( Although it comes sealed and addressed to Ench. J., it is apparent the instant that he breaks the seal that the letter was not, in fact, originally intended for his eyes. It is a long and meandering missive from Marius Bellerose, written affectionately from scandalous uncle to only slightly less scandalous niece, carrying on for several pages.
On the last page, Gwenaëlle has taken the time to circle his postscript inquiry as to what and who the enchanter of his brief acquaintance has been doing in Kirkwall. She underlines who. )
On the last page, Gwenaëlle has taken the time to circle his postscript inquiry as to what and who the enchanter of his brief acquaintance has been doing in Kirkwall. She underlines who. )
[A day or so later, a much shorter note returns:]
Lady Vauquelin,
Given the tenor of the rest of the letter and my knowledge of M. Bellerose, I am inclined to believe the postscript a (perhaps poorly considered) joke. That said, he clearly knows where I am. Feel free to direct him to ask me himself, if you wish.
On the other hand, I suppose I still do owe you a visit and perhaps a bit of consideration. If it would make your life easier, I could always let slip a few things for you to pass along when next we speak.
Your obedient,
Ench. J
Lady Vauquelin,
Given the tenor of the rest of the letter and my knowledge of M. Bellerose, I am inclined to believe the postscript a (perhaps poorly considered) joke. That said, he clearly knows where I am. Feel free to direct him to ask me himself, if you wish.
On the other hand, I suppose I still do owe you a visit and perhaps a bit of consideration. If it would make your life easier, I could always let slip a few things for you to pass along when next we speak.
Your obedient,
Ench. J
Enchanter Julius. This is Casimir Lyov,
[ you know, in case a bunch of other nevarran tranquil are blowing up hisphone crystal ]
It's been suggested I speak with you regarding a research project.
[ you know, in case a bunch of other nevarran tranquil are blowing up his
It's been suggested I speak with you regarding a research project.
Casimir, hello. What sort of research project do you have in mind?
i have zero idea what the atticus thing in my last tag was even referencing lmf
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aestivation
- 2017-11-03 06:47 (UTC) - ExpandHA I just rolled with it, *mysterious tranquil things* idk
overharrowed
- 2017-11-10 00:01 (UTC) - ExpandI'm intrigued.
[And resisting the urge to ask 'You, or your uncle?' under the circumstances.]
[And resisting the urge to ask 'You, or your uncle?' under the circumstances.]
...that makes it sound rather as if I've sent out search parties. Considering the fire, I had some ideas for the security of her home I thought might interest her. Why?
Hello, you. I trust the new position isn't making you too exhausted? Or the workload getting you too winded?
Worried about my well-being? I'm touched.
[It's lightly said, genuinely warm enough. But Anders has known Julius long enough that he might catch an undertone of wariness, too, as if he suspects he's been ratted out but doesn't want to tip his hand if he's wrong.]
[It's lightly said, genuinely warm enough. But Anders has known Julius long enough that he might catch an undertone of wariness, too, as if he suspects he's been ratted out but doesn't want to tip his hand if he's wrong.]
Kinloch Hold is not a factor. I just spoke with a Circle mage who never lived there and was displaying symptoms.
Well, I don't know if that's good news, precisely, but it is good to know.
Should we start discreetly checking with other mages, then? We should try to get an idea of how widespread this is.
Should we start discreetly checking with other mages, then? We should try to get an idea of how widespread this is.
I have no immediate plans to do so unless you'd prefer me out from underfoot.
[A pause.]
I have gathered that the upheaval isn't the sort of thing I'm in a position to do much about, but if there is any way I can help.
[He hasn't resorted to listening at keyholes, but he's also not oblivious.]
[A pause.]
I have gathered that the upheaval isn't the sort of thing I'm in a position to do much about, but if there is any way I can help.
[He hasn't resorted to listening at keyholes, but he's also not oblivious.]
Understood. I can be out from underfoot too, assuming that's what you'd prefer?
Or, you know, if you'd prefer me to play at cluelessly obstructionist just long enough to annoy them.
Or, you know, if you'd prefer me to play at cluelessly obstructionist just long enough to annoy them.
