{ inbox for fade rift }

[aceso]

A waltz when she walks in the room
She pulls back the hair from her face
She turns to the window to sway in the moonlight
Even her shadow has grace

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Christine, are you available? I have a need for your services as a healer; not for myself, but for Ser Coupe. She has not partaken of her philter in three weeks and frankly, is in a terrible state.

[Garahel whines in the background, all anxious.]

[aceso]

[ There's a muttered "merde" under her breath. Three weeks is a painfully long time. ]

I will bring lyrium. Where are you?

[circleprodigy]

In the templar side-tower of the Gallows....

[She gives more precise directions than the player knows while the sounds of adjusting furniture and sweeping are heard.]

She seems quite dehydrated and I doubt she has rested at all any time recently. I have persuaded her to lie down, for now, but she is still awake if not especially lucid.

[aceso]

Mmm.

[ It's a noise to show she's listening as she gathers a waterskin too. ]

And how is her mood? Lethargic, confused, angry?

crystals;

[limier]

[ did she wait to have this conversation until she was on a boat to orlais and would run no risk of having to have it in-person? possibly. maybe. you can’t prove it.

but to put if off forever would be to neglect what delacroix's done for her. ]

I, ah. This is Coupe. [ nailed it. ] I wished to thank you, and — ah — to apologize for taking you from your work. I will see your stores reimbursed.

[aceso]

[ This isn't the first time Christine has dealt with people who see their injury or illness as an inconvenience to the healers who do this as a job. ]

There is no need, Coupe. You were my patient and my stores are meant to be used. Not all patients come to me. I go to them too.

[ So you were her work. ]

[limier]

[ if they were speaking of anyone else, wren's quite certain she'd agree.

if it were any other injury, and not one so shamefully self-inflicted, so embarrassingly addling. a broken rib, a battered lung, burnt skin; all expectations of the job, all matters she might be expected to cede control over. but this, she ought to have had in hand. it's been disconcerting to find how deeply she was mistaken.

the single blessing in all of this has been that inessa chose a healer with the capacity for discretion. (that the both of them came,)

a somewhat lengthy pause, and then: ]

Thank you. [ it sounds as though she means it. it also sounds like, super duper awkward. ] I would insist, but I am certain you've enough to see to without the added argument. In lieu, I hope that, ah —

That you know you may call upon me, should you require it.

[aceso]

[ Christine does pride herself on her discretion. Perhaps it comes from her working against the stereotype that all Orlesians are gossipmongers. She has always spoken plainly, valued honesty and hard work, and basically only acts Orlesian when insulting Ferelden because someone has to keep those dog lords on their toes. It's important for a healer to have a bond with their patient where the patient feels safe in the healer's hands. They can trust the person to some degree. As long as the patient's condition doesn't threaten the whole community somehow, Christine will keep quiet. ]

Oh. That is very kind. [ She recognizes the awkwardness. Coupe probably doesn't want to dwell on this any longer than she has to. ] I will keep such in mind.

[ And how strange is it that Christine has made friends/allies with Templars? At first she thought it was a fluke. James Norrington is remarkably mild-mannered for the type of Templar Christine knew (but then again, at Montsimmard, most people liked to play mind games, especially those who held her freedom in their hands). Since he and Sam were practically brothers, Christine saw no reason to dislike him, nor the others from Ostwick Circle who cared for Sam. And then she and Cullen had bonded over dogs (the horror) and their investment in stopping the spread of red lyrium. Now she has this understanding with Wren, as she saw her at a dark moment. Christine never expected this. ]

You have shown an interest in my red lyrium research, yes? I am looking for sites where it is growing, so we might study it while it still lies in the ground. If you hear of any such places, would you let me know?

a letter

[rowancrowned]

Mme Delacroix,

At your convenience, I would like for us to speak. I will be in my office tomorrow from noon onward.

