Sending Crystal

[gatheringstorm]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Korrin Ataash
RECIPIENT: Anyone who has positive CR with Korrin (along with Inquisition leadership)
WHAT: The mystery of the missing people in Sahrnia is uncovered.
WHEN: At some point during her scouting mission
WHERE: Emprise du Lion
NOTES: Imprisonment, death, moral dilemmas.

Those with her on the scouting mission are welcome to overhear her making the message instead of responding to it over the crystal.

[Korrin hasn't interacted with others that much over the sending crystal while away, mostly because she's too tired to be social by the time there's a free moment. But after a particularly trying day, she needs a friendly voice and an outsider's perspective. For all that she's seen so much in her time as a mercenary, this still leaves her shaken.]

Fucking Red Templars. They have huge red lyrium mining operation to the south, which would be disturbing enough all on its own, just for deliberately messing with that shit. But of course they had to make it even worse. So many of the villagers have been captured and forced to work for them, kept cages when they're not being useful. Hell, some of them have already died from exposure or overwork and just...left there.

And it's not going to stop, from what we've seen. Sure, we can get to those on the fringes and free them, but if that keeps happening, they'll catch on and there goes any chance of truly stopping this. For all we know, they could kill all the rest if they realize we're onto them. And we can't get anywhere close to those at the center; they're too well-guarded and we'd be overwhelmed in a heartbeat. Fuck.

...tell me we're doing the right thing. Or at least give me news that isn't completely horrible.

Comments

[slipshot]

[He doesn't know what to say, at first, she sounds so miserable, but finally he speaks.]

We're going to stop them, Korrin. Of course that's the right thing. Don't doubt it for a moment. Rushing in would only get more of them hurt.

[There's a pause, and then his voice is quiet:]

... Are you alright?

[gatheringstorm]

No. I need a drink and didn't bring any maraas-lok and spiced wine isn't going to cut it. But getting hammered on a scouting mission would be a terrible idea, anyway.

[If only she could escape from sobriety. Why is Skyhold so far away?]

I know you're right, about rushing in. It'd be suicide, at this point. But who knows how many might still be alive by the time the rest of Inquisition gets here?

[slipshot]

Probably for the best, I'll admit.

[He pauses, trying to think of how to help as best he could. She needs help, that much is clear. Compassion. And forgiveness. But he couldn't offer that, even though they all needed it.]

We can't save everyone, Korrin. But we'll save as many as we can.

You, though, sound like you could use a massage.

[wickedchase]

Sounds like you're having hell of a time, spitfire.

...You're doing what you can. Which is better than nothing, trust me on that.

As far as good news goes, well. [There isn't much.] Got a present for you, for whenever we see each other again. So there's that.

Do you need to talk?

[gatheringstorm]

I need a fucking drink, but I can't afford to get hammered right now or I would be there already.

[Sigh. If only.]

A present? I'll try not to pester you about that, promise.

...I don't know what else we can do, and I hate it. I'm not used to holding back, you know. Especially not when people are suffering like this.

[wickedchase]

Don't worry, the alcohol won't go anywhere. When you're done, treat yourself. You know, for me.

[He understands. Some work, you need to stay sober for, and he gets that. Korrin's not in an easy place right now.]

Even if you did, I'd keep it a secret. I'm awfully good at those.

You're not usually a woman of restraint, or at least that's my impression. I know that's hard for you. But I also know you're stubborn as hell.

Do your best to not let it get to you. It's a tall order, but I know you're doing what you can.

In person at camp

[el_tybs]

"Sounds like we have troubles in spades," he says, both hands occupied with a mug as he steps up, giving a small, sad smile. "Wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but it looked like you could use something to drink. Unfortunately it isn't alcohol, just something warm." There's a pause before Sam offers Korrin a mug and takes a seat.

"None of this is easy."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin lets out a deep sigh, reaching for the mug. She can't deny needing it, even as it reminds her of those in cages without any hope of getting warm any time soon. Any of those that succumb will remain on her conscience, nevermind that she couldn't do anything about them.

"It's fine. Much as I'd love to get hammered, this isn't a place or time to let go like that.

...and no, it's not. I've seen something like that before, but back then, we had the numbers to act. Not being able to do a damn thing about what's happening now is the nightmarish opposite of that."

[el_tybs]

Sam too lets out a long deep sigh, taking a tentative sip of his drink afterward, eyes darting about the camp at the other members. They're a good group, great even, able to handle a lot, but taking on an army they could not.

"Damned if we do, damned if we don't." Sam gives another sigh, scooting over so that he could lean against Korrin a bit, trying to be a comfort while their hands were full. "We're... doing the right thing even if it doesn't feel like it. If there wasn't a threat that they'd just destroy the rest of the town... or if it wouldn't make the job of wiping them out when our forces got here... I'd be all for storming in with you."

