crystal;

[supersonic]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Pietro + a bottle of wine
RECIPIENT: All of you
WHAT: Drunk poll about the future of the world
WHEN: Nowish
WHERE: Kirkwall, somewhere

So, [ begins a rather self-important sounding Antivan, also known as an Antivan, ] Let's recap, shall we?

Orlais is— moderately on fire, let us say, for the sake of Orlesians, [ There's a sloshing splatter — liquid being poured out onto something that is definitely not so harmless as a lawn. Is it more or less respectful to pour one out if you stain the rug? ] Tevinter is both floating through the air and on fire, which I imagine was quite incredible to behold, and Nevarra is— what? Torches lit over an acre of kindling everyone is still pretending they've only laid out to count their stores? Or have they stopped pretending at this point? I suppose that doesn't matter.

[ This metaphor is getting out of control. Pietro doesn't usually drink. This is probably why Pietro doesn't usually drink. ]

The point is— [ What was his point again? ] Ah yes, the point is, things are on fire. Metaphorically. Literally. Whichever. It makes one wonder— especially us, the ones running around trying our damnedest to put them out before the rest of the world burns down, and if by some miracle we manage that and live long enough to have an opinion about what comes next—

Well, what do you think the world ought to look like after all that?

If anyone cared a whit what you think, that is. Let's say they do. Let's say you get to pick at least one, maybe two things, of all the things that are recently, currently, or likely soon to be on fire, to rebuild better. What do you pick? What do you do with it? What do you think other people should do with it, at least?

—Obviously, [ Obviously, he adds as an afterthought, ] if you are neither elf nor mage nor in possession of more complex hopes than returning to your settee cushions, I may care less about your opinion, but by all means, let us test that theory — or perhaps someone else will have the typical biases, and you can bore them instead.

Comments

private ∞

[elegiaque]

This is a great idea.

( wait, she means the opposite of that. )

[supersonic]

What? It is a great idea.

[ All his ideas are great, Gwen, come on. ]

[elegiaque]

If you could hold your liquor, it would be a great idea.

[supersonic]

I am holding it.

It is in a bottle.

[justice_is_blond]

I think we should have universities for mages, and any else who wish to attend. Keep the Circles gone forever.

[And the award for most surprising opinion... does not go to Anders.]

[supersonic]

Haven't we got universities? By we I mean Orlais, I suppose, but there have to be others I haven't bothered to care about. You don't want to learn magic at the University of Orlais?

[ Think big, Anders. ]

[justice_is_blond]

I hear Orlais is rather on fire.

[A beat, and then the temporary amusement fades from his voice.]

On a more practical note, no. I don't want to learn magic at the University of Orlais. I don't want the schools to be so exclusive, so discriminatory. I want them to be open to everyone. All should have a chance to learn to read and write if they want it, and I want that available at schools that teach magic.

The current universities only take a select group. Let them add magic if they choose to do so, but they are fickle. We need new universities.

[supersonic]

Hm.

[ Hm, in this case, is the assessing noise Pietro makes upon finding nothing in particular to disagree about, there. ]

Who would run them? A school like that.

[degenere]

The University does accept anyone, you know. Not mages, of course, because it does not teach magic--so what would the point be, to accept a mage? But anyone else, so long as they demonstrate the zeal for knowledge and deepest scholarship--and so long as they come with proper sponsorship--they are allowed.

The group is "select" if only to sift out the lacebrains and cull from the general populace those who might truly gain benefit from the University--and she from them.

[wythersake]

I pick you not drinking in public.

[supersonic]

Technically, I am drinking in private.

[wythersake]

What inspired tonight's casuistry?

[supersonic]

Hm? Am I not allowed to spend a few hours as a living Antivan cliché if I wish?

[ He has never in his life. ]

I could challenge someone to a duel.

[coquettish_trees]

Oh, I should very much like to preserve the ability of men who believe themselves to be incisive commentators to be enabled to provide their pithy wit to all.

[ everything being on fire is fucking hilarious when it isn't your home burning. Yet. ]

[supersonic]

I am quite capable of preserving myself, thank you, but the sentiment is appreciated it.

[levered]

Sounds like the first thing you should worry about is fire proofing.

[supersonic]

I am not certain there is enough sand and stone in the world, metaphorical or otherwise.

[levered]

Then whatever world you make, you probably can’t keep.

[rowancrowned]

I would rebuild the streets to be wider, that our triumphant parade through them upon Corypheus' defeat might be larger.

[ this is the one that gwen had a thing with, right?

either way, everyone sure is eager to bare their hearts on the crystals. ]

[rathercommon]

[ Fiercely - ]

First, the practice of slavery in Tevinter has got to end. The practice of slavery everywhere, honestly, because it's absolutely dreadful how it's simply done and then people scarcely pay attention to it, but the first thing, I'd say, would be to see to the laws and then the second thing would be to ensure they're being properly enforced. There's also got to be some sort of addressing of the class system here. [ She won't say too much on that, surrounded as she is by nobles, but - ] Elves have got to be elevated to be equal to humans, because the system as it is is so awful and so harmful to both sides; that hatred really does just hurt everyone. There should also be stronger diplomatic ties with the dwarves, I should say...Not, like, forcing them to come to the surface or anything, that'd be awful, but better communication with them. It's like they live in a whole different world from us, but they really do suffer so many of the same problems; we ought to be facing them together. The Qunari, too. We must sit down and understand them better. Everything that everyone says is so utterly shrouded in mystery and prejudice and suspicion that it's clear that most of Thedas simply doesn't understand them and that makes them scared of them. Oh, do away with all those stupid Orlesian masks, too, they look so silly. We've also got to do more research into proper agricultural practices - maybe we can get that University in Orlais that everyone won't stop going on about to do proper research into agriculture - 'cause it really seems like in a place with this much land and this many fields no one ought to be going hungry. And for that matter, there's a lot to be seen to in terms of infrastructure in the cities, too - we ought to organize proper systems of public transportation, and better sewer lines, to improve sanitation. Especially here in Kirkwall. I mean, the fact that there's areas called, like, Lowtown and Darktown really just illustrates how there are parts of this place that people have given up on, doesn't it, and that's got to stop. All of the city's got to be improved, 'cause that'll work to hinder things like outbreaks of diseases, which is just good for everyone. And -

[ someone stop her ]

[apologist]

The University of Orlais cannot focus on agriculture. It must leave something for Markham to excel at, or pride may be wounded.

[rathercommon]

Er -

[ Thrown off her stride, she shakes her head, says - ]

Well, I don't know about that. I - Oh.

[ She gets it. And so, disapprovingly: ]

You're Orlesian. You're being all nationally superior right now, aren't you.

[exsecutus]

The Inquisition isn't in the business of putting out fires indiscriminately. If the us you are referring to is the Inquisition, you might want to adjust your understanding of their interest.

As to the countries in question, they can all be razed to the ground.

[private]

[arlathvhen]

I hope this accomplished whatever it was that you wanted it to accomplish.

[ Her tone is soft, not quite chastising, but a little tired. ]

Are you doing quite alright?

[pyrazine]

You need to get laid.