Speaking of waylaid phylacteries, the Inquisition does not have yours. I took it. I wish I could have taken more, but at least I have the one. Shall I bring it over?
Maker.
[Faintly. Then, less faintly:]
I would appreciate that very much. I am at your disposal.
[Faintly. Then, less faintly:]
I would appreciate that very much. I am at your disposal.
Enchanter, [ formally. ]
I would like a meeting with you, Knight-Enchanter Voss, Lady Vivas, and Enchanter Elris. Would you be willing to make the introductions?
I would like a meeting with you, Knight-Enchanter Voss, Lady Vivas, and Enchanter Elris. Would you be willing to make the introductions?
Provost.
I can't say I'm entirely surprised. I can't answer for their willingness to speak, but I am happy to make the introductions and ask. Under the circumstances, I can't blame them for being wary of the four of us gathering if they are, but I think your calm speaks for itself.
[Of the people this request might have come from, Thranduil is a better option than many.]
I can't say I'm entirely surprised. I can't answer for their willingness to speak, but I am happy to make the introductions and ask. Under the circumstances, I can't blame them for being wary of the four of us gathering if they are, but I think your calm speaks for itself.
[Of the people this request might have come from, Thranduil is a better option than many.]
I'm glad to hear you've returned. Would tomorrow suit? I've an office in the central Gallows tower, I expect to be working most of the day, so I'm at your disposal.
[There's a pair of grey, warm, sturdy socks that have orange tabby cats stitched into them. With them is a scrap of parchment that bears the letters A.H.]
Enchanter Julius,
[ the title's fishing more than anything. ]
I need to submit an official request that you dye your hair black. Ink will manage.
[ the title's fishing more than anything. ]
I need to submit an official request that you dye your hair black. Ink will manage.
Edited 2018-10-07 03:10 (UTC)
...may I ask for elaboration on the reasoning?
Enchanter Julius...whenever you have a moment, I'd like for us to speak. I have no preference as to over the crystal or in person, though if the latter you're welcome to share in my tea break.
Inessa, I've always time for you. And, in fact, I suspect I'm overdue for a break myself.
[Not that he's at all prone to forgetting to take them, of course.]
I'll be there directly, if you were planning to take it soon?
[Not that he's at all prone to forgetting to take them, of course.]
I'll be there directly, if you were planning to take it soon?
[There's a brief pause, before he replies. Quiet, a bit tired:]
I suspect you meant at least some of it. And you apologized at the time.
[For some of it.]
I suspect you meant at least some of it. And you apologized at the time.
[For some of it.]
Of course. I'm at your disposal. Should I assume it is a matter best discussed in person?
Do you know, my mother used to call me the Fifth Blight.
[ she didn't. hello julius, good morning ]
[ she didn't. hello julius, good morning ]
Very endearing.
[He resists the urge to ask whether she would have upped it to sixth once it was necessary.]
What brings you to me, bearing childhood anecdotes?
[He resists the urge to ask whether she would have upped it to sixth once it was necessary.]
What brings you to me, bearing childhood anecdotes?
Of course. Give me just a moment.
[There's a sound of a few things being moved, a door closing.]
What's on your mind?
[His tone is cautious, neither particularly warm nor cool.]
[There's a sound of a few things being moved, a door closing.]
What's on your mind?
[His tone is cautious, neither particularly warm nor cool.]
Of course. It's good to hear from you.
[Is it?]
I trust the provost's wife isn't on fire?
[Hasn't set anyone else on fire. Potato, potahto.]
[Is it?]
I trust the provost's wife isn't on fire?
[Hasn't set anyone else on fire. Potato, potahto.]
[ At some point, while Julius is working, which he presumably does with some frequency, Bastien knocks on the doorframe. He doesn't wait for an answer before he ducks into the office to place a bottle of wine on the desk in front of the Enchanter, then turns it so the label (decent, but not overly so) is facing him, adjusts the little decorative hay-string bow tied around the neck of the bottle, and adds a stone cup with a little lid next to it. There are spices inside, but. Lid. ]
It is a funny story, I think, [ Bastien says in the midst of these adjustments—finicky, like he's leaving a mysterious gift to be discovered in an empty office, rather than setting it up right in front of the man.
