I'm headed straight for the castle [OPEN]

[failedfirst]

WHO: Velanna and you!
WHAT: Tiny Warden mage arrives at Skyhold
WHEN: Guardian 20ish
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: You can check her info post for stuff or hit me up via PM or plurk if you want to hash out past CR!

Velanna arrives at Skyhold among a small mixed group of humans, elves, and dwarves. She is in part defense for the people who are simply refugees that she encountered upon the road. While it's peculiar to her that they aren't entirely uncomfortable traveling with a mage in their midst she has learned that some things she just shouldn't poke at. Her Grey Warden attire makes her stick out among the motley crew, moreso than her vallaslin. She smiles a little thinly at jokes one of the dwarves make as they go about unpacking things from their wagon, before dismissing herself and walking away from the group, leaving them to their own devices.

Because she'd come to Skyhold for a reason. She intended to help with the tears in the Fade, and had heard there were mages gathered in this place, so she begins to move through the courtyard, intent on seeking out anyone who can point her to where she can help fix this mess that the shemlen clearly created.

Comments

[foodsofmypeople]

One of those shemlen was wandering through Skyhold, his staff that clearly stated he was a mage of some kind on his back, though this staff had a bladed end. What made him stand out was that he was also in Grey Warden attire, somewhat different to hers.

The sight of another Warden, one he hadn't seen before, brought him up short, and he turned to walk towards her. "Warden. Welcome to Skyhold," he said as he got close. "I'm Senior Warden Kaidan. Not officially the greeting party, but apparently I will do today."

[failedfirst]

For some reason, it hadn't occurred to Velanna that other Wardens might be present at Skyhold. Generally, in her experience, it was a "darkspawn or nothing" kind of deal. So that is why she looks at Kaidan when he comes up and introduces himself like he's grown a second head, at least for a moment. Once the surprise passes however, she manages a slight incline of her head, pressing her lips together briefly.

"I am Warden Velanna. I have to admit, I was not expecting to see Wardens here, I've been out of contact with them for some time." Which is only partly her fault.

[foodsofmypeople]

"You haven't been anywhere near the Western Approach then?" That was a good sign that they could trust this Warden, then. He would be cautious for a while still, not convinced that Clarel wouldn't try to track down her missing Wardens and return them to the fold, especially Sabriel, but every had to be given a fair chance.

He was somewhat paranoid by now, especially when it was obvious she wasn't expecting another Warden here.

"There are a few of us who have stationed ourselves here. Can I ask, where did you come from before arriving here?"

[failedfirst]

"Ferelden," she replies shortly, before shifting slightly like she's mentally berating herself.

"I was traveling in Ferelden, the past year or so. I have not been to the Western Approach... ever, to my knowledge." Most of her missions with the Wardens hadn't taken her too far abroad, although she had spent some time in the Dales and Free Marches.

[foodsofmypeople]

"Sorry," he apologised immediately afterwards. "It's just we're all a little paranoid round here." At least, more so than normal.

"Warden-Commander Clarel has been issuing some... strange orders. There are a small group of us here who have either chosen not to follow them, or found our way here for other reasons and ended up staying."

[serannas]

Despite the events that have recently happened at Skyhold, things appear to be moving at a leisurely pace. Ellana is carefully stacking firewood near the stables as another worker chops, and she may just be covertly sneaking glancing at his muscles as she does so. By now, most observant people know she takes to watching human men spar, or do manual labor, or anything that causes their muscles to flex.

With the last of the wood chopped, the man wipes his brow and nods to her to let her know that's all, and she grabs the last two pieces to set against the wall of the stable. That's when she spots a new face. Alistair told her there were Dalish Wardens, and she's happily surprised to see one here, especially with all the troubles Wardens are having right now.

"Aneth ara," she greets politely. "Have you just arrived?"

[failedfirst]

The sight of the young woman with vallaslin on her face makes Velanna's heart ache. She has been so out of touch with her Dalish roots since becoming a Warden, although she has still been diligently recording any stories and history she could gather. Still, writing of the Dalish and seeing another face like hers are two very different things.

"Aneth ara," she greets in return, her smile somewhat sad as she looks at the young elf before her. "I have, yes. I had not heard there were Dalish aiding the Inquisition." It's an oddly buoying thought, that such an order founded in human ideals was accepting help from the Dalish.

