pullmeoutalive | Ramey

[ Suspension of disbelief is not necessarily something that comes easily to Cullen. It has, unfortunately, been a necessity as of late, given the enormous hole that had rent the sky in two and the demons that had come pouring through. Monsters and magic and ancient, impossible things tended to do wonders for one's concept of the world, and considering all of the terrors that have dropped into Thedas since the Breach was opened, what's one more absurdity?

A man who calls himself "Arthur" counts as one such absurdity, and with his appearance in the cells below Skyhold, Cullen finds he's reminded briefly of the Inquisitor's own emergence in the wake of the disaster at the Conclave. Sudden and strange and inexplicable, and much like the Inquisitor, he had to suffer interrogation at the hands of Cassandra and Leliana. Not a fate he would wish on many, but in the presence of the Inquisitor, it wasn't brutal — more baffling than anything, with a slew of unfamiliar names and places. They don't trust him, even after it becomes clear he's just as puzzled as they are, but leaving him in a guarded room seems to be the Inquisitor's preference while they try to sort things out for themselves.

At the very least, a consultation with Solas revealed that the man did not, in fact, appear to be any sort of demon or otherwise that may have come pouring out of a Rift, but rather, some unfortunate soul as displaced as so many things in these trying times — though perhaps he's farther displaced than many (by a few dimensions or so). Solas seems absolutely fascinated rather than wary, and though Cullen isn't certain that bodes well, it doesn't have them up in arms.

Fortunately, it proved quickly that if Arthur intended them any harm, he wasn't in any rush to see it done. They give him (largely) free reign of Skyhold, and though there's still many a suspicious look thrown his way, he hasn't proved to be disruptive (much to Cullen's relief, because of the multitude of concerns he's currently juggling, he'd prefer Arthur not be one of them).

One such concern comes in the form of Sera, bleeding and swearing like she's managed to forget every other word in the common tongue that isn't some kind of profanity, and while some might take that to be a decent sign, the Inquisitor looks grim. It takes a good deal for that level of immovable concern to displace the Inquisitor's usual blithe quips, and apparently, seeing Sera in such pain is more than enough for it.

An attempted discussion over strategy in the courtyard quickly becomes a scramble for help, with voices calling over each other in search of the surgeon, of a healer, anyone who would see to Sera's wounds. Unfortunately, it was becoming abundantly clear that whatever hands may have been in Skyhold were not available.

Cullen catches the Inquisitor's eye, and there's a brief, fierce moment when Cullen thinks he might see something genuinely like fear in their leader's face.

... The Inquisitor is only a man, but he's a man Cullen doesn't care to see so shaken.

As Cullen abandons his maps and strategy near the small grouping of scouts, he starts to walk past the Inquisitor — only to be halted by a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Fix this."

Cullen pauses, if only for a moment, before offering a curt nod of acknowledgement — and a promise, all the same.

He's in the middle of receiving a quick report of who and what they have at their disposal currently and where the nearest healer can be found, when a flash of a face that's quickly becoming familiar appears in his peripheral vision. He looks away from one of his men, turning just as Arthur demands his book.

Ah, yes, the spellbook. ]

It's locked somewhere safe, I assure you.

[ Out of your reach, being the unspoken implication there. ]

Edited (did u know it is 4am and i do not know how english works) 2017-05-28 10:17 (UTC)

[ Arthur does his level best to stay out of everyone's way, to be respectful because he's aware that his life is very much in their hands. But right now time is of the essence, and beating around the bush will do no one any favors. ]

I'm a healer, Commander. I have the means to help your friend, but I require that book.

[ Well, now. That has certainly presented him with a painfully muddy conundrum. On the one hand, if they thought Arthur could be trusted with his book, he'd have it already. On the other, the news he's been presented about the state of their available healers is... not heartening. ]

... I think you can understand what reservations I may have with simply handing it over to you.

I'm well aware, which is why I haven't asked for it before now.

[ He waves a hand, motioning to the chaos ]

But you and I both know that you have very little options right now.

[ The worst part is that Arthur is absolutely right. They have no one on hand, not quickly enough to get to Sera immediately — and she needs help now. Cullen can still hear her swearing loudly from the infirmary, a bitten back yell followed up by a snapped, "Watch that stupid bandage before I stick it up your— fucking cock!" Another day, Cullen would have rolled his eyes, but there's such a distinct note of pain in her voice when it breaks on a curse.

Not good.

A heavy sigh, and then he waves over one of his men, turning from Arthur to give a short order. ]

Go to the Undercroft. Have Dagna give you the book she's kept under guard.

[ To be studied, of course; Arthur's magic comes differently from the mages of their world, and Dagna had practically pleaded with the Inquisitor to let her get a look. They trusted her with it, after all, so it made perfect sense to leave it in her charge.

The soldier scampers off to fetch the book, and Cullen looks back at Arthur with something steely and untrusting in his gaze. ]

Do not make me regret this.

[ Arthur will take the concession, backhanded as it is. Even in the face of the man's blatant distrust, Arthur knows that as a healer, if this woman were to die while he stood by and did nothing, he would never forgive himself. ]

I'll mend her wound and hand the book right back, if that would make you feel any better.

It would, actually.

[ It's a pointed reply, because Cullen has no need to be coy about his lack of faith in Arthur — he hasn't, after all, had any demonstration of why they should trust him, other than the fact that he hasn't yet tried to betray them.

Now is, unfortunately, not a trusting time.

