faderift | shut up and dance with me ;;

Entry tags:

shut up and dance with me ;;

WHO: Merrill & OPEN
WHAT: Open log
WHEN: 29 Guardian - 18 Drakonis; can do earlier but then ignore the dragon bits c:
WHERE: Emprise du Lion, the way back to Skyhold, and Skyhold itself
NOTES: probably adorable

[ Victory, for Merrill, has always meant that the people they were meant to help and defend were safe, whether they were refugees or mages or her group of friends. As long as no one has been too seriously hurt, all of them have tasted sweet. This latest, though, is particularly good: the three dragons that had caused so much harm and scared so many in the Emprise have been defeated, and Merrill was able to help in the takedown of one.

She'd had ideas, good ideas. She'd been listened to. Magic and blades and mabari teeth had all flashed and sang and the dragon had fallen, and where Merrill isn't exactly known to make a ruckus, it makes her happy enough that she can be found celebrating -- at the tavern, because it had been insisted upon, but there's also some delighted humming and skipping through camp. This continues as Merrill starts on her journey back to Skyhold, ready for an adventure of a different sort; she's more than happy to chat with others on the road, or help if they need help.

In Skyhold itself, she can be seen with a little mongrel pup following at her heels. She is, if anything, a bit more subdued in the fortress; when she manages to navigate the twisting halls, she tends to be found in the library, trying to find anything and anything related to her people and to magic. It's a slow process, not in the least helped by her abysmal sense of direction or her willingness to be distracted by her dog, the weather, particularly nice stone work, and anyone who looks interesting. ]

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[ He's lost.

He hadn't meant to get lost - not that anyone really ever does, he supposes, but after losing his way in the Emprise and having to be rescued by Twisted Fate, Sam had been especially determined not to let it happen again. But here he is, wandering the deep lower reaches of Skyhold, and he's passed that pillar enough times now that there's no denying the truth any longer. He'd tried to stay calm - this isn't the freezing wasteland of the Emprise, after all; it's warm and dry and indoors, and he's sure to find his way out sometime - but that's getting harder and harder to do.

Slightly panicked now, and having to fight not to break into a run in an effort to get somewhere new, maybe even find his way back up to the courtyard and the sunshine again, Sam turns a corner a little faster than usual, only to smack headlong into someone coming the other way. He staggers back, dazed and clutching at his head. ]

O-oh! Begging your pardon -

[ 'Lost' tends to be a semi-permanent state of being for Merrill as long as she's- well, basically in anything resembling civilization. She's getting better at navigating Skyhold, but there's still the fact that it has twists and turns and (she's fairly certain) secret passageways and all the stone looks the same. At least every walk is a small adventure in itself, but this time she's so thoroughly lost that at hearing footsteps, she's also picked up her pace -- staff in hand, just in case it's really a giant spider or an ogre or a ghost.

Which means it's her staff, most likely, that has just given Sam a headache, while Merrill -- not used to running at a quick speed straight into a mountain of hobbit -- shrieks slightly and ends up stumbling backward, tripping over her own feet, and on the floor. ]

Oh- no, it's fine, don't worry-

[ And then she realizes he's clutching his head, and immediately changes from 'frantic reassurances' to 'frantic apologizing'. ]

Oh, goodness -- you aren't hurt, are you? I'm so sorry!

[ Sam recovers quickly enough, only to open his eyes wide in alarm at the sight of the elf in a heap on the floor in front of him. He rushes forward in a panic, his own apology spilling from his lips at the same time as hers. ]

Oh miss - I'm so sorry, I weren't looking where I was going as I ought. Here - [ He holds out a hand to help her too her feet, looking her over anxiously for injuries. ] I hope you ain't hurt too bad!

[ They're apologizing enough that if anyone were passing by, they'd likely attract attention and be the catalyst for their own rescue. But no one is passing anywhere even near them, and so instead Merrill takes Sam's hand to help stand, brushing at her pants when she's up. She's not bleeding, and that's really about the extent of anything she could do something about anyway. ]

No, no, I'll be fine -- really, it's okay. We're both okay, and that's what matters.

[ At least, Sam didn't say he was hurt when she asked... ]

It's Sam, isn't it? We spoke over the crystals.

[ It takes Sam a moment to make the connection between the slender elf before him and the voice he'd heard over the crystals, but once he does, his eyes go wide and he gasps quietly. ]

Miss Merrill! Oh begging your pardon, I didn't know you! [ But he does now, and he smiles shyly, gazing up at her. He'd only been bumped on the head a bit by her staff, and any lingering ache is completely forgotten now, in the wake of actually meeting the kind, cheerful (yet somehow sad) elf he'd talked to. ]

A...a pleasure to meet you. [ And he bobs his head in a quick bow. ]

Oh, that's quite all right! It's a bit difficult when you haven't seen the person before, isn't it?

