faderift | [Open] [I can move mountains, move mountains.. ]

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[Open] [I can move mountains, move mountains.. ]

WHO: Bethany Hawke and You
WHAT: Exploring the Inquisition
WHEN: The next few days of Wintermarch
WHERE: The garden, the tavern, the courtyard, the library.
NOTES: Content warnings, OOC notes, links to other relevant posts, etc.

The first thing Bethany did after arriving at Skyhold?

A bath. A beautiful, long hot bath where she soaked with nice soap and some sort of fancy oil and just ... cleansed herself from about a week's worth of sand and dirt. After that though, well.

Bethany used to be the sort of person who would keep to the edges to not be noticed. Kept herself hidden, to keep herself from being taken to a Circle. Her family went through such risks to keep her free - keeping her head down seemed to be a small sacrifice to make.

Now, nine years - almost ten! - years a Warden and she still observed quietly from the background. Yet now, she would step forward. Move more boldly, with more confidence and a great deal more poise. She also, as she had been apt to do even in her days in Kirkwall, stopped to help people.

So there you will find her, all around Skyhold, quietly soaking up everything, or chatting happily with someone as she helps them carry firewood or food out to the hungry troops training in the yard. The first thing you will know is that smile - dimples and bright, and completely unfeigned. Who knows, maybe it's just pointing at you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mention of the College of Enchanters gets a nod from Korrin, even as she only vaguely knows what that was about. And Bethany definitely receives her share of sympathetic looks, both for the Kirkwall fiasco and her Grey Warden status not quite overriding her mage one.

"Even the 'good' ones seem all too ready to assume authority even when they're given none or it's supposedly curtailed. In a Templar meeting -which we were not privy to, by the way, even though our sessions are open- more than one seemed eager enough to challenge the mage council purely for the fact that we exist and won't put mages through Harrowings. The loudest voice of reason? Wasn't even a Templar, but Warden Alistair. I had to thank him for that; whatever can be said of his past training, at least he wants to give us the benefit of the doubt." Korrin smiles faintly, glad that he'd become a Warden before common sense and compassion could be leeched out of him.

"Varric told me about the Meredith statue. Is it true that children make bets with each other to see who will actually get close enough to touch her? Or was he just having me on?" Granted, it sounds like something she would have done as a child.

"Well, that's what they were trained to do. I'm not saying they're right to do it -- because clearly, they are not ... but every time we put up a wall they'll put up one too." She paused for a moment, before her eyes warmed, "Well, that makes absolute sense. Alistair is one of the most pragmatic and kind people I know."

She would never say that compassion and common sense were leeched out of Templars though. Not after what Knight Carver had done for their father, so long ago. Judging a book by its cover wasn't something she could do anymore.

She laughed, but nodded her head soberlly, "They do. I only came through Kirkwall once or twice afterwards - it wasn't safe even as I was a Warden, but in the aftermath you'd see the bold ones charging up the stairs of the
Gallows. In Kirkwall you can pretty much get anyone to do anything for a copper."

Korrin will judge enough for both of them, at least until such time as these new Templars have proven themselves with actions. Pretty words mean nothing to her, not with those to back them up. Even as they speak, she keeps any passing Templars as far away from them as possible. Fortunately, they seem willing enough to return the favor.

"Still, what a gruesome reminder of all that's happened there. Hopefully Christine's research into red lyrium will produce a way to safely remove it and Kirkwall won't have to keep that toxic crap on display. It's in the Hinterlands now, too. Have you been west? Do you know if it's worse there?"

She notices the Templars keep their space, and her lips twitch in faint amusement. Ah, how the times have changed, and the tides have turned. She kept her smile to a minimum then, before her expression sobered.

"I hope she's being careful. Every single time I have seen red lyrium, it's ruined people's lives." Her expression sobered, "In Emprise du Lion, it is the worst. Further west there are less signs of it, thank the Maker. Just ... whatever they managed to mine, from whereever they are getting it."

Thinking back to her recent scouting mission, Korrin nods and forces back the forming lump in her throat. "I've been to Emprise du Lion, a few weeks ago. It's hard to remember what the place was one like before those awful red spikes dominated everything. And what those Red Templars are doing to the villagers...Andraste's blood, the Inquisition can't get there fast enough. This is the part I hate, waiting while numbers and resources are gathered. We're going as fast as we can and it's still not enough."

No matter what they do, people will still die. She sighs, thinking back to Christine. "Varric told her all the precautions he had been taking, and she's following his example. If there's more we can do, I don't know it."

