This Is What I Trained For [Semi-Open]

[el_tybs]

WHO: Samouel Gareth & Adelaide LeBlanc; Samouel Gareth + OPEN
WHAT: Sam is at the point of his training where he is finally ready to try for a spirit companion.
WHEN: First half of Drakonis (flexible time for people to talk to Sam before and after)
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Closed post for the actual spirit getting. Open posts for reactions before and after

[Adelaide: Here There Be Spirits]

For years he had been training for this, but it was under Adelaide's care and guidance that he finally felt like he was getting closer to the end. It was clear that he was nearing the end, too, what with so many of his peers and mentors bringing it up, saying that he was ready, and encouraging him. Even so it was not something he wanted to rush - he had time. With how things had gone the past month though it was obvious that he could not put it off much longer. Rifts in Skyhold. Red templars and demons in Emprise du Lion. Ishmael. He had fared well with it all, but things were not going to get easier, and for that he needed to be ready.

He was ready.

He was nervous.

Even if he had trained for it, and felt like he could handle it, there was still that odd lump in his stomach as he waited in the garden for Adelaide - having shown up early himself to get his head right. Burns, Anamaria and Murtogg would be showing up soon as well. Regardless of how much he worked for this there was still always that chance- It was always smart to have a safety. Other mages had been suggested, but these Templars had been with him during his Harrowing. He trusted them. And perhaps trying to be a middle ground for the two groups to actually work together.

[Open]

{Before}
Sam has decided to go through the final test in his Spirit Healer training, and getting his spirit. The days leading up to when he plans on going through with it are the same as always though Sam seems rather nervous.

{After}
Surprise! Abomination attack!
After successfully gaining a spirit partner Sam seems to be back to his usual self, though at times he does seem to be a bit distracted. Getting used to the change he won't be at his lessons like usual, but he can still be found roaming around.

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

"Was it anything like a Harrowing?" Sam certainly doesn't seem as scarred as she'd expect of someone undergoing such, but he's also resilient. Perhaps it was similar and he just bounced back better than most, which would definitely have her respect.

[el_tybs]

Was it like-? The question has Sam sighing heavily and once again taking a long sip from his tea. Quite honestly he had been considering making that comparison right at the start, but he hadn't wanted to necessarily make Korrin worry.

"A bit. Similar idea and risks really. Though I got to choose to do this."

[gatheringstorm]

"I know, you've talked about doing this for some time. I'm glad you were finally deemed ready for it. So, what happened?"

Receiving her drink, Korrin nods for him to continue. She wants to know every detail he's willing to part with. Spirits and the Fade may not be her forte, nor is she looking to change her focus, but it's still interesting to hear about nonetheless.

[el_tybs]

"Well first I had to drink some potion and sit in a magic circle. You'll have to ask Adelaide about those though since she made them. It's similar but... different than being asleep. It's more lucid."

There's a moment that he stops and looks at something before looking back at Korrin, smiling slightly. "I honestly expected that I would have to wander around for a while to find anything. But as soon as I spoke up a deep, bass of a voice- Well really I didn't so much hear it but felt the words it was saying."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin perks up and leans in a little, undeniably curious. "Your spirit, then. What type is it? Compassion, like Adelaide's?" She knows more about what a Spirit Healer does than the variety of spirits they interact with. What else might be available to them escapes her at the moment. Could any of them assist in healing, or only a select few? But at the moment, she's more interested in Sam's particular story than the overall picture.

[el_tybs]

Seeing Korrin lean in towards him, Sam cannot help but smile a bit wider at her curiosity. Taking another sip of his tea he then shakes his head. "No, I didn't get Compassion like Adelaide. I have one of Fortitude which are also widely known for partnering with a Spirit Healer."

[gatheringstorm]

"Fortitude...that sounds like a good one to have." Korrin nods in approval, certain that spirit would be a boon to him. "So, did you have something of a contract then? I know Compassion has certain stipulations, but does Fortitude? What would those even be?"

[el_tybs]

"It tested me and I proved myself to be worthy to warrant its help. I suppose a contract is a good way to put it. It's an agreement at least." For a moment Sam considers Korrin's questions. "Every spirit has conditions. I think a lot of what it wants is already similar to how I act... so I don't think it'll be that difficult? A lot of it is situational, needing to be reasonable in my decisions and then having the mind hold my ground."

[gatheringstorm]

"It sounds like Fortitude and I would get along." Korrin grins at that, knowing that for better or worse, her stubborness is a defining trait. Not that she really wants to bond with a spirit at all, but that particular one would definitely be more her speed if she ever changed her mind. "And I'm sure you can manage that just fine; you're no pushover, Sam."

[el_tybs]

He snorts lightly in amusement, his shoulders shaking just slightly as he tries not to be too loud. "I would hope not," a pushover that is. "It had me climb a mountain with all kinds of crazy weather and almost falling off."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin raises her eyebrows at that. "Seriously? So, what, you had to reach the top while being up against thunderstorms or somesuch? Then again, if you can survive the Fallow Mire and Emprise du Lion, you can pretty much survive anything. I'm willing to be wherever we go next, it'll be pleased with the new challenges presented."

