02 | OPEN

[shri]

FORM: Sending Crystal.
SENDER: Lakshmibai
RECIPIENT: Any one and everyone.
WHAT: Head of Community Outreach & Are you a rifter? Do you know how to weave? Want to turn a profit and help out the inquisition? Please inquire.
WHEN: Time is a flat circle.
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: nothing too serious

Greetings... It is Rani Lakshmibai.

[ Right, that out of the way. ]

I have two matters which I need a moment - [ Here we go. ] - I have recently been made Head of Community Outreach, for which I'm honoured. I wish to a little more to understand where I might be applied in helping others, but as yet many things still escape me as where help might be best applied to those that need it. If you have a moment to speak with me, in person, I would be much obliged. My Quarters are in the Gallows.

[ Onwards then, because who works and doesn't overwork? Not her. ] Secondly, and for rifters amongst us... I have spoken with Master Barnabas, a merchant here in Kirkwall, and I realised that whilst what many of us bring in terms of items here can be desirable and turn a good profit for it's... foreign nature. Such things are short-term investments. [ And that as far as she's concerned, is a waste. ] As such, I am looking for women or men, of moderate skill in weaving textiles and who can take direction easily, to join me in such work. You will be paid, though primarily, all extra earnings are to be funded back into the Inquisition. I intend to work things that no part of Thedas has seen before, and feel we are uniquely qualified for such an endeavour.

If such a thing is in your ability, please enquire.

[ Somewhere, her husband is following her about, tugging at her hair and laughing. ]

That is all. My regards.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

Are you free currently? For the outreach part.

[shri]

Certainly. Your name?

[justice_is_blond]

Anders.

[Time to see if his reputation proceeds him.]

[shri]

[ It thankfully doesn't, and even if it did - well. Glass houses and all that. ]

I will look forward to meeting you.

[justice_is_blond]

[That's a relief.]

Likewise, Rani. I'll be in the Gallows again in roughly twenty minutes. Which tower and floor would I find you in?

[shri]

I believe they call it the former Templar Tower? On the forth floor. My door is open to you.

Voice

[laurenande]

I am...well versed in the making of woven things. As well as in the worsting, weaving, and sewing of garments.

[Galadriel doesn't often volunteer for these things, but she has done enough of it alone, in private, that the idea of working with others appeals much.]

What is it you wish to make?

To the actionmobile!

[justice_is_blond]

[About twenty minutes later there's a knock on the door. Anders stands outside it, fluffy cat purring on his shoulder and shedding hair all over his dark blue robes.]

It's me. Anders. I've come to... convert, roughly speaking.

[shri]

I would be glad to see it.

[ Her plans are simple, to that end, brisk and businesslike. ]

At this point, textiles, of varying styles. My home is known for... quite striking materials, and I am looking to create something similar.

[laurenande]

I would have to see what it is you wish to make, but there is precious little that is beyond me.

If you like, you may come to my rooms, where I keep what I have made. Else, I can come to you, but I fear I will be unable to bring my loom.

[shri]

[ She's to be found in her rooms, door open - and the room is immaculately clean. Bed made, floor thoroughly swept, everything in an exact place. She, herself, had her head bowed over the desk, writing something - a scrawl of no language spoken here, certainly. Sanskrit letters that form long lines, until she is spoken too.

Or more exactly too. How she is spoken too. She looks at him, curious, blank, but there is a hardness in her eyes, her mouth. Something roughly beaten flat to her, all iron. ]

You will state to me what you mean, as plainly as possible. I will reserve my judgement after that.

[ Perhaps it is no more than the word, conversion. Maybe it is that she is exceptionally old hand at this. She is not as important as she had been, but she is determined to be useful as was possible. But she won't be played a fool. ]

[justice_is_blond]

[He blinks at her, friendly expression fading as his stance goes a little defensive and on guard.]

It's a joke. For the, the outreach? I run a Clinic in the poor part of the city, Darktown, which most don't give a care about so I have to convert them to caring before they help. Generally.

