[sandbox]

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair surprises himself: he adapts to the Basin a lot quicker than he expected.

The camps feel -- snug, he decides. In a good way. Trees overhead, a limited number of egress points, a vantage point so high it puts every night by the ladder to shame: they're not the stone walls of Skyhold, but maybe they're the next best thing. After an initial restless night or two, he sleeps soundly.

(Knowing he's surrounded by lots of people with sharp, pointy weapons? Also helpful.)

Joining the patrol rotations seems like a decent next step. No point in being in the field, especially after all that training with Bull, if he's just going to twiddle his thumbs all day.

Comments

[howtoactfereldan]

"Kenric's not so bad to talk to."

Already he's trying to plan. "Doesn't ask too many questions. Get him talking about his work and he's good for at least twenty minutes. And there's a nightly game of Wicked Grace, I don't know if you've seen -- "

[bringspeopletogether]

"I'll keep myself busy," he agrees, quiet. "See if anyone needs help around camp, too."

He's gone without Cullen before. He'll --

(Except he hasn't, really, has he? The last time Cullen was gone for more than a day was when the Inquisition marched on the Arbor Wilds. And that was before they got together.)

He'll be all right. He'll figure out a way.

[howtoactfereldan]

"If you wanted -- you could meet us at Stone-Bear Hold, in the middle. The route by the lake's secure if you avoid the gurguts, and that's easy enough."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's eyebrows lift.

Cautiously optimistic: "...That might work. Is anyone else going that way soon?"

Secure route or no, traveling alone around here is a poor idea.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Yes -- most likely. The Jaws of Hakkon rely on natural cover provided by the terrain, and the wetlands further down -- "

Cullen points down the shore.

" -- don't have that. It's proven to be an effective route to supply our forward camp closest to Stone-Bear Hold. Harding's got scouts running twice daily at minimum, and I believe Kenric has interests in the area as well."

Pause.

"But there's also an ice giant, so... be careful."

[bringspeopletogether]

A tiny snort. "Yes, that might put a damper on any loving reunions."

Alistair gnaws his lip as he thinks.

"Let's -- well, wait until tomorrow, like you said. But tentatively plan on that?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Yes." Satisfied; he squeezes Alistair. Then, more cautious: "That will... make it easier, I hope?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"Yes." Soft; smiling, faintly. "I think it will."

He turns enough to drop a light kiss on Cullen's temple.

"Easier on you as well?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Much," he says, no louder. "Perhaps it escaped your notice, but I've a tendency to worry."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair chuckles, just as faint.

"It has come up from time to time."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Rarely, of course." Half a smile. "But -- yes. This would help. I can't promise to be unoccupied while at the hold, but... a little time. At least."

[bringspeopletogether]

He nods.

And cracks a tiny grin. "Maybe if I get bored while you're working, I'll try my hand at a feat or strength or two."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Keep your shirt on until I get there." Warm; amused.

[bringspeopletogether]

The grin grows, finding its strength. "I would never dream otherwise."

Alistair lets his eyes drift closed.




"I'm going to miss you." Quiet again, and simply said.

[howtoactfereldan]

"I haven't left yet."

He settles his arm more snugly around Alistair, and says to the lake:

"Besides, you're the one with the knack for making yourself utterly indispensible."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair huffs out another small laugh, but doesn't say anything. He leans into the embrace.

(He's -- not sure he agrees. Seems like he has a knack for the opposite, most of the time.)

[howtoactfereldan]

(Like Cullen keeps saying: other people are stupid.)





"'Still alive. Plan to continue.'"

Mild. Innocent.

"That's technically more than Mia gets out of me."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair snorts, amused. "I don't know about that," he says. "I'm fairly sure I saw something about chess by mail in that letter."

[howtoactfereldan]

"'Still alive, plan to continue, pawn to E4'?"

[bringspeopletogether]

Satisfied: "Much better."

A beat of consideration.

"Pawn to...A5?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Theirin. That's an illegal move."

[bringspeopletogether]

"What?" Outrage! "No it's not, not if I'm looking at the board like -- "

He sketches a circle with his free hand, like he's rotating a chess board. Or possibly miming a round chess board. Who knows.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Your pawn starts at A2, it can move a maximum of two spaces, you just said it moved three."

[bringspeopletogether]

Grumble.

"If you're looking at the board from the other side, it looks like it starts on A6. It's reverse chess. Ahead of its time."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Even if it were reverse chess -- which isn't a thing -- it's still a poor move."