therookery | 001.

FORM: Crystal! Or action, if you happen to be around Kirkwall's Lowtown.
SENDER: Arohaerd
RECIPIENT: Everyone with a crystal
WHAT: Aro has itchy feet and wants some advice.
WHEN: Today, mid-morning
WHERE: Lowtown, Kirkwall
NOTES: Crystal or action welcome! Please add any warnings to thread headers.

Hello, everyone. I'm Aro. I know some of you already, I'm sure, from the unfortunate snowbound arrival last month, and then the...incident with that mine, and now some more new faces have arrived too! Anyway.

I'm sure there's many more of you that I don't know. I know that some of you are from this world, and some of you are from others, as I am, but...we're all here, in this city, which is ruled by something called the Inquisition, as far as I can tell, and. Well.

[ A deep breath, while he thinks very carefully about how to word this. ]

While I'm grateful for the hospitality, and please don't think I'm not. There must be more to this place, this world, than Kirkwall. Getting out to see Amaranthine was brilliant, even though we were there to bring the others back. Don't any of the rest of you want to explore? We can go together, make a quest out of it!

And those of you who live here, or who've been here for a while, tell me of the other lands, and cities, and places of this world. Tell me where you like, tell me where I should visit. I just need to know where to start.

[ If you happen to be in Kirkwall to hear this in person, Aro will be the young half-elf sitting on a wall by the side of the road, with a flute dangling from his fingertips. He's very pale and blond, hair short enough for the slightly pointed tips of his ears to show.

Both before and after the broadcast, he'll be seen playing the flute, sounding out a variety of folk songs from his own world. They're strange to people here, but it all sounds like home to Aro. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No. I mean, yes. But no. It is difficult to, uh, work around to the thought of--

But truthfully, there are many, many ways to which you might be able to fulfill your, um, love of wandering, and also work with the Inquisition. You do not need to stay-- I mean, we do not want anyone to feel trapped. At all. There are projects and divisions that would welcome someone with an interest in travel and a-- certain fearlessness.

[ Well, that gives Aro more pause than anything he's said thus far. He's quiet for a moment, and then he lets out a breath. ]

Well. That wouldn't be so bad, I suppose. If you think that would still help...

I don't know. What kinds of projects or divisions do you mean?

Ah. Yes. Good.

[THANK THE MAKER. A slight measure of relaxation (or at least the absence of stress) creeps into Salvio's voice. This is a topic he can talk about.]

There are four divisions across which the Inquisition's members and volunteers might devote their time: Diplomacy, Forces, Research, and Scouting. And each division has associated projects upon which members might devote their time and energy, though of course members are permitted to give their time to projects associated with other divisions, if they so choose.

For yourself, given your interest in travel and-- and the like-- I would suggest Scouting or Forces. Both have aspects that would involve a certain amount of freedom. Though you would of course be required to report to the division head of whichever division you chose, so-- not complete, um. I mean, it is work, yes? So there it is.

Yes, there it is.

[ Aro doesn't sound thrilled. Forces. Imagine that, imagine being part of the armed forces of a completely different world. That's not just uncomfortable for him; it seems wrong. Why should he, a stranger to this whole world, be getting involved in any sort of armed conflict relating to it? The idea of Scouting is more appealing – or, more accurately, it's less unappealing – but still, the thought of it doesn't delight him. He sighs. ]

I'll look into it. That's the most I'm going to promise for now. I can tell the idea of going it alone really troubles you. I promise, I'll not take any stupid risks.

[ Though he'll be the one defining what counts as a stupid risk. There's every possibility his definition won't match anyone else's. ]

[YOU should be worried about you!!!! is the thought that flashes through Salvio's head. It stays in his head. He is not here to tell people what to do. He is here only to support and assist, and that is what he has done. Even a promise to look into Forces and Scouting is better than where they were before.]

Yes. Good. I am glad to hear it. Um, that is, glad to hear of both the consideration, and the, uh. Avoidance of risk. I th-- [no wait, consciously removing personal opinion--] It would be a good opportunity. Will be a good opportunity.

And of course if I can assist in any way to the process, I am--my office, I mean--we are here to assist.

[ Aro scowls down at his crystal. ]

Yes, I'm sure that you are. Actually, what is it that you do here? I mean, obviously it's clear you're with the Inquisition, but what division? And what's your name? Just in case I need to find you again.

Oh. Um. My apologies, I did not-- That is to say, I am-- Pizzicagnolo. Salvio Pizzicagnolo. With Base Operations, of-- Kirkwall's Inquisition base.

I, ah. I am an assistant. To the seneschal. I was, that is. We are awaiting the naming of a new seneschal.

[ He pauses. ]

Wait, so if you're an assistant to someone who isn't in post, does that mean you're in charge?

N-- No.

[A short awkward pause.]

I am-- an assistant. Only an assistant. Uh, the, appointment, of a true seneschal must be-- conducted by the Inquisition. I would never presume to-- I couldn't. Be seneschal.

[ … ]

So. Then if you're not in charge while there is no seneschal, who is? Surely someone has to be making decisions there.

Uh--

[Uhhhhhhhhhhh.]

The-- Inquisition? [Very much uncertain on that point.] That-- That is to say, I can, um. Predict, generally, or make educated guess, I mean--based on previous approvals and, and decisions, what the response of an appointed seneschal would be. But I am not--in charge.

[ .........................................

Yeah, okay. ]

So, then effectively you are in charge, you're just not supposed to be.

[ Beat. ]

Is that what you're saying?

I--

[Yes, is what he should say. Or maybe he should be saying no. Now that the fallacy in his logic and his chain of command has been pointed out, Salvio is stuck in a hell loop, from which he is trying, and failing, to think his way free.

That is to say: shit shit shit shit shit.]

No. I mean--yes! I-- The position will be filled soon. By the grace of the Maker. Very soon.

Oh, no doubt it will be. I'm sure the Inquisition has very strict rules and regulations about how long a post like that can be vacant.

[ There's always a hundred rules about this sort of thing. ]

How long did you say that had been, again?

Since Drakonis.

[Zero delay or fumbling with that response. Salvio is intimately aware of just how long it has been. He has a little calendar somewhere, a little sign. It has been ___ days since we last had proper leadership.]

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