Sending crystal announcement

[mythalenaste]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Pel Ashara
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Announcing the publication of her first book
WHEN: After Weisshaupt/Western Approach things calm down a bit
WHERE: Skyhold

[A somewhat monotone voice is heard over the crystals.]

It's Pel. Of Clan Ashara. I've written a book and it's published now. It's about Dalish culture. I will be selling it at my yarn shop until the new Divine is elected, at which point it will be banned because it's a book about elves written by an elf. So buy it while you can.

[What? She's not a hawker. She's not a beggar, either.

She'll hang around on the crystal in case anyone has questions.]

Comments

[arsebiscuit]

Oh, andraste's bouncy tits. It got 101 new shit things to call elves that aren't the right kinda elfy?

[mythalenaste]

No.

[arsebiscuit]

That's what they all say.

[mythalenaste]

I...don't think it is, somehow.

The whole point of this is to show we're just people like anyone else. Scratching, snoring, farting, doing chores from dawn till dusk, just trying to get by without getting murdered. Sort of against the point to put down other elves.

[arsebiscuit]

Except it's a big part of the culture, ain't it? How we aren't good enough. If you're leaving that out, it's just the nice bits. Same as humans do.

[mythalenaste]

Our culture believes that we keep the lost lore. And when there's a new elven homeland and elves from around the world come together, we can teach that lore to the others. There's nothing in our actual lore that puts down elves who want no part in it, just. Arseholes like any other culture has.

[arsebiscuit]

Yeah. And your first okayed this book of yours, yeah?

[mythalenaste]

My first?

[arsebiscuit]

Keeper, then. Thought those lot were too busy for the little folk.

[mythalenaste]

Oh. I was First of my clan till I left to do this, and if my former Keeper has any problem with this, she can bite me.

And you've got it the wrong way round. When you're Keeper, or First, your whole existence surrounds your clan. Whether it's magic or not. If old Anan doesn't have children to take care of him, it's the Keeper or their apprentices who'll trim his toenails and give him a sponge-bath. You...fill in gaps. Anything people are doing without, you step in and help.

[arsebiscuit]

...Former?

[ Sorry, Sera stopped listening after that. ]

[mythalenaste]

I left my clan. To do this.

[It's not spoken impatiently, just slowly. Maybe she was going too fast, before.]

[arsebiscuit]

[This may be an important moment.

For some.

For Sera? It's laughing time]

Oh! You're the wrong kinda elf yourself now, yeah? Now I get it.

[the_effect_she_has]

It's by Pel, so no. She's not like that, Sera.

[arsebiscuit]

Says you.

[the_effect_she_has]

Yeah, says me. Pel's been nothing but supportive of all elven culture no matter where it comes from or by who. Maker, ask her and she'll probably write a book about 'elves who don't care about elfy stuff'. She's a real scholar, with real facts and thoughts and things.

[arsebiscuit]

Then let her say it, yeah?

[the_effect_she_has]

You mean let her defend herself?

[Pause.]

Well. Sure. She'll do a better job of it anyways.

[arsebiscuit]

I-

[ That is a totally reasonable response. Damn you ]

Yeah. Good. That's- right. Thanks.

[the_effect_she_has]

You're welcome. Drinks at the Herald when I get back?

[arsebiscuit]

If we don't get gobbled by dragons. Or those weird giant spiders things- gah.

[the_effect_she_has]

You know, I'm starting to think I don't get paid enough for this job ...

[arsebiscuit]

You getting paid? Josie keeps sending me notes with little hearts drawn on them 'stead of gold.

[the_effect_she_has]

Is this to counter all the notes you send her with, ah, girly bits on them?

[arsebiscuit]

Those are outta love, yeah? And some have boy bits! With beards and all.