entrancelogs | Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket

Entry tags:

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket | OPEN

Who: EVERYONE and all the stars in the sky
Where: Mostly on the grounds, though some have crashed through windows and walls.
When: 2/29 → 3/6
Rating: PG-13, label it if you're gonna go higher.
Summary: Shooting stars have fallen in Wonderland, and they're bringing with them glimmers of Wonderyears past! A catch all log for the fallen star holograms.
The Story:

Each glittering, golden star brings the woosh of a sonic boom and there are impacts that shake the whole world. They crash hard into the snow, the trees, and even break through a few windows. None of them leave behind meteors or space debris, but instead just a glimmering cloud at each point of impact. In each gold light is a projection, a scene lit by starlight and moondust, a memory of years ago. Even if someone were to be struck by one, it would simply pass through them.

These are just the first stars to fall. More will come the next night, and the night after that, and perhaps even more. When budding astronomers look upward, they will notice fewer and fewer constellations dot the night sky with each passing day.

All memories are semi-opaque, and will play in a loop in one spot the whole time. Most stars will have landed somewhere on the grounds, but some might have crashed through a window, playing their memory inside the mansion. Characters can listen to and watch the scenes as many times as they like, but they will be unable to influence or interact with the memories in any way.

You can make a top level comment with all the scenes people will get to see. Please include who is in your memory and where it can be found somewhere in your top level. Either prose or [action brackets] are welcome! And finally, check out our plotting post for reminders on what everyone's doing, or ideas for the finishing touches on your memories or the most recent event announcement for more on the falling stars.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Brennan just laughs softly at that. ] With all the confusion this place keeps causing us from plucking us out of different places and times, with none of our understanding matching up? That's not hard to do. You wouldn't be the first and I doubt you'll be the last. I hope it's gotten better since then? I know it troubled her greatly.

[ Which was a bit of an understatement, actually, but that's not his secret to share. ]

Indeed she did. She went on to become the Divine's Left Hand and my Spymaster after parting ways with all of you. I don't know what I would have done without her. [ Lost, probably. He leaves out that she's to become the new Divine for the moment because that's still a little strange for him to wrap his head around.

He coughs out a laugh at the mention of Cullen, however. ] He is alright. In a considerably better state than when you last encountered him back home, I imagine. Sometimes he takes a little getting used to.

And yes, unfortunately they do. [ Brennan grimaces and takes a long drag of his ale. ] He was the threat the Inquisition was revived to deal with.

[The tension bleeds out of him at Brennan's reply. As much as he's willing to shoulder the blame for how things started it is welcome to hear that the other man doesn't blame him for upsetting the Warden.]

Ah- Yeah. We spoke and... we're OK now. [Alistair ducks his head, smiling self-consciously at the table. OK is something of an understatement, given how easily they've fallen into teasing each other. He doesn't know how much their initial argument did or didn't upset Robyn but either way he's glad they've moved past it.]

Of course she's a sneaky spy. [And working for the Divine too. Or used to be. He should definitely be scared then. Hopefully Leliana will never decide she needs to blackmail him. She must have plenty to work with by now. Although, he's not the only one with embarrassing memories from the Blight. Smirking at Brennan he offers-] If you want to hear any stories about her I know a few. Ones she might not have told you.

[...Assuming those things still happened for the Leliana that Brennan knows. Well, they're still good stories.

The suggestion that he's met the Commander before prompts a puzzled frown.] I met him in Ferelden? During the Blight? [Just in case Brennan has forgotten that anything he might have seen Alistair do when he's from isn't something Alistair is going to remember here and now.]

Huh. [Studying Brennan curiously he glances back over at the man's double, his eyes drawn to the empty sleeve.] Have you? Dealt with him yet?

[Or is he stuck waiting for the final battle and its outcome too?]

