Into the DANGER ZONE

[faderifting]

WHO: All Rifters + the 7 natives who signed up
WHAT: Searching the ruins of Haven for survivors, an Inquisition crew finds something strange. And demons. It's kind of scary that the demons aren't the strange thing.
WHEN: Third week of Harvestmere, 9:41
WHERE: Haven
NOTES: We've broken rifters and rescuers (or "rescuers") into two groups. This log has an arrival comment for each group--you can start smaller subthreads beneath those rather than try to have an eight- or nine-person log, just incorporate surrounding chaos/fighting--and a third top-level set for the whole group's journey back to Skyhold

You were asleep-- deeply or fitfully, for the last time or just resting your eyes for a moment-- and then you were not. And wherever you were was not, anymore, replaced by nothing but the sensation of falling, tumbling into endless, bottomless nothing. If this were still a dream, you would wake before you hit the ground. You can't die in a dream, they say. In some worlds.

But there's no waking here, just a flare of green-white light and a jarring impact, barely softened by snow that lies a foot deep with an icy crust that cracks beneath the force of your landing. The wind is biting cold, the sun is bright, and you are not alone. Others thud to the ground nearby, as bewildered as you, and others run up who look no less confused for having their feet beneath them.

You are also not as you were: in the palm of your left hand there glows a narrow splinter of light the same sickly green as whatever brought you here. It aches, a bone-deep pain that gnaws even through all the distractions. Like that you're being attacked by monsters, some tall, spindly stick-things with too many eyes, some hunched and hooded with no eyes at all.

Welcome to Thedas!

Comments

[fleurdesel]

Oh Maker she actually glows. Adelaide had thought that a part of the haze of battle. Not- truth.

"You are welcome." There, that was the thing to say, yes? Yes. Well done her. She dropped her hands back to her staff that she'd tucked against her shoulder and looked past Galadirel to the rest of the field for a moment and-

Why was she blushing again she was a grown woman, this was ridiculous. "Explaining Spirit Healing is difficult- sometimes the simplest way to understand is to experience it."

[laurenande]

"It is unusual, I do not doubt it is very hard to explain, and I suspect I must learn much before I will understand the skills you wield," Galadriel admitted and, in the calm, Adelaide's flush was so gentle and genuine that it drew a smile across her face.

"And though I am curious, I have met few mortal men who are as unmoved by cold as the Eldar." It was a poor excuse for her blush, but not entirely without warrant.

"Even if you are unbothered by the snow, I dislike this place. You have granted me the ability to walk alone, but I would that you walk with me, if it pleases you to do so."

[fleurdesel]

Andraste's tits, she was smiling again. Adelaide was going to be crimson the whole walk back to Skyhold if she did not find some measure of calm. The fact that she had the distinct impression Compassion was somewhere in the fade laughing at her did not help.

Smile back? Smile back. It was small and slight and felt odd- she had not had much reason to smile as of late, but it was sincere despite it's brevity. "The camp should be just over the hill. I think whatever it was we intended to find, we've found- or it is beyond finding at all."

Should she offer Galadriel her arm? That was what one did, yes? No? Oh Maker why couldn't she think straight?

[laurenande]

"Then let us walk," Galadriel said and, with casual grace, took Adelaide's arm. She had not offered it, but unless she drew away Galadriel would keep her hold. She felt steady enough that she would not fall, but this magic was unknown and, however gently, being able to brace herself was a kindness that eased her mind. The elf's grip was light, her hand curled softly at the bend of the human woman's elbow, and she guided her toward the sounds of a camp.

She had not realized it in battle but, as they moved from the snow to the road that wound through the remains of Haven, Galadriel found herself without shoes. It was not a terrible thing to lack, she rarely wore them in Lórien or anywhere short of battle, but to find herself abruptly abroad and without them was...amusing.

Sadly, this epiphany did inspire another question: what had she been doing before she arrived here? Had anything been lost? She could not recall and that, above all, was troubling.

But, she had not the energy or desire to contemplate that now and so she set it aside. Adelaide was not yet accustomed to her presence, few mortals were, and while Galadriel was not as skilled at relieving discomfort, she could mitigate it, from time to time.

"If I have led us the wrong way, do be kind and correct me. If you recall: I have no idea where we are."

[fleurdesel]

No chance of drawing away, that would be impolite. Inhospitable. Some of the vestiges of her mother's training kicked in and Adele managed to sling her staff across her back and rest her hand on top of Galadriel's as one does when walking with them. A show of support and camaraderie. It was also a subtle way to make keep an eye on Galadriel's pulse and her pain- though both seemed to not be an issue at the moment. Good. Adelaide and Compassion both could use a rest.

Walking this close also offered an opportunity to adjust. Perhaps stop being quite so dazzled- she was an Enchanter, an instructor, she has seen things in the fade beyond description. One magnificent elven woman should not be enough to render her speechless. If Compassion wasn't as equally marveled, she'd feel awful. As it was she merely felt humbled by Galadriel's attention- which was a strange feeling. She thought she'd been done with that after she passed her harrowing, proved herself on her own merit.

"Ah- no we are going in the right direction. The camp is a little further ahead." She would have some time to brew tea and look over the members of the Inquisition before turning her hands and magic on the rest that may have need of healing.