But does he look like someone who breaks into offices? Absolutely not. ]
Someone put the Vint prisoner's name in my box. Captain Flint drew him, but he said, ah. Absolutely not. To paraphrase. So I bought him a gift myself. But then he is in no condition to go shopping for the person he draws, of course, so—
[ So he could have just given Flint Julius' name and left Benedict to stare at the ceiling. But here they are. ]
The bow is from the hay in his cell.
It is a funny story, I think, [ Bastien says in the midst of these adjustments—finicky, like he's leaving a mysterious gift to be discovered in an empty office, rather than setting it up right in front of the man.
But does he look like someone who breaks into offices? Absolutely not. ]
Someone put the Vint prisoner's name in my box. Captain Flint drew him, but he said, ah. Absolutely not. To paraphrase. So I bought him a gift myself. But then he is in no condition to go shopping for the person he draws, of course, so—
[ So he could have just given Flint Julius' name and left Benedict to stare at the ceiling. But here they are. ]
The bow is from the hay in his cell.
[Julius regards these adjustments with mild bemusement but glances up at Bastien once he speaks.]
An awkward joke, [presumably of whoever put Benedict's name in the drawing in the first place.] But graciously handled all around. The hay is a nice touch.
[Now he might be actively trying not to laugh, but he's good enough at it that it's hard to tell.]
Would you like to stay and have a cup with me, or have you pressing business elsewhere? Beyond the omnipresent threat to the world, of course.
An awkward joke, [presumably of whoever put Benedict's name in the drawing in the first place.] But graciously handled all around. The hay is a nice touch.
[Now he might be actively trying not to laugh, but he's good enough at it that it's hard to tell.]
Would you like to stay and have a cup with me, or have you pressing business elsewhere? Beyond the omnipresent threat to the world, of course.
Edited 2019-12-04 17:52 (UTC)
Enchanter Julius.
[ It's a respectable after supper sort of hour, when Marcus sends his message, but the season makes it darker still. ]
If you've the evening to yourself, I'd invite you to share a drink and a conversation. Or a plate at the tavern, if you've yet to eat.
[ It's a respectable after supper sort of hour, when Marcus sends his message, but the season makes it darker still. ]
If you've the evening to yourself, I'd invite you to share a drink and a conversation. Or a plate at the tavern, if you've yet to eat.
[They're back to titles now, evidently.]
Senior Enchanter. I haven't yet eaten, in fact. Shall we have dinner? I'm almost done with this letter, and then I can meet you at your convenience.
Senior Enchanter. I haven't yet eaten, in fact. Shall we have dinner? I'm almost done with this letter, and then I can meet you at your convenience.
[ For project leads, there is always paperwork. Some of it is even useful and necessary, in addition to unavoidable, and Ilias does not mind the rhythm of it so much, but the idea it must be done in isolation, with no one and nothing else to occupy one's mind, is occasionally intolerable to him.
Tonight, finding himself not the only one still burning candles on the seventh floor, Ilias has brought his to the Project Jeshavis office, along with a bottle of wine in apology for the intrusion. It isn't much of one, at that; cups filled and niceties exchanged, he's content for the company without creating distraction, but as the work wears on distraction eventually finds him nonetheless. Gaze caught on the worn edge of a report, thumb at the fold of a corner, he asks, ]
May I ask your thoughts— that is, if you have ever given much credence to the Chantry's prescription that mages ought not form relationships at all.
Tonight, finding himself not the only one still burning candles on the seventh floor, Ilias has brought his to the Project Jeshavis office, along with a bottle of wine in apology for the intrusion. It isn't much of one, at that; cups filled and niceties exchanged, he's content for the company without creating distraction, but as the work wears on distraction eventually finds him nonetheless. Gaze caught on the worn edge of a report, thumb at the fold of a corner, he asks, ]
May I ask your thoughts— that is, if you have ever given much credence to the Chantry's prescription that mages ought not form relationships at all.
[Julius looks up, surprised -- not that the question would be on Ilias' mind, or any mage's, but that it's being asked aloud. To him. He gives it a moment's thought, not because he's never considered it himself but because he's trying to work out what he wants to say on the subject.]
