In a moment of glorious surrender, you were broken for all the world to see...

[nadasharillen]

WHO:Nari and Sina Dahlasanor, Adelaide LeBlanc, Pel Ashara, and YOU!
WHAT: Visiting Sina in Recovery -- for whatever reason
WHEN: Beginning of Guardian, the first weeks after the Surprise Rift is closed.
WHERE: A private tent in the Skyhold garden
NOTES: Positive and negative reactions both welcome! If you're not sure what happened, check that sweet sweet 'Surprise Rift' link!



In the days following, Sina sleeps, the toll the active shard took on her thin, pale form evident in the hollows of her face; the way she'll wince and gasp, fingers grasping and twisting at the blankets. Sometimes she wakes in mumbling delirium, staring glassy-eyed at the wall. Rarely she'll open her eyes and actually see, lucid, but weak.

Always, her clansister is there. She looks like a fretful shadow of herself, wary. Her knives are sheathed but close by, lest anyone come to take issue with the small bed-ridden mage.

Wounded she might be, but she'd still opened a Rift in the heart of Skyhold.


[Adelaide.]

Nahariel is like a ghost that haunts her clansister's bedside. She talks little, sleeps less, and is only away for the briefest of reasons--one of which is to make sure Adelaide never runs out of tea when she's there. One day, as she sets down another cup, she suddenly and quietly speaks.

"I don't think I ever thanked you properly. Or your spirit."


[Pel.]

At some point during the next days Pel will look up to see the swarthy hunter often seen in Sina's company, with very little sound to accompany her appearance beside a polite throat-clear. She looks... tired.

"Pel?" She asks--mostly a formality.

"Sina was... mumbling in her sleep. She said your name once or twice, and..." she'll trail off, and run a hand through her hair with a sigh. Some of it sticks up afterwards--it doesn't look as if she's taking care of herself much.

"I know you fought not too long ago, and you were both hurt, but... would you come and see her? I think she'd like that."


[Everybody.]

[Bring flowers? Study her? Cry a bit? Be accusatory? Come on in!]

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

Returning briefly on a supply run, it doesn't take Korrin long to hear about the rift that had opened up in Skyhold. The poor soul who first mentions it doesn't have much in the way of details despite the Vashoth mage drilling him for information. But Sina -or rather 'that Dalish with the chest shard- is mentioned as having played a major part and that sends her running.

Korrin will check the infirmary first; if Sina's not there, then her usual resting place. If not there then she'll just harass whoever she must until answers are forthcoming. Either way, her approach is not at all quiet nor does she think to make it so. At the moment, all that matters if finding her fallen friend.

[nadasharillen]

Eventually, Korrin's search--and one of Adelaide's students--will lead her to a tent set up in the corner of the garden. Inside, both elves are asleep. Sina is curled around her chest, the glow of the shard soft and eerie in the dim light of the tent, while Nari has fallen asleep beside the cot, legs tucked beneath her, hands cupped around Sina's slender fingers.

Stirring at the rustle, the hunter will sit up quickly, eyes darting to take in the Vashoth mage. Upon seeing the naked worry on Korrin's face, she'll relax visibly, rubbing her bleary eyes with the heels of her palms.

"She's sleeping, but her breathing is easier today."

[gatheringstorm]

The tension in her shoulders fades a little upon hearing that, and Korrin crouches down both to better observe Sina and so that Nari won't have to strain to look up at her, as most do. She lets out a soft sigh, inexplicably guilt-ridden for having been absent at the worst time, despite not knowing how her presence alone could have prevented this.

"What the hell happened, exactly? All I've heard was something about a rift spewing demons and Sina being near it." Despite her blunt words, her tone is nothing but concern, her gaze centered on that glow of the chest-shard.

