001 drop of lyrium || [video] + action

[arlathansgrace]

Oh! Andaran atish’an! This is such an interesting way to talk to people, don't you think? I can see your face and you can see mine! It's like a mirror, but it reflects other people back at you.

[Merrill waves, smiling broadly, her large eyes sparkling with delight.]

My name is Merrill, and I'm looking for my friends. I appear to be a little lost. [She swings the tablet around too fast to really see anything useful. Just a lot of stone.] Did you see that? I'm lost. But I have friends who can help me become, ah, not lost.

Sometimes, when I was lost in Kirkwall, Isabela - she's one of my friends - would swoop down from the top of a building and tell me where to go. She's very pretty, with dark hair and a lovely blue bandana. Oh, and a necklace. It's quite hard to miss her necklace and what's below it. And there's Aveline, but sometimes I worry she doesn't like me. She has red hair, like the sun, and quite a lot of freckles. I like her freckles. I wish I had freckles... [Merrill trails off, tapping her fingers against her cheeks as if counting freckles. She comes back to herself suddenly.] I'm sorry, I tend to get lost in my thoughts. I think that's how I ended up here. Do you ever do that? You start thinking and then you just don't come out. What was I saying before?

Oh, yes, my friends! I have quite a few of them. Isabela and Aveline and Varric! Varric is a dwarf, and he's very funny, but his stories aren't always true. He tells me stories about pirates, but Isabela says they're mostly made up. And Fenris, he's elvhen, like me, but--that's not going to be trouble, is it? In Kirkwall, they make us live in alienages, and they're very dirty. I had a nice house, but it was very small. No one in Thedas seems to like the elvhen very much, and living in the alienage is very uncomfortable...

[She stares past the tablet screen for a moment, thoughtful.] I hope there aren't any alienages here...

If you know my friends, would you tell them I'm looking for them? Ma serannas for your troubles. Or, if you recognize this place-- [She ducks out of the frame, an alleyway filling the screen for a few seconds before she fumbles the tablet and then drops it. Merrill's face pops into the frame again, a worried expression on it.] Oh, dear, I hope I haven't broken you...

[ooc: Feel free to engage the very lost Merrill in actiony posts. As a Dalish elf, she tends to speak in the elvhen language frequently. You can hover over the text with your mouse to get a translation!]

Comments

video;

[transgressed]

You've got a lot going on there, sweetheart.

[Fang is still trying to get the general gist of everything being said, but she decides to help, a little.] You haven't broken the comm device, don't you worry. Can't say I've seen a... [A pause.] dwarf about, but I've seen a few folks with pointy ears like yours.

video;

[arlathansgrace]

Really? More of the People are here? That's wonderful! Have we formed a clan, then?

Video

[standup_for_justice]

Hi Miss Merrill! My name's Amelia.

I haven't seen your friends, or any dwarves, but a lot of people say there's other elves around here. Who were brought here: I don't think any elves lived in the city before we all started being brought here.

I don't think there's any rules about where you live, but they give us all rooms so we have somewhere. You could try to find your own place if you don't like your roommates; I don't think there's a rule against that. I don't know what kind of places elves like to live, since I never met any before; they don't really live in human cities where I'm from.

And the machines they give us are pretty strong. I... um... may have dropped mine a few times. By accident, though!

Video

[arlathansgrace]

But I haven't even seen my home here, yet. There was a very nice woman, you see, explaining things and leading me through a building - it was even more confusing than some of the streets in Kirkwall - and I stopped to look at something - the lights, I think. Are they spirits? - and when I looked back for her, she was gone.

Do you think it would be troublesome to camp outside? I miss sleeping under the stars. [She turns her head to look at the sky, a smile on her face.] They're different here, but quite lovely.

video; hi i'm doing homework but please do have a placeholder!!!

[its_storytime]

[ Well. Isn't this a sight for sore eyes.

And now he also has sore ears, but this is why he loves you, Merrill. also shush about his stories not being true, he has to build a rep here okay!!

Sighing fondly into the device, Varric shakes his head as though chastising a small child. ]

Daisy, Daisy, Daisy. What did we discuss about keeping that ball of twine with you?

video;

[arlathansgrace]

Varric! Hello, yes, I know, I'm to keep it with me always, but I seem to have misplaced that, too.

I've misplaced quite a bit. Including Hawke. [A nervous laugh and a fleeting smile.] Do you think you could find me? And perhaps bring another ball of twine?

