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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?
There are entirely too many light-haired mages of middling height and build —
[ julius is not of middling height. he is, unfortunately, tall. ]
— Engaged in the hunt for Corypheus. Here I am, mistaken for a Fereldan multiple times a week. It's inhumane.
[ julius is not of middling height. he is, unfortunately, tall. ]
— Engaged in the hunt for Corypheus. Here I am, mistaken for a Fereldan multiple times a week. It's inhumane.
[He laughs a little, despite himself.]
I see. Have you tried exaggerating your accent, or perhaps loudly observing that you are allergic to dogs?
I see. Have you tried exaggerating your accent, or perhaps loudly observing that you are allergic to dogs?
Edited 2018-10-11 23:23 (UTC)
Oh, that won’t do. The other one’s too fond of cats.
[ but: more seriously ]
You accompanied the negotiations at Skyhold.
[ that's not much of a question. ]
[ but: more seriously ]
You accompanied the negotiations at Skyhold.
[ that's not much of a question. ]
I did.
[He's not entirely sure what to make of the tone.]
I even participated while attending.
[He's not entirely sure what to make of the tone.]
I even participated while attending.
I should hope so; I voted for you.
[ and marisol. but if anyone ever tells her that he may actually die. ]
I imagine more was left upon the table than either of us would prefer.
[ and marisol. but if anyone ever tells her that he may actually die. ]
I imagine more was left upon the table than either of us would prefer.
[He exhales.]
Yes, that's fair to say. Though under the circumstances, I do maintain we could have done much worse. And, well... [wry] I strongly suspect much of it is not written in stone.
[Both for better and for worse, unfortunately.]
Was there something particular on your mind?
Yes, that's fair to say. Though under the circumstances, I do maintain we could have done much worse. And, well... [wry] I strongly suspect much of it is not written in stone.
[Both for better and for worse, unfortunately.]
Was there something particular on your mind?
The nature of its engraving. Should any further crises present themselves, Skyhold won't sit through a third round of negotiations,
[ it's a small miracle they sat through the first; isaac hadn't expected so optimistic an outcome ]
Or let us sack into their rooms another few weeks.
[ it's a small miracle they sat through the first; isaac hadn't expected so optimistic an outcome ]
Or let us sack into their rooms another few weeks.
[A pause, not as if he's shocked, but if he's selecting his words. (Or, perhaps, double-checking that the message is private.)]
I think that, as long as the crisis remains acute, they are not willing to do without mages, or even the majority of mages. In that, the strike achieved one aim. It proved that they were not willing to discard the resource, even with less than perfect docile passivity.
How far they can be pushed, or wisely should be, is a different question.
I think that, as long as the crisis remains acute, they are not willing to do without mages, or even the majority of mages. In that, the strike achieved one aim. It proved that they were not willing to discard the resource, even with less than perfect docile passivity.
How far they can be pushed, or wisely should be, is a different question.
And how far might we be?
Wisdom requires a consensus. Just abstention from healing split us down the middle, and that was never going to be tested.
Unity of feeling is dangerous when it accompanies no unity of method. If word of Skyhold's indolence had reached us without a plan in place, which voices do you imagine would be agitating? How would it have swung, given the choice between no choice, and escalation?
[ four years ago, but they both know how the aequitarians voted. once the rebellion was out of its box, ]
If the threat of a strike falls flat, or will be imagined to?
[ this is all a bit hypothetical: the inquisition needs them more than ever right now. but as a (strictly hypothetical) agitator,
well. it's nice to know how people see themselves. ]
Wisdom requires a consensus. Just abstention from healing split us down the middle, and that was never going to be tested.
Unity of feeling is dangerous when it accompanies no unity of method. If word of Skyhold's indolence had reached us without a plan in place, which voices do you imagine would be agitating? How would it have swung, given the choice between no choice, and escalation?
[ four years ago, but they both know how the aequitarians voted. once the rebellion was out of its box, ]
If the threat of a strike falls flat, or will be imagined to?
[ this is all a bit hypothetical: the inquisition needs them more than ever right now. but as a (strictly hypothetical) agitator,
well. it's nice to know how people see themselves. ]
No large enough group will ever be unanimous, [he observes, simple and mild, if perhaps masking something a bit more focused.] The strike wasn't. The rebellion wasn't. That's not exclusive to mages, we've just got higher stakes for our internal disagreements and fewer allies to create a margin for error.
I don't think we need to imagine too hard, when the Rifters provided an all too apt object lesson shortly after. They have less in common, or many of them think so, and they managed not to send the former head of diplomacy in their delegation to Skyhold.
[He allows that he may be biased in Petrana's favor, but even allowing for that... he thinks it's illustrative.]
I don't think we need to imagine too hard, when the Rifters provided an all too apt object lesson shortly after. They have less in common, or many of them think so, and they managed not to send the former head of diplomacy in their delegation to Skyhold.
[He allows that he may be biased in Petrana's favor, but even allowing for that... he thinks it's illustrative.]
And hitched us together for it. We owe Mme. de Cedoux a debt,
[ which isn't an endorsement of sending her, but certainly isn't a rejection of it. resources shouldn't go untapped, if perhaps, they also shouldn't go before the faces they just spat in. ]
That we don't to her fellows. They're quicker to call for blood than our most extreme. I don't imagine they were reined in to negotiate without promises,
[ he does listen to the crystals. to card games — ]
It would do to be aware of what those were. The next internal disagreement will be shared between us.
[ which isn't an endorsement of sending her, but certainly isn't a rejection of it. resources shouldn't go untapped, if perhaps, they also shouldn't go before the faces they just spat in. ]
That we don't to her fellows. They're quicker to call for blood than our most extreme. I don't imagine they were reined in to negotiate without promises,
[ he does listen to the crystals. to card games — ]
It would do to be aware of what those were. The next internal disagreement will be shared between us.