[nadasharillen]

"I wasn't there when it opened," Nari replied, guilt heavy like stones in her voice. "I ran as fast as I could--when I got there, Sina was on the ground, convulsing, the shard was so bright, and there were demons." She rubbed an eye again, then reached to check the cloth on Sina's forehead. Finding it dry, she dipped it into the bucket of cool water nearby, wrung it, and replaced it as gently as one might touch a frightened bird.

"Adelaide came soon after, thank the Creators, and began to heal her. Then the Rifters came and tried to close it, but Sina's shard connected to the rift when theirs did and it hurt her, so we moved her away, and..." The hunter's eyes had started to glimmer, "and she--stopped breathing, but Adelaide and her spirit brought her back." Nari sniffed once, roughly, and ran her hand beneath her nose. "And then they closed it, I guess."

"I... I've heard some muttering that they think Sina opened it. Without meaning to, of course, but... that we don't know what the shards can do or how they do it."

That she had her blades within easy reach said enough about what she thought might come from the talk.

[fleurdesel]

It'd been simple enough- propping up a tent in the gardens where it was warm, where Sina usually felt the most comfortable. After what she had endured? Somewhere secure and comfortable is best. The bone deep ache and raging migraine the next day had been well worth her efforts. The girl lives. It's more than she'd hoped for when Sina went still and quiet and cold under the rift.

Adelaide blinks at being addressed, her own lips stretching in a wry, weary grin. "I made a promise. I am not in the habit of breaking them."

[nadasharillen]

"Even so," Nari continued with quiet insistence, "even if you could not help but aid, by virtue of who and what you are, that doesn't make it somewhat you shouldn't be thanked for." She puttered about, doing the small tasks she could. Organize herbs, cloth, bedding, stoke the low embers that kept the tea hot.

"Your spirit, similarly." A beat, and then, "may I ask how you came to be ladarelan'elgar? There are stories of those who walk with spirits, and their works, but not many of how it came to pass."

[fleurdesel]

"Compassion? They cannot bear to leave pain unsoothed or a wound unmended. It is a large part of our contract that allows me to work with them- seeing to it that they can treat as many as possible." A spirit must fulfill it's purpose. It is as vital to them as air and food to mortals.

Adelaide stretched a hand out, fingers glowing blue as Comassion's awareness swept over Sina. Weary, but well. "I've been able to hear spirits for as long as I can remember. I was not able to understand them until I was twelve. Compassion has been with me since I was a child."

[mythalenaste]

Pel has settled for hearing about Sina through other sources, certain that the last thing the girl needs while stressed is to see her. Nahariel approaches, and Pel looks up, almost too eager for news. And she is surprised.

"You...you're sure? That's not going to put more strain on her?"

[nadasharillen]

Nari lifts her shoulders in a small shrug. "I don't..." A pause, and then, "She's not awake. Or when she does, she's deep in delirium. I don't know what to do besides wait, and I thought maybe... if I could bring someone she asked for..." She crosses her arms over her chest, looks at the pattern of the stone by Pel's feet. Nahariel is silent for a while longer, and then:

"...I think she'd like to know that you still consider her a friend. If you do."

[mythalenaste]

"I'll do whatever I can for her." There is an ache in Pel's chest, as if she has somehow failed Sina, and as if her failure is what caused this disaster. She almost dreads what would happen if her presence did make Sina better, because it would mean this is at least partly her fault.

[madame_de_fer]

Madame de Fer has serious issue with a rift being opened directly in the fortress, but then, she had serious issue with an Abomination happening as well. They know so very little about these shards in people and what they can and cannot do, beyond the closing, and now opening of more rifts. It is trouble, plain and simple.

But this is not the reason she has come. Whether any of the mages in the Inquisition even know, or like it, Vivienne has collectively given herself responsibility for the welfare of them all. She considers them all hers, Dalish or Circle or apostate. Because someone must be active in seeing to their care and safety. Sina is no exception to this blanket concern. If anything, she's especially so, as she rather reminds the Iron Lady of a timid deer, easily startled.

