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Right. And if no apostates are affected, that greatly strengthens the [deeply unnerving] phylactery theory.
I'll start asking discreetly, with people I know. I'll assume you and Anders are doing the same.
[Poor Colin doesn't need to be extra terrified by forcing him to talk to a lot of mages he doesn't know.]
I'll start asking discreetly, with people I know. I'll assume you and Anders are doing the same.
[Poor Colin doesn't need to be extra terrified by forcing him to talk to a lot of mages he doesn't know.]
Edited (html) 2018-02-04 02:02 (UTC)
Very well.
[ a neglected bastard, and fond of gwenaelle. a ruthless man might make dangerous work of the position; even so, there are limits to the paranoia she’ll allow. his name was freely enough given that digging is unlike to reveal much — most secrets are better-kept than the vauquelins’ shambles.
a neglected bastard, and more pressing: his companion. the pieces fit ill, but perhaps that's only for the frame of the broader puzzle, already jammed full of faces without rhyme or reason. she can't complain. the gridlock's half her own making. ]
Thank you, Enchanter. I apologize for the abrupt nature of the inquiry. If there is aught you require upon your return, do not hesitate to ask.
[ a neglected bastard, and fond of gwenaelle. a ruthless man might make dangerous work of the position; even so, there are limits to the paranoia she’ll allow. his name was freely enough given that digging is unlike to reveal much — most secrets are better-kept than the vauquelins’ shambles.
a neglected bastard, and more pressing: his companion. the pieces fit ill, but perhaps that's only for the frame of the broader puzzle, already jammed full of faces without rhyme or reason. she can't complain. the gridlock's half her own making. ]
Thank you, Enchanter. I apologize for the abrupt nature of the inquiry. If there is aught you require upon your return, do not hesitate to ask.
Indeed. The more information we have, the clearer this picture will be...however unsettling.
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.]
I don't...think so. I've been disinherited by the Empress.
( add that to the list of things she hates celene for, and whoever the fuck told her—
he can find out why for himself, if he listens to the gossip. it's been getting easier, talking about guenievre, but this is not that. this is not easy at all. )
( add that to the list of things she hates celene for, and whoever the fuck told her—
he can find out why for himself, if he listens to the gossip. it's been getting easier, talking about guenievre, but this is not that. this is not easy at all. )
Maker. My condolences.
[For all they aren't precisely close, it's sincerely meant.]
I can be ready to leave quickly if it comes to that, but I'm in no hurry to abandon ship before it's necessary. As long as you have use of the place, I'm glad enough to go on protecting it.
[For all they aren't precisely close, it's sincerely meant.]
I can be ready to leave quickly if it comes to that, but I'm in no hurry to abandon ship before it's necessary. As long as you have use of the place, I'm glad enough to go on protecting it.
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.
My apologies for a poor attempt at whistling in the dark on your behalf. I wouldn't have actually.
Is there anything you need for now?
Is there anything you need for now?
( gwenaëlle is dramatic on a good day; the last few days have not been good. it's a work in progress that she doesn't snap at the apology, too—
he is being quite kind. it isn't his fault she would like to test her claws on anything in range. )
No.
( a beat. )
—thank you.
he is being quite kind. it isn't his fault she would like to test her claws on anything in range. )
No.
( a beat. )
—thank you.
As you say.
[He might have left it there, but eventually decides on:]
I'm certain you have those closer to you to lean on, but I shared your home for a time. If you think of something you need in the future... the offer stands.
[Julius had not at all meant to get attached. He blames the fact she takes such good care of her dog. That is certainly why.]
[He might have left it there, but eventually decides on:]
I'm certain you have those closer to you to lean on, but I shared your home for a time. If you think of something you need in the future... the offer stands.
[Julius had not at all meant to get attached. He blames the fact she takes such good care of her dog. That is certainly why.]
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.
Where to, exactly? I understand the living situation has changed slightly, but I've not heard where you landed.
Indeed. Back in the Gallows again, sixth floor of the former mage tower. I'm here now, but we can arrange another time if it's more convenient.
I'm on my way.
[And sure enough, about fifteen minutes later there's a knock on the door by a mage who has his other hand jammed deeply in his pocket. He'd have no complaints if what's held there is prematurely broken, but there would be an issue if someone saw it. Somehow. Even though it's in the pocket and not capable of jumping out.
...He's a little paranoid about the phylacteries.]
[And sure enough, about fifteen minutes later there's a knock on the door by a mage who has his other hand jammed deeply in his pocket. He'd have no complaints if what's held there is prematurely broken, but there would be an issue if someone saw it. Somehow. Even though it's in the pocket and not capable of jumping out.
...He's a little paranoid about the phylacteries.]
[In this case, at least, not without some reason; Julius lets him in and closes the door again before he speaks.]
...thank you. Really, I -- it's more than I expected.
[It wasn't a choice without risk, and both of them know it. Julius certainly wouldn't have thought any less of Anders if he'd confided it to securing his own.]
...thank you. Really, I -- it's more than I expected.
[It wasn't a choice without risk, and both of them know it. Julius certainly wouldn't have thought any less of Anders if he'd confided it to securing his own.]
[As soon as the door is closed, Anders pulls out the brightly glowing vial and holds it out.]
Of course. I'd an opening, and you're my friend.
[Seeing the name had made the choice easy, seeing the glow grow as they got back to Kirkwall had confirmed that it belonged to this Julius. All of that, and:]
And it's not like I trust the Inquisition with them. They'll defeat Corypheus, they're important for that and so I'll support them with that goal, but after that they're part of the Chantry and they're going to want a means to retain power. These? These could be key to that.
Of course. I'd an opening, and you're my friend.
[Seeing the name had made the choice easy, seeing the glow grow as they got back to Kirkwall had confirmed that it belonged to this Julius. All of that, and:]
And it's not like I trust the Inquisition with them. They'll defeat Corypheus, they're important for that and so I'll support them with that goal, but after that they're part of the Chantry and they're going to want a means to retain power. These? These could be key to that.
Maybe they'll surprise us.
[He thinks not, but it's not impossible. They should have done it without prompting, but prompting might be sufficient if done persuasively. Still, he takes his own phylactery with gratitude.]
Even politically, keeping the phylacteries is short-sighted. But rhetoric claiaming you're overturning years of prejudice is easier when your choices are "mages" or "mages we can't control." Besides, many of the senior mages are, from what I understand, here rather than in Skyhold. At a minimum, they may need someone to point out to them that this could undermine their post-Corypheus power as easily as support it. In many ways, I suspect keeping them is the riskier option.
[He thinks not, but it's not impossible. They should have done it without prompting, but prompting might be sufficient if done persuasively. Still, he takes his own phylactery with gratitude.]
Even politically, keeping the phylacteries is short-sighted. But rhetoric claiaming you're overturning years of prejudice is easier when your choices are "mages" or "mages we can't control." Besides, many of the senior mages are, from what I understand, here rather than in Skyhold. At a minimum, they may need someone to point out to them that this could undermine their post-Corypheus power as easily as support it. In many ways, I suspect keeping them is the riskier option.
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.]
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