faderift | Tomorrow will be kinder.

WHO: Maxwell Trevean and Open
WHAT: Maxwell's got some things he'd like to get done before the Inquisition heads out.
WHEN: Before heading to the Emprise
WHERE: Around Skyhold
NOTES: One prompt is smoopy. You have been warned.

Archery Range:

Settled in the garden, Maxwell and his belongings had been right in the path of the abomination. He'd managed to escape unscathed, but the rest of his things weren't as lucky. Many were damaged, or outright destroyed. And replacing them was not as easy it had once been.

Keenly aware that he had no real right to complain, and that the alternatives - on either side - could be much worse, he said nothing about it. Merely put his head down, and got to work. Doing whatever he could to earn a little extra coin, or to trade for replacement clothes and bedding. (And maybe, if he was lucky, enough extra to prepare for the trek to the frigid mountains of the Emprise.)

The archery range was a good place for this. Any bowman worth their salt could fletch and sharpen their own arrows, but it was busy work and Maxwell didn't mind offering his hands and time for a small fee. For a larger price he'd even tend to the bows themselves - restringing, and waxing, maybe a little customization? How about some nice engraving?

He liked the work, and it put a little money in his pocket. A victory all around, in Maxwell's book.

Forge:

When he'd filled his requests for the day, and when Skyhold's blacksmiths had hung up their tools for the night, Maxwell took their place with some work of his own. He hoped that he might be able to finish his gift for Gavin before the Inquisition broke for the Emprise. He didn't know if the elf was going, or even if he was, how much they might see of each other while they were there. (It wasn't a holiday, after all.)

The idea of getting the necklaces finished, and being able to take a piece of each other where ever they went... it made him smile, and pushed him to work that much harder, stoking the fires long into the night.

Skyhold Wild Card:

There was time, occasionally, for tea or ale in the Herald's Rest. And he was still looking for some corner of the castle to call his own, after the last had been burnt to a crisp. Even if neither were particularly productive, he did get to meet all sorts of new faces.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ah, so its that kind of gift. Bruce nods and doesn't pry any more at that point - such things were after all personal, and he knows better than most how important such privacy was.]

Well, I don't think they're due to set off so soon. [He gives Maxwell a small, encouraging smile.] So I'm sure you'll be able to manage it in time.

[Maxwell smiled.]

Let's hope so. [He picked up the hammer again and choked up on the handle as he turned the mold back over with his free hand.] ...Speaking of, will you be joining the Inquisition in Sahrnia?

[Bruce blinks, surprised at the question, but once said surprise passes he shakes his head.]

No--not yet, anyway. I've been asked to remain in Skyhold, apparently. [Why, he isn't entirely sure, but its rare that Bruce is really ever asked for anything. Usually they're just fine with him doing what he's always done. He's pretty sure its nothing bad, but its uncommon enough for him to be surprised when it happens.]

Really? [Maxwell's brow wrinkled in surprise. Of course the Inquisition would have it's reasons, but still, unusual.] And they didn't tell you why?

I guess they might tell me soon.

[It's probably nothing to worry about.]

It's probably one of the rare times they actually want me to do something. [Which once more is a surprise, but Bruce can't complain. This was what he had come for, after all - to help.]

Hm. [Maxwell hummed thoughtfully. Then rolled his shoulders in a small shrug and smiled crookedly.] Well, at least you won't have to worry about having enough socks.

[There's a quiet snort here.]

Handling my own socks isn't too bad. [The problem comes when you have to do it for others. Or when others take your socks. ~~coughRafelandScipiocough~~.]

Have you been to the Emprise before?

I was honestly surprised. I knew it was in the mountains, and that it was cold, but how cold... [He put on a playful shiver at the memory.]

Just the edges of the area. I've never really stepped in properly, per se.

[But even then it had already been pretty cold.]

Just make sure to not push yourself too hard and you should be alright.

[That earned Bruce a laugh.]

I can't say I blame you, considering a step there is usually straight into a snowdrift.

[He tapped the hammer against the mold, a bit more gently, so he could still hear Bruce over the noise.]

Maybe someday the Inquisition will be requested somewhere bright and warm, without a bog or snowflake to be seen.

[Bruce lets out a quiet amused sound himself at Maxwell's laugh and reply.]

I won't be surprised if when that happens everyone will be wishing for the cold to return.

[A few of the links came free, tinkling gently against the table, and Maxwell grinned. Both in victory, and humor.]

We are a contrary lot, aren't we?

It's not an entirely bad thing.

[And really, there could be worse things to be. So Bruce isn't too bothered.]

I suppose there worse things we could be, that's true.

[He banged on the mold again, a few more links popped free.]

So, did you have any plans for this evening, before I - ah, distracted you?

No, not really. I was just in the area.

[He was kind of planning to pop in the library for a bit, but really, that can wait.]

Fair enough. [He smiled genially, but after a beat wagged the hammer at Bruce.] Just watch yourself, lest I put you to work.

I don't mind helping, but I'm told to be rather terrible with a hammer.

[Blacksmith material Bruce is not.]

[His smile widened into a grin.]

Fortunately, finesse is optional at this stage. Just pick up a hammer and start whacking.

[He gestured to a second mold, which he hadn't even started on.]

Just try and watch where the pieces go. If I lose too many, I'll have to do this bit over again.

[He'd purposely molded enough for extras, but there were only so many.]

Maybe I should watch you first, just to have a better idea of what to do.

[He's sort of done this before, but it has been a while - and as mentioned he's not exactly good with a hammer. Bruce is pretty sure he'll cause more trouble than actually helping.]

[Maxwell arched an eyebrow, snorting a bemused chuckle, but with a little shrug said no more.

Tipping the mold up, he continued to tap the links free, stopping occasionally to brush them into a neat pile before carrying on. Later, once they were all free, he would polish and clean them, and then he would begin the delicate process of knitting them together into a chain.]

[Bruce watches Maxwell as the other works on the links, seeing each of them as they popped out from the swings of the hammer. Blacksmithing isn't something Bruce sees often, but he can still appreciate it for what it is.]

You're quite used to that hammer. [He says after a while, glancing up at Maxwell.] Have you done this for long?

[Blacksmithing in general, he meant.]

A few years. [Maxwell considered for a moment, then nodded. A few years was fair.] I'm not a master artificer, by any means, but crafting a simple chain is fairly straight forward.

A few years is still a considerable length of time. It's something to be commended.

[And the chains do look relatively well-crafted (at least to him), so its clear that Maxwell had learned well.]

Nothing anyone else couldn't have done. [He smiled gently.] It's just patience and practice.

Not many can have that.

[Bruce knows that for a fact.]

The fact that you can is commendable by itself, I think.

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