the city that we love;

[chainlightning]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Merrill
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Look who's back!
WHEN: Nowish?
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: hi

Kirkwall hasn't changed very much at all, has it?

[ For those who recognize the voice, Merrill sounds almost as cheerful as ever, if not a bit more contemplative. ]

I mean, I suppose the last time I saw it, the Inquisition was already here. But it's still very twisty and turny and made of stone and statues.

[ Hopefully none of those statues have come alive recently. ]

Well- um, anyway. Hi! I'm Merrill, and I'm back. What have I missed? Who's still about?

[ There's a loud griffon squawk, and Merrill laughs. ]

Yes, Ghostface, I know you're still here.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

Kirkwall doesn't seem prone to change.

[Except when it's forced upon it. But he sounds friendly and not currently annoyed by the city.]

Tell me you've not been wandering lost about Kirkwall all this time?

[chainlightning]

Anders!

[ Merrill sounds delighted, the elven equivalent of ':D' ]

Oh, no. I mean, I did get lost in Kirkwall itself for a bit.

[ 'A bit' could mean anywhere from minutes to days. Best not to ask, really. ]

But no, I've been all about.

[justice_is_blond]

[Now he sounds close to laughing, though he's fighting it back.]

Was it good all about? And there are a lot of people still around, and a lot gone back to Skyhold. Nathaniel's here, though. And Alistair, um. I don't recall who all you hung about with. Bethany and Carver have departed, I think Fenris left though who knows. He may simply still be trying to make conversation with the skeletons in his house and wondering why they aren't talking back.

[chainlightning]

[ Friendship. ]

In some places!

[ No place in Thedas is ever entirely good. ]

Oh, I'm glad Nathaniel's here! [ For Anders, and all. ] I spent time with a lot of people, so... hopefully at least some of the others are still here! [ It would make sense that some are, at least - though she is sad that the Hawke siblings are gone. ]

If the skeletons in Fenris's house do talk back, he'll come and find us, right? I mean, that's- that's not good. Talking skeletons, that is.

Erm. Can you tell I've been traveling by myself a bit? I'm rambling.

[justice_is_blond]

Fenris, recognize an actual issue?

[Now they'll know for sure if he's listening or not.]

And it's all right if you ramble. It's... It's nice. Since it's been a while.

[A short beat.]

Oh! I've a second cat, Lord Pawdric. He keeps Hero of Purrelden company and is a little more brave than she is.

[dirth]

I doubt as much as changed as you might have imagined. [ Solas sounds calm, collected. ] But we can speak through books, now.

[chainlightning]

Really? [ so many questions ] Do the books themselves speak?

[dirth]

Ah, no. You write in them and others can read what you have written.

[chainlightning]

Oh. Well, that's still quite something! How did we get those?

Private

[nadasharillen]

[ "who's still around." such a difficult question to hear, especially after what had happened at the Temple of Falon'Din; although in a way that experience had lanced the infection in her sorrow. at the very least it comes in the height of summer, with not even a breath of cool air to fill Nari's nose and bring it all back in a way more visceral than this. she is tempted to let someone else tell the cheerful Dalish woman, but at the same time, it's as much or more hers to tell than anyone else's. ]

Merrill. It's good to hear your voice again.

[ her voice is the same low steady tone as it had been, albeit a little more settled, like wood that the world has seasoned. ]

We... Sina passed to the Beyond last winter. The whole clan came. If you... [ a breath ] if you would like to go to where we planted her tree, I will take you.

Private

[chainlightning]

[ She should have expected something like this.

People died. It happened every day. Friends, family, soldiers, rulers - everyone died at some point. Marethari had died, having tried to do the right thing when she hadn't needed to. Herc had died, leaving her behind with the griffon pendent that sat against her chest even now. And now... ]

I- yes, of course. I'm so sorry, Nari, I-

[ What can she say? No words of hers will bring Sina back. No words of hers will make time change so that Merrill was there. ]

I'm sorry I wasn't here.

[ For Nari. For Sina. ]

private ∞

[nadasharillen]

I'm sorry too.

[ there's not a single trace of blame to be heard. she is sorry, but mostly because it meant that Merrill hadn't gotten a chance to say goodbye. because that is something that the interminably cheerful woman has to carry with her now. ]

Let me know, when you're ready to visit her.

And... come by the workshop sometime? We've always got a pot of tea on.

[chainlightning]

Did it- was she- [ Her voice wavers, and Ghostface can be heard crooning softly. ] ...what happened?

[ She knows it might hurt, knows it probably does. It feels selfish of her to ask... but Merrill has to know.