Sincerely,

Thranduil

{ action }

[aceso]

[ After asking where his office is, Christine shows up around 12:30 the next day and knocks on the door, announcing herself. ]

It is Christine.

[rowancrowned]

[ he opens the door for her, beckons her in and to his desk. there's a pitcher of water on his desk and two glasses, alongside what looks like a finished field report that he was in the middle of reviewing when she arrived.

it's easily dismissed, gathered up neatly and placed in a drawer. he pours her a glass alongside his own, gently pushes it to her side of the table, and leans back in his chair. ]

Welcome back. I hope your trip was pleasant, madame?

letter, late harvestmere;

[boneflayer]

Madame Delacroix,

I think that's the correct title to give an Orlesian lady, we have few visiting the Hold and Gjurd who is my teacher now bid me send word to you when the dreams came.

A raven comes in my dreams, dark as the longest night without the moons, stars hidden behind the clouds, cold enough to swear that Hakkon himself stands beside my bed, but I am never afraid because I know the raven is my brother. I know and the spirit that walks at my side knows: Asher went to the Lady of the Skies, but the Lady of the Skies is around us, and so he is with me.

That is not why Gjurd would have me send word.

There are lessons and duties as you would expect for a hold, but I have time to myself since I wasn't raised idle, I was raised with the stories of my grandfather in my heart as much as Asher was, I carried them with me. When the raven was shrieking in my dreams, when the raven burst through the trees on my patrol to croak laughter at the bear with the antler jutting through one eye, yes, this is why I was to write to you.

Hakkon Wintersbreath is Lord of War and Winter, firstborn of Korth the Mountain-Father. He of frost and steel, the one to lead us all in battle but not only are the warriors with valour and vigilance granted his favour but the wise. It is wise to laugh, I think, in the face of what might be a terrible thing that stops the breath. When I laughed, the raven ceased to shriek. Landed light upon my shoulder.

I slept in the hollow of a tree, woke to greet the dawn with thanks to the Lady. I found the stag to take back for the hold but gave the antlers and the liver for the Mountain-Father.

Lady keep you.

Aura Hardie, Honey Badger Hold

{ letter, mid-firstfall }

[aceso]

Dear Aura,

I thank you most sincerely for writing to me, and I thank Gjurd as well, because either through his wisdom, or the spirits, or both, he knew what I needed to hear at this time in my life. Kirkwall has provided me with a great challenge in many respects, and every day that I find myself growing accustomed to one thing, another problem crops up to replace it. Whether the issue is large or small, I have found myself longing for the mountains again. Not for the simplicity of life, for I would be ignorant to believe that life in Korth's domain is not harsh, but because of the people there. The Avvar have a system of support for their people that is unrivaled throughout Thedas, in my opinion. Within the Inquisition, there is infighting, perceived slights, the breaking down of diplomacy, and every issue must be argued over ten times with no satisfactory resolution. The Avvar ways appeal to me far more for being straightforward and to the point. It seems far less frustrating.

But now you have reminded me of many good things in my life. You have reminded me of a loved one I have lost watching over me, and to laugh at these petty squabbles that are rampant here. You have reminded me that if I wish to live in the Frostbacks one day, that I must surmount any challenge I find here in Kirkwall first. And for that I am truly grateful. Your words will be taken to heart, and already I feel a lightness within me that is new and very welcome. Yet here I have spoken of myself and my problems for far too long. How is the Hold? How are you and everyone else? Already we feel Hakkon's chill reach us even up here, so I imagine the mountains to already be in the thick of things. But those of Avvar blood are far more suited to the cold than I. Perhaps it does not bother you as much?

Every day my heart longs to revisit the Avvar holds familiar to me, and to put my hands to some useful work. When I am among you, I feel the Lady in the wind, and Hakkon in the chill touching my bones, and the Mountain father all around me as I look out at the beautiful landscape. Here with the stone walls around me, I must find that feeling where I can, but it is not like in the mountains.

