01.

[shri]

FORM: Sending crystal.
SENDER: Lakshmi Bai
RECIPIENT: Anyone and everyone.
WHAT: Polite requests.
WHEN: After the recent group of rifters arrives back.
WHERE: The Gallows.
NOTES: Tired Queen is tired.

[ There's a little laugh of wonder and then - ] To think I spent all my time hungering after Tesla's machines... [ Clears her throat with the end of that wistful sigh, no time for what-ifs, and she adopts a far more even a tone. Dry, clipped and careful to not muddle her words. Not Tesla's machines, no, but she has heard plenty of poor announcements across radios, to want to make sure that she doesn't do the same. ]

Greetings. I am... Rani Lakshmibai, the, ah.. widower of the King, Maharaja, of Jhansi. [ There's a hesitation, unsure. But like the titles she just gave, she brushes over it quickly. ] I have a request for an individual, who would spend a few hours telling me of this place and its manners, so I might be a better guest of this... Inquisition. I have no more than what I am to receive you, but I can provide honest company in return for yours.

[ pause, and then a moment later. ] And where may I exchange jewels and gold for coin, find a decent cloth merchant and tailor, and whether the weapons the armies here supply are worth the metal they're made from. I prefer a shamsher or talwar, by preference, but any long, heavy blade suffices if its decent enough quality.

Comments

[rathercommon]

Wait - does that mean, like, that you're a queen, then?

[shri]

[clears her throat, moving on, moving on. ]

To those it matters too, yes. But to most it does not.

[rathercommon]

[ A wry little snort. She holds Lakshmi in some regard, but can't quite help herself. ]

You've got to be the first muckety-muck I've ever met who doesn't admit they're not the most important person, like, ever.

[shri]

[she supposes she could be offended but she is years, and several moments of humility, beyond trust that instead all that comes is a dry laugh. ]

I could, if that would set you at ease.

[strangel]

Hello, Rani Lakshmibai. I am being very good at manners and knowings. Happy to help.

( c: )

[shri]

I would be pleased with it. I am in... I believe they call it the Gallows.

[ What a dreadful name. ]

[strangel]

Yes, I live in Gallows also, with my sestra.

( idk totally seems homey to Helena, for sure for sure )

We could meet near boats. I give you tour.

[shri]

Certainly. I hope you will forgive my attire. I am still sorting out my own situation here.

[ Covered in blood, is what she means. ]

[byblow]

What's manners?

[ –yeah, she's not getting any help here, probably. ]

[shri]

A choice. To know when I am good and mean it, and when I am being very bad, and most especially mean it.

[ Like a children's rhyme, she's laughing through it rather than taking it too seriously. ]

[byblow]

[ bless ]

I see. Well, if you’d like to be bad and especially mean it, you should start by asking Orlesians if you can try on their masks.

[shri]

[ She keeps laughing. It is a pleasant fiction, not caring very much. ]

Will I declare war by such an action, or just begin a personal feud?

[supersonic]

Well, I do not have hours to spare, and I doubt you would very much enjoy the company if I did— [ Look, he has no illusions about his temperament, ] —but if you have any use for a quick introduction to the important things, like keeping any dangerous-looking magical abilities to yourself lest the Chantry truly put a leash on all of you, I might be available.

[ Biased opinions, who's got biased opinions. ]

[shri]

Let me decide that for myself. [ But still - ah that is.. something. ]

The Chantry. I would be interested in hearing of them. And of this magic. I have never seen it used in such a way, compared to the things I know. [ But she had wondered about mentioning the Blackwater, it seemed perfectly ordinary in comparison. ... He might have just changed that opinion. ]

[supersonic]

That you know of anything comparable is a start. I could show you a little, too, if you like.

The Chantry might be best to discuss in person in any case. Or at least, what I have to say about them might be best discussed in person.

[shri]

I am at the Gallows, I am taking my time to learn the fortifications here if you would like take a turn of the walls with me?

[ A pleasant stroll of less pleasant things. ]

[notacrow]

I'm still figuring all of this out, too. If I meet anyone helpful, I'll let y'know.

[ A very long pause follows. ]

Wait, kings are important, right?

[shri]

To some, yes. Being married to one equally so.

[ She's laughing rather than put out. ]

It doesn't mean much now, however.

[notacrow]

Huh. Fancy!

[ Myira sounds curious, mostly. ]

Yeah I mean, I could rattle off m' grandmother's names back to the beginning but that don't mean much here neither.

[aenseidhe]

They are an infantry's weapons. Durable and functional, but nothing truly special.

[ the rest he isn't volunteering for because, A, he doesn't care and B, he's not the best source for it and C, he super doesn't care. It's the talk of weapons themselves, and what sounds familiar about it, that pings him. ]

I've not seen either shamsher or talwar blades here. [ and he repeats them in the manner they're supposed to be said, because Aen Seidhe weapons are shaped fairly similar, and he's used to weapons from Ofir being a good replacement. which begs the question - ] Are you Ofieri?

[shri]

As I thought. Well enough. Do they break often under heavier blows?

[ Though the second question, she shakes her head and then, wait, he wasn't in front of her. My God, this was strange. ] I am... Hindi, Marathi. Though - you speak the names well. Are you .. Ofieri?

[ English called it India, rather than Hindustan, so it wasn't particularly strange to hear her homeland called something else entirely. ]

[aenseidhe]

Not that I've witnessed in battle, no. Though I use my own blades.

[ it would be second hand if he were to notice it, but they hold up well enough. the Inquisition isn't so poor they can't equip their troops safely. and it's ok, lakshmi, he's shaking his head at the air a little too. ]

Nay, I'm Aen Seidhe. Those here call my people Elves. [ which she's likely seen by now. the disdain is difficult to miss in thedas. for a long moment, iorveth things one the words - hindi, marathi - trying to search his memory for them. if they're familiar as well. in the end, they don't ring any bells. ]

Those words I don't recognize so well, though Ofir is a far off kingdom in my home world, and I've only met a handful of travelers from there. [ but as to why he'd mentioned it, and new the sword names - ] The Ofieri sabers are remarkably crafted. Very similar in style to what my people favor.

[ipseite]

I will be able to supply you with the name of merchants and dressmakers—those willing to deal fairly with Inquisition agents and rifters, both. Though I should recommend going in company for one's introductions, regardless.

( just in case someone decides that there's fair and there's fair, you understand. )

[shri]

Of course. Might a letter suffice such a thing - or would a personable touch be better?

[ a pause, looking for the right words more exactly. Most especially to be polite. ] Would you be willing such, if it were to come to it?

[ipseite]

The list I might provide in writing, but I suspect no letter is substitute for the presence of a companion aware of what the market prices presently are.

( a little wry. )

Time could be made, yes.