RP: Aria (lavellanfadewalk) ((NSFW content further down))

[blackwall_fadewalk]

Skyhold. He was back in- but the sky…

Sometimes Sera had the absolute right of it. Fucking magic shite.

Blackwall sighed, choking up a tad on the bit of chair leg. There was the feeling of Darkspawn or other Wardens in the distance. Supposed to be someday he’d be able to tell the difference. Didn’t do him much good now.

The hold was empty. Not even wind to make the trees move. Like the air just before the storm broke. Unsettling.

He paced along the battlements one foot at a time. No one else around ‘less they were sneakier than him. Not like that was hard. His Warden armour made enough noise to cover a snowfleur’s approach. The next tower was the one the Inquisitor had refitted for the Mages. Couldn’t hurt to have a quick look. Some mageling may have hid in there and could tell him what in the Blighted Void was going on.

The west door opened with only a small creak.

Comments

[lavellanfadewalk]

"Yes, the mice. Cole would certainly be glad we didn't forget the mice."

She smiled, already climbing the stairs, comfortable with his proximity. "See, this is not Skyhold. Our Skyhold, it is. When things started, Cullen, the Warden and a ser Alistair moved the supplies to the War Room, thinking of a better defensive position, if I quite read it right. So everything is there. Currently, we're running out of food and since the Eluvian seems to be working again, I'm thinking on exploring it after a way out of here or more supplies."

[blackwall_fadewalk]

A Ser Alistair and the Warden? There was more than one Alistair? And who else did she mean? Was the First Warden here too? That would be a mite awkward. Blackwall focused. The buzzing feeling had gotten stronger so they were nearer. Probably in the main keep somewhere.

Then the rest registered. Balls.

“And I’ve added only another mouth to feed. I apologize, Inquisitor.” A burden again. He cursed himself for making light of things when circumstances were so dire. “If there’s anything I can do. I’m no mage, obviously, but if you need another body.”

[lavellanfadewalk]

Aria was the one to bump his shoulder this time "If I quite recall, a long time ago someone had offered to carry any sort of heavy weight a lady like me could be in need, right? Besides, it isn't like you asked to be here so don't apologize. And no titles too, they're worth nothing."

No titles, that was certainly something Aria was enjoying about that place. And the silence. She crossed the Great Hall straight to the Ambassador's Office door.

[blackwall_fadewalk]

Despite how small she was her shoulder was solid. Solid enough to bear the burdens of half of Thedas. She was far stronger than she looked. And not just with her magic either.

He’d half-forgotten that offer. How long ago had he said that to her? And she’d remembered. But then that was Lavellan. Kind even to those who hadn’t deserved it.

“Your pardon, my lady. No titles.” He agreed. He followed her into Josephine’s office and came to a dead stop when he saw the blood on the floor. His heart was in his throat. It was old and dried and enough for whoever lost it to be dead. “What happened here?”

[lavellanfadewalk]

"Meredith happened. She tried to kill the Hero of Ferelden, as far as I understand. But Leliana and Evelea tended to her and she's probably with her husband by now. As for the blood, probably Meredith's after my purple namesake dealt with her. Can't really tell now."

Aria made a dismissive gesture, one that only someone used to battles and death could do. Josephine's office was empty and cold without the lighted fireplace and the presence of the Ambassador to the Inquisition. Unlike Blackwall, she didn't stop moving, striding to the next door instead.

[blackwall_fadewalk]

Maker. He’d thought- feared that the Ambassador-

Well. Beyond the concern of an associate it wasn’t his business anymore.

He still skirted around the blood to follow Lavellan. Down the hallway to the legendary War Room of the Inquisition. He’d never been here before. “Was that hole in the wall always there?” Seemed a bit undignified.

[lavellanfadewalk]

"Cullen offered his soldiers to repair it, once." she glanced at the familiar hole and the not-so-familiar dark green bruised sky "But you remember the bridge his soldiers 'repaired' in the Dales right? Couldn't let that happen to this wall." Aria chuckled "And since our dwarven engineers had more pressing matters to attend to, the hole stayed."