[ He sees that smile, Alistair. You're not fooling him. ]

Just okay? [ He's completely innocent as he asks that question. Completely. ]

[ Brennan's eyes light up at that offer and he gives a delighted laugh. ] Ooh. Are you offering blackmail material? Do tell. She's got far too many on me as it is. It's tragically unfair. She knows everything and I've not the faintest clue how she does it.

[ Cullen is... a more complicated topic. Brennan winces slightly. ] Ah. Possibly. I know the one from my world had met you there. In Kinloch Hold. He was one of the unfortunate Templars caught up in the mess you and the Warden helped resolve there. It wasn't something he spoke about very easily, however. [ For obvious reasons. ]

[ He lets his own gaze drift back to the scene for a moment at Alistair's question. ] We have, thank the Maker. Before I was plucked here, we were just settling in for a good victory celebration. This place has a terrible sense of timing.

[You're as innocent as a golem with a handful of feathers and an empty cage Inquisitor.]

Fine. We're better than OK. I'm glad to have her as a sister, happy? [He does his best to glower at the other man for his prying but it doesn't work so well when he's smiling at the same time.]

Leliana's always been a little scary. And crazy. Did she tell you about her chats with the Maker? [Not exactly blackmail material yet but it's funny. Well, he thinks it is.

As for Cullen, hearing the name Kinloch turns his expression grim.] I was there when we- I can see why he wouldn't have mentioned it. [But now it's nagging at him. There had been few enough survivors there on either side but he can't remember seeing the Commander there. Except, as he'd just reminded Brennan, there was a bit of a gap between them. So younger. Not a Knight-Commander yet....] Oh.

[Well. It's not nagging any more.]

It could be worse. You could still be stuck worrying about it. [That's not a fun position to be in, assurances everything will be fine or not.] You know when you get back you have a celebration to look forward to. That's something.

[Except it also means he has something else unpleasant waiting in the wings too. Unless- He nods at the other Brennan.] Do you think that's really you?

[Or are they back in the realm of identical twins who do different things? Like losing bits.]

[ Brennan's grinning in delight at the flustered answer, impish humor glinting in dark eyes. ] Yes, quite happy, in fact. I'm glad to hear it. [ Even if 'sister' isn't exactly the first relationship that comes to mind when he thinks of the Hero of Ferelden and Alistair. Far from it. ]

Chats with the Maker? [ Brennan's eyebrows arch upwards at that in surprise. ] Are you serious? No, she never... She can chat with the Maker? She never said a thing. That would have made my life infinitely easier, let me tell you.

[ He can almost see the Warden connect the dots to find his way to the answer, and his expression turns a hint grim for a moment. ] 'Oh' is about right, from what I've heard. Cullen's come a long way since then, however. A hard path, but he's a good man. I trust him with my life.

[ The topic turns grimmer yet again - at least for him, and he spends a moment studying the scene, a frown tugging on his lips. ] Aye. It'll be me, in about a year. Back home, that is. Dorian, the mage from my time, he's been back to live it before being returned here. Only a few days passed for me but an entire year went by for him. He'd already told me about... that. This is my first time seeing it for myself, however.

Well good. You've heard it. That's it then, alright? [Although even if he were inclined to it, it would be hard to be actually angry at the man when he's grinning like that.] Otherwise I'll start prodding you. [About something. Dorian maybe.... maybe not.]

I don't know that she can really chat with the Maker. But she sure thought she could during the Blight. [An exaggeration but who's going to correct him? Leliana isn't here to stick up for herself. And apart from Robyn, there's no one else who knew her then so-] I bet she'd love it if you asked her about it sometime. [Brennan's the man in charge of the Inquisition, what's the worse that could happen?]

Right. [Alistair coughs awkwardly.] I mean, I believe you. I didn't even- He looks- ...I'm glad. [There's not much he can say on the subject of the templar they found at the top of the tower who seems like a completely different person to the man he only briefly met. So he opts for something a little more cheerful.] No honey on his armour then?

