theresolve | IC Inbox

[Outside Skyhold Mark II, the Revenge of Skyhold, smaller and much less imposing, Adam leaves Rainier's gift. It's a notebook, too, with a tag attached reading Thom Rainier. This notebook isn't blank. Instead, inside, Adam has taken the time to go through his own phone and explain all the functions. Luckily there aren't too many - voice and text, video, a camera, a notes app, an inbox. He's drawn diagrams and written careful explanations that detail how it all works and what each things is used for. It's very thorough, of course, because it's Adam.

With the notebook is smallish bundle of wood, collected from the park, that Rainier might be able to use for his carving - for weapons or whatever else. It's all good quality, nothing rotted or weak, because what use is having a forest in your head if you can't even tell these things?]

[Rainier is only slightly confused at first by the gift - asking around yields an answer about the holiday celebrated by most people here even if they don't have the time, which makes him wonder if Satinalia has come and gone back home in the time they've been gone. After that comes more ... not confusion, exactly, but he's still not sure what to make of it.

The notebook, the wood for carving, it's incredibly kind, incredibly thoughtful. Two things that he's mainly used to only getting from, well, the Inquisitor herself.

Rainier would argue that he was not 'overwhelmed with emotion' or anything like that. He's not a young girl, for Andraste's sake, he's a grown man who knows how to deal with Feelings. Which means stomping around being a troubled grumpy bear as he tries to process them. You know, like grown ass men do.

Later in the day he sends Adam a text.]

Thank you for the gifts. You are very kind.

[He's got a piece of graphite from one of the stores and is sketching onto the wood for where to carve. He's not sure exactly what a thing is that represents mages. There's the Circle symbol, but Adam is not from Thedas and it means nothing to him. Tevinter is all about both mages and dragons, from what Rainier can gather, but... eugh.

Gryphons are good. Who doesn't like gryphons?]

[He's pleased to get a reply message, of course. Hopefully that means his instructions have been helpful.]

You're welcome. Where I'm from, people give presents around this time of year. So, Merry Christmas.

We have a holiday like that in Thedas as well, called Satinalia. I'm not sure where it falls on the calendars here. Merry Christmas, Adam.

Thank you.

[ Cecily's voice is strange-sounding, maybe, as if she's just remembering how to speak. There's exhaustion, clear as day, but it's tinted with guilt, too, when she leaves a message for him the night after everyone had been rescued... or, otherwise. ]

Thom, I... wanted to make sure you're all right. As much as you can be, after-

[ Her stomach still twists painfully, angrily, in remembrance of what had just been done to half the population of Hadriel. ]

I'm sorry I wasn't able to find you. [ The Inquisitor says finally. ] I never stopped digging, and I know you were rescued, but I haven't had the chance to speak with you and let you know that I did try. I wouldn't leave you there, not any of you.

[ Is she rambling? Maker, but she's tired. ]

That's what I wanted to say, really. And I hope you're feeling better.

[Thom does not get back to her right away - mainly because he's finally getting some actual rest at the clinic. Truth be told he would rather be returning to Skyhold mark II, but Bruce is a friendly sort so Rainier's 'I am perfectly fine' contests badly with his desire to not cause trouble for those he's friendly with, so he ends up staying the night there to get rest where there's someone around who can help. When he does answer his voice is thick with sleep but much better from the death warmed over he was earlier thanks to the dehydration.]

Inquisitor - I know you tried. That you weren't the one to find me yourself was a matter of chance, not through any personal failings you might worry about. You kept digging and you found others, and that's what the most important thing is. I never had any doubt that any rescue that was in your power would be done.

[Others were more important than himself, but he assured everyone he spoke to - they would not die down there, they would be found, because he had every faith in Cecily and the rest of her command to not stop until all were found.]

I'm fine, now that I've had water and some real rest. It was ... difficult to sleep down there.

[Rainier's biggest fear has always been himself. Being alone with his thoughts is not a place he likes to be, so he sought communication through the network at every chance to avoid that... which meant sleep was rarely coming.]