[audio]

[asskickersunite]

To be fair, most of the housing here is kind of shitty, but nobody's gonna make you live somewhere that's any worse off than the standard.

Don't worry, your tablet still works. These things are kinda durable.

[audio]

[arlathansgrace]

Oh, is it? It can't be much worse than the alienage. Not much is. Except perhaps sleeping in the hull of a ship. We did that once, my clan, when we went from Ferelden to Kirkwall, and everyone got very sick.

VIDEO

[modestchivalry]

Kirkwall? [a pondering look]

I believe I know someone here from that place. I believe his name was... Lord Hawke, if I am not mistaken?

VIDEO

[arlathansgrace]

You know Hawke? [Her smile is brighter than the sun.] Ma serannas! Could you point me in his direction? Or, perhaps, find him and send him here? I'm not sure I should move...

Isabela says that I'm lost I should stay where I am. Eventually someone will find me who knows the way home.

video;

[ladyspitfire]

[Woah, she recognizes two of those names...and Kirkwall! And that language!]

You all right, there? We're a little far from Kirkwall, I'm afraid, but I know at least one of your companions is here.

video;

[arlathansgrace]

Oh, yes, I'm fine, just lost. But no one's bothered me or tried to take my things yet. Everyone always tries to take my things. Maybe that's because I'm not paying attention to them.

My things, that is. Sometimes I forget to lock my doors.

Are you from Kirkwall, too? [She perks up.] Who do you know?

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

[Shelke does spend a bit of time trying to decide if she should be bothered before she answers. She doesn't sound interested at all even when she does talk.]

I haven't seen any examples of segregation in this city. Outside of standard economic neighborhoods, at least.

You were most likely given an apartment that is...tolerable.

[video]

[arlathansgrace]

[All the big words float right over Merrill's head. But she nods like she knows what's going on.]

You'd be very surprised what elves can live in. I was telling someone else about how my clan took a boat to Kirkwall, and it was awful. We were all sick. Even the ship wasn't as bad as the alienage. I should try to find my way to the rooms they gave me... Is that what an apartment is? A room to sleep in?

voice;

[inanimates]

Your tablet say–should be fine. If... that's what you're worried about.

And you said you were from Kirkwall, right? Because I um. I met a guy from there? He took some of my stuff. I'm pretty sure he lives in the same building as me. If you know him, that is.

[A pause, he clears his throat.] What does "ma serannas" mean?

voice;

[arlathansgrace]

Oh, dear, someone took your things? I'm terribly sorry. People are always taking my things. Or maybe they're floating away. I think I should tie them down sometimes, but maybe they want to float away. That might be nice, floating. But only if I could come back down.

It is how the People express gratitude. A thank you!

Video;

[studieswaitressing]

[...she blinks.]

Wow, that guy wasn't kidding about the influx of elves.

Everyone lives together here, so if anyone tells you you've got to move somewhere dirty because of the way you look, they're liars and you should probably hit them. Just, you know, for reference.

Video;

[arlathansgrace]

Someone else mentioned more of the People are here. It would be nice to meet them if I can ever find my way home.

There aren't alienages then? That's good news. The alienage was very dirty... Almost enough to make me wear shoes.

Video; too bad the Warden isn't Dalish...or an elf...

[woahwoahawkward]

[Well, since he's been creepin' watching Elissa's chat with the elf...]

You're from Ferelden?

Video; shhh let's just pretend

[arlathansgrace]

I'm not really from Ferelden, but my clan lived there for a while. Then the Blight came, and we'd probably overstayed our welcome, so we left. Humans are like that, they don't want us on their land. Are you Ferelden? You don't have a dog. Hawke's Ferelden. He has a dog.

video

[straw_hat]

[... he didn't even catch most of that.] You sure like to talk, huh? I heard a lot of names in there, but yours is Merrill, right? If your friends know you talk that much, I think they'll find you easily.

video

[arlathansgrace]

[Thank the Maker the bulk of what Merrill says is inconsequential.]

Do you think so? I hope so. I don't want to be out here when night comes. It seems a little cold and I don't have a tree to sleep in. Though sleeping in trees can be uncomfortable, too.

[inafadingcrown]

[And smiling back at Merill is a very different sort of elf than she's used to- tall, human-like features, but those pointy ears are still there if you can see them through the hair. And she finds the rambling rather endearing.]