[serannas]

"Oh, there are more than just myself," she explains, doing a quick count in her head. "At least ten that I can recall right now. With the Inquisition growing as it is, that still isn't many, but I'm glad we're here. It shows that we care about what happens to the world too, and are willing to stand up and do something about it." Not that she faults those Dalish who stay behind because they aren't fighters or they avoid conflict. But if they stay away simple because they think this is all a human problem, then Ellana wishes they could learn more about what is happening here. What Corypheus plans to do affects them all.

"My name is Ellana, of Clan Ashara. We're from the Free Marches."

[failedfirst]

Velanna's eyebrows rise at the number of Dalish among the Inquisition. It was far more than she would have expected. Perhaps the clans had learned from her mistakes with humans, if news of her exile had traveled to the Arlathvhen.

When Ellana introduces herself Velanna thinks for a fleeting moment of giving her a false name, but that would not be who she is. She does not hide from her mistakes or her shame. Ignore them, sure. But not hide.

"I am Velanna, Grey Warden of Amaranthine." Yes, her vallaslin speaks a different story, but when you join the Wardens you are supposed to cast off all other allegiances. Never mind the lines are always a little fuzzy with that and she was exiled before her Wardenship.

[serannas]

Ellana has had a little preparation for Dalish among the Wardens, since Alistair told her he knew of a few. She'd wondered why they left their clans, but in the end, a Warden was a new life, and she could respect that. The name didn't trigger any sort of reaction, but that was common for her. She was often the last to be told anything, and as the third mage under the Keeper's tutelage, Ellana was Clan Ashara's dirty little secret. A mage who should have been given to a clan in need, but kept because of a Keeper's pity for a girl who had just watched her parents succumb to a plague that had taken many of them. It meant Ellana had never been allowed to attend Arlathvhen and hear all the news.

"It's good to meet you. I can tell you there are a small group of Wardens in residence here now. A few may still be on missions in Emprise du Lion, though. In fact, I share quarters with a Warden here, and am friends with several others." Her roommate Sabriel has turned into a dear friend already, and is a fellow council member on the Inquisition's Council of Magi.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

[gatheringstorm]

In the training area, Korrin is alone and going through some practice moves with her spirit blade. Her every move is deliberate and precise, knowing that Vivienne will accept nothing less than following her instructions to perfection. And while she's already used her spirit blade in battle, her training is hardly over. If anything, it's just begun.

Over and over, until she no longer has to think about it due to muscle memory. There is such a thing as too much training, though, and Korrin finally allows her glowing blade to fade out one last time, before her sword hand cramps up. Wiping her forehead, she reaches over to pick up her staff, pondering a drill with her most familiar weapon. But a flash of Grey Warden attire catches her attention and she straightens, glancing over. That is belongs to a Dalish elf and not any familiar face gets her attention and she straightens, nodding.

"Hello. You look a little lost."

[failedfirst]

Velanna might have just walked by the training qunari if it wasn't for the unmistakable pulse of magic. She was brought up short, curious by the way the woman was wielding the spirit energy, shaping it into a physical tool. She's seen very little of that kind of magic, and frankly it's impressive.

When the qunari woman stops and focuses her attention on Velanna she straightens, nodding her head.

"I- I suppose I am. Though you are clearly a mage, so perhaps you can assist me. I came here to help. With that." She gestures vaguely at the sky, where the scar from the Herald's work still remains. "I had heard there were mages gathering here."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin glances up at the scar and nods with a wry smile. It's not a great situation by any stretch of the imagination, but that the woman is here to assist is an undeniable boon. "Good, we need all the help we can get. I don't see any reason not to say that much, since it's obvious anywhere you look."

Setting her staff back down, she stretches a little before settling into a more relaxed posture. "Oh, there are plenty of mages. Former Circle types, Dalish, Grey Warden and so on. We have quite the variety around here. In fact, we now have a council composed of all groups. I'm there representative the non-Dalish apostates, which usually means reminding humans and Circle folk that we exist."

[failedfirst]

"There are enough Dalish mages here to warrant their own spokesperson?" That's surprising to Velanna, if only because the Dalish are usually not so fast and loose with their mages. Putting them in this place, where there are so many humans...

