{ OPEN } May there always be angels to watch over you

[aceso]

WHO: Christine Delacroix and OPEN!
WHAT: She's getting used to being a Spirit Healer and having a friend on the other side.
WHEN: any time after Drakonis 17th until month's end.
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Christine has a spirit of Faith in communication with her. It will be observing the world around her and asking her questions. If your character is having a crisis of faith, doubts, etc. Faith may nudge Christine towards your character to see if she can be of help, but she won't know what exactly is the matter without your character telling her. Also, Faith will just be really curious in general. Have your character dance a jig, lose at cards, mend a shirt, whatever, and Faith will be wanting to know more.

{ anywhere }
When she thinks back on it, Christine knows that the reason the spirit of Faith approached her in the Fade is because Christine had visited the chapel before her test, trying to erase her doubts. But it was having doubt that caught Faith's attention and cemented their relationship. It's hard for a perfectionist like her to admit that there are times when she isn't sure of herself because it's admitting to weakness. Yet already Faith is changing her perceptions. There can be no faith without doubt. If Christine was perfect in every way, she wouldn't need a spirit to help with her ability to heal. Faith is needed, because doubt is inevitable. Questioning things, missteps, complications -- Faith is drawn to it all, and as Christine sticks to her daily routine around Skyhold, she often feels the gentle nudge of her spirit companion against her mind, sending her towards a person.

Of course, Faith doesn't always use words and simply say why it's guiding Christine towards a person. Is it because they no longer believe in the Maker, or because Faith wants to know what they're doing with that rope, tankard, and a duck?

{ kitchens }
With the soiree over, Christine can head back into the kitchens to practice her cooking once more without Skyhold's cooking staff at their wit's end trying to get all the food prepared in time. Some days she makes bread, others she makes pie. Others still it's something completely different, but if anyone comes in looking for a snack, she invites them to be her taste tester.

{ healers' tents }
Just because she's now a Spirit Healer doesn't mean Christine is going to request the help of Faith for every little scrape and cut. The point is to use the spirit's power for much more complicated wounds, to save the healer's mana. So there are no glowing blue eyes to be found as Christine sees to patients. When the rifters arrive, she's available to use healing magic to lessen the ache in their hands until they get used to the shard, and is happy to fill them in on the world they've been dropped into. For anyone else, she's there to heal them with magic or bandages; whichever they'd prefer.

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

"Hunting and training, more or less. After all that political nonsense at the soiree, I've needed something that was more or less the opposite of that. Anything with a target I can directly attack, you know?" Given that Korrin had to behave herself all evening, surrounded by condescending (when not directly racist) nobles, the Vashoth mage feels she's earned the right to let go. In a controlled manner, of course.

[aceso]

"I suppose, in a way, that is what I am doing too. I am baking because I need something simple. Something that has clear directions and will come out perfect if you follow them. The soiree was full of underhanded measures."

Christine leans back against the counter, picking at the crust of her pie. At least she'd accomplished what she'd set out to do, which was to alert the nobles to this situation with the Red Templars in the hopes of getting funding for research. By the end of the evening, it seemed only the young Bann from Ferelden was interested, but that's better than nothing.

"Of course, wine also helps."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin laughs at that, after taking another biteful. "Wine definitely helps. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't actually all bad. Getting to dance with Araceli -and others- was a highlight of the evening. But I have as much patience for the Game and all that rot as you. How people put up with that night after night, make it their life, I don't know...and I'm not sure I want to know."

[aceso]

Christine smiles a little, glad to see Korrin is happy with Araceli. Christine herself spent the night with Church, and it makes her wonder if Korrin's given any thought to the future and how Araceli fits into it. Christine doesn't want anything serious right now, and even if she did, it wouldn't be with Church. He's a rifter, and they don't understand these shards at all yet. What if it sends them back home? What if it kills them? She basically doesn't want to hitch herself to his wagon, even if he does make her laugh and loosen up.

But it's a sensitive topic, and it's hard to know just how to approach it. She knows Korrin is straightforward, and that she won't hold back her thoughts.