[ Merrill smiles back, proceeding to flush slightly when he bows -- quickly or not, it's more than she tends to get from people, especially strangers who don't flirt with everything that moves. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you, too! You're definitely one of the better people to have run into while lost.

[ A little fidget, fingers against fingers, and then- ] Oh, let me-

[ And she reaches out, brushing one of Skyhold's sturdy, ancient cobwebs off his chest. It takes a bit of shaking to then get it off her fingers, but at least they're both more or less none the worse for wear, post-collision. ]

[ Sam freezes, unsure what to think when she reaches for his shirt, but she only brushes off a bit of cobwebbing and he smiles warmly in gratitude. ]

Thank you.

[ But his brow almost immediately creases in concern, as he gives her a worried frown. ]

You're lost too?

Oh- yes. Though honestly, I'm usually rather lost in places like this; everything starts to look the same.

[ Rocks, please be more like trees. ]

But I'm sure we'll find our way to somewhere familiar eventually! And at least now we're not alone.

[ Sam nods eagerly in agreement. ]

It does all look the same! If only there were pictures on the doors, so we could tell them apart!

[ He sighs, then gives Merrill a timid, hopeful smile. ]

I suppose we're bound to find our way out sooner or later. We can't just keep wandering around down here forever, without finding something.

[ ...Could they? ]

That's what I said! Or even if they were different colors, patterns, something. Surely we can't be the only people to get lost.

[ She smiles back, forcing more boldness and bravery into it. ]

Exactly! I mean, I get lost all the time, but it always turns out fine. This time will, too!

[ She seems so certain, Sam can't help but believe her. His smile widens, and he puffs out his chest just a bit. ]

Of course it will!

[ He hesitates, glancing around for a moment. ]

How...how did you find yourself again, the other times?

Mostly I just kept going.

[ There's a little shrug. ]

Then I found either something familiar, or someone I knew, or someone nice enough to get me to something familiar or where I'm going! And there are lots of people who are willing to help if you ask nicely enough.

Or just if you bother them enough, I suppose, but then they might lie.

[ Sam looks around, as if hoping to spot someone friendly walking by, someone who looks as if they know where they're going and how to get out into the sunlight again.

But of course there's no one, just as there has been for hours, and he sighs, and looks back at Merrill. ]

Well it seems we've only found each other this time, and no amount of asking nicely will help when neither of us know the answers!

I suppose we'll just have to keep going, then, as you say, and hope we find someone or something else.

[ It would be nice if a map were to appear or if a friend were to stumble across them. As it is, they have each other and no one -- and not a whole lot -- else. That will do. ]

And we'll have to take care not to get separated, [ Merrill agrees with a decisive nod. ]

No agreeing to split up and meet up again later.

[ Sam wrinkles his brow. He hadn't considered them splitting up, but now that she suggests it... ]

Whyever not? Wouldn't that make more sense, in the end?

[ Not that he's eager to leave her, not at all, but - ]

We'd cover more ground that way.

Absolutely not.

[ Firm First Voice. ]

We wouldn't be able to find each other again! What if you got out and I ended up locked in a dungeon everyone forgot about and no one could get into because the door locked behind me?

Oh...

[ Sam's eyes grow wide and serious. ]

Oh I...well I didn't think of that.

Are there such dungeons, round here? [ He looks around, suddenly worried. ]

Not that I've ever found, but it is a very old place.

[ There's all sorts of Weird Shit in old places. ]

I don't know if everyone's found all the odd parts of it yet.

[ Now Sam's more worried than ever. He's been in old places before, and rarely has it ended well. ]

I'd just as soon not be the first, then. [ He sneaks a glance over his shoulder, freezing suddenly. Was that a floorboard creaking? Or maybe some sort of a groan? ]

- Did you hear something?

What?

[ Sam, Merrill would have to be paying attention to things beyond you in order to hear something. ]

No, I didn't... but maybe we should start walking?

I think - I think we should, yes.

[ Another creak, and Sam jumps a bit, and points quickly in the opposite direction. ]

That way.

[ The creaking is making her nervous, and she grabs her staff with one hand. ]

I'm going to cast a barrier spell on the two of us, if that's okay? Just in case we- um, fall.

[ Or get attacked.

Of course, the noise behind them could be someone friendly, but now Sam's got her worried. Enough that she's starting to move without waiting for an answer. ]

A what?

[ Sam blinks, only to jump as the barrier shimmers to life over them both. He stares, eyes wide. ]

Oh!

[ He reaches a hand out gingerly, staring at the blue glow even as he hurries to catch up with Merrill. ]

It'll - it'll protect us?

It'll help, yes -- things won't hit quite as hard, because they won't be able to.

[ Even though they're hurrying, she still takes the time to turn her head and flash him a smile. ]

They're very useful!

[ Sam smiles back, a little uncertain, but genuine. ]

I never saw no magic like that before!

...But I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. It's just better to...to be prepared, that's all.

[ Right? ]

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