[el_tybs]

"Not exactly. It was a serious of ongoing difficult conditions that got worse as I went on. There was no actual finish in sight and towards the end I was dangling on the side of a wall of rock with only my hands supporting me as it crumbled under my fingers." He says it with a bit of humor, but in all honestly it had been kind of torturous.

"Fortitude is well and good on it's side of the Fade, but it is curious to the kind of challenges that will come up. Knowing our luck it'll be worse than the Mire or Emprise."

[gatheringstorm]

"Well, sure, now that you say that it probably will be. Though the most likely place seems to be the Western Approach since the Grey Wardens had interest there, and it's not that bad, from what I remember. Not friendly, but if you're tired of the cold, it's a welcome change." Of course Korrin says that now, but once the bases of her horns itch in the dry desert air, she might be revising her opinion.

"Ugh, that sounds awful. So when did it finally approve of you? Not much longer after that, I hope."

[el_tybs]

"I'm tired of it being freezing, but I rather like cooler weather - I'm made for that. Cooking under a blazing sun, and having to worry about water sounds kind of rough." Not to mention that cooler weather was better for sharing warmth, he can only imagine that in the Western Approach everyone was going to feel gross in their own skin.

"When I refused to give up even though I was about to plummet into an abyss of unknown. About then."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin grins at that last part, leaning back again. "So 'fuck you, I'll keep going whatever you throw at me'? Good for you. I knew you could do it. You know this is all the more reason for us to head out together sometime, right? I'd love to see your new skills in action."

[el_tybs]

"Yeah, pretty much that," he chuckles lightly at that, leaning back in his chair as well. "Very good reason though I doubt you'll need to see it. You've got your fancy spirit blade and all that now right?"

[gatheringstorm]

"Yes. Yes, I do. And those barriers last a lot longer, too, but you never know. What we faced in Emprise du Lion definitely put those skills to the test, and I didn't always walk away unscathed. That dragon put up a hell of a fight, spirit blade or no spirit blade." But she's very fond of the item Sam helped craft and she fondly glances down to its resting place at her hip.

[el_tybs]

"Hm. I wonder how long we can make those barriers last if me and Fortitude help you out with them." That would certainly be interesting to try, and Sam smiles a bit broader as he senses some approval at the idea of better protection to face down a foe.

"Wait did you say dragon? You were there to fight them?" A moment then a grin. "How jealous is Kain?"

[gatheringstorm]

"He is, unless he's secretly mad that he didn't get to fight all the dragons. We were on different teams, each facing a different one. I had Cassandra, Merrick and Jamie with me. A pretty good combination, as it turns out." And she got to see Cassandra in action up close, which was gratifying since she'd heard so many good things about the Seeker and her skill on the battlefield.

Korrin then thinks over his idea and perks up, nodding in approval. "That's definitely an idea worth investigating. I say we try it, preferably before we're sent off to scout a new location."

[el_tybs]

"That does sound like a decent group. Merrick wasn't in risk of drowning or anything else besides getting eaten this time around I hope?" Honestly he was a bit surprised the elf had been with it enough to even come to Emprise in the first place, what with being poisoned earlier that month.

"Oh definitely before that. Maybe once Fortitude and I have had some time to practice we'll test it out. You'll be the scariest thing to fight out there if that works out."

[gatheringstorm]

"Merrick...you'd never know anything happened to him, the way he fought." Korrin just shakes her head, amazed. "He's damn resilient, or extremely lucky or both. I can't honestly tell you which. Either way, he was a great help out there on the battlefield."

She pauses to take another sip, then chuckles. "Don't lay it on too thick, it wouldn't be good for me to become overconfident out there. Take what time you need, and then let me know."

[el_tybs]

"I know what you mean. As soon as he was up he was back to glaring at me and everything. I'm glad he's better and bounced back so quickly though."

He goes to take another sip as well, pausing just before his lips touch the mug, eyes shifting to the side as if listening to something. After a moment Sam shakes his head with some amusement. "Fortitude appreciates that you recognize not becoming too overconfident and doing something reckless."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin pauses in her drinking to watch Sam when she's distracted. That response gets a small grin out of her. "I haven't lived this long as a mercenary without gaining some common sense, you know. If I was as hot-headed as you'd think all the time, I'd be in some unmarked grave by now.

So...what's it like when Fortitude talks to you? Do you hear literal words or is it more a gut feeling, or...?"

[el_tybs]

Sam grins widely at that, setting his mug down for a moment. "Well I know you can be hot-headed, but I don't think it's all the time. I know you're smarter than that. We had to make some rough decisions back in Emprise because we had to keep our heads remember? I'm just repeating what Fortitude said."

How did Fortitude talk? That was actually a pretty interesting question and for a moment Sam has to stop and think about that. "It isn't actual words per se. It's more of a feeling that I can understand."

[gatheringstorm]

She nods slowly, trying to comprehend what that must be like, but spirit dealings are very much outside the realm of her current experience. "As long as it works for you two, right? It's probably more efficient, anyway." Words can often get in the way of true communication. Maker knows she's stumbled over her own, especially when younger and more awkward.

"So what does Krem think of all this?" There's a sidelong glance from her at that, as she hasn't spent much time with the Charger's second since his return. Most of that's simply due to being in different places out of necessity...but not all of it.