"You and Araceli are very close now, yes?"

[gatheringstorm]

Unable to deny that even if she wanted to -which she doesn't- Korrin nods as her cheeks brighten and a fond smile comes to her lips. "She is my kadan. I was not at all expecting to find that here, but I won't deny what I feel. Being together, sharing our living space...it just feels right. Even if that means I have parents and a grandmother threatening to march over here to meet her and embarrass me."

At least her parents are busy training people, but Tama has less restrictions, and it wouldn't be out of line for her to poke her nose in to see what kind of woman Korrin's hooked up with.

[aceso]

With a reaction like this, Christine can't question Korrin as to her thoughts on Araceli being a rifter and what that means for their future together. It would be far too rude to pry. So she accepts that answer with a nod, still smiling at her friend.

"Oh, dear. How are you going to hold your family at bay?"

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin chuckles, shaking her head. "That...is a very good question. I'm hoping their work will keep them distracted, as will feeding them information so that they don't feel it necessary to charge on over here. Give them something and hope it'll be enough, you know? That'll work for the parents, but Tama's old and nosy. I think the only reason why she isn't here is because she hates the cold."

Surrounded by the Frostbacks, instead of the warm beaches of Rivain? No, Korrin can't really see it. Even if she made the trek all the way south, it would definitely not be for long. Her letters often inquired how Korrin herself could withstand the cold. The answer; bear blankets and the warmth of a sexy bedmate.

[aceso]

"A blessing amidst all the chill surrounding us, no?" Christine chuckles before eating more pie. Once she swallows, she asks, "You write often to your parents?"

[gatheringstorm]

Snagging another bite for herself, Korrin nods before clearing her throat to answer. "Often enough to let them know where I am and what's generally happening. I told them that Araceli and I were attending the soiree, which will probably confuse the hell out of them since our kind don't go to those except as security. What about you, Christine? Did you get back in touch with yours?"

From what she understands, there was no contact for most Circle mages. Now that she has Christine's undivided attention, that curiosity about their different lives as mages returns. Perhaps this would be a good time to compare.

[aceso]

"Our kind -- mages, I mean -- usually only attend as entertainment. Everyone agrees to not be uncomfortable around us for an hour or two, and once they have used our abilities for their amusement, it is back out of their sight." She rolls her eyes. "So much for magic serving man. Only if it is party tricks."

Christine has very strong feelings about Circle mages being allowed to enter the Game by serving as little more than marionettes for the upper class.

Her gaze lowers and she shakes her head at the question.

"Not yet. I will, just... I cannot find the words yet."

[gatheringstorm]

"Such hypocrites. They rant and rave about how mages and magic are dangerous, and yet suddenly magic is treated as a toy when they're bored? Screw them." Korrin huffs, not blaming Christine at all for sore feelings about such affairs.

Her expression softens as Christine looks downward, and she turns her attention away from the pie, resting a larger hand atop her friend's. "You'll find them, Christine. It might take a while, but you'll get there when you're ready. And if you need moral support if you do decide on a visit, let me know."

[aceso]

Christine huffs out a laugh. Korrin's blunt way with words has always amused her. And then she looks back up, a sad smile coming to her face.

"You are too kind. It is the unknown that stays my hand. They could hate mages, or have had more children, or they could be long dead and gone." She shakes her head. "I will write. I need to, just on the off chance they have worried for me after the Circles fell."

During the soiree, she spoke to Kain about her hometown of Velun. It's made her long to see it again.

"It is some distance away, on the western shore of Lake Celestine. Not as far as the Western Approach, of course, but not a short journey."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin nods, thoughtful. "I've been to that general area a few times, for some job or other, enough so that I wouldn't get lost on my way there."

She wants to say something more reassuring about the attitude about magic, but given Thedas' view of them, there's good reason to suspect such hatred. The thought of Christine enduring that almost makes her hackles rise. But...she also knows the importance of family. If there's a chance Christine can have one again, who is she not to encourage that?

