faderift | We come from the land of the ice and snow

WHO: Open to all
WHAT: Thedas' strange new guests are delivered to Skyhold
WHEN: 25 Harvestmere (October)
WHERE: Skyhold main gate & courtyard
NOTES: This is Part I of a two-part intro event, Part II will be posted tomorrow.

A long uphill tromp through the snowy mountains ends at Skyhold, the distant fortress finally before them in all its tumble-down glory. There is time to admire the drop into the river gorge far below as they cross the only bridge into the castle; it is briefly backed up with traffic, several carts bearing supplies and visitors stalled as the portcullis is raised. Those coming to help catalog and unload the shipment and greet the guests, or otherwise present near the front courtyard, will find themselves witness to a far more interesting arrival.

Guards at the gate carry the word quickly, and more gather, though they make no move to imprison the strange people who fell out of a rift. They just line the perimeter and keep a close watch. Perhaps this adds a level of tension to this first encounter, but it also reassures the many who are unsettled by the uncertain turn of events and keeps in check those who might attack first and ask questions later. Others will no doubt soften the Inquisition's first impression, offering food, information, and other assistance.

Medical attention is available in the tented-encircled corner of the courtyard where the wounded from Haven are still treated. The quartermaster's assistant is called upon to provide spare odds and ends of clothing to those in need, and to issue blankets for all, though they are left to fend for themselves to find places to sleep.

Any mage willing to help is called in to do so and a cluster forms in one side of the courtyard to examine the rifters. They are objects of curiosity in general, but the marks on their hands are of particular interest, resembling smaller slivers of the Herald's famous mark. Despite their best efforts, no mage will be able to provide any real insight after this initial assessment. What the rifters and their marks are is a question they cannot answer today.

But one question is answered: in the midst of all the commotion, another Inquisition agent arrives from Haven, rushing in red-faced to announce that the Herald's body has finally been found.

OOC

It will be decided (partly for OOC reasons, admittedly) that the rifters will not be imprisoned at this point, but they will be watched carefully, and the guards are on alert for any strange behavior by people with glowing hands or strange attire. And of course, their freedom can be revoked at any time if they're deemed a danger. Though there are some OOC considerations at play here, you're welcome to ICly lobby for more or less freedom for the rifters, and things may change based on IC action/consensus.

Also: Part II, aka the log for the funeral/wake/etc. event, will go up tomorrow!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I believe you," Simon answered after a thoughtful moment. He wasn't the best judge, and having her come out and say that she wanted to prove that she meant no harm was a little...well, actions spoke louder than words and she had helped without hesitation. That was the important bit as far as Simon was concerned. He wasn't the man in charge, however, and his word wasn't likely to carry much weight within the Inquisition.

Still, maybe it would at least help Ariadne, to know that she had someone who wanted to trust her.

"As for here? No, I need to clean up for the next wounded but I can manage that," Simon went on. Besides, he didn't want her jostling the poultice... "The other tents might, however. That is...I'm not trying to shoo you out, or anything like that."

"Oh, I didn't think you were," Ariadne said quickly, strangely self-conscious. She shrugged. "I just don't like feeling useless. So if there's something I can do...I should find out."

A part of her wanted to stay. After all the bouncing around she'd been doing, she found Simon's presence somewhat calming. But eventually, she'd only get in the way. And the idea of standing by helpless while someone suffered...

Well. It wasn't for her.

"Thank you so much. For everything. You've been too kind."

"Don't forget to take some time for yourself as well," he said, quietly knowing that he was being something of a hypocrite. Simon worked himself ragged when given half a chance, and here he was telling Ariadne to take it easy. There was a quirk to his smile as he thought of it, and maybe he'd make himself take a break too. Once an opportunity came up, of course.

He looked up at Ariadne again, smiling wider at her thanks. "Happy to have helped...if you ever need anything else, you can probably find me here at the tents."

"I might find you again, even if I don't need you," she replied. "If you don't mind."

It was important to know people. And to let people know her, as it were. At least in the off chance that her secret got out. She wanted it known that she was a kind person.

Which she was.

Just also a bit of a calculating one too.

And anyway, she liked Simon. Like all healers, she felt like his heart must be in the right place. Why else go into such a profession?

Pulling her braid over her shoulder, she dipped into a little curtsy for him. "Good day, sir."

Edited 2015-12-11 02:45 (UTC)

"Not at all..."

Company that wasn't also work would be nice from time to time. Simon couldn't spend every waking moment either mending wounds or minding his sister. Though part of him wanted to, even he knew it was foolish to try. So yes, having someone around to keep him from burning out would be nice.

It helped that Ariadne seemed to be a genuinely kind woman herself and he wanted to get to know her better, of course.

"Be well, Arie," he said, smiling a bit tired and wistful, nodding into a low bow in response to the curtsy before she left.

We come from the land of the ice and snow

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