entrancelogs | ( open ) in peace, vigilance

Entry tags:

( open ) in peace, vigilance

Who: Warden Cousland and YOU
Where: Outside (various)
When: 08/29
Rating: PG...?
Summary: The day Robyn arrives to Wonderland is very busy and very confusing.

( morning ; arrival )

[ It isn't Ferelden, that much she can tell. Robyn has spent her entire life in the place, knows its trees and air and people like the back of her hand. Not once has she traveled outside its borders (she's been to the Deep Roads, for Andraste's sake, but has never stepped foot outside of their fair kingdom). Well... that is, until now. Until they'd been discussing what would surely be the final battle, the clash against the Darkspawn hordes, against the fearsome Archdemon itself, and then...

This. She'd been alarmed, to say the least, but not panicked. After everything, it's hard to lose your cool at a simple change of scenery. All the same, she notices the plants, catches voices in the air that are distinctly foreign, and has to wonder.

Where am I?

She spends no time trying to figure that out, of course. The Warden, bow slung over her back, but dagger at her hip, moves quietly through the grounds. It'd be easiest to just speak with one of the natives and she's always favored a non-violent approach, when possible, but these are extraordinary circumstances. She hasn't felt this upended in a long time and it has to take some preparation. Not the usual (traps and such), but stealthy observation of the land around her and, if she's lucky, whatever people may be camped nearby.

"Camped," she thinks, until she comes across the mansion. The brunette stops dead, eyes wide and shocked; it hadn't seemed like any part of a town or city, but here is someone's estate, clearly, a bizarre structure that rises up from the grass like a jarring behemoth. ]

Maker's breath. [ But perhaps she's gaping for a moment too long... ]

( afternoon ; danger )

[ There is a wolf in the field beyond the gardens. It isn't just any wolf, however; the Blight Wolf will likely be alarming to anyone who is unfortunate enough to see the monster-like animal as it wanders through the grounds. Oddly, perhaps, the wolf doesn't seek out prey or attack and of the local animals or horses. It pants, sniffling around, exploring, but seems mostly without interest in anything living.

When someone crosses its path, the wolf lowers its head, bears its teeth, and growls. Watching. ]

( evening ; settling )

[ It isn't long before she makes camp. Well, a semblance of it, anyway; the young Warden rolls a log from the forest with some effort and leaves it on the outskirts. Following that, she arranges a series of stones, moving into the trees to gather firewood which she promptly deposits. Though a mage would make the entire process easier, she is alone at present, and lights a fire with a flint so that flames crop up between the twigs in bright shoots.

The mansion seems tame enough, her fears quelled for a time by the other she'd spoken with. It isn't her country, her world, even, or the Fade; that has anxiety prickling inside her like she hadn't felt in a while. It's so strange how easily the others seemed to accept it, too... and Robyn thinks, I've made it through worse, much worse, and contents herself with a short sigh, stretching out her legs before her. She's still sitting in full armor, though it's light enough not to be uncomfortable and, frankly, she finds it a great comfort to have the leather garb keeping her safe in completely uncharted territory. ]

Hmm. [ When darkness begins to fall, she wonders if she'd be better off inside the walls of the manor. She'd been told that it was safe, that there was food and warmth and a room for her, somehow. Well, they did bring me here. But something about it makes her uneasy and she's not in any hurry to leave the simple familiarity of the lonely camp she'd made in the grass of the very-foreign Wonderland. ]

Things can't ever be simple, can they?

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He kept a more detailed description to himself.

[ But she smiles as he sits; truthfully, any reminder of home on this very confusing and harrowing day is welcome, and Dorian seems perfectly pleasant. ]

Robyn Cousland, yes. [ She inclines her head briefly, watching him across the fire. ] From your past, I think, in some... wild distortion of time that I don't yet understand.

Then I daresay he's done me a great disservice. I'll have to have words with him.

[A smile pulls at one side of his mouth, bemused, his voice warm and teasing all at once. Even with strangers, gregarious is his default setting.]

Ah-- something I've recently become quite familiar with, I'm afraid. There's another here from Thedas whose situation is similar. I know her, but she doesn't remember me or our dear Inquisitor, hailing from years before we've ever met. A friend of yours, I do believe.