"Whatever the truth, at least you can get some closure when you're ready. That has to be better than always wondering, doesn't it? At least, I'd hope so." Korrin shakes her head, cutting off another piece of pie but not taking another bite just yet. "All this makes me realize how lucky I was, having parents who accepted me. They were from the Qun; they had all the reason in the world not to do that, but they did. The thought of not being raised by them, not having any contact...I can't begin to imagine. It's just so wrong."

[aceso]

"Then your offer is one I shall keep in mind. Thank you." It's not something she feels she can run off and do just yet, but if there comes a lull in the Inquisition's activities, perhaps she'll be given leave to take care of that. It will, of course, depend on the response she gets to her letter.

"It is wrong. When we were new to the Tower, it was emphasized how it was for the best. And yet the noble children were allowed to stay in contact. Fling enough money around and you can get away with anything." Her tone is naturally bitter. There was no fairness in the Circle system. It was filled with rules that didn't apply to all. Madame de Fer could gush about how good mages had it, but she didn't know the half of it, living in her fancy apartments and crushing people under her thumb with no consequences.

"Was it easy for you to learn magic as an apostate? I always wondered what secret spells you might have learned that we Circle mages did not."

[gatheringstorm]

"That is what loyalists are pining for? What a bunch of crap." The thought of noble children taking for granted what everyone else was denied causes Korrin's gaze to harden. She doesn't blame Christine at all for such bitterness, in light of such injustice. That's why, as much as she's come to admire Vivienne's work ethic and discipline, she'll never agree with her fellow council member when it comes to the Circles. They were a prison for most mages, and that shouldn't be forgotten.

She frowns in thought at that question, picking at the pie with her fork. "It depends on the magic. Lightning magic was incredibly easy; I picked that up before anything else. Most of what I learned were the elemental spells, which also worked well for me. If it was something I could use in battle, I could understand its application just fine. Spirit magic was harder, but my mentor wasn't going to let me loose without mastering a decent Barrier spell.

As for secret spells...not like you're thinking. I know people hear 'apostate' and think of blood magic, but my mentor never went near that shit. Vashoth and Tal-Vashoth are still trying to figure out a place in the world that doesn't have anything to do with the Qun. And mages in the Qun aren't trained at all, they're just treated like loaded weapons. So, culturally-speaking, there aren't a lot of unique rituals for my kind. The most I've heard was something about enhancing vitaar to be even more potent, but I tend not to use that stuff anyway, so it's a moot point for me."

[aceso]

"Oh, spirit magic has always come naturally to me. The first spell I even performed on accident was a barrier spell." But she isn't saying this to brag about it. "If you ever wish to learn more, I would be happy to work with you." Her head dips a little towards Korrin, leaving it up to her. Some spells were the kind a mage could never master, and she isn't here to push.

"Vitaar is like armor, yes? A shame, since we have such light armor."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin quirks a small smile and shrugs. "I know, but some versions make my skin break out. Besides, I'd rather not be mistaken as the vanguard of a Qunari invasion, and you know someone would be dumb enough to think that." She blames the Kirkwall incident, really. Thanks to what happened there, everyone associates vitaar with battle-crazed Qunari hordes.

Anyway, mention of aid perks her up and she nods, definitely interested. "I know the Spirit Healer thing isn't for me, but it wouldn't hurt to learn some of the other spirit-related spells. But it's only fair to trade magic for magic, so if I can help out with lightning or the basics of other elemental spells, I'd be happy to assist. I...could also give pointers with a spirit blade if you ever go the Knight-Enchanter route, but I'm nowhere ready to mentor anyone beyond that point. That and Vivienne would have a fit."

[aceso]

"Knowing more spells for combat would benefit me," she admits. "Dorian has instructed me a little, but it would be good to have other instructors so I am not confined to one style." She gives her friend a knowing look. "He quite likes to hit things with his staff, and I would much rather stay far back out of harm's way. Though I admit, becoming a Knight-Enchanter is tempting. I just do not know if I could stomach being that close to the battle."

[gatheringstorm]

"I know it's contrary to how a mage normally fights, since we're built to hang back. But I will say that you get used to it when you know that barrier is going to last longer than it otherwise should, especially when you can strength it every time you hit something. With that kind of protection, it makes being on the front lines a lot easier to take.