She opened the familiar door in the War Room, gesturing the stock of weapons and supplies. "There is nothing formidable here, but..."

[blackwall_fadewalk]

“Considering how quickly they had it up, I thought they didn’t do half bad. Not pretty, but stable enough.” Blackwall entered the room slowly. So this is where the fate of Thedas had been decided. He had to suppose the windows were nicer when Skyhold wasn’t in the Fade. Nice standards. He’d bet a sov that Cullen normally stood in front of the one of a giant fist. “But of course it wouldn’t do for the leaders of the Inquisition to have a clapboard wall to look at. No, better to keep the gaping hole. Lets in that fresh mountain air.”

There was a pile of swords. Some racked but most leaning against the wall or in a pile on the floor. Blackwall picked up a simple iron sword and gave it a practice swing, but had to immediately put it down again. “You’ve spoiled me, my lady. Can’t go back to a simple soldier’s sword.” He started hunting through for something made of Stormheart, or at least Silverite.

[lavellanfadewalk]

"What can I say?" she smiled and shrugged "I look out for my people."

Aria winked, leaning against the door.
Her heart ached and she had to swallow hard to keep her emotions at bay; truth to be told, the political pressure around the Inquisition in Thedas was currently overwhelming, several noble houses asking for a position about the power the Inquisition had gathered and how they pretended to use it. Bunch of ungrateful assholes, if you asked Aria.

That situation, in the Fade-y Skyhold was certainly hard, but that was the kind of thing she was used to deal with. Now, politics? Gross.

[blackwall_fadewalk]

A glitter of pink drew his attention to a Dawnstone blade. It was an infamously brittle metal, but the best he could see. Bull would give him that look if he saw Blackwall with this sword. Still, needs must. He sheathed it and turned to look for an acceptable - not Dawnstone - shield. His eyes passed over Lavellan but ticked back when her discomfort registered.

There was no way to make his concern less obvious so he didn’t try. Blackwall ambled over and dipped his head slightly to catch her eye. “It’s appreciated. You know, if that was ever in doubt. But somehow I don’t think that’s what’s troubling you.” He reached out to her, palm up. Offered what he had. Which wasn’t much really, but if it helped Lavellan at all...

[lavellanfadewalk]

Aria slightly tilted her head, realizing by his words that her concerns weren't as hidden as she thought. She hesitated, thinking of hiding, thinking of perhaps discussing it with Varric later but... she was exhausted. All mana invested on healing Hawke, carrying her around with Varric, hunting a Envy Demon, now dealing with Meredith and trying to keep everyone else from killing her. Too much.

She tugged the chest plate of his armor, resting her forehead over the cold metal with a low noise. She sighed. "I'm tired. Of everything. But his soon goes away."

[blackwall_fadewalk]

Blackwall stared down at the back of her head. That… hadn’t been what he’d expected. But Lavellan was more than just the mighty Inquisitor. Being strong didn’t mean being invulnerable. What are you waiting for old man? Hug the poor woman. He shook his head slightly and wrapped his arms around her back.

“If you need to rest, you can. You have friends, allies. We’ll take the load for you gladly.” He raised a hand to let it run over her hair. It was as soft as it looked. Blackwall pulled her close and hugged her tight, but mindful of his armour all the same. Her head tucked against his shoulder and he could feel the line of her ear against his beard. “I’ve got you.”

[lavellanfadewalk]

Aria was breathing in deep, slow breaths, arms loosely around his waist. She was tense with the hug at first, but her muscles melted under the warm, soft pressure of his arms and she stepped closer. He was right, she didn't had to carry everything on her own. But most of the Inner Circle had disbanded, moving on with their lives and she definitely couldn't drag her clan to it. For the first time of her life, she felt lonely.

"Thank you." she murmured, the grip around his waist tightening for a split second before she pulled away; she didn't know a better way to show him how grateful she was for those simple words, but she meant it, with all her heart.

[blackwall_fadewalk]

He let his hands linger on her waist for a moment. Looked at her face carefully and made sure she was looking better before he pulled entirely away. “You’re welcome. Have to earn my keep somehow. Not a lot of heavy things need moving, so.” He shut his mouth at last. She doesn’t need your rambling old man. Thank the Maker his beard hid most of his blush.

