EVENT: BIA ▒ STERN

[ataraxites]

CHARACTERS: Ensemble production!
LOCATION: The stern areas of the ship
WARNINGS: Disturbing imagery, violence, psychological trauma, gore, etc.
SUMMARY: Characters have to fight to find their way back to each other from being increasingly isolated and plagued by their deepest fears and most hopeful dreams.
NOTES: May 27 onwards.

An echoing boom comes from deep in the middle of the ship, shakes its way through the trees and waters of the Oxygen Gardens, down into the maze of walkways and mechanics that make up the Engineering Complex. A sense of danger rolls through with it, enough to make you pause in your work, set down tools or supplies, ignore the thrumming pain in your head to find out what. Trapped far away from the comforts of beds and kitchens and slow approaching necessity of gravcouches, you only have each other to turn to. But soon that grows difficult, turnings leading you off path, door slamming shut behind you. In the increasing isolation panic swells like an infection up through your mind-- but then soothes. You find your way into an unexpected comfort, the company of a long-gone friend, an old home filled with happy memories. You linger, drift into contentment, and yet it still can't calm one deep nagging doubt: you aren't safe where you've found yourself.

Comments

oxygen gardens

[underthevines]

[ Making it back to the gardens seemed a godsend, at the time, but when she returns all is but the same. People are here, Galadriel, Mira.... But not all, and they are still stuck here, still trapped.

It's not a good feeling for an elf who had only lately tasted freedom. Or one who had been reminded of its lack only days before.

She's wandering, restless, when she comes upon the elf. She hasn't met him--she would remember: his hair, his expression, his skin--and the latter, that felt like--

She stops in her tracks, wariness warring with some kind of curious, desperate need. His eyes are shut, and just when she's decided to leave him be, the decision is made for her. The black griffon hatchling pops up from its sling on her back, chirping loudly in greeting. Her hands tighten on her staff in a wince before she follows suit. ]

...Are you all right?

[judex]

[ If Fenris had opened his eyes before she spoke, he might not have recognized her. He might have been too distracted by the griffon, by the fact that she's an elf, by the staff. But his eyes are closed, at first, and her voice is all he has to judge by, so he remembers: Anderfels, Grey Warden recruit. Mage sympathizer.

Opening his eyes answers any lingering confusion he might have has as to why. Mages who know they're dangerous exist, surely, but Fenris hasn't met many. Of course she sympathizes if she is one. ]

Yes. [ It's short. Dismissive. Go away. But then the creature peering over her shoulder earns his attention, and his flat, disinterested stare turns—a little interested, at least, if not friendly. ] What is that?

[underthevines]

[ His voice places him, where his appearance had not. They had discussed politics on disagreeing sides, but still in a far more civil way than she was used to. He had been helpful, too, she remembers. Polite to her, if not friendly. That alone she would appreciate.

For that, where she would be wary, she instead tries to be open. ]

Sorry to disturb you then. She's a baby griffon. [ She reaches around to snag Revas, tucking her into her arms instead of her perch on Valya's shoulder. Valya looks down at the griffon in wry affection. ] And a troublemaker.

[judex]

A griffon.

[ The repetition is a little skeptical. Given she's from the future, not the past, he assumes she'll understand why—unless they're breeding griffons in the gardens these days. ]

A griffon from Thedas?

[underthevines]

[ He's not the first to express surprise--or doubt. Valya nods in turn. ]

She's from Thedas. Her and her near dozen siblings. The last ones left.

[ She's not unwilling to explain why--or how. But she doesn't know how to start. It's easier to... ]

...I'm Valya. I don't think I introduced myself to you before.