Bethany's expression became serious at that, before she looked up at the other woman, "... considering everything that is happening ... I can think of other places where the Inquisition is needed, but right now? Emprise du Lion seems to be the smartest place." She shook her head a little, "It's never enough -- but we can try, can't we?"

She nodded her head, "If Varric told her, then she should be all right if she is smart enough to follow his advice. I can't argue with finding out what red lyrium can do, and how to stop it."

"If we even can; who knows how much of that stuff is beneath the surface, where we can't see it?" Korrin shudders, as the topic of red lyrium is one of the few things to genuinely unnerve her. "I'm glad you understand about making that place a priority. I know the Wardens have their own problems, and those deserve focus, too. Hopefully we can get to those when that region is stabilized."

The thought of it that was deep, deep in the ground, and only getting deeper? Just made her own skin crawled. She shivered slightly, before she sighed softly, "Just a little drove Meredith mad. Just imagine how much in Emprise du Lion could do to the region - to all of Orlais."

She looked over at Korrin, her expression sober. "We do have our problems -- but we would never say no to helping innocent people. Wardens are more than just the Blight, after all. First Emprise, then all of Thedas."

The thought of that red lyrium corrupting on a massive scale...well. Korrin isn't sure whether Skyhold is at capacity or close to it, but it definitely makes her want to urge evacuation nonetheless. Remaining in that area is going to do no one any good.

"So no pressure, huh? You'd think after the Fifth Blight, the Grey Wardens would get something resembling a break. It's too bad Corypheus disagrees." She holds the tavern door open for Bethany before heading in herself.

Bethany herself wondered if it might be safer to just have all the villagers relocate -- but that would be something to discuss with the advisors. She couldn't imagine Varric saying anything less than - 'Get all these people the hell out of here.' but quick.

"Oh no, no pressure at all." Is her deadpan reply, as she nods her thanks to Korrin, and stepping into the tavern. She's pleasantly surprised -- this place is clean, for the most part. "And Corypheus ... well. I thought he was on a permanent break. Apparently there's no rest for the wicked - either the Wardens or their undead magister foes."

The Herald's Rest is clean, well-lit, and Maryden is playing a new tune on her lute. It's the perfect place to get away from it all, hot spring aside, and Korrin smiles appreciatively. She doesn't stop until reaching the bar, ordering some honey mead.

"You were there when he 'died', right? What did it take to bring that asshole down, even temporarily?"

Bethany doesn't know the tune, but the bard gets a smile. Bethany had never been musically inclined herself, but she always loved a good story through song. Taking the stool next to her, she herself ordered a honey mead as well, her face curving into a slight 'face'.

"Yes, I was." She paused, then sighed, "It took ... everything we had. I won't lie, it was a brutal battle, from start to finish."

"Even without his forces, I don't doubt it. Nor do I doubt Varric's sword that Corypheus was no longer drawing breath. But something gave him the ability to come back. Were there any hints of it where he was imprisoned?"

Korrin doubt there's much to go on, if anything, but still, she has to ask if only to clear her own head. When there aren't enemies to fight, she gets too tangled up in her own thoughts. The addition of the honey mead is a welcome distraction, though, and she takes an appreciative sip.

"No, he was dead. He ... blew away, right before our eyes." Bethany inhaled slowly, before she frowned. A thoughtful look on her face, as she took in a drink of the mead. "Well, he did have very direct link to the other Wardens there, and Maker knows he had direct control of the Carta agents."

She takes another sip, her lips pressing in a thin line. "I just don't know how that could translate into supposed immortality."

"A direct link...sounds like blood magic." Korrin shudders, never anything other than highly unnerved at the thought of such magic practices. But if Corypheus is truly as ancient as they say, he'd be from a time where such was commonplace.

"I've no idea either, so I'll stop pestering you about it. You'll probably get more than your fair share of that from everyone else, just because you were there and you're a Hawke."

"Oh, it most certainly was." Bethany said with a dark look, "The kind that I hoped never to see again. That thing is a monster, through and through."

She quirked up a grin at that, before answering innocently, "Honestly, you're doing better than most. You haven't once asked me if my sister is the most beautiful, most daring, most awe inspiring heroine of the age and what does she like in a mate?" Not a hint of jealousy there - just pure amusement.

"And she is. Although I think what she wants in a mate is not to have one. She is, by the way, absolutely stunning. That's just in the Hawke genes though. Carver and I are equally pretty." She tossed her hair a little, before bursting out laughing.