Espying Sina's guardian in the tent upon entering, she inquires after the little mage softly lest she be woken. "How does she fare?"

The poor dear looks scared and in pain, even in her slumber.

[nadasharillen]

Nahariel looks up from her sketching, the beginnings of a simple halla-horned circlet traced out at the bottom of what looks like an unfinished letter. Given the sketch now takes up part of the page, it seems destined to remain unfinished. Her eyes widen slightly, taking in the well-dressed, graceful, and composed woman who'd come to visit her clansister. Everything around the Iron Lady seemed simple and rough in comparison.

She had never seen shem'len nobility before--and this woman was almost certainly one. Nari immediately resented the woman almost as much as she found her impressive. But her words were as quiet and sympathetic as her voice was cultivated, and so Nari replied without malice.

"Not well, but there are good things to be found each day. Her breathing is clearer today, and her fever is less." A pause, as the hunter turns to rest the back of her hand along Sina's cheek. She nods slightly. Less. Not gone, but less. Although she felt so often she could hardly tell. "She has not woken yet, not truly. Sometimes she speaks, but the words mean nothing."

[madame_de_fer]

In deep silence, Vivienne takes in this information, sorting it, pondering the nuance of every word. It is unlikely this caretaker is in any way playing the Game, but it is rather a force of habit for her regardless. Still, for a woman who spends much of her life behind a mask, even when not wearing one, she's slipping and allowing her true concern shine through.

"I see..." Indeed she does see, and what is before her eyes is not promising. She keeps her voice low, so as to not disturb what is clearly much needed slumber. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Vivienne is no healer, but there are considerable resources available to her which could be vitally important. If only they knew more, it would make the cure go better.

[el_tybs]

There isn't a door to knock on to make his presence known so instead Sam clears his throat in a loud enough manner to get someone's attention. He doesn't stick his head in right away, having learned from a previous experience to wait until you're told to enter.

[nadasharillen]

Instead of calling out in response, Nari will come to the tent flap. She smiles when she sees who it is, and it brightens her weary face.

"Sam. I'm glad to see you. Come on in," she says, holding up the flap to allow him to duck through, and then returning to her seat by the cot. "She's still not waking regularly, but... I think she's getting better." The hunter draws her knees up, resting her chin on them.

"I didn't think it was going to be this bad. Didn't want to think."

[el_tybs]

"Hey Nahariel," he says back, giving a small smile at the immediate invite and walking into the tent as quickly as possible so that as little cool air got into the space.

"At least she's waking up some," he offers, putting down the pot in his left hand down then holding up a basket to Nari. "I know it's the garden but I figured she'd like to see one of them in the tent. And I figured you could use something to eat - you're staying in here most of the time I take it?"

[colecomfort]

Most of the flowers grown at Skyhold are needed for medicinal purposes, or for potions or grenades. They may be beautiful, but they are not here for decoration. Few can be spared.

He went partway down the mountain for this. Past the most frigid parts, to where hardy plants were growing, despite the winter. Scrubby moss, and white flowers with thick, thorny stems.

Cole has arranged bits of tree moss in a bowl, decorated it with white blooms, and twigs made to look like trees. A miniature forest for someone who has been confined within stone walls for too long. He is there at Sina's side, kneeling down, placing it near where her head rests.

[eolasemah]

Something stirs her. Perhaps it's the Fade itself, a place with which Sina has become quite familiar these past weeks, that shimmers and alerts her to Cole's presence.
Her eyes open and she sees him there, greeting the boy with a faint and weary yet nonetheless grateful smile.

[colecomfort]

Once the bowl is placed, he pulls his hands back to rest on his knees. Keeps on looking down at her with that steady, unblinking gaze.

"Pulled at the pain until it poured through you," he observes, sadly. "It didn't work."

shows up ten years late with starbucks (i hope backdating is okay)

[arlathvhen]

There's a soft rapping on the tent door to announce Beleth, before she slips inside the tent. Beleth wishes she'd gotten in here earlier, but it feels like fifty things have been happening, and Beleth has been tugged around fifty different ways. But she's finally had some time to breath, and she used it to get some bread and cheese, and come to visit.