[He raises an eyebrow, curious.]

A Lady Morrigan.

I won't have you scold him on my behalf! [ She smiles back; like Dorian, she's naturally prone to friendliness with complete strangers, and not always to her advantage. ] Wouldn't you rather me form a fresh opinion, with this being my first meeting with a Tevinter mage?

[ Not that she's one to form opinions based entirely on rumors. In any case, he's been more than agreeable thus far. ]

Morrigan! [ Robyn nods, crossing her ankles beneath her. ] I'm not sure she considers me a friend, or... even knows me, really, but...

[ She sighs shortly, trying not to look as lost as she feels. ]

She remembers many of the same things, but... not all. Not me.

I may scold him anyway, just for the fun of it. [His good cheer remains as he proceeds to make himself more comfortable, leaning forward with an arm resting against his knee.] A fresh opinion-- now there's an idea. Here I was thinking I could use all the good press I could get.

[Even when he'd done so much to help the Inquisition before his actual joining it, his presence had been met with all sorts of resistance-- not to mention concerns.]

Doesn't remember? She doesn't remember me, either, I'm afraid. Is it the same situation-- her being from an earlier time?

You won't find prejudices here. [ It's frank, but true. Their closest allies, or so they thought, had murdered her entire family. Since, she's learned too well not to trust a book by its cover, introduction, or any other part of it without being thorough. ]

It isn't that. [ She sighs softly, leaning forward to encourage the flames, poking at the fire with a twig. ] She remembers more of our travels than I do, but the Warden traveling with them - the one that isn't Alistair, I mean - isn't... me.

[ It doesn't make sense, but more than that, it scares her. Makes her feel like she's been cut out of history, as if she never existed before her time in Wonderland. What does it mean? ]

She remembers another Warden, an elf. Dalish, I think. As if everything else is the same except that I'm not a part of the story at all.

No?

[That seems to surprise him, though pleasantly so; most southerners had only heard nightmarish tales of the Imperium, thought Tevinters themselves to be monstrous begins, drunk on their own power and the enslavement of others.

He doesn't ask her to embellish, however. What she says next is too important, and he frowns slightly as his listens, his eyebrows drawing downwards.]

She remembers a different Hero of Ferelden, then?

[Interesting.]

I can't say I ever met the Hero of Ferelden myself, but I do know she was a Cousland. Morrigan might have her share of secrets, but I don't believe she'd be inclined to lie about that sort of thing-- an alternate turn of events, perhaps?

Not unless I learn otherwise and change my current impression, which is... "not about to summon demons with blood magic."

[ There's a tiny, wry smile, which fades with their discussion. ]

I suppose. [ That again. She shifts, uncomfortable with even a hypothetical discussion of herself as "the Hero of Ferelden." Still, Brennan had known her as a Cousland, and now, when Dorian says it... the tightness in her chest lessens slightly. ]

How could that be? Magic? [ Just in that Wonderland is a mystery, so is this alternate timeline. ] It's just that it's... unsettling to hear that someone you've grown to know doesn't know you at all.

[ What if the others arrived and echoed Morrigan? Leliana, Zevran - Alistair.

Something catches in her throat. ]

Precisely-- magic. Of a sorts, anyway. We have proof, actual proof that it can be used to manipulate time, although it's difficult-- and doesn't come highly recommended.

[Just as a point of reference. He doesn't suggest it.]

It's not too much of a stretch to imagine alternate dimensions, timelines. This place in itself might be considered its own dimension, for example.

[Of course, it's all theory.]

But I realize how jarring it must be-- for that, I apologize. Even if she does not remember you, she will now. If you were friends before, who's to say you won't be again?

I imagine time magic is... difficult. [ Not only to wield, but to manipulate on the other side of things. If one of the mages of the Inquisition who she assumes is fully qualified can't change their being here, then maybe they're in more trouble than she'd first thought. ]

But, it isn't anything to do with the Fade. I'd thought, at first... but it feels real, doesn't it? It really is just a completely new world.

