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

[fleurdesel]

On the other side of the veil, will and intent matter little. On this side, deep in the Fade? Will and Intent shape everything. Weary as Sam is, straining and frustrated as he may be- his will and intent to see this through is what breaks the storm. The air clears, the wind dies- the stone path surges up to catch his feet before he loses his grip. Becomes stairs to a platform, to a hovering blue figure, broad and masculine and armored. He extends his hand to Sam, voice warm. "You are stalwart and courageous, Samouel, and have proven yourself worthy of my aid should you truly wish to take this path. The risks are many, the danger great. We shall stand fast against the darkness, unyielding, unwavering. What say you?"

[el_tybs]

As soon as his feet are firmly on something solid his arms give out. It's only out of sheer determination that he doesn't collapse to his knees after all that, especially when a set of stairs forms in front of him. Seriously? He huffs in amused disbelief at that, breath shaky, and arms numb.

Only at hearing the voice does Sam look up from where he's catching his breath, eyes taking in the figure and then to the hand. There's a long moment where he doesn't say or do anything, cautious to this also being a test of sorts - get him to the breaking point only to offer reprieve.

He waits for a time, for his arms to stop shaking from their exertion and to see if his caution would prove to show that this spirit was actually a demon. When nothing changes and there is no lashing out, Sam eventually climbs the stairs.

There is another pause, looking at the outstretched hand before the mage reaches out and grasps the offered hand. "What do I call you spirit?"

[fleurdesel]

The spirit's hand was firm despite his transparency, helping Sam up those last few steps. "Fortitude. You have shown you will not act rashly, not take the easy path that leads to false answers, and will stand firm despite the challenges presented on this path. These are my conditions- my purpose."

[el_tybs]

Fortitude. He smiles tiredly at that, griping the spirit's hand as firmly as possible even though it was a bit hard to even feel the tips of his fingers yet. "Fortitude. This is the path I have chosen, I'd be honored if you would see me through it."

[fleurdesel]

"All you need do now, Samouel, is wake." There's a weight to the word, a twist of power that is not entirely unlike a fluttering embrace, and Sam will find that he has but one step to take to reach the glowing circle in the garden from the stairs. And but one thought is all it shall take to drift from the mediation.

[el_tybs]

His hand lingers for a moment as he turns to regard the glowing circle now behind him before looking back to the spirit and giving it a nod. Slowly he makes his way into the middle of the circle, giving Fortitude one last glance and then closes his eyes.

The next time he opens them he is sitting on the ground, looking out into the garden. From the corner of his eye he can see Burns and the others moving cautiously, but his mind is still in a daze to move right away.

[fleurdesel]

"He is fine." Adelaide murmurs, slipping off the boulder to kneel before Sam on the other side of the circle; eyes glowing bright blue. For a moment she stares at him, stares through him, and with his awakened awareness granted by Fortitude, in whatever means that Sam senses magic or spirits, it is simple enough to be aware of the coiling warmth of Compassion draped around Adelaide. Her face splits in an unreserved, proud smile. "Sam- how do you feel?"

[el_tybs]

It's Adelaide moving into his line of sight that finally has him turning his head, eyes first glancing at the space around her, actually aware of Compassions' presence rather then just knowing of it, then at Adelaide herself. It takes a moment for him to register his name and the question, his eyes blinking and then focusing when he does. "Like I walked across Ferelden and climbed a mountain," he says slowly, tiredly and with a bit of a smile curling his lips.

[fleurdesel]

"Fortitude demands a trial, yes?" The song is unfamiliar- not the softer lines of Compassion, the thin high tones of hope. Deep and solid and lasting, it is her best guess. "And you passed."

[el_tybs]

"It did. I was certainly put through my paces and deemed worthy." There's a bit of groan to his voice as he moves to get up from the ground, his body fine but his mind remembering the aches in the Fade. Getting to his feet, Sam's eyes once again look around Adelaide's form.

"Sensing spirits is a lot different now."

[fleurdesel]

"I could tend to this for you but..." She offers her hands to help steady him. "You can heal yourself with Fortitude's power. It is as good a first test as any, yes?"

[el_tybs]

"I'd agree, but all I'm really feeling is some mental fatigue." He chuckles lightly at that, rubbing the back of his head tiredly as Adelaide helps him straighten out a bit. "And I don't think even Fortitude can help with phantom pains."