Korrin chuckles at that, raising her tankard with a grin. "No false modesty, eh? I like it. And I'm sure you're sister is as epic as Varric's book has described, but I'm already content with another beautiful, daring, awe-inspiring woman, so Hawke is safe from me. Even if that wasn't the case, it's not really my style to hit on someone through their siblings. That's just weird."

"Honestly, false modesty is usually what ends up getting Carver and I in trouble in the first place." Bethany stated with a rueful little smile, before she brightened, "Oh? Then she really must be beautiful, daring, awe-inspiring aand uttering charming. And you wouldn't believe me if I told you how many times someone has tried."

She rolls her eyes a little, before she takes another drink.

"She's all of those things and more, in a tiny not-Antivan package." Korrin grins, figuring that it's the easiest way to refer to Araceli and the most apt, in her mind.

"Oh? And how many times has that happened since you arrived?" Bethany's almost brand new, to be sure, but Varric's books are popular around here. Korrin wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that there have been a few incidents already.

"Not Antivan package?" Bethany looked amused at the turn of phrase. "Maker, what sort of packaging is she in then?"

"Let's see ... " Bethany pursed her lips together, "I've been here a day - so about five times. I'd say Marian is slipping but everyone thinks she's dead so really, she's not doing that badly." She took a sip of her mead, then looked up at Korrin, "And no, I don't believe my sister is dead. Not for a moment. We would have felt it, Carver and I. I imagine when she pops back up again, she'll have some fantastic story of where she was and then? I'll be literally piled with people who want to 'get to know her better'."

Her smile returns, "Carver always fares better in these situations - he always knows to flirt back."

Korrin chuckles at that, taking another swig. "If you're looking to catch up, I'm sure Zevran would be more than happy to help out there. He's very generous with his time, and if you're not interested in him, he won't take it personally."

Her amusement fades briefly as her gaze becomes one of sympathy. "I wouldn't know, being an only child, but for your sake I hope that sibling-sense keeps working. And considering all she's survived, I'd doubt it too. If she's half as tough as Varric's told me, she'll outlive all of us."

Not that Korrin's intending to meet her end any time soon. And the smile returns after a moment. "The packaging I mean is a rifter sort. She's from elsewhere, beyond the Fade. But her homeland is so akin to Antiva that I tend to think of her as one anyway. Zevran, too."

"Zevran Arainai? The Zevran Arainai?" She stated, her eyebrows raising together. She had heard about the man - if Varric's story wasn't enough, Marian was all together too thrilled to share the experience. "I ... have heard he's probably the most amazing thing inside a bedroom since a feather down blanket."

And Maker, yes, now she's flushed. Sigh. Switch it to sibling senses. "It's a funny thing, that. I don't think I could ever really read either one of their minds but ... I always just know if they are all right, or not."

She grinned at that, before she tipped her side to the side, "Now that sounds like a woman you should hold onto."

Korrin doesn't verbally respond to that comment about Zevran, but her knowing grin probably says all it needs to. Why pretend she hasn't bedded him, like half of Skyhold? Or it seems that way, as he's never lacking for company.

That grin softens at mention of Araceli and she nods, cheeks warming. "Oh, I intend to, rift nonsense and the end of the world be damned. When you know how you feel about someone, why wait?" At least, such is her way of things. Patience and subtlety aren't her strong points, nor would she want them to be.

"Will your brother be joining us, too? There's more than enough work to go around, whether Warden-related or otherwise. The Inquisition needs everyone it can get."

Yes, that smile really says it all. She felt her cheeks flush, before she cleared her throat. Well that really just said it all, didn't it? She was just not going to think about that one, no thank you.

"Now that would be the kind of relationship we're all looking for, isn't it?" She grinned, before lifting her mug to her. "To you and your amazing not-Antivan. May you have many, many chances to feel this way together."

Her expression sobered a little, "I don't know, honestly. I was only safe because in the midst of my Warden friends. I don't know if Carver is on is own, or if he has his own friends with him. I don't want to leave a safe hiding spot."

Echoing that grin, Korrin lifts her mug in turn and takes a hearty swig to that toast. She makes a mental note to introduce them sometime; Bethany's new, and another friendly non-Warden face might do her some good. And it also can't hurt to let more natives see that rifters aren't demons.

Her grin fades at hearing that news, and though they've only just met, she rests a hand on the other woman's shoulder. "I don't blame you for that, not with how nasty it is out there. As far as I can tell, Hawkes are a resilient bunch. If he's anything like his sisters, Carver will manage. Perhaps Sister Leliana can help you learn more."

[Open] [I can move mountains, move mountains.. ]

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