[ Robyn shakes her head quickly. ]

You needn't apologize. [ It isn't any his fault, after all. The "friends" bit catches her; Robyn isn't sure there's a single person in the known world that Morrigan might consider a friend and certainly doesn't assume that the apostate had thought that of herself. ]

Acquaintances, at the very least, I hope. Maybe it's something to do with how this place brings us here; she could still remember.

[ Maybe. ]

I'd questioned it at first, as well, but no-- it's like no part of the Fade I've ever seen, and while I'm still a fairly new arrival myself, I've been here long enough to discern that this place is real. Some reality all its own, with no connection to Thedas that I can find-- aside from those of us it takes from there.

[Not exactly comforting, but it should answer at least a few questions, or so he hopes. The questioning and confusion had been the worst part of his own arrival, although he'd made every effort to bury it down deep and project confidence instead-- as he always did. It had always served him quite well as a coping mechanism when times were especially troubled.]

Yes, she could.

[His tone is light even as he encourages her, not wanting to pin too much weight on that single hope.]

But even if she doesn't-- you are still you, and Morrigan is still Morrigan. However things were between you before, it seems reasonable to assume they could follow a similar course.

Why... us, though, do you think? Morrigan and I, you and Brennan - well, it isn't as if we're the only ones from Thedas worth having in- [ she pauses, brow flickering at a question ] What would you call this place? In this... world, then, small as it is.

[ They're an interesting bunch, without question, and each from different parts of the world. ]

Not similar, I hope; I wouldn't wish the Blight on this place so soon.

[ She smiles faintly; she wouldn't wish the Blight on anywhere, of course, but the word itself is used as a curse more often than not... and she's heard questionable things about Wonderland in the short time she's been here. ]

Wonderland is what most people know it by, so I'm told. Whimsical sort of name, isn't it? Suits the decor, at least.

[He has yet to experience any truly awful events; he may change his tune then. His encounter with Brennan's Mirror had been violent and jarring, but he'd managed to survive it, slip away-- and so long as he avoided the other side of the glass, he hoped it wouldn't be a concern again anytime soon.]

Well. Similar in the development of affections, if there are any to be had. [He's not sure Morrigan is the 'friendship' type either, but he thinks he sees the potential there.] I wouldn't wish a Blight on this place, either-- nor a true Breach, though it did see its share of rifts shortly after our arrival.

Whimsical can be dangerous. [ She thinks very distinctly of the quaint, little camp they'd found in the Dalish woods. They'd all found themselves so relaxed and sleepy and only just were able to suss out the demon behind it before they all went the same way as dozens of others. ]

Fair enough. [ The Breach, though... she frowns, peering curiously at him across the fire. ] I did hear of the rifts across Thedas... and you all managed to close them? And stop the one responsible for the death of the Divine?

[ Well done. It puts her more at ease, anyway, all that Brennan has told her. ]

It wasn't easy, but yes-- though the Inquisition would have managed none of it without Brennan.

[That mark on his hand had been the only thing capable of keeping the Fade and their own world from colliding with catastrophic results. Even with all their efforts, with every rift they'd closed, every foe they'd slain, Thedas had suffered. The war had brought countless casualties, as wars did, but Corypheus had been stopped. Dorian preferred to focus on their victory rather than all of the unfortunate things they'd seen along the way, if he could, but sometimes it was difficult.]

He filled you in, then, I take it?

He's quite the hero. [ She smiles brightly; the tales are riveting, really, more like something from a story than the reality of the future. Thank goodness none of them had been hurt in the endeavor (she thinks, of his friends, having not been told otherwise). ]

Not with every detail, but enough to understand. It's strange to hear about your own future from another who knows it better, to say the least.

[ And about those of your friends and lover's, too. ]

He mentioned that Leliana worked with you all and became the Divine; we were very close, during the Blight.

I imagine it must be.

[He and Brennan had encountered something similar when they'd been transported to Redcliffe's future, although that had been exceptionally grim. There would be no forgetting it anytime soon-- even now, every detail stuck with him as vivid as they'd been the day it happened.]

I'm happy to tell you as much or as little as you wish to know. I'm certain there are some things you would rather leave a mystery. Knowing every detail of what's to come-- potentially-- can be more unsettling than not.

