heaven, a gateway, a hope

[byblow]

WHO: Grey Wardens & You
WHAT: A daring and not at all ragtag group of Grey Wardens has walked all the way across Orlais to inform the Inquisition--just in case it hadn't already realized on its own--that everything is terrible.
WHEN: Harvestmere 22
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: This post has: (1) A single group "we just got here, we're freezing, who is in charge, what do you mean you haven't decided yet" starter that we'd like to keep to one chronological thread. (2) Open starters for individual Wardens set later in the day/week.

OOC Note: Regarding the first starter--threadjack away! Anyone is welcome to wander onto the scene to see what's going on and wander back out at their leisure, to fall silent for a while, etc. No tagging order. But let slower taggers get a word in edgewise!

Comments

[paperwing]

They've been here less than five minutes and already Scipio and Rafael at it - she thought she was past exasperation, but apparently not. Sabriel lets out a short sigh; another fairly new acquaintance, one that showed up about the time they did. She's tired enough not to complain, just to run a hand through her hair - water, water would be nice, clean would be nice - and give them both a look. The parent look, the one that says she's got far too much to do and discipline will have to come later.

"The first thing we'll ask after speaking to someone about everything is where the kitchens are." Maybe they'll bring them food whilst talking, as Sigrun said.

That's as much as she says on the matter before stepping after Alistair. "Food in exchange for bad news," she says softly, not much louder than a mutter. Some Wardens they were. But she swallows it, looks to the nearest crowd of people who haven't fled, and raises her voice. "Pardon our interruption. Can anyone spare a minute?"

Even as she says it, it sounds far too dignified for such a gathering, but it'll have to do.

[amygdalae]

Bruce didn't miss the glance that one of the Wardens was giving over to him. It would be nice if he wasn't the one being looked at, but there wasn't exactly anyone else nearby who Bruce could pretend it was directed towards instead. Still, he hesitates on if he should approach them or not. He has nothing against the Wardens himself, but Bruce has never been good with anybody with authority, and considering all the things that came with the Grey Wardens, well.

He's still debating about it when one of the other wardens stepped out and spoke aloud. And of course, at this point, there's no way Bruce can quite ignore them now.

Taking a breath, Bruce steps out from his spot and moves towards the band of Wardens. The wariness is on his expression and in his body language, but he does his best to be as polite. "...I can spare some time. What brings a group of Wardens to the Inquisition?"

[byblow]

"Not a Blight," Alistair says, aiming to reassure, but then he has to add, "as far as we know. We did hear that something a lot like an Archdemon was causing you lot some trouble."

Trouble. Wrecking their village. Killing their Herald. It all seems a little distant, still, to him, when the Calling and the Wardens' plan has had so much of his attention. Still does. But he probably shouldn't make light of other people's equally serious problems, when this fellow has been kind enough to step forward and talk to them despite their armor and collective obnoxiousness. He checks himself and turns down the force of his determined cheerfulness until his smile is regretful instead.

"I'm afraid we might be here to cause you more."

[offortune]

"Look at this place, Skip, it's held together with sticks and they've probably had to put the goats to work. We'll be lucky if they even have any half-decent wine."

Rafael snaps his fingers and points to Sigrun once he's done dousing his friend's hopes. "That's the ticket, compromise. I knew I liked you. And not you." His glare at Sabriel is exaggerated (he doesn't actually dislike people this easily) but the sourness isn't all insincere. "Compromise," he repeats, "Eating and talking-- Shades, fine! Have your chat, it's not like you need the two of us for that. We'll go... do a patrol!" Yes, a patrol, brilliant idea. He's backpedaling away from the group as he speaks now, a hand reached out to hook Scipio and drag him after. Bruce is here now, to be talked to and provide distraction. Nobody will miss them.

"Reconnoiter the castle. Bring back intel. Lay of the land, ear to the ground, all that nice stuff about hard work and dirt. We'll regroup at half-past." Half-past what is for him to know and them to find out. "Aye aye, senior Wardens, sir. And madame." He gives a flourishy bow to Sigrun that does not require him to stop walking away.

[amygdalae]

Archdemon--yes. Haven. Bruce hadn't seen the beat up close, but even in the distance the dragon's roars were something that would stay in his mind for the months to come. It was one thing to be in a Circle while the Blight was going all over the place, but to see an Archdemon with his own eyes--

But the Warden who replied said it wasn't a Blight. If it wasn't about that, then...?

His thoughts derail for a moment when two of the Wardens apparently decide to make a move first, and he stares at them for a moment before the apparent leader of this ragtag group spoke up again.

More trouble, he said. Well. That never bode well, especially in these couple of months.

"I'm probably not the person you should be speaking to, then." He was just a surgeon, after all, nobody fancy or important like Seeker Pentaghast and the other heads of the different parts of the Inquisition. "If you want, I can probably try and help you find somebody who you can talk you. Seeker Pentaghast or the Commander are probably your best chances."