I suppose it depends on what one means by giving it credence. Before the Circles fell, and arguably even now, there are practical considerations to bear in mind. But I think that's different from believing relationships are inherently dangerous.
I suppose it depends on what one means by giving it credence. Before the Circles fell, and arguably even now, there are practical considerations to bear in mind. But I think that's different from believing relationships are inherently dangerous.
( it isn't unusual for julius to find petra still sitting up awake when he comes to bed, however late it might be, but there is something particular about the way she lowers the comb that she's been working through her hair and points it at him from where she's sat in their blankets— )
I had thought this outpost at least was past threatening mages for the crime of performing magic in any capacity, but today I was proven wrong.
( which is a promising opener, although if it were an immediate threat she'd probably be informing him somewhat differently. )
I had thought this outpost at least was past threatening mages for the crime of performing magic in any capacity, but today I was proven wrong.
( which is a promising opener, although if it were an immediate threat she'd probably be informing him somewhat differently. )
[It's certainly an arresting opening. His eyebrows raise, but he comes to sit on the bed near her.]
Who?
[...seems to be the most immediate question.]
Who?
[...seems to be the most immediate question.]
Ser Julius.
[ More preamble than most get, not that he'd know. ]
I've narrowed down the possibles to just you and Ser Marcus and I'm thinking that in order to decide, I need to compare your teaching styles. When would you have time to give me a quick lesson, as a sort of...demonstration?
[ She's also trying very hard to sound more refined than usual, which he might have a better chance of recognizing since he's likely been witness to her nonsense from time to time. ]
[ More preamble than most get, not that he'd know. ]
I've narrowed down the possibles to just you and Ser Marcus and I'm thinking that in order to decide, I need to compare your teaching styles. When would you have time to give me a quick lesson, as a sort of...demonstration?
[ She's also trying very hard to sound more refined than usual, which he might have a better chance of recognizing since he's likely been witness to her nonsense from time to time. ]
...this is what you get when I go through my inbox in chronological order
overharrowed
2020-02-18 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course. Would later this afternoon do? And do you prefer reading or figures, for a demonstration?
[In theory, he's happy for either of them to teach her, so long as she gets the education she's after. But a small competitive streak is hard to entirely suppress. He wants a little bit of time to prepare.]
[In theory, he's happy for either of them to teach her, so long as she gets the education she's after. But a small competitive streak is hard to entirely suppress. He wants a little bit of time to prepare.]
Their lessons don't always take place in the library. Sometimes they happen in Julius' office. And other times Athessa manages to make an argument for taking the lesson outside, or at least into one of the gardens for a change of scenery.
But this time was in the library, so none of that really matters outside of flavor. Though she fell behind during her month in the jungle, and only managed to sneak one lesson in before spending nearly the same amount of time in Orlais, she's making up time quite well. Her writing hasn't backslid into chicken-scratch because she's been practicing, and her reading has stayed where it is because she hasn't been practicing.
With the lesson finished, Athessa tips her chair back on its hind legs and lets her gaze drift over the nearest shelves of books. There are so many, about topics unknown, but she seems to remember something that prompts:
"People write a lot about love, don't they?"
But this time was in the library, so none of that really matters outside of flavor. Though she fell behind during her month in the jungle, and only managed to sneak one lesson in before spending nearly the same amount of time in Orlais, she's making up time quite well. Her writing hasn't backslid into chicken-scratch because she's been practicing, and her reading has stayed where it is because she hasn't been practicing.
With the lesson finished, Athessa tips her chair back on its hind legs and lets her gaze drift over the nearest shelves of books. There are so many, about topics unknown, but she seems to remember something that prompts:
"People write a lot about love, don't they?"
He glances at the shelf she's looking at, to see if any particular titles jump out.
"...they do, I suppose. I admit, I've never particularly thought about it in contrast with any other topic. What makes you ask?"
Not that he can't think of reasons she might; there are too many for him to successfully guess without context.
"...they do, I suppose. I admit, I've never particularly thought about it in contrast with any other topic. What makes you ask?"
Not that he can't think of reasons she might; there are too many for him to successfully guess without context.
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