Can't stop won't stop

[justice_is_blond]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Myrobalan Shivana and Anders
RECIPIENT: All denizens of the Gallows
WHAT: At long last, a cure for Rifter Valley Fever.
WHEN: whenever
WHERE: wherever
NOTES: None applicable.

Good evening.

[Anders’ voice is tired, but calm and collected.]

As we set up to make sure we reach everyone, we have an announcement: we've found the cures. Myr?

[If someone can sound gently frazzled, Myr does.] Magebane first, to clear up the infestation. You should’ve gotten yours by now, but if we’ve missed someone, [all too likely they have,] you can stop by the infirmary for it. Serah Colin is managing our supply.

[There’s a too long-pause and a half-audible aside--something about “forgetting”--before he adds,] Rifters will want to speak to Madame de Cedoux since she’s not liable to forget you’re here.

That's the easy bit. [There's the noise of papers and then Anders continues:]

Rifters, we need you to bring an object you're willing to be bound to for a few hours. It's temporary, and it will stabilize your presence here for the other two stages. If you don't have one, we'll provide books.

The third step is a little complicated. Rifters need to experience and process a lot of different emotions, the more complex, the better. You're becoming like spirits; this will establish your… personhood, so to speak.

Non-Rifters, if there's something out of place in your living quarters, or things you can't remember getting, you may have strong ties to a Rifter and they may need your help for this third step. The binding should mean that you'll be able to remember them and their significance to you when you see them.

[There's a pause and a quiet huff of air.] It may take time and work. Patience will be key.

The Lady Thevenet, Enchanter Hawthorne, and Serah Averesch will be helping with the binding process.

And if that all weren’t complicated enough, [gentle sarcasm,] there’s one additional step, once you’re feeling like your old selves again. You’ve come loose from Thedas in all of this, and you’ll need to have one of our templars reinforce your being a part of the world and not the Fade.

I’m told the process can be disorienting, but it’ll also be very brief. Ser Ashlock has volunteered himself for that.

[Anders clears his throat.]

Potentially more than merely disorienting, as one who has… experienced that. But as you'll be bound the effects should be lessened, and know that we would not call in a Templar to do this unless absolutely necessary.

Once you're cured, Rifters, please check in with myself or Myrobalan so we can check your name off the list; we need to make certain no one is missed.

If you've any questions, please ask. We'll be here until the last Rifter is cured.

Comments

[dirth]

[ There she is; Solas recognises her, knows her, and while there's some hesitance to his features - it feels as though he's reaching back in his mind - he does know her. The lady who was teaching him, who gave him books and words, the ones that are sitting in front of him now. ]

I would not assist if I thought it unsafe.

[laurenande]

[His tone is familiar and he has not called her Ma'am, a point in his favor. She is hopeful even as her worry consumes her with singular purpose.]

Tell me then, will it capture us? Will it twist our souls to snare them so?

[dirth]

It will do nothing to your soul. The binding is not permanent, and it will stop you from death.

[ His voice is soft and quiet. ]

I will be with you for the third step, if you wish.

[laurenande]

[His assurances are comforting but still she hesitates.]

I...cannot fathom what I would risk binding myself to.

[It is an agreement of sorts, tacit at best, but still there. She wishes desperately that she could read his heart and know that he recalls her, but it is not something to undertake lightly and she knows not if she has the power any longer.]

[dirth]

Remember, it is only temporary. It could be one of your books, perhaps, or a gift you have been given here.

[ Solas is gentle with her, careful - he is guiding her towards the best option without demanding that she do as he commands. ]

[laurenande]

[It is an effective method, truly the best course, but still she is silent for a time.]

I have only my notes; there is nothing else that I have not brought with me, that does not already hold my soul or that of another.

[To be bound to a tome...she could wreak little havok even if it twisted her to her very core. It could be destroyed if this went awry and while death frightens her badly, the assurance that she will not exist in a corrupted state is...significant.]

I...do you recall the promise you made to me, Solas?

[dirth]

[ He gives her the time she needs; there's no need to push. ]

They will do. It is not an eternal binding, after all, and you will be safer for it. I will be with you.

[ And then, quietly - ]

Should I have forgotten?

[laurenande]

[The laugh she lets out is silent, largely, just a burst of breath and a note of relief.]

No, that is, I much prefer that you did not.

[If he remembers and still is certain that this is safe, then she will acquiesce. He had studied this with his whole being and she doubts that he would casually suggest such extreme measures without giving them their due consideration.

His patience with her in such a flighty, fearful state has done wonders to convince her that this will not end in tragedy. She tries to hold onto that conviction but it is very difficult.]

I will bring my notes, then, and will be...bound to them. It will be safe.

[dirth]

[ It's a familiar sound, and Solas clings to it gently. ]

Then I will endeavour, for you.

[ Solas knows her fears, and he recognises why it might discomfort her - and he focusses on how he might best help her now, given the situation.

If he could be seen, she would see him nod. He's proud of her choice - the correct one, he thinks, with his wisdom. ]

I will be with you. You can trust Anders in this.

[laurenande]

That...is a much more difficult thing to ask of me, but I shall attempt it.

I shall seek out Serah Colin for this magebane they require and then I shall...

[She wonders then where one does such magic, where it is best to bind another soul, but before her hesitance can grasp her she asks:]

Where shall I go to be bound?"

