voice;

[closerift]

Can those out exploring the oceans receive messages from the islands? If so, have a safe and lovely trip, and try to stay out of the water: I'm not sure I want to imagine what lives down there, but I doubt it's anything friendly. [ There's a small, stained pause. ] And... if Aren Brosca is still out there, somehow, please let your housemates know when you'll be returning home. Pup seems to miss his other, furry friend.

[ It's been so long since she's heard from the Warden, though, that Cecily can only imagine Aren has long since gone home. Another from Thedas, come and gone. ]

... For those still on land, it's gotten a bit too quiet for me. If anyone is on the Westernmost island, or can make their way there, I'd love a game of Wicked Grace. I've gone through the rules before, but that was some time ago, now: I'd be happy to relay them again.

[ Best to distract with cards and some drinks, right? ... Right. ]

Look for the enormous, slobbering beast, and I should be somewhere nearby.

Comments

voice

[outofthefire]

[Laura sounds hesitant] I. . . haven't seen Aren in weeks. I kinda figured she went home.

It's way too quiet. And I've never played Wicked Grace. You'll have to teach me.

voice

[closerift]

She must have. [ Cecily sighs, feeling the usual, sinking feeling. ] ... I'll be happy to teach you. Are you on the west island?

voice

[outofthefire]

I hope she's happy there. [Aren was Laura's first friend at Hadriel. she's going to miss her a lot] Not right now, but I can get there. Want me to bring anything?

voice

[closerift]

So do I. [ Did Aren survive the battle with the archdemon? Cecily can't remember, in this moment. ] ... Ah - no need. Just bring yourself.

voice

[outofthefire]

She should be? I mean, she had the whole Arlessa thing going for her. And the sister had the king's baby thing. [Laura remembers that she did. it's a comfort] Okay, I'll be right there.

voice

[closerift]

I'll see you soon.

[ And the Inquisitor will be in their home, waiting, when Laura arrives. ]

voice

[outofthefire]

[she tries to put as much warmth into her voice as she can]

Yeah, see you soon.

action;

[closerift]

[ When Laura does appear, Cecily is at a table with cards set out in front of her. There's also a bottle of wine, which will surprise no one. ]

How did you meet the Warden? I'm not sure I ever heard.

action;

[outofthefire]

[she tries to sneak a peek at the cards to see how they differ from Earth standard playing cards. and yay wine!]

We got here at the same time. She helped me out in the Colosseum, we got to talking, and we were friends ever since.

voice

[fogsong]

I don't know how down I am for a game with a bunch of strangers but... [ Why is this so hard? It used to be easy and Sharon has to tell herself that a thousand times before she gets the courage to speak again. ] I'd be happy to stop by.

voice

[closerift]

So far it's just me and Laura: our housemate. I'm happy to play a round with only you, if you'd like. [ beat ] Just come by and we can figure it out then.

[ If they just end up sitting around in shared silence, then that's fine, too. ]

Someone else from my world has left.

voice

[fogsong]

[ It's her ending reply that makes Sharon's heart twist. This happens all the time but how long has Cecily been here? How long has she had to stay while her world left her behind? One at a time. She swallows her nerves back. ]

...I'm down to learn the game. [ Or relearn it, probably. She pauses, floundering. ] Want me to bring something to drink?

voice

[closerift]

If you like. [ Yes please. ] Don't feel as if you have to.

[ Sharon's company, as ever, is more than enough. ]

voice

[fogsong]

I got you. [ She'll pick up something hard before she goes to seek Cecily out. Sharon could use a drink or thirteen and, judging by Cecily's post, the older woman does, too. ]

action

[closerift]

[ When Sharon does arrive, Cecily will be at the table within their apartments, dog lying near her feet, cards strewn across the table. ]

It's a lot quieter these days than it used to be, is't it? [ There's a little, humorless chuckle. ] Cole is the only one left from Thedas, now.

action

[fogsong]

[ It's a depressing sight, made only worse by Cecily's statement. It makes her heart clench up. Sharon sets the bottle of alcohol on the table, fingers lingering on its neck. ]

I'm... I'm sorry, Cecily. [ People leave. People leave and they may as well be dead to those still stuck. It's a kind of pain you expect to grow numb over time but it never gets easier. ] Do you wanna talk about it?

[ She's brought more than enough booze to make it so they probably won't remember talking the next morning, if necessary. ]

action

[closerift]

No. [ It's an automatic response, but her mouth tightens into a strained, apologetic smile. ] ... I didn't know Aren well: it isn't the same as when I lost some of the others. It's only that-...

[ She traces her tongue along her lips, thinking. Frowning. ]

Sometimes, I feel as if this is all another test. [ From the Maker. ] That I'm meant to be here, losing the people I care about over and over again. And I have to hope that... if that's true, then there will be some kind of meaning to it in the end.

[ Otherwise? Why is she very nearly the only person from Thedas to be here all this time? To lose the others time and time again? ]

voice

[pocketspa]

[The audio comes in a bit crackled because SOMEONE is out having a party on a boat. Well, two boats, actually. But he'll at least validate what she's saying.]

Uh yeah, this is eagle one to ground bird, we read you sitting at home, not going on a cool ocean adventure when it was totally free.

[Sorry, he's. This is about as good as his comforting gets.]

voice

[closerift]

"Ground bird?" What does that make me, then?

[ taako pls ]

Enjoy your pleasure cruise. We'll be slaving away on land while you're all away.

voice

[pocketspa]

I don't know, a quail? A grouse? I don't know birds.

[He knows like three birds and coincidentally they're all birds you can eat.]

And look, you coulda come with. Like, we taped Magnus to the sail pole but we could've found a space for you.

voice

[closerift]

I'm all right. Someone has to stay behind and keep our... something safe. [ beat ] I do wonder, now, what we're guarding. What with most of the people gone.

[ The booze, maybe?? ]

voice

[pocketspa]

[He shrugs, even if she can't see it.]

I dunno, the rest of the Door? However many hundo miles down or something. You guys thought of digging it up? If there's really that nothing to do.

voice

[closerift]

Oh, of course. Let's just round up all of the digging equipment we have, and the spare hands...

[ Except, they don't have much of anything to dig up - anything. And most people left the mainland to take to the boats. ]

I've already dug something up! What an excellent suggestion that was! At this rate, we'll be home in no time!

voice

[pocketspa]

[He laughs loudly, causing a bit of static from the distance.]

Wow, bitter! I dunno, babe. Flattering you think I got all the answers though.

[He'd be big gone if that were the case.]

I dunno, what do you usually do? Can't just sit around and mope every time I'm not there to brighten up your life.

voice

[closerift]

That's a shame: I'd already planned my whole day around moping. [ There's another scoff, but a fond one. ] ... We'll go about business as usual, I imagine. I have Guard duties, and life does go on when you're off on a leisure cruise, after all.