Just slightly forward-dated

[gatheringstorm]

[Early in the morning, or as early as Korrin can think straight, her drained voice can be heard over the sending crystal. It’s more than a little hoarse, but she wouldn’t leave this up to anyone else but her and Mal. They’ve known Asher for a long time, and this is the least they can do for him. ]

...Asher’s gone. There wasn’t any pain, not in the end. He just...slipped away. To anyone who helped make his last days easier, thank you.

We’ll be heading to Honey Badger Hold to give him a proper Avvar send-off. Anyone who he counted as friend, you’re welcome to join us. Mal says to dress warm and bring some kind of gift to show respect to the Hold. First person to be a jackass gets to take a long walk off a short cliff. Don’t test us on that. Asher deserves better, and he’ll get it.

[Her throat closing in on her again, she passes it on to Mal without further comment should he have anything further to add, and leans on him. His shoulder was damp before, thanks to her, and likely will be again before long.]

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

"Healing herbs would be just fine, since they could make good use of those. It can't hurt to add those that aren't commonly found in the Frostbacks, too, for some variety.

...and I'm sure you'll honor him just fine, Christine. You won't be alone, and you'll have our support."

[aceso]

"That I can provide." Though she will have to read up on the Frostbacks and see what they lack. She knows a great deal already from living at Skyhold, but there is always room to learn more.

Christine hums in response. "Knowing Asher, he would wish for me to wear the bear skin he gave me to his funeral. I do hope he understands that I will wear something else."

[gatheringstorm]

"He would want that." That gets a soft noise that in other circumstances could almost be amusement. As it is, she can't quite muster that much. "Your presence is more important than what you wear, so I think he'd forgive you. I haven't thought that far ahead, to be honest. I'm waiting to see what else we might learn from the Hold people before planning in any detail."

Besides, decisions require more brainpower than she can muster right now.

[aceso]

"Good thinking. From what Asher taught me, they are a very different people. I will wait to see what is required of us." Until then, she can grieve in her own fashion.

"Do you need anything, Korrin? I do not mean for the trip, but right now. I will do whatever I can."

[gatheringstorm]

"I...don't know." Korrin sighs and falls silent for a moment, thinking. "I guess we should figure out what to do with his things that he didn't mention being set aside for anyone. But I'm not sure that I'm in a state of mind to look through them now, and I wouldn't expect that of you either."

[aceso]

Christine has tried to have a certain level of detachment as a healer, but for some reason it's been hard with Asher. It's hard for her to pin down why as well. He was just too unique a man.

"Oh, I thought perhaps his crew would wish to distribute his things amongst themselves."

[gatheringstorm]

"Most things, yeah, but they already have plenty of Ashers' handiwork and don't need or want every slanket and blanket he made that didn't get sold." She gives into a soft, sad huff after a moment, with a sniffle at the end. "Did he tell you that I had him make a slanket for Zevran's baby? The cutest little elf-bear in existence...."

[aceso]

The thought of such a sight makes Christine smile for a moment, though her sadness returns soon enough. Asher is no longer here to tell her about it himself.

"No, this is the first I have heard of it. It does sound like it is a sweet sight to behold." Christine has little experience with children, especially babies, but she simply needs to be around them more. She certainly likes children more than she likes dogs.

[gatheringstorm]

"It so is, and I'm not usually a baby person. You should ask Zevran. I'm glad I thought to ask Asher before...before he got worse." It really was just before his condition took a turn for the worst, before they had to acknowledge the inevitable.