[fleurdesel]

"Pointed rejuvenation." She gestures to his temple. "Not something done often for the mind does need to rest- but you know how to do this. Fortitude can ease that for you."

[el_tybs]

He hadn't done that for a long time, but now that Adelaide mentions it he supposes he does know how. At first Sam seems a bit unsure but eventually puts a hand to his head, eyes glancing elsewhere as he focuses on what he wants to do and then relays it to Fortitude.

There's a moment that nothing happens, but after several seconds a light blue gleam peers between his hand and his head. It's over shortly after starting, but already he seems to be perking up a bit.

[fleurdesel]

Adelaide watches, carefully, she and Compassion ready to intervene should one or the other slip sideways- but there is no need for it. They manage- more than that? They succeed. Damning as pride might be she cannot help but feel proud of Sam for doing this and doing it so well. "Nicely done, Samouel."

[el_tybs]

"It wasn't that complex of a spell," he offers modestly, blushing lightly at Adelaide's praise. He feels much better for having done this, and with Fortitude's help he doesn't even feel a dip in his mana. But as he mentioned it wasn't that complex. Something more like healing would take time for them to get the hang of, to figure out limits.

It's at that moment that Sam remembers that Adelaide wasn't the only one there, a goofy grin forming on his face when he finally looked to the templars. They all seemed rather relieved, but Burns in particular looked antsy, immediately coming over to pat Sam on the shoulder once it was clear he wasn't interrupting anything.

"We won't need to watch you go through something like that again will we?"

"I really hope not."

[fleurdesel]

"I told you he would do well." Adelaide steps back, giving Burns and the rest leave to come in and check for themselves. He is- they are close with him and they have a right to fear, a right to ground themselves in Sam's success. Giving them the space to speak she busies herself with clearing off the circle as they no longer had any need of it.

[el_tybs]

Adelaide had said and they had been sure he would succeed, but even so they worried. It only took that one moment for something to go wrong. Nothing had gone wrong though, and Sam stood stronger because of it, laughing sheepishly like he always did when he was complimented too much and people crowded him with worry and questions.

After a while, when their questions had been answered and their minds to put at ease, the Templars took their leave, more than likely to report everything to Norrington and the others. And possibly half of Skyhold - honestly they were like proud uncles and aunts.

"Do you need help?" he asks, stepping closer once the others are gone. He had done it and now... he was a bit unsure what to do.

[fleurdesel]

She looks up and waves him off. Cleaning up the circle will not take all that long and while he feels better? Time to adjust to the new awareness is key. "Take the day. Rest, spend time getting to know Fortitude better, answer their questions. You've done a remarkable thing today, Sam. You deserve the time."

Training him further for polish and techniques- that'll be the focus of their lessons for awhile. But for now? Victory, joy, and rest.

[el_tybs]

Even after being told to go off to figure things out, Sam lingers for a bit. When it is clear that Adelaide indeed doesn't need his help he sighs, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess I'll take my leave then... see how different or similar things are now that I have Fortitude." A pause then a smile. "Thank you. You know for doing all this."

[fleurdesel]

"Thank you for being so attentive a student." Pausing between one swipe and the next, she dusts her hands clean to reach up and squeeze Sam's. "Truly. We need more skilled Spirit healers- it is a rare thing to find someone with the skill and ability- and the will to see it done."

It is no easy path, much as Sam has learned. "If you have any questions or need anything, Compassion and I are here. For both of you."

[el_tybs]

"I-... WE thank you. Well both of you." Oh, that was going to take some getting used to. "We'll be sure to come seek you out if there is anything. If you don't need me for anything... I guess my first order of business is getting something to eat - now that my stomach isn't flip flopping all over the place."

[fleurdesel]

"You'll be eating more for the next few days- tapping into Fortitude will leave your mana be and this is something that varies from mage to mage- but at first? I was always twice as hungry whenever I used Compassion. Some of my peers felt similar symptoms until they adjusted." Something else to become accustomed to.

[el_tybs]

"What? Seriously?" He was going to have an increased appetite when he used Fortitude for a while? Well that wasn't terrible, but it was certainly interesting. "So does your appetite return to normal after you've adjusted, or-?"

[fleurdesel]

"It varies from mage to mage. I had a peer in the Spire that would sleep for an extra two hours after he gained his spirit and worked with them at first. It is a question of finding that new balance and adjusting. I eat, now, about as much as I did before I had Compassion." When she remembers to do so, at least.