[ He sounds better than she'd expected and Cecily breathes a little sigh of relief. He's also alive, which had, of course, been the primary concern. Hopefully, she thinks, he's gone to stay for a while at the clinic where Doctor Banner and any others could attend to him in a way that those from the Inquisition couldn't. ]

I can't even imagine. [ Had any of them slept? They had been, however ironically, barreling toward an eternal sleep, some might say, which twists her stomach sickeningly as it occurs to her.

Safe. They're all safe, now. ]

I hope you'll be well enough soon to return. We've missed you.

[ The four of them have had an even greater sense of camaraderie than in the real Skyhold, somehow, being the only four from Thedas and captive in Hadirel for months, now. It's strange any time one of their number are absent from the borrowed house for any long period of time. ]

Can I do anything for you? Bring anything?

[ "Do anything" besides apologize more, which is what she wants to do, despite his reassurances. ]

[Sure there's things she could do - calm down, understand that there's pretty much nothing she could do that would make Rainier see her as something other than a savior, accept that she's a hero even if she didn't save him personally in this one instance because she saved his soul by giving him an undeserved second chance - but he doesn't bring them up. He almost says 'nothing' but knowing the Inquisitor he's fairly certain that her having a task no mater how inane would make her happier than being told nothing at all.]

There's two things I'm working on, wooden figures, in my room. Should be a small knife I've been using to do detail work there as well - I am going to go damn stir crazy if I don't have something to do with my hands here.

[They're sitting out in the open on the desk, clearly something he had been working on recently of good quality wood (looks like oak - were there oak trees in that forest here? Huh.) - two fist-sized figures. One of a gryphon in flight, the other a miniature replica of all those wolves reclining made of stone that peppered the landscape back home.]

[ He knows her well. Knows that she'd fuss about having nothing to do to help, like a shaken bottle, full of pent-up energy. She deflates a little when he does outfit her with a task, smiling faintly, grateful. ]

That I can do. [ Of course. It's only a small favor, but she's more than happy to do it, to feel a little less helpless than she has this past week. The Inquisitor moves immediately, stepping into his room and retrieving the figures and the room as he's requested before slipping out of their borrowed home. ]

I won't take very long and I'll be there. Can you see me now, or would you rather rest, and I'll stop by later?

Now is perfectly fine, thank you, Inquisitor. If I do manage to fall asleep like an old man I'm sure the doctor here can show you someplace to set them where they won't get knocked over.

[Rainier thinks highly of this Bruce fellow. It's nice to have someone closer in age to talk to as well and the man has a calming presence to him.]

You know, you really don't have to call me Inquisitor. After everything, I think you've more than earned the right to just give my name.

[ There's fondness and amusement in her voice, now overshadowing the guilt. Out the door now, the Inquisitor scoffs. ]

You're also not that older than the rest of us, you know.

I'm sorry, Inquisitor, I'm not sure I heard that. I think my hearing is going. Must be my age and all... [Rainier has gotten very good at joking with a straight face.]

[ dammit, man

Cecily just scoffs, but she's close enough to the clinic now that she doesn't reply. Instead, she enters in person, offering a thin smile when she finds him. ]

I can still leave with these. [ She warns, jokingly, as she deposits the figures and knife gently onto the side table. ] I will, if you test me.

[ If he calls her Inquisitor again right now, anyway. ]

[Rainier would never state to be good at puppy eyes or even do anything other than snort in a vaguely offended manner if accused of such, but really. He sets his phone down and holds up his hands to give her as innocent and remorseful look as he can manage.]

Alright, my apologies, I- [pause] ... Cecily.

[ Oh, don't give her that look. ]

Thank you. [ Really, it is nice to hear her name every once in a while, and she smiles genially at him, settling on the edge of the bed. ]

Is there anything else? I know Doctor Banner can take care of you and all the others, he... seems very capable.

This is more than enough, thank you.

You should get some rest yourself, though. Give someone else a chance to save the world for a change.

I've slept! [ Passed out, really, but that definitely counts.

She chuckles, crossing her arms. ]

I hope you'll make a full recovery before I see you trying to save anything. [ Cecily says, getting to her feet again. ] I expect the members of the Inquisition to be paragons of health, and all that.

[Rainier raises a hand to give her a salute.] I will make sure I won't be a danger to myself and others before I go trying to play hero again. Promise.

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voice; late on the 19th

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