It’s been a long time since Aella’s had much cause or opportunity to join in festivities. To celebrate. Her wedding had almost been, but then her wedding had almost been a lot of fucking things. Including a wedding. And after, becoming a Warden, Loghain’s betrayal and watching everything and everyone at Ostagar get overrun. Nearly dying.

Being the world’s last fucking hope.

It’s sort of a lot. With no reason for festivities or parties. No time, either. Not with all that’s needed to be done. So here? With the weight of Thedas removed from her damn shoulders and no time limit bearing down on her... hell yeah she’s going to dive right into everything. Eating a little and drinking a little and even building an alienage out of snow.

“Really? People do this?” she asks in amusement standing at the edge of the pond. “Jump into frozen fucking waters?” Why not? She strips off most of her layers because she’s going to need to get dressed again later, leaving her clad in tunic and trousers. Laughing and shaking her head, she backs up.... and takes off at a run to LEAP into the icy waters of the lake.

The cold steals her damn breath away, and she surfaces with a gasp.