He cleared his throat and gave Lavellan a gentle squeeze to her shoulder before he turned away to search out a good shield.

[lavellanfadewalk]

"I had no idea a Grey Warden should also provide emotional support to bystanders, in addition to, y'know, saving the world for the Blight and all." she chuckled, watching him browse through shields. His warmth lingered and left her with a good feeling.

"And so we're clear... Iron Bull won't know about that sword, this is on me."

[blackwall_fadewalk]

“You? A simple bystander? I don’t think I’ve ever known you to stand by when you could be doing something.” Blackwall snorted and dragged a pair of tower shields off of some smaller ones. Turned and gave her a bit of a stink eye when she mentioned the sword. “He’d better not. Would probably mug me for it if he knew what I have. You don’t forget anything, do you?”

He went back to the shields, pulling out an Obsidian one before putting it back. “But so far as I know, Grey Wardens don’t go ‘round hugging strangers who need it. Don’t think I could. But you’re. Well.” He stared into the pile of shields. Shuffled them a little. Looked like the Obsidian one might be the best unless there was something under…

“You deserve to be happy.”

[lavellanfadewalk]

"True... if I could simply be quiet and polite, I wouldn't have run into Corypheus murdering the Divine and nothing of this would've happen... well, at least for me, it seems." and she grinned "I asked Master Harritt to add an extra layer, of dawstone, to Bull's armor before he left with the Chargers. It looked like it was his name day. And yes, I have a perfect memory. The Well seems to help me too."

She shifted her weight from one leg to another, chuckling. "Me, happy? Perish the thought. I'm too old to believe this exists" her eyes kept staring her feet, though, the notion causing her to smile. She'd been happy with the Inquisition, despite death lurking on every corner of their journey. And she was happy with her accomplishments and how happy the common folk was. But that was simple. And complicated things were getting the best of her.

[blackwall_fadewalk]

He could imagine Bull’s face at that. Snickered to himself, but his face fell when he pulled the best shield out of the pile. “Maker have mercy.” Dawnstone. A particularly shiny piece. Even made in the Warden style. Right. Blackwall tossed it back and hauled out the Obsidian one.

“If you were quiet and polite we’d still have a great bloody Breach in the sky with an army of demons breathing down our necks and Corypheus still calling himself lord and master of us all.”

He rolled his eyes as he looked through the paperwork on the war table. “Too old. My arse, you’re too old. Out of everybody in this room you’re not the one who gets to be complaining about being too old.”

He found the requisitions list at last and skimmed over it until he found the sword. Wrote a note about being the one to take it. Found the shield and did the same. Replaced the list where he’d found it. Only then did he turn back to Lavellan. Go back to her.

“Hey.” He reached out his hand again. “Happiness is what you make of it. Doesn’t last forever. Just a good moment out of a lot of shite ones. You find ‘em, make ‘em stay for as long as you can. And then you hold the memories close to help you keep going.”

[lavellanfadewalk]

"Aw, c'mon! The dawnstone is perfect!"

Her nose wrinkled when she laughed, tossing her hands to the air when he stuck with the obsidian one, still watching him when he made notes for Cullen. "See, this place proves your whole 'the Breach would still be in the sky thing' wrong. Evelea, the healer who helped the Hero, is the Inquisitor in her reality. Chose the Templars even!" she clapped her hand over her thighs, now really outraged "Now... really, how old you think I am? Because when I say I'm too old for this shit, that's 'cause I really am."

Aria only shrugged at his little speech about happiness, motioning to the door. "Like I didn't know. Creators, I would dig an archdemon with my bare hands if I could have everyone together to save the world again. Poor Cole knows how close to my memories I've been." she sighed "I don't know... maybe I just need new ones."

[blackwall_fadewalk]

“Too old for this shite? Of course you are. Everyone is. Doesn’t mean you’re too old to be happy.” Blackwall poked her shoulder. “Just because in some other version of things someone else saved people a little differently doesn’t make your saving people mean less. Especially for those of us you saved.”