[Frowning he watches the scene a bit longer. The apparent future-Brennan isn't bothered by the loss but it must be hard to be faced with something like that. To know that it's only a matter of time. Turning back to face the real Brennan he takes another gulp of ale, buying time while he tries to think of something to say. Something that's not 'I'm sorry about your arm'. That wouldn't be very tactful.] Not exactly what you want to have waiting for you. [Not much better.] Sorry. I shouldn't stick my nose where it doesn't belong.

Prodding me? [ Now Brennan just looks amused. ] About what? I'm an open book.

[ He's actually not, but he knows his way around a tale well enough - always has, even long before his path collided with Varric's. It's a handy skill to have when you're one of the youngest in a passel of siblings and cousins hell-bent on getting into all the trouble they could find.

Although he coughs slightly at Alistair's suggestion, hiding a laugh. What's the worst that could happen indeed? ] Have you ever tried to get a straight answer out of that woman when she doesn't want to give it? She's Orlesian. Also she carries a lot of knives. I tend to avoid asking any questions that might make her itchy for them. I suppose this is probably a great time to bring up that she's to be our next Divine, isn't it? I suppose those chats with the Maker might come in handy for her after all.

[ Brennan chokes on a laugh at the question about the honey and shakes his head, a wry quirk to his lips. ] No. But I did assign him to partner with a bear on a parade march once.

[ He sighs quietly and takes a draw of his own ale. ] All things considered, there could be much worse things waiting. That? That is survivable. An annoyance and a complication, to be sure. but it could have killed me.

[ As if in response, the Anchor on his left palm flares green for a moment and Brennan clenches his hand tightly shut in a fist around it. ]

I'll... figure something out.

[By asking Robyn. Or asking Robyn to ask Dorian.]

And she's sneaky. Just appears out of nowhere when you least expect her and scares you into dropping your dinner so the mabari eats it. [He nods cheerfully. That's exactly why Brennan should ask her about it. Especially given what he has to say about her future.] Leliana? The Divine? The 'Head of the entire Chantry' Divine? [There could be another sort. The kind that it would make sense for Leliana to become. Such a thing might exist.]

Going on parade with a bear is not a bad thing. Every parade should include a bear. [There's only one thing that could possibly improve the scenario.] Did he ride the bear? While on parade. [If Cullen rode a bear on parade then he must secretly be amazing. It's just a fact.]

That's one way of- [Alistair cuts himself off, flinching at the sudden burst of light from Brennan's hand. The same one that's going to be missing in about a year apparently. It's not hard to make a connection between those two pieces of information and he unconsciously leans back in his seat, eyeing the glowy hand warily.]

....Could have killed you how?

[Because suddenly he's not feeling very reassured about it being just an annoyance.]

[ Leliana's not the only sneaky one, it seems. ]

Oh yes, she still does that. Except now its her pet nugs. And that would be the correct Divine, yes. She is a very high-ranked Sister in my time. In fact, she served as the former Divine's Left Hand for several years before I ever met her.

[ He laughs at that mental image, and Cullen's inevitable reaction to the suggestion. ] I'm afraid not. Although it was noted in the report that the bear grew quite fond of him and decided he was perhaps one of her wayward cubs. Apparently they fought a wyvern together. There were bear puns all over Skyhold for at least two weeks.

[ He looks down at the Anchor when it flairs and waits for it to die down before loosening his fingers once more, stretching open his hand to reveal the Mark he'd born ever since that day at the Conclave. ] The Anchor is what led to me being appointed Inquisitor. When I first awoke with it, it was growing - out of control, terribly painful. There was a mage among our number who discovered how to stop it from growing and killing me. But it seems it was merely a delay of the inevitable. Dorian's informed me that about a year or so in my future, back home, it will start up again. There was apparently nothing my mage friend could do to stop it this time and by the time I found him... well. [ He trails off and nods at the scene, indicating the only apparent option left to them by then. ]

Ugh. [Nugs. He'd never understood how Leliana could keep them as pets. With their creepy little hands and- Ugh.]

