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]

"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.

[el_tybs]

"So pretty much anything from increased appetite to sleeping more can happen to me once I start using Fortitude after this. At least until I've gotten used to it." Eating a bit more didn't sound like it would be too bad, and honestly he'd rather that happen since he knew about it now.

[fleurdesel]

"More or less." This victory, this assurance that Sam has managed well on his own under her tutelage - that her judgement is not so flawed as she thought eases the pained knot Adelaide has tucked up under her ribs. It is easier to ignore it- even if she cannot help but think of it.

[el_tybs]

"I really appreciate all this. The lessons, the advice, the help... if you need anything, you know you can ask me right? Hopefully it'll be something I can actually do something about, but... still." Obviously there were some things he couldn't do anything about, but he was here if she needed him.

[fleurdesel]

"Remain as kind and honest as you are? And...if things become difficult with Fortitude, if either of you are ever uncertain- let me know. There are variables we have not encountered before with the Rifts. Pulling Fortitude to this side of the Veil could be disastrous." They do not need another Anders.

[el_tybs]

That seemed like an odd thing to ask of, though... he supposed with the things that Adelaide has seen, she had reason to ask that of him.

The prospect of Fortitude being pulled over to this side was an interesting thought, though not something he was curious in actually doing. "I'll be sure to let you know if anything changes." A pause. "Has there be any issues with the spirits and Rifts?"

[fleurdesel]

"I know that spirits that are pulled through become the demons we fight. Some might be demons already on the other side of the Veil- but not all. It disturbs Compassion to know that. Aside from the one time with Sina in the Courtyard- I have never been near enough to one to notice. We know nothing- hence the caution." They know less than nothing. It is disquieting on so many levels, to not have an answer.

[el_tybs]

"So Compassion is worried about being dragged through? Not just that but being turned into a demon in the process?" In the past he's been decently close to rifts, and the worst of it was the ill feeling he got - of course demons as well. Now that he had Fortitude though? He would have to be extra careful when he was on missions.

"Have we really learned so little about them?"

[fleurdesel]

"It is a vague fear, one they forget." That choosing to forget makes life easier for the spirit- it is something Adelaide has more than on one occasion envied. "Unfortunately. They are tears in the veil, allowing the Fade to spill through. That...that is all I know for certain."

[el_tybs]

Vague fear that they forget. Sam certainly feels that at some point he'll feel that envy as well, but for now it is more an interesting fact than anything. "So we know exactly what we knew before. I suppose there is no safe way to keep a rift open."

[fleurdesel]

"We know more of the shards than we do of the rifts. There was, at one time, someone among the Inner Circle that knew more- but that was before Haven." Before the Herald died. "Should they return perhaps they might share what they know."