[He's frustrated, still sore from being slammed into, pissed off to no end, and even his choice of seat in Skyhold's courtyard where he can watch the barn cats come and go isn't helping. How he's supposed to actually accomplish anything if every bloody idiot around can simply walk up and punch him is beyond him and he glares at nothing in particular.
After several moments of trying to refocus on things that are nice about the day and failing, he winds up simply rubbing his temples and trying to remember not everyone is ready to ignore any sort of care or decency.]
[ It's hard to tell, on any given day, if Merrill has found where she is on purpose or on accident. Today, it seems as though Zevran may have helped her get to the courtyard; he is, at least, nearby. Either way, Merrill certainly delights in the barn cats as much as Anders does. These ones aren't playing with her feet as she tries to shop, as kittens had back in Kirkwall, but one does delight in trying to pounce on her feet as she tries to walk.
This kitten is scooped up as she notices Anders rubbing his head, nestled close to her chest as she picks her way closer. ]
A short request regarding the eluvian. As the only two in Skyhold who definitively know a great deal about them, I would prefer if knowledge of being able to enter them remained between ourselves for the moment. After my own fell into the hands of the enemy, and with Skyhold being such a large place where not all loyalties can be known, to keep such knowledge safely guarded is the most sensible course of action until it must be known. I am sure you can imagine the possible panic that might spread if such news became common knowledge - you could hardly have missed Beleth Ashara's shouting when she became aware of what it was we were rescuing, after all.
The advisors are aware that it is of great value, and all should know that our enemy was of Tevinter once, so it would be no surprise that he wishes to have something that came from the elves once.
[ It takes a bit longer than perhaps expected for the note to return, but that's probably because Merrill went through several drafts before finally settling on one that sounds professional. ]
Morrigan,
My Clan drove me out for wanting to restore one, all out of fear; I completely understand. While it will cause some discomfort for me to hold it back from my kin, we simply don't know where any other eluvians may be and who might have them, and who might then pop out among us. My own is in Kirkwall, should you ever need to make a trip or a hasty escape. It's safely locked up in the Hawke estate.
When you have time, I'd like to speak to you about what my clanmate saw when he discovered the eluvian I worked on. Considering it was tainted at the time, I think there are some implications there that might be concerning, especially as no one ever found his body afterward.
So, okay, in a rhetorical situation where someone found a ring while they were feeling sort of deliriously unwell in some ruins and then put said thing on, and then found out the ring wouldn't come off again, would you have any particular advice?
Maybe especially if the ring possibly had Dalish magic involved and made flowers grow?
Miss Merrill? [ Just...checking in. Like you do. ] Was wonder'n if you'd like a li'l company and, uh, somth'n to eat. Just made a fresh pot of Reynolds Chow and it's too much for me and Jayne t'handle on our own.
[He takes a breath. He really, really should have written down what he was going to say before this.]
You're a mage.
[Yep. He really should have.]
And some of the magic you do, it's not all combat. Are any of the spells ones that you could teach non-Dalish? And would? And could, um, teach with Templars probably in close vicinity watching everything? If something was going on. Where they'd be.
[ He's waited on this, partly because Skyhold is bigand new and deeply confusing; partly because after Korrin's little revelation about Anders, he's wary of any names dropped alongside.
But it's foolish to not follow up, particularly when there's so much talk of mages as separate, somehow. They need things like Anders proposed, no matter who's running them. ]
Ah — Hello. [ There's the muffled sound of birds squawking, and something scraping along stone. ] I'm Alan, I'm, new here. A man named Anders gave me your name, he says that you teach classes, for non-mages.
[ Merrill sounds genuinely surprised by receiving the call, but she usually does. ]
It's very nice to- um, meet you, I suppose? By voice? But yes, I do -- or, I mean, I don't teach all of them. A few teachers paid by the Inquisition teach some and the rest are other members or volunteers who work for or with the Inquisition.
But yes! Classes. Non-mages and mages and anyone else who wants to learn.
[ There is a reason for this delay! Blood magic is scary, first of all. And a lot of other things have been going on. But now all of the things that are going on or going on five years in the future, and this Alistair, the present time one, is finally done limping and sulking and has some time to kill. He decides to kill it by knocking on the wooden portion of Merrill's aravel. ]
This is Knight-Corporal Gareth, [ he lies, pitching his voice deeper in an attempt to mimic Knight-Corporal Gareth, who he's just invented, but who is definitely enormous and scary and stuff. Unfortunately for him, he still just sounds like Alistair-trying-to-deepen-his-voice, though. ] Come out. I'm taking you in for apostasy.
