Coping Methods | Open

[obi_wanmanshow]

WHO: Obi-Wan Kenobi and whomever shall encounter him
WHAT: Obi-Wan hangs about Skyhold
WHEN: Since his arrival at Skyhold through Drakonis
WHERE: Skyhold Library and also Some random battlements action
NOTES: None yet

1 | A Quiet, Well-Lit Place
The Inquisition Library was a curious thing. He was use to holos and databases, searchable by voice or material input, by keyword and title and author and a thousand other small conveniencs that managed, one after the other, to strie him at the worst of times. It was strange, to realize how privileged even the meanest peasant on the farthest Rim planet was, by comparison to this-- to the idea of something you needed being just at your fingertips, but so easily misplaced.

He wasn't even sure if the book he was looking for existed, let alone in a language he could be gauranteed of understanding. Translation technology was more lacking than common index, and his communicator, which might have helped, was little more than salvage.

After a time, Obi-Wan simply sighed, rubbed at the bridge of his nose, and put his latest selection away-- as unsuitable as the last. Clearly Materials Enhancement: The Enchanting Art of Lyrium was going to be of no use to him. Perhaps to anyone!

What in the world was Lyrium, anyways?


2 | The Truth Between
There were a lot of jokes made about Jedi and meditation.

Most of them were grounded in truth. For example, that Jedi were so inneffectual that they responded to ever crisis by taking a nap. Not that Obi-Wan was sleeping, despite appearances. He's sat, cross-legged, and very still, just on the edge of the parapet overlooking the peaceful goings-on of the courtyard below on one hand, and wide, wild view of the mountains on the other. The tower wall at his back provides some shelter, both from the wind, and from other people, but by and large he is quite exposed-- and, seemingly, unconcerned about this fact.

Actually, maybe he is sleeping. He hasn't moved in a long time, his eyes are closed, why, anyone could just come right up and--

"May I help you?"

...or not.




3 | Synecdoche
The Lightsaber was spread out in pieces on the table by the window. It was a lovely antique, this window, beautifully made with thick, bubbly glass in beautifully cut shapes depicting... Something, surely. Obi-Wan would likely have needed a more than passing understanding of the local religions to have said exactly what. Regardless, it was the brightest place in the tower, at this hour, with the sun streaming in to illuminate the exposed guts of his once-functional lightsaber.

The casing was cracked, of course, and several connections severed, one or two slagged beyond simple repair-- they'd need re-insulating and solder at best, and to be replaced outright, at worst. He was hoping, praying in a way, for the former. A replacement of sufficient purity and delicate construction would be hard to find in a society that viewed a blacksmith's anvil as a suitable tool for weapon-construction. And the insulating rings around the power supply weren't in their best shape either. It was a miracle the crystal wasn't cracked!

But it wasn't.

There it stood, sparkling in a beam of sunlight, glowing faintly with its own inner purity, a beautiful blue Kyber Crystal, perfectly cut in one lovely hexagonal spar. It was no longer than his thumbnail, and there was no doing without it-- thank the Force that it had survived where so much else had failed. Obi-Wan sighed, and went back to his inventory of parts, so engrossed in his work that he was for once ignorant of any observer's eye.

Comments

[obi_wanmanshow]

"I've heard some talk of abominations, and possession. They were couched as a significant risk, for all mages," Obi-Wan cannot possibly judge for himself, but Morrigan's opinion is so different from what he's heard, so unmeasured, unqualified-- she makes no bones and her voice is as strident as it is acidic, "Demons, I have seen, of course."

Hard to fall out of a Rift and not, it would seem. He'll allow Morrigan to draw her own conclusions about the opinions he's been exposed to in this regard.

"Is the danger really as great as I've been led to believe?"

[arcaneadvisor]

"The Circle is a prison. They are taught to fear their abilities by the Chantry, punished for the crimes of Tevinter magisters centuries ago, tell me, how does one serve man when they are locked away all their lives, and what does learning to fear oneself do? Emotion can draw a demon and a mage has a greater ability to shape the Fade about them. I will guess that you have spoke to a Circle mage, perhaps even one of the councillors from the little Circle they have made within these walls." Let them call it what she is, she can guess at what Vivienne intends. "I have lived all my life as apostate within the Korcari Wilds, taught by my mother, an apostate herself, not once have I felt the urge to slit my wrists or use the blood of another to bend a mind to suit my whims or to draw the demons forth and let them in. Yet when I ventured within a Circle for the first time during the Blight what did I see? Abominations running rampant, Templars ready to slaughter each and every mage within."

Adelaide had turned cold when Morrigan voiced her opinion but she is unsurprised. People often mislike hearing the truth and yet it must be heard, she never asked for what Flemeth would tell her after all. "Tell me, did they speak of the Harrowing they put young mages through - if they do not make them Tranquil first? It involves demons. And a Templar waiting with a sword should they fail. Allow another to hold your leash and one day you will surely follow in the footsteps of the elves."