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

[aceso]

"You cannot blame me for that," she replies with a smile. Falling in step beside him, she takes a moment to decide what she wants to know the most.

"Does it feel like a Harrowing?"

[el_tybs]

"In all honesty it's very similar. Only difference with that and this is we're being trained and given every opportunity to know what is coming. You can never be fully prepared as you never know what will be on the other side, but you aren't going in blind."

A pause and then a smile as he looks down at Christine. "There is also the fact that you can choose not to do it."

[aceso]

"There is that," she agrees. "But I can think of no greater calling than to be a healer; to bring someone back from the brink of death for another chance at life. And for that? I would need the help of a spirit."

So her mind is made up at this point. And now that she's back from Emprise du Lion, it's high time she go through this test and find a spirit who will help her.

[el_tybs]

Judging by the look on her face Christine had obviously decided on something. "It will be interesting to see what kind of spirit you get, Christine. I don't know what kind of test it will have you take with yours, but some advice that was passed onto me. Go with what feels right. If something doesn't the don't be afraid to leave and try again later."

[aceso]

Christine looks up at Sam -- really looks -- and then nods her head slowly. She hates the idea of failing; of not coming out of this with a spirit agreeing to help. But she can't be too eager for success. A demon could prey upon that.

"If it does not feel right, I will return without a deal with a spirit. Better that than falling to my pride and folly."

[el_tybs]

At the way she's looking at him, Sam stops and tilts his head, looking back just as intently. It isn't failing, Christine, it's just being cautious. "Good. And don't just settle. There are a lot of spirits - find one that suits you. I got lucky, Fortitude was drawn and answered me as soon as I was there."

[aceso]

"Fortitude?" She smiles slowly and nods. "If there is one thing I can say of you, it is that you do not give up." Especially when it comes to poking fun at her. Christine is the one to give in or change the subject, because nothing can stop him from getting in one more joke, or coming up with one more argument to thwart her. Insufferable man.

"What does it feel like for you? I've read accounts, of course, but I still want to hear what you think."

[el_tybs]

Can't stop, won't stop. You know you love him for it.

"Everyone else agrees with that as well. I think it's a perfect fit myself, but we'll see won't we?" Fortitude and him had just partnered up after all, and there hasn't been anything requiring their attention yet.

How did it feel? Sam hums thoughtfully at that. "I feel... like myself, but there's also this kind of weight constantly there - just enough to know it's there. There's a lot of questions since Its never had reason to view this side of the Veil. I haven't tried my spells with Fortitude either so I'm not sure how those will be yet."

[aceso]

"Yes, the questions," she says, having read of that. "It's why spirit healers must possess great patience. I think you will do well answering its questions." Sam is just well suited to have a spirit assist him. His personality is already made for this sort of thing. Christine can only hope she is similar.

[el_tybs]

At how Christine says that, Sam is suddenly reminded of a conversation he had on the way here. "Ah, yeah. Some questions are going to be more easily explained than others though I think." His cheeks might be a little red with saying that.

"There hasn't been too many just yet. Fortitude seems to like watching and figuring things out itself before it asks me about anything."

[aceso]

That reaction has Christine giving him a questioning look, but she doesn't outright ask what he means. Not yet, anyway. There must be a lot going on in his head right now, and he needs time to adjust.

"Good. It will spare you being awoken at all hours of the night, yes?"

[el_tybs]

Seeing as Christine doesn't call him out on it at that time, Sam clears his throat slightly, focusing back onto the subject.

"That's something we'll find out. I haven't tried sleeping yet since we've partnered up. Fortitude doesn't sleep so it'll be interesting."

[aceso]

"Early days," she muses. "It will be interesting to see what's to come, no?" And here she has someone in the early stage of a spirit partnership to observe before her own test comes. She can't deny to herself that there's a bit of selfish interest here.

"I suppose I shall have to wait until you are further along to pester you with questions."

[el_tybs]

"We already have early days," he says with some amusement right back. Already they were up rather early with their lessons. "But I suppose you're right. Hopefully not too early though." Especially not during the times Krem decided to commandeer his bed for warmth, the man already slept lightly as it was.

"Well at least long enough that I can give you a definitive answer for things. I'll probably know more once I spend some time at the healers' tents."

