the first rule about scout club is...

[lacere]

WHO: Inquisition Scouts
WHAT: It's Harding's birthday, the scouts turned it into an excuse to party. And to shoot flaming arrows off the fortress walls. Why? Why not.
WHEN: Backdated to Wintermarch 20
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Scout signups and scout mingling is go! Warnings will be updated as appropriate.

In Skyhold, today was a day like any other.

It was cold, and it was sort of snowing, the worst of it strewn about in clumps with some attempt made to at least clear the path to the fortress gates. Troops and scouts trained, ravens cawed, some mages and templars gave each other the stink-eye, meals were served, nobles tutted, and runners went abut their business. Exceptionally ordinary - if it were not the Lead Scout's birthday.

Not that Harding had told them that. She had made a point not to do so, but let it not be said that the Inquisition Scouts were nothing but decent at their jobs when it came to hard fact. Gossip, on the other hand? Debatable.



( THE TAVERN )

The second floor of The Herald's Rest has been claimed in the name of the scouts for the occasion for schmoozing. Several mercenaries lounge on the stairs to permit or deny entry, all for the easy money, but as long as you look like a rogue and have a bow, they'll probably wave you on through. There are banners hung with the Inquisition logo here and there, draped across beams and nailed into place, which is about as festive as they've been allowed to be in order for the lead scout not to become aware as to their plans. Ale and mead and wine are brought up from the bar and several tables have been pushed together for the food, or nibbles, but it's just standard Ferelden kitchen faire and seems to have been an afterthought. At least there's a lot of it.

Card games spring up across the board and a game of wicked grace is sure to get out of hand eventually; a bored scout (who keeps dozing off) mans a table near the entrance to the floor with what looks to be a sign-up sheet for those interested in joining the scouting operation. Several slogans have been crossed out at the top, all written by several different hands (eat it, Coryphispit!). One or two bards and their lutes have been roped in to the whole affair to provide atmosphere on the chance the scouts can't provide entertainment for themselves, though their songs of choice involve the nearest person and made up ditties on the spot. They also break into rounds of wishing various Skyhold denizens a happy birthday, whether it's today and whether they're here or not (the Commander comes up a lot).



( THE CONTEST )

When night falls, the scouts head up and out onto the walls of Skyhold with enough arrows to fell a dragon and then some - ask and you'll be told it's an archery contest, which might have been conceived right now, or hours before, no one's really sure, but it's happening. The arrows, by the way, are on fire. On fire and aimed into the snowbanks below, yes. Whomever fires the furthest is the winner, apparently, though that does depend on whether anyone can see the flickering light in the dark and the potential for everyone to argue about their perception of distance. There are many good archers and most of them are far from sober at this point, so it can only end well. They're also not exactly going to turn away anyone that isn't a scout, but are you going to win? Best be prepared.

Comments

[lacere]

"Leliana might be above both of us, but only one of us is the Lead Scout here." The one of us being her, as you know. The one wearing the paper crown on her head. So awful. "You'd be better off skipping the crown altogether with her and going with shoes instead."

Who knew, though, she might be amused by the crown, but Harding isn't going to recommend anyone should try it. But she is aware of what Leliana is to Katniss, as were the others that passed through Redcliffe ten years prior, so she doesn't push the mater.

"Since when have I ever given you big sad eyes?" Harding scoffs. No one gets big sad eyes. Said eyes might have rolled if she still wasn't teasing and the humour was clearly there and in the smirk that might as well have been a fixture. "And you've always liked the jam. But if you insist, I guess I can do a present for you."

Birthdays. So often inconvenient to scout operations. Anyway, she's committed to the present, now, so instead of shaking it plops it on the table in front of her and begins to tear the edges, neatly.

[the_effect_she_has]

"That is true - you are Lead Scout, Lead Scout." Katniss stated with am absolutely straight face. "But I will keep the shoes in mind."

Honestly, Katniss might actually just buy the woman really nice shoes in thanks for what she did at Redcliffe. Thanking them head on seemed to be ... well. Both Alistair and Zevran seemed downright uncomfortable with it.

"Hmm, fair. You usually just stick with, 'I am mocking you with my mocking eyes'." Katniss's lips twitched up at the corners, "I have. I love that jam. You should give me more of it."

She watches as Harding starts to open the package, keeping her expression completely straight. When she finally unwrapped it, she'd find a pair of rather ... intricate hair combs. Sharp eyes would see the twist knobs at the top, and the thin blades that pulled out of them. "Something practical, that just looks pretty."

[lacere]

"If I had anymore, you'd be sure to get it. I'll ask mother. Might take a while, though." She's finally managed to persuade them to move further away to safety in Denerim, and Harding would rather they focus on that and their professions than worrying about sending jam along to their errant daughter.

Harding does open it, slowly, her expression set to bemused, maybe a little wary. She knows its likely to be more than it appears, even if she's not against some pretty things - with a seamstress for a mother, it's hard not to like ornate dresses, to have an interest in baubles and glitter - it's just finding the what that makes it different. Her hands fumble with the twists, and out pulls a thin, sharp blade. Very nice. "I'm all for the practical part," she voices. "Solves the problem of being without a bow at an Orlesian party, if we ever get invited to one of those."

They might, if influence keeps growing, and nobles keep coming.

"Thanks, Katniss."

[the_effect_she_has]

"As long as she has the time, and the inclination. I don't want her putting herself out." She knew that Lace's parents made their livelihoods off of the products they made just as she had.

She smiled a little into her drink, before she looked up at her. "Well, I wouldn't put it past any of us at this point. Considering how far and wide we're casting the net for Corypheus." She lifted her drink to her. "Beyond that, even Lead Scouts need something nice."

One corner of her mouth lifting.

"You're welcome, Harding."