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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[Gorse of course notices the 'oof', and when he turns to look you're damn right he remembers that kid. Gorse has an exceptionally good eye for names and faces.

While there is recognition there, there's no anger - only concern and a slight bit of relief. He was worried the kid ~~who was actually only 5 years younger than him~~ was still out there on the road somewhere. So Gorse goes over and offers a hand up to Kas.]

Y'alright? That was a bad tumble.

[He glares at the offered hand like it's about to bite him, but finally reaches up and pulls himself on his feet.]

...m'fine. [Kas mutters, dusting off his knees.]

You gonna tell the soldiers I robbed you? I'm trying to be a scout, they gave me clothes and everything.

[There's a bit of desperation, there. Don't ruin this.]

[Gorse lets go and steps back as soon as Kas is to his feet - the kid seems touchy so he gives the younger boy his space, not just so Gorse is out of Kas's reach, but Kas is out of Gorse's.]

I'm glad - I was so worried when you rabbited off like that.

[And well, giving chase did not seem like something that would calm the kid's nerves. Gorse just had to hope for the best.]

Don't see why I should bother to bring it up - y'ain't take nothing I couldn't spare and wouldn't'a given if you'd have asked.

[Everything was ultimately replaceable except a life - even the knit scarf from his little sister that was made from scrap yarn and fabric and looked it, she was still around, surely she could make another if someone needed it more as much as it had sentimental value.]

[He's grateful for that space, awkwardly rubbing an arm and not quite looking at Gorse. He's kind of ashamed, having pulled a knife on this guy.]

Thanks. For... the food. It helped.

[It was weird to thank someone, but Gorse was just ridiculously nice to him and Kas knew he didn't really deserve that.]

You don't want anything to keep it quiet? I mean... they'd probably toss me out if they knew, and I'm finally worth something, here. I don't wanna leave.

[Gorse shook his head, blackmail was against his nature, he probably couldn't have done it if he wanted to. He was a shitty liar too, but as long as no one asked him very specifically if Kas had stolen from him it would be fine. He could manage not volunteering information if it was to protect someone else.]

I'm just really glad you're here and safe. You're a scout in training, you said? That's great. Just do your best.

...you're really weird.

[He's not sure if it's the good kind of weird or the bad kind of weird, really. The older qunari had promised to not tell on him, though... he had to trust that, somehow.]

Y-yeah. Got a uniform and everything. I'm gonna be real good at scouting.

I bet you are, you're small and quick.

[This is said with absolute sincerity, as everything Gorse says is, really. He doesn't take the weird comment to heart. It must be weird for Kas to have someplace to belong finally, after all. That takes some adjustment.]

Were you up here lookin' for somethin? Anything I can help you with?

[Damn, now he's all nice again. It makes the boy so confused.]

I'm... training. Scouting, and stuff. Exploring.

[He pokes a pot with his foot.]

Didn't know this was the garden.

[Gorse nods, crossing his arms over his chest and surveying the garden. Garden to be. There's still a lot of work to be done, plants overgrown and running wild. At least one of those vines he's going to need to ask a mage to help with, probably Korrin - it's the 'gotta burn it to get rid of it' kind.]

Well, ain't much of a garden yet, but it's going to be. Make things a bit easier so people don't have to go so far to get what they need. Good soil up here.

[It kind of looks like a mess to him, but it's not like he has much experience. Cities weren't known for their gardens, after all.]

You gonna grow carrots and shit?

[He understands food. Food is the best.]

[Gorse laughed a bit.]

Yeah, carrots and the like. Herbs, too, so they don't have to send out a search party every time someone needs to make a couple tonics.

...maybe fruit?

[All the sweet things please.]

Not sure how well fruit trees will grow up here, but there's only one way to find out.

[Most are also long-term investments by way of a few years unless you find saplings to dig up and transplant, which they might when things get ironed out and things are running more smoothly.]

You hungry? I bet the taven's got dinner going soon if it isn't yet.

[He supposes that is true. It was colder here, after all, and the only fruits he knew that grew in Ferelden aplenty were apples.]

...carrots are good enough.

[Not exactly a picky kid.]

I ate four times already, I think they're getting sick of me in the kitchen... but I've never had this much food before. I can have bread whenever I want! Meat and soup and porridge and stew and boiled vegetables and dried meat and nuts and dried fruits and... loads of things. I gained three pounds already!

[Apples were just what Gorse had been thinking. He'd get some apple seeds to plant anyway, even if it was a project he might not be around to see the end of depending on how this while Inquisition thing went.]