The Divine. Leliana. [Nope, repeating it doesn't make it any easier to believe. Leliana. The Divine. Oh, she was devout, there was no denying that. But she also thought she'd received visions from the Maker..... She had to be deluding herself about that. Just because she became the Divine didn't make it less crazy. And Leliana was, well, Leliana. She talked to Shale about shoes and complained about his cooking. She wasn't the Divine.] That's going to take me ten years just to get used to.

[Well there went all his dreams. Although he would pay to see a bear treating the man like one its cubs.] I bet he found that hard to bear. Must have made him fur-ious. Roaring mad. [Brennan can't give him an invitation like that and not expect him to take it.

Alas, other topics are less entertaining. Alistair studies the mark - the Anchor as it's apparently called - cautiously, leaning back in to get a better look. He trusts Brennan enough to believe the man wouldn't stick a dangerous.... thing in his face, despite what he has to say about what it would do to him.]

Does it still hurt? [His gaze flicks up to Brennan's face worriedly.] ....Do you think it could start up again here?

[ Brennan just laughs in regards to Leliana. ] From what I've learned of your time with her during the Blight from Robyn? I imagine so. her ideas are.... controversial. But I think the change she could bring to Thedas might be a good thing. If she can actually pull them off.

[ Alistair, you are quickly becoming his new favorite person. If only because he now has someone he can make terrible puns with. ] You know, it got reported in the official missive that their combined efforts were a roaring success. Cullen looked like he wanted to set the entire report on fire. Leliana and Josie didn't let him live it down for ages.

No. Not exactly. [ Brennan uncurls his fingers and lets Alistair look as he wishes, well used to people being fascinated by the strange Mark by now. ] I've heard it stated that despite how Wonderland mimics the passage of day and night, of each of the season, people don't actually age here. No time actually passes. I'm assuming that means this will stay as it is until I return home, and if not, I will take my own precautions.

[He'll have to wait and see what happens during Leliana's rule as Divine when it comes about then. Assuming it happens for him too. On the upside, if it doesn't, whoever does become the new Divine will seem ordinary in comparison.]

I would pay to have been able to see his face. [They can band together and make all the terrible puns Brennan likes. If they can annoy other people at the same time even better!]

I heard that too. That we don't age here and things don't grow up. [But growing old and magic marks were very different things. Just because one was stopped could they be sure the other would be? It sounds like Brennan has already considered that but-

Straightening up from looking at the Mark Alistair frowns.] 'Take your own precautions'? Why don't I like the sound of that? [Right, because it sounds dangerously like Brennan might decide to chop his own arm off if it comes to it. And while that is better than dying it's still not something he likes the sound of anyone doing.]

[ Brennan just shoots him an innocent-looking grin. ]

Probably because you're a smart man? Don't worry, I'm not jumping to anything drastic. Probably. But hey, at least we know that [ he motions to the scene playing out and his own future self. ] is an option that works as a last resort.

[ It's certainly more palatable than leaving behind a crater and potentially a body count. ]

[Don't give him that look Inquisitor. Yes, it's better than taking the whole mansion with him but-]

Have you spoken to anyone else about this last resort, just in case? ...Like Dorian?

[Both because the man would presumably want to know that Brennan had even considered it and because he was a mage and might know a thing or two about stopping people from bleeding to death. Just in case.]

[ But it's usually such an effective tactic, Alistair. ]

If it comes to that, I will. I wouldn't make such a decision without consulting Dorian first. [ And potentially Cullen, even though the Commander isn't as familiar with Brennan as Brennan is with him. ] I'd never hear the end of it, for one thing.

[He knows, he uses it all the time. That's why it's not going to work on him.]

Well, good. [So long as that's sorted and Brennan isn't going to do something stupid and rash if his hand does start misbehaving. Then they can move onto hopefully more pleasant subjects.] ...Nags does he?