Rather my point. For good or ill, the Rifters are less a group than we are -- not that mages are so unanimous, I grant you, but the Rifters provide a cautionary tale as to the alternative.
But. I agree that I would like to know what promises were made. It's easy to imagine the sort of lumping together the Chantry and others might like to do the moment they're able. Did you have a particular method of finding out in mind?
But. I agree that I would like to know what promises were made. It's easy to imagine the sort of lumping together the Chantry and others might like to do the moment they're able. Did you have a particular method of finding out in mind?
Would asking be gauche?
[ that's a genuine question. you got a better idea julius ]
[ that's a genuine question. you got a better idea julius ]
Possibly. It rather depends on how you ask, I suspect. Based on observation, anything that comes across accusatory will get us nowhere, but I wish I knew more about any of the people we'd be approaching, to decide on a way to frame it. Three of those who went I don't know at all, beyond reputation. I've worked with the provost, but I can't say I've much of a read on him. And I think I inadvertently offended Adalia's dragon, the one time we spoke. You?
[ the provost keeps a tranquil about. it says something, isaac suspects, of his willingness to share. adalia isn't an option. the other two,
this would be a lot easier if someone would just cry out internal policy considerations during sex. or another someone would then willingly share that information. if julius is pretending to complete obliviousness, he's done a fine job — but isaac doubts that. it's easier to refuse to see a question than to falsify an answer. ]
Perhaps we're going at it from the wrong angle.
[ reconsider: ]
Whose voices do we know most in need of taming?
[ who were the promises made to? that other one. sign elf. ]
this would be a lot easier if someone would just cry out internal policy considerations during sex. or another someone would then willingly share that information. if julius is pretending to complete obliviousness, he's done a fine job — but isaac doubts that. it's easier to refuse to see a question than to falsify an answer. ]
Perhaps we're going at it from the wrong angle.
[ reconsider: ]
Whose voices do we know most in need of taming?
[ who were the promises made to? that other one. sign elf. ]
Edited 2018-11-18 10:54 (UTC)
[If Julius is pretending to a bit of selective obliviousness, well... Isaac isn't calling him on it, so it's more or less worked for the time being.]
A valid point. Who's already shown an inability or disinclination to keep their thoughts quiet? Perhaps a productive avenue for "just asking," that.
A valid point. Who's already shown an inability or disinclination to keep their thoughts quiet? Perhaps a productive avenue for "just asking," that.
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?
I am, yes.
[She's the sort of person who wouldn't think to mention it if there was something she might have to put off.]
I'll see you shortly, then.
[She's the sort of person who wouldn't think to mention it if there was something she might have to put off.]
I'll see you shortly, then.
[Julius doesn't keep her waiting long, wrapping up his work and heading over to her office promptly. It doesn't sound like an emergency, but he tends toward promptness. When he arrives, he knocks lightly on the door frame.]
As promised.
As promised.
Enter.
[Inessa is seated on one of the comfier chairs instead of her desk, a steaming cup of tea in hand due to the teapot placed on the table between her chair and the other. When there isn't a need for formalities, she tends not to have a desk between her and company. Garahel is curled up on the floor at her feet, lightly snoring away. She gestures to the other chair and the untouched steaming cup awaiting him with a small smile.]
You might want to give it a moment, it's freshly-poured.
[Inessa is seated on one of the comfier chairs instead of her desk, a steaming cup of tea in hand due to the teapot placed on the table between her chair and the other. When there isn't a need for formalities, she tends not to have a desk between her and company. Garahel is curled up on the floor at her feet, lightly snoring away. She gestures to the other chair and the untouched steaming cup awaiting him with a small smile.]
You might want to give it a moment, it's freshly-poured.
My thanks for the warning.
[He's smiling, a bit wry, and comes to sit as invited.]
Well, now you've done me a favor; I can, in fact, say I took a break from work today if anyone should ask. So, what can I do for you?
[He is not unhappy with her company. But he also generally expects people to send for him if they want something. There's no judgment in that assessment, but it remains persistent beyond situations where it might be called for.]
[He's smiling, a bit wry, and comes to sit as invited.]
Well, now you've done me a favor; I can, in fact, say I took a break from work today if anyone should ask. So, what can I do for you?
[He is not unhappy with her company. But he also generally expects people to send for him if they want something. There's no judgment in that assessment, but it remains persistent beyond situations where it might be called for.]
[Her smile grows sheepish, not feeling any judgement and yet it's not an inaccurate assessment. Not even because she looks up to him, but also small talk is not her forte. She seeks people out when there's a purpose.]
I...we never had a chance to speak, after what happened in the beginning of the year. [The volume of her voice dips, hesitantly broaching the subject of that awful experience.] It was too chaotic, then, and afterward everyone was in recovery mode. Understandable, but I don't know if avoiding the topic forever will serve either of us. Kinloch Hold was our lives for so long, after all.
[As she stirs her tea, her gaze moves back to meet his.] So, it's as much what I can do for you, if you'll allow it. I don't want this to be one-sided; you have as much reason to vent as I...perhaps more.
I...we never had a chance to speak, after what happened in the beginning of the year. [The volume of her voice dips, hesitantly broaching the subject of that awful experience.] It was too chaotic, then, and afterward everyone was in recovery mode. Understandable, but I don't know if avoiding the topic forever will serve either of us. Kinloch Hold was our lives for so long, after all.
[As she stirs her tea, her gaze moves back to meet his.] So, it's as much what I can do for you, if you'll allow it. I don't want this to be one-sided; you have as much reason to vent as I...perhaps more.
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