faderift | This Is What I Trained For [Semi-Open]

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"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."

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."

"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."

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?"

"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."

[[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?"

"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."

"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?"

"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."

"Is there a lot of trade or something between the cities, or is it merely to get across quickly?" Nothing wrong with that, but good to know if he was every in the area.

At the look, Sam chuckles lightly and puts a hand on Christine's head, rubbing it a bit, both in a comforting way and teasing - messing her hair up a bit would more than likely have her huffing, which was a quick way to drag her out of those moods. "It took me a while to build up the courage to write a letter, and a while still to get words on paper. Do it when you're ready. You'll figure something out."

"Yes, it is a trading town," she says, a note of pride in her voice. "My father is a merchant there." She can vaguely recall looking out at the lake, though she was afraid to venture too close and fall in.

Christine flings her hand out, trying to smack his hand away. "Samouel," she warns in her disapproving voice. Taking a moment to smooth down her locks and shoot him and irritated glare, she adds, "At least you understand."

"Ah so you used to live by the water as well?" Honestly from time to time he misses being near the Waking Sea.

At the bit of a flail, Sam snorts amusingly, pulling his hand away after she's hit it a couple times. Hearing his name being said in that tone only has him grinning wider though - worked like magic. "I wouldn't bug you about it if I didn't."

"Indeed I did. But only until I was eight. Then I moved to the Circle and haven't returned since." Which is nearly every southern mage's story, isn't it?

"Once I've sent the letter, you'll be the first to know about it," she promises.

Yeah, that sounded like an unfortunate circumstance that a lot of them shared. Honestly he's a bit curious to return to his own village, see what had become of it since they all left - or maybe someone had returned?

"First to know? I'm honored. Until then, feel like joining me for lunch?"

"Well, it is you who inspired me to write in the first place. Why would you not be the first?"

With that said, she nods along. "I do. Let us go."

"I don't know, perhaps just to keep me on the edge for what ever reason."

Oh good, he wouldn't just have Fortitude as a companion for a meal. "You know Adelaide was mentioning to me that while getting used to your spirit you could have an increased appetite-" He continues to chat a bit excitedly as they walk, mostly keeping his eyes on Christine, and every once in a while having to look up.

This Is What I Trained For [Semi-Open]

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

Song still fits. <3

true!

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