“As for all the rest, well.” He couldn’t really speak to that. Not an hour ago he’d been picking apart one of his fellow Wardens looking for things he could relate to their friends. He should’ve just taken her as she was. The loneliness made him reach for what wasn’t there. Not fair to his fellow Warden, cruel to himself. “I was gone a month and a half. Soppy as it is, kept expecting to see Bull glittering out the corner of my eye, or hear Varric start up with his ‘So, no shit, there I was.’”

He leaned away slightly. Ran his hand through his hair. “And every time I looked up to the front while we were travelling - every fucking time, mind you - and you weren’t there, well. I’d think that a bear dragged you off and somehow nobody’d noticed.” He had to laugh. Now it was over, it was a little funny.

“And I was furious. How could no one notice a great ruddy bear just up and snatching you out from under everyone’s noses? I’d stop and be looking around for a trail before I realized.” He snorted. “The other Warden’s got paranoid at first, thinking we were being tracked. After a while I think they figured I was just looking for places to water a tree. You don’t know how much fun it was, being thought of as the incontinent old recruit.”

You know she’ll never let this go. You’re embarrassing yourself, old man. But at least she’s smiling.

“We went our separate ways, but just means we have new stories when we see each other again. I’m sure you’ve been kept busy too. Though yours might be more complicated than mine.”

He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “And I’m not wearing more Dawnstone, even for you. Bull would be far too smug.”

[lavellanfadewalk]

Busy, yea.
She had been busy. Especially on making the voices in the Well behave and respect at least her few sleeping hours. Damn old Mythal hags, couldn't shut up for five seconds! Five. Fucking. Seconds. She cackled at his stories with the Wardens, a hint of a pit forming on her stomach; she had pushed him away, she had been responsible for snatching him for the Inquisition and she still worried. Well, of course he worried! They went through thick and thin together, something like that wouldn't simply just vanish. And the fact his breath was tickling her ear and making her stomach flutter only confirmed the theory.

"I'm sure we can reach an arrangement good for the both of us." she chuckled, a little smug.

[blackwall_fadewalk]

Blackwall pulled away so she could see his pointedly raised eyebrow. “Right. Don’t think I want to know what that means. Last time we ‘reached an arrangement,’ we were all prancing around the Storm Coast in Plaidweave. I’ll never get the memory out my head.” He and Varric hadn’t been too badly off. His plate and Varric’s leather covered most of it. But watching her and Bull trying to push each other into the Waking Sea in matching trousers was just. Blackwall couldn’t keep a straight face, even just thinking about it.

“Well. Anything else need doing?”

[lavellanfadewalk]

"You'll never forget about the plaidweave, Creators." she bit her lip to stiff a laugh "I said that was the best we had to do better equipments. Also with the bonus of making it easier for me to track all of us under that grey, stormy sky. And for the enemies. But well... it worked."

Aria left the war room, closing the door behind them. "Aside from finding that bloody arcanist, I was going to enjoy a rare moment of complete silence, 'cause I can't hear the Well here. But since you're here, maybe you're interested on joining me for a round of piss ale? That is something the Herald's Rest is never in shortage, not even in the Fade."

[blackwall_fadewalk]

It had worked. Didn’t mean he ever had to admit it.

“Shite drinks during a calm moment with the best company? I could stand that.” He agreed, falling into place behind her again.

He kept his peace until they reached the tavern. He poured the drinks and brought them to her at the table. Let them both get a few sips in before he cleared his throat.

“You mentioned the Well.” He started, and then had no idea how to keep going.

[lavellanfadewalk]

Aria sat across from Blackwall, drinking half of her mug from the start. Being slightly boozy kept the voices shut, and old habits died hard.

"Yea... Mythal's old elven hags. Quite the audience." she chuckled, scratching the back of her neck "Completely shut since I arrived. The mark is quiet too." she glanced her left hand in a reflex, not a sign of any green glow "Which is pretty curious, if you consider we're inside the Fade. But then, if there is something me and the other mages agree is that this place isn't exactly the Fade."