She pulls out the food, and a knife as she settles down, giving Nari a thin smile. "Hey. I thought you could use some food. Is Sina eating? She can have some too." And she starts slicing up the bread and the cheese. "...How has she been? Anyone bothering her?"

shows up ten more years later (oh, it is :D)

[nadasharillen]

Nari is sitting by the cot, one knee pulled up, her head pillowed on it. It seems she's fallen asleep, and has just begun to drool slightly when Beleth comes in. The hunter's head jerks up, eyes bleary but wary, although the look is quickly replaced by a smile when she sees who it is.

"Oh--Beleth. Thank you."

She'll shake her head slightly in answer to the first question--though it could serve as answer to all. "Not much. Some broth sometimes, when she's awake. I'm sure she'd appreciate the thought, though."

[arlathvhen]

"Oh, Creators, did I wake you up? I'm sorry." Beleth smiled apologetically, ducking her head. "I should have been more careful. I can imagine sleep hasn't been easy for you, lately." She plopped down and offered Nari most of the sliced bread and cheese, keeping some to munch on while they talked.

"Broth--I can get that. I'll see if I can't sweet talk the cooks. If not, I can figure something out. Broth can't be that hard to make." You boil some kind of meat in water and throw salt in or something like that, right? No problem. "I'm glad that she's coming around a bit, though. Hey--" She turned to Nari, reaching over to gently rest a hand on her arm.

"If anyone gives you or her a hard time, tell one of my clan. The People will look out for each other, no matter what the humans plan."

slides in later than late as per CR meme stufffs

[wontforgetyou]

It's nearly the middle of Guardian before Jamie is able to come back on supply run, and it's none too soon as far as he's concerned. The one thing he's wanted to do since the whole incident with the rift is to check up on Sina, and while in theory he could do so over the crystals, he doesn't know Nari and has had no idea who he'd even get in touch with to find out. He's had to satisfy himself with whatever news he can get second and third hand, and that's not nearly enough.

So at the moment he gets a chance to, he's at her tent, a couple of small packages wrapped in cloth in his hand. There's a couple of warring scents rising from them, vaguely herbal in nature, but apart from him bringing up a finger to rub at his nose, they don't seem to be bothering him all that much. Whether they'll bother anyone else, he's not sure, but then again, he's not even sure who all's in the tent right now apart from Sina - or even if she's awake, for that matter. He doesn't worry about that, however, instead lifting the flap and poking his head in to see who all's around.

"Hello?"

is okay because I'm so late too!

[nadasharillen]

The tent is lit by soft candlelight, and empty save for Sina, who is lying asleep on the cot. There are a few papers strewn about--a few sketches, some half-written letters. For a moment there's silence, and then the sound of sloshing from behind him as Nahariel approaches the tent with a fresh bucket of water from the well.

[wontforgetyou]

Seeing Sina asleep is good - it means she's still here, still fighting after what'd happened. But at the same time, it also means that likely she still needs the rest, and as much as he wants to see her, he doesn't want to wind up disturbing her while she's still clearly on the mend. Rather than try and wake her he winds up peering a little more closely at the table, trying to see if he can spot a bit of blank paper without actually going inside. He's not all that great at writing the language here, but thanks to some help from Kallian and "Detlef" he's getting better, and writing down 'tea' and 'things that smell good' shouldn't be all that hard to manage. If he's quiet enough about it, Sina won't even know he's here.

However, he hasn't quite figured on Nari coming back to the tent when she does, and when he hears the sound of sloshing his first instinct is to turn - only to have brow knit together in a sort of baffled confusion when he sees her and where she's headed.

"Oh. Sorry. I'd not realized anyone else was here. Here, did you need help with that?"