[Has someone decided to 'help' out between his speaking with her and now, tell her about his past? It wouldn't be a first, and his body language says he's considering just leaving.]

[periastron]

Yeah, g'day. ( Said with the least interest in actually issuing a good day of any kind, apparently. )

If any surgical supplies or medical equipment comes through a rift, I call fuckin' dibs on it. That shouldn't be for profit, it should be for doin' its bloody job.

( The accent is broad, Australian, and probably obnoxious.

Nice to meet you, etc. )

private.

[dashing]

Welcome to the Diplomacy Division, Lakshmibai. I expect we will have a more formal discussion of things when I am returned from Minrathos.

[shri]

[ Hers remains flatly the same. Then nods and her hand drifts, starting to take notes, his name, where he works. ]

Then sit, and tell me what you need. I do not like playing games, you will understand, I have been dealing with nobles for most of my life. I was a Queen before I came here.

[ She gestures, to the seat beside her. ] Start at the beginning, what is most required? What can I help get you first? I'd like my first acts to help those that have been ignored longest. Do you need beds? Walls repaired?

[justice_is_blond]

And I'm a mage, which means I've been considered as not even a person for most of my life.

[He doesn't sit. Anders leans against the wall, wary.]

I joke, because that eases conversation between equals. I am a person, you are a person. I'll choose not to hold your nobility against you.

[That might be a joke. It might not be. He doesn't let it linger all that long.]

The poor in Darktown need food and blankets most of all. It's cold and damp down there which means they fall ill easily and food rots. Walls and such, they can use repair, yes, throughout the place, but too nice of a residence could get families targeted by gangs and pushed out. Beds... beds will mold and mildew and become infested, but of actual use there would be straw, cots, and bedding rather than what we have up here. Shoes. Shoes would be good too. I've got medical and educational needs covered, but it's those things, the tangible things that take money, that I can't do.

[shri]

[ She responds in agreement, a firm voice. ]

It is yours. I will make sure it is catalogued and sent to you, so you know everything that comes in.

[shri]

I will look forward to it. I am glad to be doing my part.

[shri]

[ She doesn't respond to it - there is a lot to say in response to that. But in the end, they've got work to do. ]

You're gracious to me. [ The other joke might have fallen with her - but that one, despite everything, flickers the smallest smile at the corner of her mouth. ] I'll ask for your patience. We do not have such magic as here, in my home. Only monsters.

[ But when he begins to talk, she goes to work. Starts taking notes, strings of them. Her hand moving across the page at a great speed in her language. Flicking up between him at times, to nod, show she's still looking. ]

Bedding and shoes, how does that sound to start? And may I request a tour of your clinic? To see where else I could think of whilst I'm there.

[shri]

I would be honoured. When may I come to you?

[laurenande]

You may come when you like, I am not given to bustling about to fill hours. I shall be here.

[And she provides her directions to a portion of the Mage tower within the gallows.]

[inagutterson]

There's some stuff I could catch you up on. Kirkwall stuff and just...other things.

[Things a rifter should probably know because she didn't know what lyrium was and Yngvi's--

Well he's doing this now. Being better about helping.]

[justice_is_blond]

[A little bit of the tension eases from him at the little smile, though 'monsters' certainly has him still a little watchful.]

That sounds excellent to start, and yes. I go down to Darktown after lunch every day, you're welcome to join me on my walk tomorrow. It's... Have you been to Darktown before?

[A former queen might be entirely unprepared for what all is down there. Nobles aren't the most in-touch people he's ever met.]

[periastron]

Alright. I'm Alexandra Karahalios. Veterinarian and sorta-kinda people surgeon, now.

( She sounds... so... thrilled... can you tell... 8| )

You a rifter?

[dashing]

Good. I have been involved with some efforts from my time with the Chantry Relations project, including an educational effort that encouraged collaboration with members of the local Chantry and community. I have not been free to invest as much time in it as I was before taking my current post, so I would... be glad of your aid in that, if such would appeal to you. It has been helpful for making rifters more familiar to locals.