(no subject)

[wickedchase]

FORM: Sending crystal.
SENDER: Twisted Fate.
RECIPIENT: Everyone!
WHAT: The party returns, and Fate has a request.
WHEN: Backdated to Cloudreach 29.
WHERE: Skyhold.
NOTES: N/A

Ah, Skyhold. Terribly good to be back home. I'm certain you all missed me, didn't you?

In any case.

Clan Frandruil has notified me that they wish to send halla our way. Terribly considerate of Keeper Shoshanna to show such gratitude. I don't particularly care what the Inquisition wishes to do with them, so I defer to those part of Clan Ashara. They are yours, as far as I am concerned.

In any case, something of more immediate concern and interest to me: I've received a mark from the rift we dealt with. As terribly excited as I am to be blessed with this, I'd like to do a little more research on this. [And maybe remove it, but he has a feeling that's impossible.] Those of you already familiar with your own magical glowing green marks, please, enlighten me with whatever you know.

And before I forget: Sera, I've placed your things back in the room in the tavern. If you happen to find anything of mine left in there, it's yours to do with.

I think that ought to do it. I'll be in the tavern, drinking myself silly.

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

What, no halla for me? I'm so offended.

[No, she isn't.]

So, giving up the room at last? That ought to cheer her up.

[wickedchase]

You sound horribly offended. Goodness.

[He chuckles before moving on.]

I took it before because I thought it was amusing. Now? Well, I owe her for the help. Might as well give back what I stole, hm?

...Was she terribly upset?

[serannas]

[ If keysmashing existed in Thedas, Ellana would be doing it right now. Alas, as this is a sending crystal, she needs to take a moment to calm herself before answering. ]

Truly? You mean it? I could really have a halla?

[ Okay, halla fangirl, bring it down a notch. ]

I am sorry to hear about your mark. I'm going to help study the rifts, but without a mark of my own, I can't really know what you're going through. Still, I'll help you with research in any way I can.

[wickedchase]

Ellana, my dear, they're all yours. It means more if someone else would enjoy them, and I'm not certain how much more insult Keeper Shoshanna can absorb from me right at the moment.

Thank you. I certainly appreciate that. Now that I have one, I suppose I've little choice but to know about it as much as I can. Do you reckon there's any likeliness of removing it?

action

[keeperofmagi]

[They hadn't exactly gotten a moment alone together since their conversation - the journey back was constantly surrounded with other people, and as soon as they returned to Skyhold, Nerva was thrust back into her duties.

She didn't reply to Fate's voice as it drifted from her Crystal, though she listened. She listened, and noted, and then a couple of hours later when she could finally get away, she headed to the Tavern. And then stopped, and went back to her room instead. Let down her hair, braided it instead of bunned it, put on a black tunic with silver edging instead of her armour, checked the mostly-faded bruise on her cheek, and then went to the Tavern.

She went to the bar, first, to get a bottle of wine (Orlesian, though it cost a pretty penny thanks to low supplies), and two glasses, and then joined him.)]

Are you otherwise engaged, or may I steal a moment of your company?

[It was hard to disguise the smile that threatened to break across her lips - the same smile she had been having an impossible time smothering in general the last couple of days.]

[wickedchase]

[When he sees Nerva, he smiles warmly at her and sets aside his tankard of ale. It can certainly wait when better drinks and desirable company has come to grace his presence.]

You are always welcome. Please, join me.

Your hair's lovely when its down. Don't know that I've said that out loud before, but you deserve to hear it.

[dragoon_pride]

The shards are terrible at first, but the pain subsides in time. Hardly comforting, I know. They're a nuisance in the dark... I suggest gloves, unless you've need for a light.

[Ok, most people would be more positive about having your own built-in torch, but Kain is still less than pleased about the shard.]

I've been told there aren't many answers yet from those researching them. Unfortunately.

[wickedchase]

Ever the cheerful one, Kain. [He chuckles softly.]

I suppose I'll have to invest in a decent pair of gloves.

[issala]

...what are halla, anyway? Deer?

[wickedchase]

Yes. They're deer. They're white deer with little twisty horns, and they can eat only one thing:

Human flesh.

[samahl]

Halla? Here?

Here. In the mountains. In a fortress. Surrounded by humans. That sounds like it won't at all lead to something terrible.

They say Skyhold belongs to the elves before humans, so hopefully they'll do all right? Oh, and I'll be able to show Galadriel one finally, so that's good.

But right now I'm more worried about you. How are you holding up?

[wickedchase]

No, not in the least. Good luck managing them; all the other elves can have them, but I don't really have much an interest. But at least Galadriel will benefit, hm?

I'm holding up fine. [He's drinking, and that's great.] And what about you?