[aceso]

"I will reserve my questions until then," she says, giving him a smile. "But you feel well, do you not? It must have been such a trial at the time, but since you have not slept since, it must not have made you terribly weary." Her eyes glance over him, looking for tell-tale signs of exhausted such as bags under the eyes or hunched shoulders. Being a healer is so much more than just asking how a patient is feeling. It's being observant too.

[el_tybs]

"I admit that before I was feeling rather drained after everything. The trial in the Fade left me sore and aching and it became mental fatigue when I came to. Fortitude helped me with a rejuvenating spell at Adelaide's suggestion, so right now I'm feeling just fine. I'm sure once I put my head to a pillow though I'll be out." He chuckles slightly, straightening his back a bit more now that he was under Christine's calculating gaze.

[aceso]

"It will be rest well earned." Her observation is enough to let him off the hook. He's hardly about to collapse where he stands from fatigue, and though she tends to worry about how he takes care of himself, with Fortitude watching out for him she thinks he'll be fine.

"It is a new world for spirit healers," she goes on to say, moving to walk again. "Usually the Templars would be watching us with even more scrutiny, but here we don't have them breathing down our necks."

[el_tybs]

It seems he's passed her inspection, which he continues to grin about, following behind a step when Christine starts walking again. "Well you know some people are still going to be wary knowing that we're working with spirits." There is always the few. "It does feel better not being watched every moment though."

[aceso]

"I would think I had awoken in a world turned upside down if everyone suddenly thought me trustworthy and not about to become an abomination." She allows herself this moment of sarcasm before returning to her previous thought.

"The more I think of it, the more I am willing to take you up on your offer to help me, should the new Divine not look on us favorably. I want this freedom, even if others think I should not have it."

[el_tybs]

The sarcasm has his smile widening, but there is some truth to it. He doesn't expect everyone to suddenly be alright with them, nor that there shouldn't be any caution. Course caution was one thing and being locked up was another.

He's not expecting the next subject to come up, not now at least, and at hearing it Sam tilts his head. She must have been giving it quite a lot of thought lately since the last time she had said she wouldn't want to trying to survive. "There should certainly be schools set up for mages to learn, and safely... that should certainly be something to return, just not with how they enforced it. I'll be more than glad to help you if you need it.

What changed your mind?"

[aceso]

"The realization that I have nearly completed my Spirit Healer training. Before, I was resigned to being escorted everywhere and constantly watched if I wished to help people in that way. I couldn't get out of the Circle as a regular healer, and having Templars breathing down my neck would have been the trade off I would have to accept in order to be of use. Now, things have changed."

And why taste freedom only to let herself be locked away again? She can't do that.

"I need to stay out around people, where I can heal them, not stayed leashed to a Templar and ask their permission."

[el_tybs]

[[OoC: Pictures Chris singing this.]]

"You shouldn't have to be given permission to help others or do the right thing." He agrees, moving in a bit closer to lightly nudge Christine's arm. "There's some time before any decision is made. Everything might turn out just fine - I'm hoping for that - but just to be prepared, right?

Do you know where you'd go? Or anything you want to go? See?"

but being the little mermaid is ellana's thing! haha

[aceso]

"You're right," she says, letting out a soft sigh before smiling gratefully up at him. "But I do so like to be prepared."

And now she gives things some thought. There are so many factors involved that it's hard to say for sure.

"I don't suppose there will be a town just filled with people who all accept mages, will there? And I mean as equals, not as an oddity, like Redcliffe." She faintly shrugs. "There is a bit of longing to see Velun again, ever since our talk about my parents."

Song still fits. <3

[el_tybs]

"I'm... not sure. Guess it is possible there will be one depending on the Divine's ruling. Maybe some of the rebel mages will try to make such a place." That was a good question. It would be nice if there were more places accepting of them, but honestly he doesn't see that changing any time soon.

"Where in Orlais is that?" He raises his brows a bit, curious. "Have you contacted your family yet?"

true!

[aceso]

"Velun is on the west bank of Lake Celestine. Some old maps set it a little further back, but it has expanded to the shore, and there are docks built in order to send ships out across the lake towards Val Firmin or Montsimmard. It is faster than the land route."

At the second part of his question, she gives him an answer of silence before lowering here head, ashamed of herself. "No, not yet. I... I cannot find the words."