"Though I suppose I'd speak with you, then? I am a Warden, and while my training is Dalish magic, I'm no longer... affiliated." That last word comes out a little short, like it's uncomfortable for her to say. Which, it is. Even ten years later, her exile still leaves a bitter taste in her mouth.

[gatheringstorm]

That revelation and the tone in which it's said have Korrin's curiosity, of course. She raises an eyebrow, surprised, but not about to pry for more information than is volunteered. The past is her own business, and not nearly as relevant to the Inquisition as what she can do now.

"I see. And you can, though the Grey Wardens also have one of their own on the Council; her name is Sabriel. Either way is fine, though really any mage is free to join as they please. There aren't elections or any such rubbish. Who the hell has time for that when there's a darkspawn magister on the loose?"

[pinprick]

Nathaniel is shooting in the courtyard when he spies someone wearing a Warden uniform. And he does a double-take. He's not quite so mad as to leave his arrows in the target before coming to see her, but he yanks them free hurriedly and carries them and his bow in hand to greet her.

"Velanna!" He hasn't seen her in years. He's glad to see her, but a little uncertain about her intentions.

[failedfirst]

Her attention is elsewhere, so she doesn't see Nathaniel until he calls her name. When her head automatically whips around to the sound of his voice she stops in her tracks, unsure of what exactly she's supposed to say. So per usual, it's the first thought that pops into her head that comes out of her mouth.

"What are you doing here?"

[pinprick]

"What are you doing here?" he volleys back to her. "I came here looking for other Wardens."

[failedfirst]

"I-" she pauses and glances upwards briefly, before looking back at Nathaniel, frown on her face. "I came here to help. Something is wrong in this world, and it needs to be righted. I didn't expect Wardens to be here or I would have..." written ahead? Not shown up and run the other way?

She's not really sure.

[pinprick]

"Gone somewhere else, I know." Really, at least Anders had deserted because he was attacked. Velanna just doesn't give a shit, right? "Calling or no Calling. You are hearing that, aren't you?"

[justice_is_blond]

It's another day at Skyhold, and another group of people joining up, many of them refugees. Anders doesn't give them too much of a glance at first. He's busy, and likely to never see them again, so it doesn't matter.

And then one Grey Warden catches his eye and he stops, mid-step, to stare. It can't... No, it is. It really is. His list of things to do can wait for a few brief moments, because if there's anyone he'd liked who would be entirely fine with him after he's blown up a human religious institution, it's the woman in front of him.

"I'm called Detlef," he says as soon as he's reached her, eyes meeting hers. That tends to head off any awkward exclamations of a name he doesn't want spoken quite yet.

[failedfirst]

She almost genuinely doesn't recognize Anders for a moment. It's been years, and the man before her doesn't look much like the cocky mage she knew, in passing. When their eyes meet, however, she inhales sharply as recognition dawns on her. She manages to turn the look into a somewhat strained smile as she inclines her head awkwardly.

"I... am Velanna." She'll play along Anders, but get her out of public fast if you don't want the worst performance piece of all time to go down.

[justice_is_blond]

It doesn't take one bad bluffer to recognize another, but it helps. She's given a half-smile before he nods to the side and starts walking. She'll follow, he figures. And sure enough, once they're a bit away from anyone else, he turns to her.

"Velanna. I'd say I didn't expect to see you here, but I didn't expect to see several I've run into. You've been well?" This is nice, actually. He gets to say goodbye, and he hadn't before.

[failedfirst]

Once they're safely away from the general public Velanna can't help the disbelief that creeps onto her face, and she reaches out, gripping Anders' arm as if she's checking to make sure he's real.

"By the Creators, shouldn't you be hiding in a cave somewhere?" That had more or less been what she'd hoped had happened, not that templars had tracked him down and killed him like some other rumors had suggested.

[justice_is_blond]

"Been there for a couple of years, done that." It's not much of a joke. He's been hiding, alone, and it has taken a toll on him. Anders needs people. He always had.

"I couldn't remain on the outskirts, and Justice needed to see how things were going, so here we are. What's brought you here?" At least she's touching him instead of setting him on fire. That's a good sign, even if she hasn't answered whether she's well or not.