[dirth]

I believe it is the same place they are always found. Do you know the way?

[ He can meet her there, in any case. If not, then perhaps they can walk together. ]

I can bring your books, too.

[laurenande]

I do not, but perhaps that is a blessing. If you would walk with me I think the traveling might seem less dire.

[Also she will be certain to arrive which would be ideal.]

Will you meet me outside of the infirmary? [She dislikes the word intensely but the people of Thedas stare at her strangely when she calls them the Halls of Healing.]

[dirth]

Of course. It will be no trouble.

[ And it might make the process easier and more comfortable for everyone involved. ]

I will be there shortly.

[laurenande]

[It takes some time to consume the poison that Serah Colin provides. His efforts masking it with food are...with mixed results. The sentiment is appreciated, certainly, but the effects of the magebane are immediate and intense and she feels worse, perhaps, than she has yet.

It is not a grand or comforting start to this ordeal and her fear creeps in as she moves to meet Solas in the hall. Fortunately she does not wait long and, for all that it counts, she is very grateful.

She looks terrible and, disconcertingly, somewhat transparent, but it is not so different from the other rifters.]

Solas. Thank you for this, mellon nin .

[dirth]

[ Solas is careful, and waits quietly for her to come. It's taken her some effort to find the strength to make her way here, and he knows that; he recognises that her fear is understandable, and that her determination is remarkable. Being forgotten, dying alone... Those are fears he can relate to.

Moving forward, he offers his arm, quiet and without words for a brief moment before he bows his head and resists the smile that would surely colour his features. ]

Len suilon. [ And then, quietly, afterwards - ] Aneth ara. Are you ready?

[laurenande]

[Galadriel takes his arm, perhaps less gingerly than is usually her wont, and smiles just slightly at his greeting.]

As I shall ever be, I expect.

[They begin walking and her nervousness is clear; fear has consumed her of late and she dislikes it, but doing this would have given her pause even if she were entirely herself.]

I should like to feel myself again, I am beginning to forget what it was like.

[dirth]

[ And so they move, together, towards the binding, Solas quiet and certain at her side. ]

Then we can proceed.

[ Hopefully, he thinks, he is a comforting presence. This kind of binding is something he knows from memories and time, and he knows that, while frightening, it is worthwhile and safe. ]

You will not forget. What happens today will secure you, and you will feel better for it.

[winterwinds]

[ Audra has done her best to set up a calming and welcoming room near the Infirmary where people can come to be bound in relatively low stress situations. She's done this several times with spirits, it's a well-practiced task, but doing it with living people is a little... unusual.

When the elves enter she gives them a warm smile, her staff in hand. ]

Hi, I'm Enchanter Hawthorne. Do you have your object to be bound to all prepared?

[laurenande]

[The human woman they meet is shamm but her face is welcoming. Galadriel regards her as one might regard a living serpent but she steels herself on Solas's arm.]

Yes, my notes. [She glances sidelong at Solas and the books he holds. This will be strange and she is abruptly glad that she doesn't need to hand those over, herself.]

[dirth]

[ Solas smiles gently, stepping forward with the notes in his hand. He offers them out, carefully, trying to school his features. ]

I hope you do not mind if I stay for the binding.

[ It's said with the tone of a man who will stay no matter what she says. ]

[winterwinds]

Oh, of course not. Just try not to think any spirity thoughts.

[ Audra smiles warmly at Solas, accepting the book of notes, holding it gently and with respect, because she knows how personal each item that the Rifters have picked must be. ]

I'll need the lady's name. Don't want to bind the wrong person to these!

[laurenande]

[That gives Galadriel some pause. She has no idea how structured this spell is, nor how this magic functions, not truly. It would not do to give them the wrong name and cause it to fail.]

My name is Artanis.

[That is a strange feeling, giving out her true name, but she has committed to this. There is no sense in withholding that information now.]

Of the House of Finwë.

[dirth]

[ Solas stands at her side, careful and stern, but does not reach for her. He is there to carry her burden if she needs it, no more and no less. If she reaches for him then he will reach back, but otherwise he is content to be a bystander, for now. ]

I think she is ready.

[ He does not question the change of name, or the difference, only nods his head and takes a step back so he does not interfere. ]

[winterwinds]

[ Audra repeats the name several times, memorizing it, careful not to take her eyes off of Galadriel, trying to solidify it in her memory, as tenuous as that is at the moment. ]

Okay. Artanis, if you could come close to this table, please.

[ Audra moves over to what she's more or less prepared as an altar, a ceremonial skull adorned with purple stones sits far right of the center of the table, other fairly innocuous dried herbs placed evenly over the table. She places the book of notes in the center, placing her right hand over it as she focuses her magic, her staff held in her left.

After a stretch of silence the book begins to glow, imbued with Audra's magic, and she looks up at Galadriel. ]

If you could place your hand on the book, the binding will be complete. You might feel a little pinching, but it shouldn't hurt.

[laurenande]

[The table is, in a word, disturbing. It is not so haphazard as one might imagine a table with a bejeweled ceremonial skull to be...but that is not an encouraging feature either. Her notes are placed in the center of the table and Galadriel stares with mild horror as the mage imbues it with spell-work.

She has heard much encouragement about how simple and unobtrusive this procedure is and yet, staring at this, her fear has returned with some force. She reaches and takes Solas by the hand for a moment.]

I see...and that will be all.