[Like finding things to use against Brennan should he need them.]

[ Brennan just laughs. ]

I'm not answering that question. I know when to avoid implicating myself in something that will land me in trouble later.

Oh come on! I promise I won't tell him if you say yes!

[He might tell someone else but not Dorian. He is a man of his word.]

Fine then. [If he's not getting any blackmail material then-] Can I ask you something?

[ He's not buying the innocent act either, Alistair.

He just grins crookedly and shrugs at the question. ]

Of course. What would you like to know?

[Well that's just not fair.]

Ah- [Now that he's got permission he feels kind of weird asking it, but after talking about Leliana and Cullen earlier he's too curious not to.] Did you know who I was before we met here? And not from talking to Robyn? Your Commander recognised me so I was... wondering if you did too.

[ Brennan hesitates for the briefest of moments before inclining his head. ]

Yes. We met, once. And exchanged a few letters. Or we will. Possibly. I'm afraid it's rather up in the air which of our paths will actually intertwine and when, given how diverse all our memories happen to be.

The leader of the Inquisition could be my penpal? I can live with that.

[No, that's not what Brennan meant but he's not that interested in the details. Just in confirming that his survival after the Blight seems to be a constant fact no matter who he's talking to.

Turning back to the images he smirks and nods at the group.]

So. Qunari, dwarves, Tevinter magisters, crazy ex-sisters, a templar and you. Who's the normal one in the group?

We tackled Orlesian politics together at that.

[ Brennan laughs, then leans back in his chair as he follows Alistair's gaze and grins, counting off the other options on his fingers. ]

I'm pretty sure I'm the normal one of the bunch, but there's also the crazy elven Red Jenny whose idea of fun is pranking everyone in the castle. The Grey Warden who in fact wasn't a Grey Warden at all. A spirit of Compassion from the Fade who manifested in a human body on this side of the Veil to help people. A Seeker with a fondness for terrible romance novels. An elven apostate who may or may not be an ancient god, and an Orlesian Circle mage who is quite possibly the most terrifying woman I will ever meet.

....Oh, and Morrigan. She came to help us for a while as well.

You better not be saying you stabbed me in the back or I'm going to be hurt.

[That's how Orlesian politics works, isn't it? Everyone puts on a mask and then they stab each other in the back.]

....Wow. And I thought the people I met during the Blight were a weird bunch. I think you've outdone us. [And they all sounded like they'd be worth getting to know, except for-] Morrigan's still alive in your time? [His tone and expression make it clear he'd be much happier if the answer was 'no'.

Shaking his head to dislodge any unpleasant thoughts of the witch, Alistair turns his attention back to the other members of the Inquisition Brennan listed and the one of greatest interest to him personally.]

What do you mean by a Warden who wasn't a Warden?

Of course not! I helped clear up a mage problem for you and then I helped you word a letter so you wouldn't royally piss off the Empress.

[ Royally. Hah.

Also please, Alistair, that's no way to talk about your baby mama. Not that Brennan is bringing that up. At all. Ever. ]

Yes, Morrigan is still alive and well. She spends some time in Orlais herself before coming to offer her assistance to the Inquisition. Her knowledge was quite invaluable, in fact.

Ahh, that would be Blackwall. Or... not quite Blackwall. His name was Thom Rainier originally, an Orlesian soldier who was recruited by Warden Blackwall. However he had a bit of a shady past - which of course didn't matter to the Warden, but they were ambushed by darkspawn before Rainier could undergo his Joining and Blackwall was killed in the process. Rainier was worried the Wardens wouldn't believe he'd been recruited and would think he killed the man himself so instead he assumed his identity and went about his solitary journeys, sending on promising recruits to the Wardens as he found them until I sought him out, needing help contacting the Wardens myself. It didn't come out until much later what had happened.

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket | OPEN

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