But for now, until I can see them again, I will laugh, and remember the good things in life; and remember that I carry Hakkon's Wisdom so I can protect those around me through his gift. Thank you again, Aura.

Lady keep you and yours safe,

Christine

P.S. Please feel free to call me Christine. I do not really consider myself a lady.

[gatheringstorm]

Hey, Christine. I have a present for you, more or less. Casimir was working on a cleansing rune for me, one for armor instead of weapons. It should protect against red lyrium, at least if it's not ingested. As long as it's worn, it should protect against exposure.

[aceso]

Oh, Korrin! That is wonderful news! What a good thing for our troops and scouts.

[gatheringstorm]

I plan to get one for myself soon, but feel free to test it out for yourself. Hopefully it'll help you get even more done with your project.

[circleprodigy]

[In an uncharacteristic, excited rush.]

Christine, I just received the news! I'm to be your assistant in the project.

[aceso]

[ So uncharacteristic that Christine doubts for a second that it's Inessa. ]

Oh, how wonderful! You have been such a vital part of the project already, but now you can do so much more.

[ Teasingly: ]

I hope you realize I will flood you with paperwork now. Are you prepared?

[circleprodigy]

Absolutely. After a few weeks with nothing to do in that area, I'm ready to dive back into it. I'll take away as much as you'll allow, so you can concentrate on what's important.

crystals; as everything is going down in vintaland

[limier]

[ very, very quietly. very, very intently: ]

Dragon. Red — [ the distant sound of someone screaming, rapid approaching footsteps ] — Huge. If we do not make it back, report to Ashara.

[aceso]

[ Christine is startled out of her quiet reverie by Coupe's voice. She almost can't believe what she's hearing. Almost, because this is happening in Tevinter so of course everything's gone to shit.

She's pretty sure she'll be telling the Scoutmaster regardless if they make it back. This isn't something you just sit on and wait to see. ]

And Corypheus?

[ Her voiced is hushed, since it seems like the thing to do. Any sense of panic is squashed immediately. They need information in the Gallows so they can deal with this, however that may be. Probably just dealing with the aftermath, really. ]

[limier]

[ if they do make it back, this is the forces project. if they don't, divisions and hierarchy all go a bit out the window —

save that they'll all listen to beleth, or they'll deal with wren's highly aggravated corpse ]

Has taken Minrathous. We are wanted alive. Amsel and the Provost were with the Archon — I cannot say whether — [ something whispered and indistinct, the sudden crackle of flames ] — Focus to what you are able. It will be a journey to return, the wounded will not be a priority.

[ most likely: they'll have healed, or they'll have ceased to be a problem. ]

[chainlightning]

Christine! It's Merrill.

[ the ':D' is more than implied ]

What have I missed? As far as the research goes, but also in general- I was rather lost and wasn't getting a lot of news.

[aceso]

Merrill! Welcome back.

[ The reply is more :) than :D, but that's just Christine. ]

Oh, you would not believe what we have learned. Lyrium is actually alive! Nowhere near an intelligent being, of course, but much as a plant is alive. Cosima viewed it all in her microscope. And we have tested our cleansing runes on the Blight to see how it reacted and it receded from it! And we are in the process of capturing a red lyrium infected darkspawn to take samples. We have a theory of what red lyrium is comprised of, but further testing is needed.

And Inessa is now my assistant leader! She has been a great help to me. But what do you mean you were lost? Are you all right?

[chainlightning]

Thank you!

[ She listens intently, gasping at the appropriate places - she is a good listener, and this is fascinating. ]

It's alive? And it reacts to cleansing runes?

[ HOLY SHIT CHRISTINE DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS ]

Could it be-? Especially if it's alive... I mean, I had a magic mirror that was tainted, and it's not alive, so if lyrium's alive...

[ ew, drinking it will be weird now ]

Oh- I had gone to check on the alienages we'd passed through. I'm horrid at navigating cities, though, and also I- well, you remember eluvians, right?