It's a Keeper's job to remember. ]

I will, of course.

[arcaneadvisor]

You return once again Merrill, you have been missed. [And that's real warmth in Morrigan's voice there.] I live out by Sundermount these days, I trust you know it well should you wish to come visit.

There have been a few...revelations. Embarrassments. Ever the same.

[The unwieldy beast of too many legs and faces continues apace.]

[chainlightning]

Morrigan! I missed you, too! [ She knows Morrigan didn't exactly say 'I missed you', but- close enough. ] Oh, yes; I was out there a bit while I was gone, actually. Sort of... reminiscing.

[ Angsting. Same thing. ]

What sort of revelations and embarrassments? Or am I not supposed to ask?

[arcaneadvisor]

I've walked many of the paths in search of...well you can imagine. I prefer it to the noise of the city. And the smell. Far too many people pressed too tightly and I have never been one for a Circle no matter what name it goes by. How were your travels; had you stopped you would have been welcome in my home.

[Well her mother kidnapped Kieran so she's taking three of her closest off to go get him back (what is time) because she knows she's Mythal, stay tuned for that news.]

There was an island some travelled to months ago to collect rifters where a discovery was made of elven ruins. They found the remains of a broken eluvian, an ancient and eroded map of Thedas, and an unknown spirit. All that we know about eluvians at the time had to finally be shared, there was no other way, though 'twas surprising how few who knew anything had put any pieces together.

[It wouldn't be Morrigan if she weren't disappointed by some of them.]

The Inquisition rather disgraced itself in Nevarra with some embarrassment involved its beloved dead. As one does.

[chainlightning]

They were good! I helped a lot of elves and got a bit lost in the Crossroads for a while. [ Getting lost in the Crossroads was easy, actually. Getting out once lost was another thing entirely, even for an elf, who didn't see it in the same way. ] I suppose I just... needed to clear my head.

[ But Morrigan speaks about ruins and Merrill perks up. ]

What sort of ruins? Did you get the eluvian working again? Where is it?

[ And it wouldn't be Merrill if she didn't find the bright side. Although... ]

I- oh, that's, erm. Not good? Is it fixable?

private;

[foxsays]

[What's time I don't know maybe she's on a ship, maybe not it's been a trying time--]

Merrill? Merrill it's so good to hear your voice again!

[And it is, amidst everything that life has been lately.]

I think a few people we both used to know are gone now - do you remember Kas, he came to Dairsmuid with us?

private;

[chainlightning]

Araceli! Oh, how are you?! How's Lux?

[ Friends. She had known she had things to do, when she left, but by the Creators, she had missed them all. ]

I remember Kas, yes. He was younger, wasn't he?

private;

[foxsays]

I'm well. They have me running Naval Presence now and everything with Tevinter-- [just the sound of her hand flapping or imagine it, it's been kind of a mess.] Lux is as terrible as ever, as soon as he sees you he'll behave as if he's never been fed a day in his life. Oh and I have a miniature kraken now too. So I have three terrible sons. The kraken can throw things with eight arms.

[And squirt water or ink at guests he dislikes in her office so y'know bring tribute to him or watch where you sit. The worst of her sons.]

Yes, very feisty and-- it's more if you speak to Korrin. Him taking off hit her hard, I know she still misses him and it was upsetting when he left. There wasn't really any word. He just left. [It's not the whole truth but she doesn't know how much she can say still, and it hurts, to know he was someone else. Another person beneath it.] Jamie's gone too. So. I'm the last one from the very first to arrive through the rifts, I miss the bagpipes.

private;

[chainlightning]

Oh, Lux. [ Merrill laughs, delighted by even the mention of the fox's antics. ] What's the name of your kraken? And what does he eat? I want to bring them treats, when I can!

[ She'll bring Araceli treats, too, don't you worry. ]

Oh- I'm sorry. I suppose I sort of... did that as well... [ She came back, but still. ]

[byblow]

Merrill! Where did you wander off to?

[chainlightning]

Alistair! I went to- well, a lot of places, actually. I helped other elves a lot, which was good, and I went into the Fade a bit, and I got a bit lost at times, and...

[ And she's rambling, so she stops. ]

Anyway! How are you?

[byblow]

Oh, you know.

[ His girlfriend is in Orlais forever! There's a war! A few months ago he found and then euthanized his father!

But he's fine. ]

They've been talking about trying to turn the sending crystals into tracking devices. Maybe that way we won't lose you again.

[chainlightning]

I do?

[ :v ]

Or everyone else will get lost trying to come and find me!