Fortunately, these devices are not so easily broken. Unfortunately, I know nothing of your friends.

[But she's worried about lost little elf] Might you retrace your steps to a more familiar place?

[arlathansgrace]

[Merrill stares.

She does a lot of staring. And then breaks into a wide smile.]

Anet ara, lethallan! Others have mentioned there are more of the People here. Are you from an alienage? Oh, perhaps you're a Grey Warden! I hear they treat the elvhen much better than most humans do, even elvhen mages. I'm so glad to see there are other elvhenan here.

Did they put you in an alienage?

[video]

[birdhousesoul]

[Merrill. A blood mage. And yet -- someone who twits him cheerfully about his feathers; someone who likes kittens as much as Anders does, and keeps track of where she sees them, and will compare notes; someone who didn't call for his death at the Chantry.

That counts for a lot. Most of Hawke's little band would have liked to see Anders dead, he knows, and only supported the decision to spare his life because that was Hawke's decision, and what Hawke decides, the rest will go along with. But Merrill voiced an actual preference that Anders should live. And that counts for a lot, in Anders' book, even if Merrill here turns out not to recall it.

Just as King Alistair's support for his conscription, refusing to turn Anders over to Ser Rylock, counts for a lot in Anders' book. Alistair doesn't remember it, it never happened as far as Alistair is concerned, but Anders won't forget.

Just so. That's the way it is with Merrill, too, in Anders' eyes. But she might not remember or know, and why borrow trouble? Thus far, of all the Thedosians here, only he and Nathaniel seem aware of what happened in 9:37 Dragon. Everyone else comes from some year beforehand. So Anders tries for cheer, or what passes for it between them.]

I don't suppose I might convince you that wearing shoes is an important custom here? Traditional? A time-honored, hallowed custom?

[video]

[arlathansgrace]

Anders! [Oh, Anders. She is both delighted and remorseful that he's here, but a fellow mage is a mage even if he is sometimes misguided.]

No, I'm afraid not. Shoes are too restricting. I don't know why you like to wear them so much. It's much nicer to have the dirt between your toes. [A pause.] Do they make you wear shoes here? Will they make me live in the alienage if I don't? [She's been so hopeful about not having to live in an alienage.

Then her eyes widen and she laughs, clapping her hands together.]

You're teasing me!

video

[songofvalor]

Oh, you're so cute! I think you would look so dear with freckles. [ giggling ] And you're a Dalish! I've spoken to only a handful of Dalish elves. They weren't very... amicable, but they were interesting.

Welcome to Exsilium, Merrill. I am Leliana.

video

[arlathansgrace]

Oh, hello, Leliana! I still remember you. You helped us when we broke into that Orlesian manor with Tallis. I'm sorry we couldn't convince Grand Cleric Elthina to leave Kirkwall.

video;

[passive]

You too, Merrill...? [Maker's breath, everyone's arriving in droves lately. :|a] I know Varric and my brother are here. I'm not sure about the others, but new people are showing up all the time, it seems. They'll turn up sooner or later.

video;

[arlathansgrace]

[Her eyes widen.]

O-oh. Oh.

You're--

[Her Bethany? Very dead. Very, very dead.]

By the Creators. Are you a spirit?

[ video ]

[championhawke]

Merrill, I'm hurt. Aren't we friends?

[Garrett has somewhat recovered from his initial...well, everything. The self-pity and moping are minimized, at least, and he's remembered his responsibilities.

And it's good to see Merrill, no matter what.]

Are you all right? Have you been found?

[ video ]

[arlathansgrace]

Hawke! Of course we're friends!

[Even though her Hawke made her break her mirror and constantly got on her case for blood magic. SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU GO HAWKE.]

I didn't know you were here. Well, I didn't know anyone was here. But I just thought I'd mention Varric and Isabela because they're the ones who always un-lose me, and Varric is here - well not here, but here - but Isabela hasn't said anything. Is she not here? I miss her.

And you.

And everyone.

Oh, I've been speaking to Anders, too. He still wants me to wear shoes, but they're such dreadful things.

I'm still lost. Could you find me? Varric wants to bring me twine. For when I get lost again. [When. Not if. This is Merrill, after all.]

VIDEO;

[lyriumscribed]

[ oh great.

he's scowling, and not just because it's the blood mage, but because this blighted place seems to have a certain eye for those from thedas and it irks him to no end. what next? dragons?

but he certainly isn't going to show his concerns, least of all to someone like her. ]

As if this place needed any more mages.

