Veilguarding - an open post for DAV AU shenanigans

[smartass_captain]

It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. Masterpost for Dragon Age Veilguard AU overflow + psls

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[smartass_captain]

"Good morning." Perhaps reacting to his hesitation, Neve chooses not to stick around and chat the sorta-Crow sorta-Warden up for the time being. But she spotted the way he took Jim's hand for comfort. That part seems to be genuine. Interesting.

"Who, Neve?" Jim turns and glances over his shoulder at the mage retreating while they make for the double doors leading to outside. "You get used to her. And ah. If you haven't been outside here yet. Stick close to me. I had vertigo for about a week after we first got here..."

Jim shoves open the doors and brings Illario out into the open Fade where the Lighthouse grounds spill out. The rock feels steady underfoot, but by all appearances they're Very High Up no matter what edge one looks out over.

"I can point out where everyone's staying on the way."

[the_other_dellamorte]

Not having to chat is a relief. He could perhaps have managed it with Taash or Harding, or the professor. They seem more inclined to forgive him, because he's good for Jim, or at least he makes Jim sleep. They probably aren't totally trusting of him yet, and that's good. Sensible. But Neve? Davrin? Lucanis? He dreads having to face them, especially when he doesn't have any of his usual shields to hide behind.

"I don't think she wants to get used to me. And I don't blame her..." He murmurs, as they get closer to the doors. Whatever he's expecting isn't this, the buildings around the ruined courtyard, the giant Fen'harel statue, the crowd of buildings surrounding the ruined cobbled courtyard. The buildings surrounding the courtyard that just... float. As does the little island with a tree on it. And a greenhouse. And-

"We are in the Fade, aren't we?" He murmurs, staying close to Jim despite the urge to go look at the edge, just to see what might be down there.

[smartass_captain]

"Don't be too quick to judge. She's got some...interesting. Allies. Back in Tevinter." Jim claps Illario on the arm and then leaves it there to lead the man off gently. There's a vicious, selfish part of him that says it doesn't matter what the others think. But Jim knows he has to be reasonable. He's got hope that the others will understand that the former Crow has changed.

Just like Lucanis wanted when he asked Jim to look in on Illario's rehabilitation.

He slows when he can feel Illario lagging. Just stands next to him to offer support. Andraste knows he certainly felt unsteady up here the first couple of times he went outside. Until he got used to all of this.

"Yeah. Sure are. A stable section of it though. This is...was? Solas' old safe house."

[the_other_dellamorte]

Illario seems about to make some comment about allies being entirely different to obvious enemies, but he doesn't get a chance with the courtyard revealled to him and the revelation of where they actually are.

There's a soft curse in Antivan, and while he stays close to Jim, he isn't overly frightened. He does turn, looking back up at the main Lighthouse building, the gold glittering in the light, the spinning, turning tower absolutely incredible- and he is well used to Minrathous' floating buildings.

"Its incredible." He says, looking back to Jim and then glancing towards the nearest edge, the one by the path towards what looks like a greenhouse. He steps towards the edge, sure-footed as a cat, and peers over the edge.

"Cavolo sacro di Andraste- there is nothing down there, is there?"

[smartass_captain]

"Right? You're handling this better than I did." Jim says with a slow grin. His vertigo had been so bad he'd had to sit down on the steps with his head between his legs for a little while there. It took weeks before he stopped getting dizzy every time he came out. And now that it's passed? Jim loves strolling out here. There's such a sense of majesty and peace he can't get anywhere back in Thedas.

As if they'd jumped out into the stars themselves and found a little home just for themselves. Not that time ever appears to move much in there.

"Neve theorizes there might be something down there. Emmerich says that Down may be subjective...but the collective opinion is to not throw anything to test it lest we end up raining a stone on some unsuspecting sod halfway across Thedas by accident. Or ourselves. Bellara mentioned that might be possible if the space was cyclical."

[the_other_dellamorte]

Illario might, at that moment, have been considering dropping something just to see how far it went, where it got to, but at Jim's words he sighs and straightens up. He's got no fear of heights- in fact, heights can't hurt you. Nor can falling. It's the ground that does all the damage, but people walk on it all the time. He will have to explore it. Perhaps with some rope, and a strong anchor, he can get over the side and see what is below the Lighthouse itself... maybe Lucanis might be willing to help with that.

"Rather than drop a rock- maybe a handkerchief? A note?" He asks, as he goes back to Jim and links their hands together again. "If it falls from the sky, it's not about to kill someone. Although I suppose the wind might take it somewhere." A shrug, but then another thought dawns. "Maybe it won't go anywhere- is time even passing here?"

Might be a question to ask the more scholarly ones, but if the light doesn't change... well. He doesn't know. This is very much outside of his remit.

[smartass_captain]

"Now that's a good idea." Jim claps Illario on the upper arm with an enthusiastic grin. He leans over next to the other to peer down into the swirling abyss of the Fade with an inquisitive sort of nod then backs back up again, "Make sure you let the others know when you try it. I"m sure at Least all the mages are going to want to take notes."

"Me...? Well I reckon Taash and Harding are going to want to take bets instead. I just want to see how it all works out."

With a tap at Illario's arm, Jim gestures further back to the furthest building from the lighthouse on their little isle.

"This is where the dining room and food stores are. Lucanis spends most of his time here. He never admitted to it, but it's the furthest place in the Lighthouse away from the Eluvian, so if Spite acts out...we've got time to stop him. Less of a problem these days, but old habits die hard."

[the_other_dellamorte]

"I might simply give them the idea to try- I don't know if they wpuld feel comfortable-" he begins then drops the matter, and instead offers a little bit of a smile. "I was thinking of taking a rope and going over the edge myself. Just to have a little look. We call it discesa in corda doppia- I've never found out what the Common translation would be."

He doesn't know if that idea will excite or worry Jim. Perhaps both. But as his love taps his shoulder, Illario takes his hand again and heads with him toward the building opposite.

"It looks defensible. Only one- ah no, two doors. It is very much the nest he would pick even before... everything." Illario murmurs, trying not to let the idea of before Spite choke him. He has ruined so much. But he tries to put a brave face on it. Jim has so much to worry about he doesn't need to shoulder Illario's too.

"Lets get you some coffee amore. You deserve it."

A good place to wrap? Make room for new threads perhaps *eyes emoji intensifies*

[smartass_captain]

"Abseiling perhaps? Tempting fate, if not." Jim doesn't seem aghast by the suggestion at least. If Anything he seems almost too curious. Probably unwise to put the idea in his head when Illario is going back to the Wardens again. Who knows what kind of trouble Jim could get into without Illario there to help ensure his safety?

"Two doors, but I'm not really certain how anyone would make use of the side door. He stays in the pantry besides. Only one access to that room." Jim hums thoughtfully to the explanation. It makes sense now Illario spells it out. Jim was always more concerned with Spite being the motivator, but it seems like that might not be the case.

"We'll fuel up nice and good and then see what's there to tackle."