[ Anyone knocking on Merrill's aravel has to deal with the excited barking of Barkley, no matter the time of day. Strangers get more of a warning bark, as if a terrier with a squirrel tail is going to somehow be able to take them out. Alistair, being Alistair and someone Barkley recognizes (whaddup, human of his sister Doghren), gets more excited barking then usual.
This means Merrill, being something of a little shit at times, lets him out without any restraint. This means that Barkley slams directly into Alistair's shins before attempting to climb up him, barking and wagging his tail and generally making a nuisance of himself.
Merrill appears at the entrance a moment later, smiling serenely. ]
Oh, hello Alistair! I thought you said you were someone else.
[ boy you are so lucky you didn't get electrocuted ]
[There is a moment's pause. Sorrel tries to collect his nerves. Why is it easier to give orders to random humans he barely knows than to one Dalish... ex? First? The Sabrae issue was notorious and yet. Here he was.]
I have a request.
[There, now. That's professional! He's a grown up.]
[ The most chipper- at least to start with. There's a puzzled 'hm' as she tries to figure out who this is, before remembering that the crystals are linked to individuals and that 'Sorrel' surely can't be that common a name. ]
[Handmade, but very beautiful, the card is made of thick paper. Folded in half (hot dog sausage style), the front is a loving illustration of Merrill, surrounded by drifting flowers and confetti and floating smiley faces--and six light grey eggs.
Inside, the illustration is repeated, but the eggs have hatched into six baby lizards! They are all wearing baby bonnets, that's how you know they are babies. And now the illustration of Merrill is smiling, because who wouldn't be smiling if they were surrounded by baby lizards!
At the bottom, in a neat hand, is written an inscription:]
BABY DINGUS, BABY DONGLE, BABY W.C., BABY CUTE POOP, BABY LOO, AND BABY LAV HAVE ALL BEEN BORN AND THEY WANT TO MEET YOU! 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞
So come and hang out, please, at the Lizard Baby Party!
[As an afterthought, scribbled beneath as a parenthetical--]
(This is from Jester 🌞 )
this is the best thing that has ever been in my inbox ALSO A CRYSTAL REPLY
[ The reply comes almost as soon as she gets the card, Merrill's hands clasped to her cheeks as if it it will help the excited squeal come across even better. ]
Jester! Jester, oh my goodness - baby lizards! I can't wait to see them!
Action, day after TF's party
After several moments of trying to refocus on things that are nice about the day and failing, he winds up simply rubbing his temples and trying to remember not everyone is ready to ignore any sort of care or decency.]
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This kitten is scooped up as she notices Anders rubbing his head, nestled close to her chest as she picks her way closer. ]
Anders?
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a note delivered by raven;
A short request regarding the eluvian. As the only two in Skyhold who definitively know a great deal about them, I would prefer if knowledge of being able to enter them remained between ourselves for the moment. After my own fell into the hands of the enemy, and with Skyhold being such a large place where not all loyalties can be known, to keep such knowledge safely guarded is the most sensible course of action until it must be known. I am sure you can imagine the possible panic that might spread if such news became common knowledge - you could hardly have missed Beleth Ashara's shouting when she became aware of what it was we were rescuing, after all.
The advisors are aware that it is of great value, and all should know that our enemy was of Tevinter once, so it would be no surprise that he wishes to have something that came from the elves once.
Morrigan
a note returned by raven;
Morrigan,
My Clan drove me out for wanting to restore one, all out of fear; I completely understand. While it will cause some discomfort for me to hold it back from my kin, we simply don't know where any other eluvians may be and who might have them, and who might then pop out among us. My own is in Kirkwall, should you ever need to make a trip or a hasty escape. It's safely locked up in the Hawke estate.
When you have time, I'd like to speak to you about what my clanmate saw when he discovered the eluvian I worked on. Considering it was tainted at the time, I think there are some implications there that might be concerning, especially as no one ever found his body afterward.
Merrill
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crystal, a few days after the most recent rift party.
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Crystal - First call from a boy! ... and it's about a dragon.
a bad dragon hurrhurr
Re: a bad dragon hurrhurr
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crystal; jesus take the wheel
crystal; merrill like "who"
[ merrill no ]
oh my god merrill
c:
calm your tiny fighting fists, smol
what about her staff huh
that needs to be extra calm tbqh
aw
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crystal; sometime that works bc timey wimey.