[ombranera]

Would you like a song, Carina? It is not news but it is- something that might perhaps make you smile?

[gatheringstorm]

If anyone can make that happen, it'd probably be you, Zevran.

assuming their brief interaction counts as positive?

[samahl]

You are doing the right thing.

It does!

[gatheringstorm]

I'm trying to tell myself that, but it doesn't banish the image of those villagers. If the Inquisition's forces don't get here soon, they're not going to last.

[fortheloveoffalondin]

_{[He's not used to the sending crystals, but he can figure one out for this.]}

The minute you come back, I'm going to propose we sit down for a drink, and then possibly going out to hunt a while. It'll be good for both of us, I think.

[gatheringstorm]

Yes, please. I need both, but now is not a good time to lose sobriety. If it was, I'd already be hammered.

[eolasemah]

[A young-sounding voice echoes thinly through the crystal.]

You are making the world better, asha'lav'sal'in. Please don't give up hope.

[gatheringstorm]

[Aw, Sina. Korrin sounds warmer and less frustrated (which is still plenty) upon hearing that.]

I'm trying not to, though it's hard. But thank you, Sina.

What does 'asha'lav'sal'in' mean?

[foxsays]

Sirena.

[Maybe it's not just as warm as she would like for it to be, certainly not when Korrin is so far and so cold but well, things in Skyhold haven't been the best and she hasn't really been sleeping well. It's good Korrin can't see her honestly, not when her news is so dire.]

Sometimes in life the right thing and the good thing are the same but too many times they aren't, and often all things change depending on the time. Not everyone can be saved, it is...it is incredibly harsh but this is one of the few times when we have to look to the greater good.

[It hurts to say that. Because it's true but it doesn't help, not when you know you're condemning someone to something horrible; she might not fully understand but this is bad.]

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin sighs but it's a sigh where some tension drains away. Certainly not all or most, but just hearing Araceli's voice soothes her a little. If only she had her in person to snuggle with.]

You're right, I know it, but it still hurts. I've never had to hold back from taking action, not like this. It's...harder than I thought.

[perseverances]

I know it's difficult.

[Cullen's heard of the things come out of Emprise du Lion and he's very much not happy about it. How anyone could do that is just beyond him. But unfortunately, there are people in this world who use others to benefit themselves and Corypheus is no exception.]

Keep strong. The information your group is sending back to the Inquisition is invaluable.

[gatheringstorm]

[She sounds a touch calmer upon answering, though still clearly unhappy about the situation.]

Then at least some good has come of this. Unless the situation in the Western Approach is that much worse, I can't recommend the Inquisition's presence here strongly enough. I don't know how long they will last.

[Cramped in cages when not being overworked, exposed to the elements and probably malnourished on top of that? Yeah, probably not long.]

[sandsofhell]

Keep calm, there's more than one way to ensure the safety of those people, and it doesn't envolve just freeing the ones on the outskirts or leading an army into battle. What you've just told us is more valuable than you can realize, both to the Inquisition and the people being enslaved.

[He pauses a moment to think something over.]

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you don't need to be afraid of the result of a thousand battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, and vice-versa, then for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither yourself, or the enemy, then you will lose every fight.

[gatheringstorm]

[Oh hey, Korrin remembers that voice. She's silent for a moment, trying to collect herself, though it takes some effort and deep breaths.]

'Keep calm'...easier said that done, but Maker am I trying. I'll be better when the rest of the Inquisition hauls ass and gives us the numbers we need to take the quarry.

I know myself pretty well, and I've faced Red Templars before. I didn't know they were getting away with this, though. That was new. Guess I need to know them better than I thought I did.

[kremdelacreme]

When the words die off, the others communicating back to Korrin either reaching conclusions or needing to go off on their own errands, Krem finds an opportunity to step in, in the form of laying a hand on the mage's shoulder and holding out a bottle that was gently steaming from its open top.

"This'll work," he says quietly, stepping over to take a seat beside her. "You're worrying yourself to death won't help us or the workers being kept caged though. We have the intelligence. Next step'll be made soon."

[gatheringstorm]

As Krem sits down beside her, Korrin leans into him a little. She heaves a sigh, unable to refute what's said though it's difficult when images of what she saw during that scouting trip with Katniss and Christine keep resurfacing. It was so much worse than what they'd thought.

"It'll still be too late for some, though. By the time the rest get here and we have the numbers to take on the quarry, a good chunk of those people will be gone. And there's nothing we can do about it." Either through exposure or starvation or overwork, their lives are already hanging by a thread. It won't take much for the Red Templars' mission to finish them off.

She stares at the bottle, unable to resist a swig but pausing after that. "You'd better take this away from me before long. Much as I want it, if my sobriety goes out the window, what restraint I have will be next. I can't promise I won't go charging off into the quarry, suicide mission or not."