[arsebiscuit]

It'll still take a week to get the pine smell out.

[ Said with all fondness. ]

[wickedchase]

I may or may not have accidentally spilled my Orlesian Crystal Bloom cologne onto the floor, too.

Action

[justice_is_blond]

[He'd heard the message on the crystals and he hadn't bothered responding. There'd been no point. He'd also not gone to the tavern, because thanks to Zevran he knew the type of company he'd find there.

He's not hiding from Fate, though, so when he turns the corner to see the elf it's not the biggest surprise of his life. Anders nods, expression neutral.]

Welcome back.

[And that's... about all the greeting he can muster. Why make himself vulnerable by being friendly? It keeps coming back to hurt him.]

[wickedchase]

[The greeting makes him raise his brow and Twisted Fate places his hands on his hips.]

Well, I'd say I've had colder welcomes.

Since we've both conveniently run into each other, shall we have a chat?

[chainlightning]

And those of us who aren't part of Clan Ashara?

[wickedchase]

Not Ashara? Too bad.

...That is a joke. In case my tone didn't sell it. My apologies, madame. I, of all people, should remember that there is more than one clan represented here.

[laurenande]

[Halla? Galadriel hadn't expected to have the opportunity to see them, not any time soon, and the idea has her charmed from the outset.]

I would gladly tell you what I know of the marks. If you wish to...examine them in greater detail, I can assist in person.

[She may take some joy in making this offer in a public forum...else the idea of Halla has simply rendered her cheerful.]

[wickedchase]

Madame Galadriel, I would be grateful for your assistance.

And of course, the offer of the halla extends to you and any other elves from your realm as well. I know the meaning isn't going to be quite the same, but you are well respected with the elves in Skyhold.

Private

[fleurdesel]

Fate- [ One moment, she'll make this private. ]

Would you rather leave it be for the evening, or would you mind terribly if I examined you and your shard?

Private

[wickedchase]

Madame Adelaide. I wish we had better circumstances for this conversation, but as it is, it's always a pleasure.

Please, I would be glad for it. I can come see you.

[el_tybs]

Halla? Really?

[He isn't getting one, but that doesn't mean he can't be curious. After all he's never seen one, or at least up close.]

You obtained a rift mark, Fate? How did that happen?

Other than that I hope things are alright?

[Fate sounded alright at least.]

[wickedchase]

Yes, halla really. If you're ever curious, please welcome yourself to them. Though they may be skittish at first.

From a rift, inconveniently enough. While we were working on closing it, an energy spike hit me in the hand. I don't think I did anything to encourage it, but alas, here I am.

Mm, as well as they can be. Nobody died on my trip, and I've come away with what I hope to be an enjoyable relationship. So, hand and family troubles aside, I'm well.

[bookish_lioness]

What are halla, exactly? I've heard of them, and everyone seems terribly excited for them, but don't think we have any animal in my world that quite equates to them.

Also, you've received a mark? You mean one of these shards that we rifters have? I knew there were a few natives that had them, but I'd thought that had happened at the explosion at Haven. Presuming you are a native, how did you acquire one?

[wickedchase]

[Twisted Fate SIGHS. It's not her fault, so he'll explain.] The halla are usually white or silvery in appearance. A type of stag with horns that wind together. They are considered sacred companions of the Dalish, so to receive them to the Inquisition is quite the gesture from my grandmother.

Suffice it to say, my fellow Dalish are likely far more excited than I am.

Indeed, I am native. While we were trying to close the rift, some of the magic from it struck me in the hand. I wasn't aware that was possible, but here we are. Thrilling, isn't it?

action

[stabsbooks]

Twisted Fate.

[ An ominous shadow falls over his table in the tavern. A shadow that, once he looks up, will prove to belong to one Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast, Right Hand of the Divine and Founder of the Inquisition. She stares down at him, expression closed off and forbidding. Her mood is impossible to tell. Angry? Disapproving? Merely focused on business and with no time to bother on such frivolities as smiling? Maybe that's just her face.

There's a moment of tense silence, the two of them just looking at one another, and then Cassandra speaks. ]

It is you, is it not?

[ He's not the only Dalish elf in the tavern, but he's the most handsome one there. And she trusts Nerva to pick the most handsome one. ]

[wickedchase]

[Some might be concerned about being sought out by the infamous Seeker, the one who locked up Galadriel, interrogator of dwarven authors-

But there is more to her, and he expects that. Especially one who had been so curious about his confessions in public.

Under his hat, he smiles, folding his fingers together as she approaches.]

Madame Seeker. What an honor it is to meet you in person.

It is me. Would you like to have a seat?

[Twisted Fate assumes she isn't here to break any part of his bones, but it remains to be seen.]