Maybe especially if the ring possibly had Dalish magic involved and made flowers grow?
Rhetorically?
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I imagine I'd have to see the ring? I mean, it would depend -- rhetorically -- on if it was stuck normally or if it was magically stuck.
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Voice, during the FMK thing
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As long as you don't mind bringing it to the healing tents, I think that would be lovely.
[ if you really want to score points, pick up Barkley on the way ]
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[He takes a breath. He really, really should have written down what he was going to say before this.]
You're a mage.
[Yep. He really should have.]
And some of the magic you do, it's not all combat. Are any of the spells ones that you could teach non-Dalish? And would? And could, um, teach with Templars probably in close vicinity watching everything? If something was going on. Where they'd be.
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w o w
luckily merrill will take pity on him and not mention it ]
Yes, I can think of a few- why?
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Crystal
I'd another idea. Since the last one actually went well, but building on that, and using what you're doing as well.
Crystal
Oh! What is it?
[ :D tell her tell her ]
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crystal, backdated a lil'
But it's foolish to not follow up, particularly when there's so much talk of mages as separate, somehow. They need things like Anders proposed, no matter who's running them. ]
Ah — Hello. [ There's the muffled sound of birds squawking, and something scraping along stone. ] I'm Alan, I'm, new here. A man named Anders gave me your name, he says that you teach classes, for non-mages.
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[ Merrill sounds genuinely surprised by receiving the call, but she usually does. ]
It's very nice to- um, meet you, I suppose? By voice? But yes, I do -- or, I mean, I don't teach all of them. A few teachers paid by the Inquisition teach some and the rest are other members or volunteers who work for or with the Inquisition.
But yes! Classes. Non-mages and mages and anyone else who wants to learn.
two weeks later orz FEEL FREE TO DROP THIS if it's been too long
it's all good!
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action, sometime nowish.
This is Knight-Corporal Gareth, [ he lies, pitching his voice deeper in an attempt to mimic Knight-Corporal Gareth, who he's just invented, but who is definitely enormous and scary and stuff. Unfortunately for him, he still just sounds like Alistair-trying-to-deepen-his-voice, though. ] Come out. I'm taking you in for apostasy.
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This means Merrill, being something of a little shit at times, lets him out without any restraint. This means that Barkley slams directly into Alistair's shins before attempting to climb up him, barking and wagging his tail and generally making a nuisance of himself.
Merrill appears at the entrance a moment later, smiling serenely. ]
Oh, hello Alistair! I thought you said you were someone else.
[ boy you are so lucky you didn't get electrocuted ]
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Crystal
[It had been a lot easier when Flemeth was just an old, creepy, shapeshifting mage.]
Crystal
[ She's still in shock. ]
I guess... how much did she know about what, for starters? But she-
She told me that I do the People proud. Me, someone who was only there because I was leaving, and then... well. We know what happened.
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Electric Eluvian Boogaloo Crystal Call
[There is a moment's pause. Sorrel tries to collect his nerves. Why is it easier to give orders to random humans he barely knows than to one Dalish... ex? First? The Sabrae issue was notorious and yet. Here he was.]
I have a request.
[There, now. That's professional! He's a grown up.]
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[ The most chipper- at least to start with. There's a puzzled 'hm' as she tries to figure out who this is, before remembering that the crystals are linked to individuals and that 'Sorrel' surely can't be that common a name. ]
You're Beleth's brother, right? Go ahead!
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Oh! Oh, you're talking to me- yes, of course!
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a card!!
dogsausage style), the front is a loving illustration of Merrill, surrounded by drifting flowers and confetti and floating smiley faces--and six light grey eggs.Inside, the illustration is repeated, but the eggs have hatched into six baby lizards! They are all wearing baby bonnets, that's how you know they are babies. And now the illustration of Merrill is smiling, because who wouldn't be smiling if they were surrounded by baby lizards!
At the bottom, in a neat hand, is written an inscription:]
BABY CUTE POOP, BABY LOO, AND BABY LAV
HAVE ALL BEEN BORN
AND THEY WANT TO MEET YOU! 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞 🌞
So come and hang out, please, at the Lizard Baby Party!
[As an afterthought, scribbled beneath as a parenthetical--]
this is the best thing that has ever been in my inbox ALSO A CRYSTAL REPLY
Jester! Jester, oh my goodness - baby lizards! I can't wait to see them!
:]]]]]
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crystal;
crystal;
Re: crystal;
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