...not that it stopped me before, but at least now I can do it without accumulating scars." Smirking, Korrin gestures to the series of scars on the left side of her face, gained during those times when she was too battle-focused to remember her place as a mage. "I'm not much of a staff person, not like that, so at least you won't have that overlap."

[aceso]

"Oh, I did not consider the barrier you produce." Now she looks thoughtful. "I have noticed you practice with your blade. Perhaps next time I will pay closer attention. If the rift at Emprise taught me anything, it is that I can do well enough on one demon at a time, but only if nothing else comes after me. I am lucky I had Hermione with me too, and despite her own magic being unstable, she proved a great help." She'd launched a Terror demon straight up into the air, giving Christine time to work out the spell she wanted to use next.

[gatheringstorm]

"I'd be glad to demonstrate any time, even after this pie." Not that it takes much for Korrin to show off her hard-earned skills, but she'd totally consider the baking experiment a good trade. "The way Vivienne described it was you drawing back the energy released by your enemies in your attacks against them. So the more damage you do, the more powerful the barrier grows. That would definitely keep other enemies at bay long enough to deal with them at your own pace."

She pauses in her pie-picking and smiles at mention of the rifter girl. "Hermione's a very capable person, and I got to see some of that when there as well. She also has a zeal for equality and freedom that I find very refreshing. I do feel a little guilty for horrifying her with how much Thedas lacks both of those, but then again, it was needed information...and it seems to have cemented that resolve to help however she can. Adelaide is lucky to have her as an assistant."

[aceso]

Christine nods seriously. That all sounds well and good, but there was one sticking point. "Does anyone else besides Vivienne teach this discipline?" Call it an unfair bias, but she simply doesn't like Vivienne and the way she works. Everything about the Game makes her grit her teeth. The fact that Madame de Fer swanned off to her own apartments while charming the court, while the Templars said no one would want a mage healing them and Christine was to stay in the Tower will forever be a sore point. She shouldn't have had to play the Game, or had opened herself up to an even closer watch by the Templars by becoming a Spirit Healer under the Circle system. She had passed her Harrowing. She had proven herself. And yet she still wasn't trusted.

"I confess, the more I hear of other worlds, the more I wish Thedas could be like them. But then again, they might have their own unique problems too."

[gatheringstorm]

"There is one other woman that I know of, an elf named Helaine. She's...intense...but dedicated, as far as I've seen. If I'd known about her earlier, I might have gone to her instead. But I admit, I liked the challenge of getting Vivienne to teach me. A Loyalist Circle mage, teaching an apostate? It tickles me a bit.

...don't tell her that." Vivienne probably already knows, but no need to rub it in.

She takes another bite of pie before continuing. "I'm sure you're right, about other worlds. Nowhere can be perfect. Even if they don't have Blights and whatnot, their warts are just in other places."

Her lips curve in a smile, remembering something. "You attended the soiree with a rifter, didn't you? Are you close?"

[aceso]

Christine exhales a laugh, but nods all the same. Even if Vivienne does know, Christine isn't going to tell her.

Korrin's question leaves Christine screwing up her face; not in a distasteful way, but in a way that seems to say she doesn't really know.

"It is hard to say. I find him funny, and he is harmless enough, but he really can be so odd, and he never thinks things through before saying them. That said, I did have a nice enough evening, once I stressed the important of the occasion and that he not do anything embarrassing." And the night ended with him in her tent, but Christine doesn't kiss and tell.

[gatheringstorm]

That description of Church sounds very apt, and Korrin chuckles. "I haven't talked to him much lately, but he was entertaining enough when I did earlier. I imagine he managed through the night, with you as a good influence." She gets up to pour some water, needing it after that snack. "It never hurts to find enjoyment where you can, when you can. We're allowed so little that we don't grab for ourselves, especially lately.

...I hope it's not too personal to ask about that, but since you asked me, I wanted to know your thoughts on such things. Rifters and natives. There aren't many people I think could quite understand, even if they were sympathetic."