you'll say that. Swords are quite heavy for someone so lithe. Mayhaps daggers truly suit you best or you could try thy hand in archery.

[He gives lad a look over.]

Aye, I could see you trying archery. You're quite tall for a lad--already my height at that.

[He cannot help but ponder how much taller will this qunari become. Six feet? Seven or maybe eight?]

Archery?

[The teen looks a bit thoughtful at that. It was a more common weapon for a scout than a pair of rusted, sharpened shanks... but it seemed a lot more complicated than just stabbing someone.]

I could try it... I can ask some of the other scouts about it during training.

[He's proud to be called tall, though, the smallest of smiles briefly on his lips as Alayre mentions it. If he could just have the muscles and horns to match!]

I hope those not to be empty words, Kas. I will expect to see you in training quite soon.

[A lighthearted chuckle escapes him just when the same Tranquil from earlier approaches. Words are exchanged and something about "supplies" is mentioned.]

Ah, I may need your help with this, young scout. The Tranquil have boxes filled with empty vials they wish to store in the study. Are you able to assist?

Yes, ser! I won't disappoint.

[Not this time. He would become something worthwhile.

He moves to the side to not crowd the Tranquil as they come up to them, speaking in that drone-like voice bereft of all emotion. It's a little creepy, to be honest.

Kas perks up as he hears the Templar ask his assistance, though.]

Oh, yes. I can do that!

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Skyhold

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