[He pauses, a smile pulling at one side of his mouth.]

Leliana speaks very fondly of the time she spent with you and your companions during the Blight. She's an unparalleled spymaster now-- frightening, almost.

[He means that in the most affectionate way possible, really.]

[ She does want to know. Of whether or not all of her friends- Well, she knows they lived beyond the fight in Denerim, but not of all of their lives. Leliana, the Divine. Morrigan, an adviser to the Empress. Alistair, a king. Robyn thinks of Wynne, of Zevran, Sten, Oghren, of all the things she doesn't know about them, about herself. ]

I don't think there's- Oh! [ She presses a hand to her heart, fingers curling slightly into the fabric. ] ... Do you know, by any chance, if my brother Fergus survived Ostagar? I... think he and his men were killed, but they never found him.

[ And she's, understandably, upset about that fact. ]

She can be that way, can't she? [ Robyn has to smile at that, at remembering her closest friend. ] She was a very talented bard, for all that I know of the field. [ A beautiful singer and deadly assassin, one who played the Game with ease. ]

Fergus?

[It takes him a moment, but the name is familiar, despite what little he knows of the intimate workings of southern nobility. He'd heard enough recounting of Brennan's days dealing with delegations and potential allies and spent enough time lurking around Josephine's office while trying to lure her into a game of cards to know who Lady Cousland's brother was.]

Fergus Cousland, Teyrn of Highever. Yes-- very alive, last I checked.

[ That fact has her spirit soaring in relief and she actually beams, fingers twining in front of her, heart beating with pure joy. ]

Thank the Maker. [ Robyn sighs heavily; he may be saying it for her benefit, may have fabricated it entirely, but she's endlessly grateful to hear. ]

I haven't seen him since the attack at Highever. [ The slaughter in their home. She sobers a bit, face wrought with the memory. ] But that he's alive and back home... it's more than I could have asked.

I'm glad to be able to put your mind at ease, whatever that's worth.

[For as many problems as their disparate timelines have the potential to cause, he's glad to be able to offer her something. Peace of mind was often more valuable than people gave it credit for.]

He's alive and doing quite well, by all accounts. I'm only sorry you aren't able to see that for yourself at the moment.

It's worth quite a lot, thank you.

[ At least one Cousland had made it out alive. Brennan has told her she survives the final fight, but she's still dubious. There are so many things that could go wrong... ]

One day, I hope. Wardens don't stay in one place for very long, and our home is meant to be with the order. I'm not sure I could ever really return to Highever.

[ Of course, it isn't her place to be there. She might have been married with children by now, had things not worked out the way they had. ]

I can't claim to know everything about the inner workings of the Grey Wardens, but I can only assume there are no rules against visiting.

[He smiles a little, encouraging-- even if she didn't return to Highever full-time, that didn't mean she wouldn't have the chance to at least see it again.]

You want to restore the order in Ferelden, then? A noble goal.

Visiting, yes. I think I could get away with that.

[ She smiles in return, then has to wonder, distantly, if Fergus had started a new family. Found another lady wife, had a child.

The smile is tempered, not as bright, but still there. ]

I'm told that I've been on a very secret mission in the Deep Roads. [ By Brennan, who knew all about the Calling... though, she doesn't know what Dorian's been told, so she leaves that detail out. ] And then we might work toward that end, yes.

[Dorian has been told enough, thankfully, and follows easily, nodding in response.]

Ah, yes. Not quite so secret anymore, I'm afraid, though I think we all wish for you to find success.

[An end to that particular mission still seems to be a ways off, but the matter is an important one.]

I apologize-- it must be unnerving, to hear a stranger claim to know so much.

The Order will be thrilled to know. [ She smiles humorlessly. ] Whatever example they've been lately, the lives of the Grey Wardens are... sad, really. I've always thought so. More often hated than thanked, condemned to die alone in the Deep Roads after a life of service?

[ It's what waits for her, too, unless, as Brennan's suggested, she can go out to find a cure. ]

Unnerving... yes, but I don't hold it against either of you. I would be much worse off without the direction you've both given me.

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