VIDEO;

[arlathansgrace]

Hello, Fenris! It's lovely to see you, too.

[Still as grumpy as ever, but that doesn't phase her.]

Have you seen Anders? He's here, too. And Varric and Hawke and Leliana, you remember her, don't you? But I haven't seen anyone else yet.

Does this mean you're not going to help me un-lose myself?

video

[selfloyalty]

Are the Dalish always this talkative?

[there's...not any annoyance to that question, actually. it's said neutrally, and her expression is just one of confusion.

marvelous. a Dalish elf. just what they were missing.]

I have always been told otherwise.

video

[arlathansgrace]

Oh, no, just me, I think. Our Keeper used to say I spoke too much and couldn't hear anything anyone else said to me, but that's a bit silly. I still have ears.

[She tugs on hers. Then she realizes Anora recognized that she's Dalish.]

You're Ferelden! My clan was in Ferelden for a while. Then we went to Kirkwall when the Blight came. It's done now. Is it done for you, too?

video; sorry to be late but i had to tag this cutie

[bloodyantivan]

Aneth ara... it would be, right? [Zevran speaks his Dalish well enough, though it carries his Antivan accent. He looks upon the girl fondly - he has a great respect for the Dalish, even if his own memories of them are rather conflicted. She seems sweet enough, though if she's Dalish, she's likely deadly.]

We are assigned to apartments here, though they are far better quality than what you may have seen in the alienage. [And what was a young woman of the People doing there, anyway? It's difficult not to think of his own mother's story. Oh, he tries not to.]

And personally, I find them more comfortable than an aravel - aside from the whole aspect of being a prisoner unable to leave.

Have you found your way yet, my friend?

video; zevran is never late just fashionable

[arlathansgrace]

Oh, Zevran! You're here, too! [She realizes, given his words, that he probably doesn't recognize her.]

Yes, aneth ara is right. I've heard the lodgings here are nicer. I hope to find out soon. Varric and Hawke are coming to find me. And Fenris, too, I think.

It's good to have you here, Zevran. [Even if he doesn't remember her.]

text

[slingshots]

what language is that?

text

[arlathansgrace]

[It takes Merrill a while to figure out how to respond with text. And then she picks at the keys. Technology is so very alien to her.]

The language of the People. It's mostly lost, but we try to remember.

video

[dulac]

[Good lord this girl talks a lot, wow. He'll opt to go for video, looking extremely bored and, well, serious. But actually he's kind of interested in something she was talking about ...]

Alienages?

video

[arlathansgrace]

[Talking is Merrill's specialty.

She smiles at his bored face.]

Hello!

Yes, alienages. They're special places in cities for the elvhenan to live. Humans don't like us very much. I left my clan to live in an alienage. [Because they didn't want her, but she ignores that truth.] They're very... muddy.

video;

[lordofthevalley]

[He'll pounce on the other things later, because there's a lot in that rambling and he's rather used to taking apart such things.

So have one dark haired elf with grey eyes answering you.]

I have not seen any dwarves yet, though I am new here and have been not been able to do seek others out as of yet, though a dwarf should not be difficult to find, even here. [Except for the fact this dwarf doesn't have a beard...]

video;

[arlathansgrace]

[More elvhenan! Merrill is so excited so many of the People are here, even if they're not really her people.]

Aneth ara, lethallin! I'm so glad so many of the People are here. It's good to be among clan.

Oh, and I found him. My dwarf. Well. He found me. Varric is very helpful. He brought me twine. [She holds up a ball of twine.] In case I get lost again.

video; hello i am the latest ever

[estelio]

[ Though Arwen is still trying to get used to working these tablet devices, she does see that many others have replied here. Still, something about Merrill's...demeanor...compels her to make sure she is alright anyway. ]

Have you found your way, young one? Your...dwarven friend, perhaps? [ If she sounds a little bit skeptical, it's because...well, dwarf friend? ]

video; for a fellow elf all is forgiven

[arlathansgrace]

Oh, yes, Varric found me and brought me a ball of twine so I don't get lost in the future. He's very kind. He looks out for me, otherwise I'd be lost all the time. And that's not enjoyable - then you have to sleep in gutters.

[She says all that like it's perfectly natural and has happened to her frequently.]