you only need the light when it's burning low

[ladyspitfire]

Date & Time: Backdated to January 27th
Location: Out and about
Characters: Elissa Cousland and YOU
Summary: She didn't learn to be a rogue for nothing.
Warnings: None!



[Perhaps it's terrible to say that she's sick of snow.

Ferelden-born, Elissa has grown up with snow all of her life. The countryside would be thick with it, cold and frigid, the earth crunching beneath boots long after the white had vanished. The climate, though temperate, still allowed much of the country to be cold even into the spring months, like the Frostback Mountains to the west. But this was too much, this endless and deep stuff that cannot be moved or brushed away so easily. She counts herself lucky that she has some form of lodging, no matter how bare, and she is not like so many who have less than her.

The people of Exsilium still do not trust Transports. But she has done her best to extend some semblance of kindness to the few she can help. She brings back more food in the hopes that some of the poorer people will eat; she does what she can to scrape together bartering tools to gain supplies. It doesn't help much in the end, but she tries. Trying is enough, isn't it?

But the Initiative is buried so deep in the catacombs and out of sight that she has to wonder how long it will be before the Transports simply lose what little they have of control over the area, and when there will be an opening for them to fix what is still broken. Missions aren't enough, though she can already see small changes blossoming day to day. There has to be something larger, something they can do to repair the damage they've done simply by being here. The bombing is still fresh in her mind, the destruction that forced them onto the moon. And now what?

Elissa finishes up her work for the day, trading some supplies for food, her dog at her heels, bounding around. It's getting dark; she'll need to head back in soon before it becomes absolutely unbearably cold.]

Comments

[bloodyantivan]

Ah, I believe I just heard a fierce and gorgeous hunter come through the door.

[Zevran is currently using the magic of the charm to maintain his collection of weapons, those he hasn't helped to pawn to others.]

And the hound as well.

[ladyspitfire]

[The dog sets to whining, prancing between Elissa and Zevran. He gives his master a dose of those cow eyes and she's already cooing, rubbing at his large, round face.]

Oh, he thinks you're a big strong hunter too. Don't take it personally.

[She makes her way over to Zevran and leans over to kiss him without preamble.]

You'll be sad to know that it is, indeed, still snowing. And cold. And for once, I'm absolutely sick of it.

[bloodyantivan]

[Zevran tilts up into the kiss, wrapping arms around her.]

Ah, yes! I can confirm your nose is still positively frozen.

[strategic_guile]

[Blaine hears and sees Atticus first. Bounding around so excited draws attention, and then the blonde is grinning at Elissa when she comes into view. She has packages that she traded for, and though he knows she doesn't need help he offers it anyway.]

You've been busy today. Want some help?

[And he's going to give the dog a nice good, rubbing in the meantime.]

[ladyspitfire]

[Elissa looks over her shoulder and shoots Blaine a smile, which can barely contend with the way her dog is now bouncing, running around Blaine and kicking up snow in his wake, a puppy again. He slows down only so he can get the promised rubs that the man offers, while his master approaches with the parcels she has.]

I wouldn't mind it. Have you eaten yet?

[strategic_guile]

[He leaves off petting the dog and reaches out to take a package or two from her.]

No, not yet. I had to move around some before I could eat anything. You want to go eat out or will one of us cook?

[ladyspitfire]

[The dog noses his way in, trying to take a package, but Elissa holds it over his head to give to Blaine. Obviously, it has food in it.]

Let me cook for you. My treat.

[strategic_guile]

[Blaine gives the dog a playful swipe and pulls the package safely into his arms.]

I won't argue with that. It's easier for me to take a small bowl out of your large portions anyway.

[He's chuckling a bit, because she eats so much, what's cooking for one more?]

[inafadingcrown]

[Galadriel has had similar ideas about helping where she can; that's why, in addition to her normal rounds at the transport clinic, uses her skills as a healer to do what she can for the people in town. It's not easy, given how suspicious they are of her, and she hates the fact that she has to use one of the Initiative's cloaking devices to look human, but it's something that she feels is worth doing.

Which is why it's already nearing dusk when she finally sets out to return to the little apartment that she shares with her family. She's humming lightly when she catches up with Elissa and offers her usual smile and nod in greeting. And of course, she reaches down to give Atticus a scratch behind his ears.]

It will be a beautiful night.