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

[blightedson]

I'm no healer, but I can change sheets and help with food.

[justice_is_blond]

There's a great need for that. Thank you, Felix. Come up as soon as you've the chance? But also be careful as you don't want to be ill as well.

[blightedson]

I'm used to being sick. It might be a bit like coming home.

Though I wouldn't want to make more work for you and the others, so I'll be careful.

[justice_is_blond]

...Remind me to keep an eye on you more often in the Warden Camp, if you're usually ill. You may be used to it, but I'm guessing you've not lived in close proximity to a healer before. There's no point in any of the Wardens spending extra time being ill or injured, especially as I'm around.

[blightedson]

Oh, no. It's not like that.

I had the Blight. I was dying. [And pretty much anything else that could be said shouldn't be said over the sending crystal.]

[justice_is_blond]

Oh. I thought you meant before that. I'd heard why you were conscripted. Sorry I wasn't with the other Wardens to welcome you.

[As much of a welcome as they ever get, that is.]

I was... occupied.

[Being Detlef.]

But the offer stands, as well. If you're ill or injured, I'm around.

[blightedson]

I can imagine.

And thank you. I'll keep that in mind.

You know your spirit healing talent is rare even in Tevinter. [said thoughtfully, then adding as a bit of a joke:] I'll always be happy to help you put it to good use.

[justice_is_blond]

And my strength and skill is rarer yet. It's the reason I'm alive, actually. But perhaps that's a topic for another time. Try not to tax it too much, please. I like seeing people when they've not got limbs dangling and blood spurting.

[blightedson]

You mean those work better when they're attached? Why hasn't any one told me this before?

[justice_is_blond]

Most generally figure it out when they go to use cutlery at the table, or pull a boot on, or any number of mundane tasks. Personally, I learned it early on when I was set on top of a cow my first time and needed every limb just to stay on its back and not be toppled into the mud.

I'll assume you've never been so low as to have run into cows.

[His voice is as sarcastically teasing as it can get.]

[blightedson]

[He sounds amused and pleased more than anything else.]

I'm sad to say that I haven't. I'm always happy to experience new things.

[justice_is_blond]

Magisters on cows. Now that would be a sight, wouldn't it.

[blightedson]

To be fair, I'm not a magister.

[justice_is_blond]

No? What would you call yourself?

[blightedson]

An altus.

Magister is a particular title for one who is a member of the Magisterium. My father was a Magister and the title is usually passed to children, but his title was stripped and I am now a Warden. The Alexius House no longer has claims to the title. Altus are the ruling class of mages who come from a long line of mages. Not all mages in Tevinter are altus, not all altus are magisters.

[justice_is_blond]

There's a lot we don't know about Tevinter mages, down here. A great deal of misinformation, or simply gaps. I'd... I'd rather like to learn more, if it's not too much of a bother.

[blightedson]

Of course. What would you like to know?

Private

[justice_is_blond]

With all you've seen, do you think there's a way for mages to have rule over themselves without blood magic consolidating power? Do you have a hope for that?

Re: Private

[blightedson]

Of course. My father and his friends are part of a group that fights for that ideal.

He... may have fallen from grace, given his involvement with the Venatori. But he never resorted for that. He believes men who do are weak.

Private

[justice_is_blond]

Have you--Sorry. Did you learn from his efforts? Could you help the mages here figure it out? We've got a long way to go in understanding self-governance, but we need to strengthen the foundation quickly.