Three whole pounds? That's great! [Again, no sarcasm from this guy. He is truly relieved that Kas is now somewhere that he will get regular meals. The other option was potentially kidnapping him and dragging him home for momma to feed and that would just be damn rude. He grabs his shed shirt and tugs it back on, since he's mostly done with what he can get done with the daylight available.] I haven't been by the kitchens yet - I could probably grab you some extra bread if you're worried about the wrath of the cooks, if you want.

[Gorse's honesty and lack of sarcasm and belittling is really getting to the boy the longer they speak, and he's dropping little layers of his guard.]

Yeah, look!

[He flexes and it's wholly underwhelming but there is some padding there. Just enough to go from emaciated to skinny.]

I'm gonna eat and train and get really big, just like the rest of you!

[The rest, AKA all three damn male behemoths in this place...and Krem. He has the biggest hero crush on Krem.]

Um... if you're okay with it? I mean, I can wait or sneak in after they've gone to bed and raid the scraps again.

[Look, alright, Krem is basically Thedas' David Bowie. Everyone wants him, wants to be him, or both (usually both).]

If they catch you sneaking in they'll probably be pretty annoyed, so let's save that for later.

[Yeah he's using plural and talking like they're a team because whether Kas likes it or not he's basically becoming family and that means Gorse will look out for him as best he can.]

'Sides, they tend to think I eat way more than I do anyways, won't be hard.

[Not that he doesn't eat a lot, being one of the three male behemoths here though probably the smallest of them. The smallest extra large dude is still pretty giant. So he makes his way towards the kitchen and gestures for Kas to follow.]

Edited (ugh html) 2015-10-23 10:00 (UTC)

[Does this mean Gorse will wear way too revealing pants, too?]

I guess I shouldn't make them more upset with me...

[He's kind of liking this. Gorse was just... really nice, and he wasn't as afraid here, in Skyhold. Maybe he could be safe, make friends. A big nice guy to hide behind wouldn't be a bad thing.

He especially likes that Gorse speaks like they're in cahoots already. It makes him remember the people he ran with on the streets.]

Y'look like you eat a whole cow by yourself every day!

[Kas says, grinning a bit and following along like a curious duckling.]

[Not intentionally!! But look it isn't like Skyhold is used to having to make pants in the size he needs them in, and accidents happen every day.

Zevran would probably like that. Gorse has so far remained oblivious to the attention he can sometimes draw.]

Not the whole cow.

[Gorse grinned as he made his way to the kitchens, keeping his stride slower than normal so Kas wouldn't have to run to keep up with his much longer legs.]

Maybe like... half a cow. And a quarter later for a midnight snack. Dependin' on the size of the cow.

[Qunari were hot commodity on the sexy market, it seems. At least Kas was safe(r) thanks to being a teen.

It's really nice of Gorse to think of those shorter legs, and for once Kas doesn't have to half-jog to keep up with other qunari.]

Maybe you and the other big guys can eat cows together. Make your own herd and all.

[He slows a bit as they approach the kitchens and may or may not hide a bit behind Gorse. The cook was getting annoyed with him, after all.]

[Gorse mimics the sort of cow mooing noise, and you know, he's actually quite good at it (You should hear his bird calls). When Kas starts to slow Gorse does too, turning to the teenager.]

You wait out here while I get the goods, yeah?

[Like they're on some kind of secret heist for extra bread.]

[He snorts at the cow imitation, kind of impressed.

As Gorse turns, he freezes up a bit, as if he expects the guy to finally go 'muahaha I'm selling you out to the cook!'. It passes really quickly when he hears those words, however.

They were definitely in cahoots.]

Okay!

[Gorse gives Kas a nod then heads into the kitchens with exaggerated sneakiness.

Well, until he gets inside. Gorse has catnip for the kitchen cats which puts the cook in a good mood, and he always brings back various herbs for cooking he finds out growing wild so he's stayed on her good side in spite of the whole 'scary qunari' thing. He barely even has to ask for extra bread before he's given it, and after fetching a few heavy things from high shelves he's back out with a thank-you-kindly, stew in one hand and bread balanced in the other. He shifts the bread around a bit and hands all the extra to Kas as soon as he gets back outside. It even has a little butter on it, nice and warm!]

Successful mission, yeah?

[Meanwhile, Kas waits nervously, scratching the back of his leg with his other foot and looking like he's up to something. He's not that inconspicuous as he tries to be.

The teen beams when Gorse appears again, and then his hands are full of warm, buttery bread and he's in the Maker's bosom.]

You're the best!

[He's just gonna shove that in his mouth, now.]

[Gorse laughs, lightly and briefly ruffling Kas's hair.]

It won't go anywhere, don't choke yourself. C'mon, I need to find someplace to sit while I eat, I been movin' around all day and my legs are starting to feel it.

[Thankfully there's more than enough surfaces for sitting nearby, as long as one doesn't mind dirt, which Gorse clearly does not.]

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