But his soldier is quick, and he's soon returning with the spellbook under his arm, which he initially presents to Cullen. Instead, Cullen nods towards Arthur, and the soldier turns to offer it to the other man. ]

Will this be quick?

[ Arthur’s codex is nothing terribly fancy to look at, but it’s clearly well-loved, and he would admit that having it back in his hands, even temporarily, is something of a comfort.

But there’s no time to dwell on it, really. ]

As quick as I can manage it.

[ He has no doubt that Cullen will follow him as he turns and heads into the infirmary where the Elezen- sorry, elf, rather- is still cursing up a storm. What a charming young lady.

He pushes his way past the people tending to her and the people around just to gawk with only token apologies, and when he crouches at her bedside, the look she gives him is one of confusion as well as blatant suspicion. Arthur tries for his best reassuring smile, though he’s not too certain it works.

Even with the simple dressing on the wound, Arthur can tell it’s a bad one, blood already seeping through the bandages. He’s only ever met Sera in passing, but she’s a few shades paler than normal. ]

I know, I’m probably the last person you expected to see here.

[ As he speaks, he takes his book in one hand, letting it fall open- he’s used this spell enough that even the book seems to have its placement memorized. Arthur draws his fingers across the pages, which begin to glow with green and blue light, and strange geometric shapes in striking orange. Arthur is too focused on his work to pay any mind to the reactions of anyone else in the room, and with a wave of his hand, the same sort of light gathers over Sera’s wound.

Arthur focuses his attention there, willing the ragged hole to close, the damage to mend as he focuses his power into the spell.

(And not for the first time, Arthur feels like he gets a glimpse of fluttering wings and golden light. The barest echoes of the Nymian fae of which he’s read so much, but never seen himself.)

After a very long few moments, Sera seems to relax, the pain and tension easing out of her with a sigh. Arthur draws his hand away from the book, letting the light die down. The bandage may still be bloody, but underneath is only a small pink patch of mended flesh.

That done, Arthur stands, snapping his book shut and offering over to Cullen in one motion. ]

[ There's a tension in the air as Arthur makes his way through the throngs of people to the infirmary, uneasy stares and watchful eyes fixed on the book in his hand. Despite having vouched for the man, even the Inquisitor's attention is hawklike as he looks from Arthur to Cullen. The Commander offers a solemn nod, short and hopefully reassuring — though perhaps the hand still resting on the pommel of his sword might allay more of the Inquisitor's uncertainty; Cullen is nearby, ready to act if this happens to bite them in the ass, but... he'd rather it didn't come to that.

(But he's seen the worst of magic, and he's far less willing to blindly trust something new and unfamiliar, even if what Arthur has offered is help.

Unfortunately, their options are exceedingly limited at this point.)

He isn't the only one watching intently as light and shapes begin to emanate from Arthur's book, and though they all seem stiff, on their guard, no one moves forward to stop him or take the codex away. Instead, they let the spell do its work, and much to the relief of everyone still in the infirmary, they can see Sera's wound closing over.

After a few drawn-out moments, the light vanishes and Sera slumps with relief back against her bedroll. ]

Think I'll keep everyone else on the pointy end next time, yeah?

[ There's a communal sigh as the near-palpable tension starts to dissipate, and the Inquisitor returns to Sera's side to check on her as Cullen turns his attention back to Arthur and the proffered book. ]

... Well, then.

[ Cullen reaches out to take the tome (because while he's impressed, he's not inclined to let Arthur keep it just yet). ]

Perhaps thanks are in order.

[ They most certainly are. ]

[ Arthur lets Cullen take the book without argument, offering only a small shake of his head. ]

If anything, I should be thanking you for placing your trust in me.

[ Cullen tucks the book securely in the crook of his arm, casing Arthur a somewhat dry look. ]

Given how little choice I had, I’m afraid I can’t necessarily claim it was an act of good faith.

[ Their resources being what they were, it largely came down to “how much did he want to risk Sera’s life” — and with the Inquisitor breathing down his neck and the condition the elf appeared to be in, the answer was “not nearly as much as he might otherwise.” ]

So— thank you.

[ There’s a tug of something at the corner of his lips that might be a smile — though there isn’t much in the way of joy in it. ]

I’m sure you’ll soon find yourself beset with more thanks than only my own.

Considering my current circumstances, I’ll take whatever I can get.

[ Not that he was hoping for someone to become gravely injured for a chance at saving them, but whether by choice or desperation, that little bit of trust was a welcome change from the constant suspicion. ]

I don’t do what I do for the thank-yous, Commander, so if it’s all the same to you, I would rather extract myself while I can.

I don’t blame you at all.

[ Which is entirely true. Cullen doesn’t do well with genuine gratitude either, not when he’s lived so much of his life in service to the Chantry.

Templars, after all, don’t work for the expectation of thanks.

(Especially since they’ll rarely find it.) ]

Then you might want to—

[ —go quickly, is what he was about to say, but before he can finish his sentence, a familiar voice comes up beside them, and the Inquisitor claps a hand on Arthur’s shoulder. ]

Maker’s breath, but I’ve never seen anything like that. An incredible show of magic, truly. We are in your debt, Ser.

[ Cullen straightens up respectfully as the Inquisitor stands next to them, though he does offer Arthur something that might almost look apologetic for not letting him beat a hasty retreat sooner. ]

Ramey > open rp

the latest loser it is me

why the hell were you still awake at 4???

why the hell am i still awake at 2

g i r l

i have no control of my sleep schedule apparently

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