Don't Panic

[fleurdesel]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Adelaide, Sam, Anders, Ruby, Velanna, Bruce
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: DON’T PANIC
WHEN: During the Fade Sickness Event
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: N/A.

[ Who's exhausted? The healers are exhausted. It shows in their voice, especially Adelaide as she starts up the call- the sounds of coughing patients and soft murmured comforts audible in the background. ]

There is an illness spreading in Skyhold with peculiar symptoms- those afflicted say they see the green of the fade at the edge of their sight and see strange figures, hear voices. What you are seeing are beings of the fade on the other side of the veil. It has not thinned, merely become transparent to those that are ill. These beings cannot harm you, touch you, or possess you; there is no need to fear. If you are disconcerted seek out the healers or a mage with which you are comfortable.

[ A soft rustling like fabric, as though the crystal is exchanging hands before there's a murmured 'Go ahead, Bruce', and Bruce takes up the rest. ]

The first sign of the illness, as we can tell for now, is a rapidly rising fever that will reach its peak in a few hours. From there the rest of the symptoms begin to show; so if you are feeling this sudden onset of a fever or know anybody who is experiencing it, please do seek out help as soon as possible.

[ Ruby needs no such prompting, picking right up with a cheerful enthusiasm the rest seem to be without. ]

The healers are doing everything they can, but we’ve got other people in the case for figuring out what’s causing this. If you can think of anything you’ve consumed or been near or stuff you’ve done the past few days, let us know! It’ll help us look for any patterns. Any information will help!

[ Another handoff, another voice, Sam putting out the call for aid. ]

As mentioned our healers are doing everything they can to take care of everyone who is coming down with this new sickness. There are a number of those who are sick with simple colds or injured from the floods and mudslides though. Those who aren't sick and able, it would help us a great deal if you could come and offer aid to these individuals.

[ Anders pitching in from the side might be unexpected but- he's as tired and elbow deep in patients as the rest of them. ]

We understand that the situation is stressful. The healer’s tents is fully staffed, and several of us have seen disease spread rapidly before. Please, if you’re feeling symptoms, come to the tents. If your friend is ill and being stubborn, please drag them. Having the ill here is the fastest way to get this under control, stop the spread, and discover a cure.

[ Then, from nowhere? A final, cutting opinion courtesy of Velanna. ]

What we know for certain is the Veil is not weakened any further than it has been. Most of you aren’t dying. Some of you might be, but that likely cannot be helped by needless panicking.

[ A beat of silence before irate, aghast, or wryly amused voices scramble over one another. ]

For fuck’s sake Velanna- So much for trying to keep calm- Maker's breath, we're trying to be comforting- Get her away from the crystal-

[ Oh so helpfully off to one side- ]

...you do realize that everyone can still hear us, right?

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

That works. Though I have to admit I've not paid attention to what Firsts are here. I didn't even know we had Firsts here. Who are they?

[chainlightning]

Well, they may be former Firsts. But Pel, of clan Ashara, and Sina, of clan Dahlasanor. I don't know if they're sick or not- oh, but someone really should check on Sina, she has that shard so close to her heart...

Oh! And Velanna was trained as a First, of course.

[justice_is_blond]

I thought you meant healer Firsts. All Firsts learn herbs? If they do, then Velanna isn't aware of anything; she's here with us and she would have said. But Sina... Where does she stay?

[This he can do, at least.]

[chainlightning]

Well, you just asked about First-Firsts.

[ get on her level anders ]

The gardens, usually. She's very nice.

[ and merrill will punch you if you are mean to her ]

[justice_is_blond]

I'm sorry. I'm a little tired.

[He likes Sina. She's safe.]

I'll... I'll be able to check on her in about an hour. If we don't get a wave of new patients. If anyone's listening who can do it sooner, please speak up. But I'll be on it then.

[chainlightning]

That's okay. But thank you, Anders.

And- get some sleep? We don't want our healers to get sick.

[justice_is_blond]

You're welcome. And I'll see if I can find time.

[He's not going to get any sleep, sorry, Merrill.]

[failedfirst]

Nothing I've tried has worked very long, so I did not see the point. The younger Firsts may know more so it is still worth asking them. [she's not mad about that or anything.]

[justice_is_blond]

I knew you'd say something if it had. I'll check with the younger ones.