•||• Melori » Dragon Age: Inquisition

[laselgar]

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♬ .||. Finding the right notes

[laselgar]

[ Her faith in humanity has been vastly restored in recent days- literally. Their clan had sent one of their own off the the conclave ages ago, and there'd been no word for a rather long time until after the destruction of the conclave. She'd worried for Almros for days beyond counting, it felt like, until finally one day scouts from the Inquisition appeared near their lands bearing gifts, and news.

It seemed as if their clan became a household name almost overnight, the clan of the Herald of Andraste, the clan of the Inquisitor. It brought attention to them, and not all of it for good...

First there'd been the bandits, suspiciously well armed and precise in their targeting of their caravans and camps. It hadn't taken long for the situation to escalate, and when the Keeper sent word to Almros there'd been a nervous hope that aide would come, but if it ever did it was far too late. Their people were scattered to the winds, many missing, dead, or worse... Somehow Melori and the Keeper had managed to escape the bloodbath, and they'd written one final, desperate missive, entrusting it to her to find a way to deliver to Almros before they'd separated and she'd found herself alone.

After weeks she finally managed to send word ahead, and after, a frantic flight for Ferelden, for the mountains that the Inquisiton was rumored to have made its home.

It's all a bit of a blur, honestly. Maybe the shock of the loss they'd suffered, or the sudden, acute loneliness drove everything else from her mind, but the only thing that Melori could clearly remember from those days traveling south were a few elven ruins she'd discovered along the way, and a few close calls. Honestly, she's happy to put it behind her- parts of it. She'd found Almros, and she's alive, after all, and she owes it to their clan to carry on, to remember. They both do.

Besides, since arriving at Skyhold she's met no shortage of fascinating people, human, qunari, other elves, dwarves- it's been a good experience on the whole, helping her to recover from the trauma. Some of that she knows she owes to Almros' station as the leader of the Inquisition. His people were quick to ensure that she was looked after, wounds tended, needs seen to, and quarters provided. At times it almost seemed unfair to be enjoying such luxuries when so many of their clansmen were dead or missing, but the Inquisition was making efforts to find any surviving members of clan Lavellan, so it was a start at least... as for Melori, she could do little more than hope and recover. Maybe eventually she would work up the strength and the courage to go help the search efforts, but in the meantime she remained in the fortress learning of Almros' exploits and the people he'd come to work with.

Of specific note, the leader of the Inquisition forces, Commander Cullen. For a while the interactions between the two were minimal. He was busy with his duties (of which there seemed to be no end) and she was convinced it would be better to stay out of the way. That changed one day on the battlements.

Ever since she was a child Melori had always had a fondness for high places. She would find the tallest trees in whatever woods the aravels stopped in, whenever they turned to the forest. If she weren't found in the middle of a sunlit glade then she was up high in the branches playing her pipes. That day was no different, with her resting atop one of the stone structures as easily as one would sit in a chair at the table for supper. She'd no way of knowing that she would draw such attention, or that she'd unwittingly picked the rampart just outside of the commander's office. When she began to play the music carried down through the grate, and through the wooden door. It was heard in the courtyard below as the wind caught the tune and carried it throughout Skyhold. Eventually people were drawn to the sound, and while most only lingered long enough to enjoy a few notes, the Commander had taken the time to strike up a conversation.

She's not sure at what point, exactly, it had become a routine, but it did. Some days she'd find his door propped just so when she came up, a silent invitation to come inside, that he had a few moments to spare to speak. Other days she would content herself to sit between the stone structures on the wall of the walkway and play, knowing that he could hear it, but far enough away that she wouldn't distract him from his work. He always seems to have something in his hands, some task or worry written across his face. She hopes that her music helps.

Apparently others in Skyhold had taken notice of their interactions, too. Melori might have been oblivious to the whispers in the barracks or among the staff, but whether or not Cullen was remained to be seen. When several of the women from the kitchens sought her out on her way from the dining hall and offered her a basket laden with drink and light treats, suggesting she find someone to share it with, she was oblivious to their intent and secretive smiles, even as she perked up with the idea. Cullen could likely use a reprieve from all his papers and books, yes? It was perfect.

With her thanks, the blonde took her leave once again, never any wiser.

Moments later she had passed through the Rotunda, past the watchful and curious gazes of Solas and Dorian, and across the walkway, under the moonlight, until finally she arrived at the Commander's door. Freeing one hand she gave a few gentle knocks on the wood and waited to see if he would answer. ]