crystal.

[byblow]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Alistair
RECIPIENT: Everyone around the Gallows
WHAT: A survey
WHEN: Nowish
NOTES: This is only partly my fault

[ Let it be said that Alistair has backed down from all manner of challenges and dares and weird games of chicken, if they were stupid and he wasn't in the mood, but also let it be said that he hasn't backed down from this specific one. ]

I know we're all very busy preventing the world from ending, but if I could have a moment of your time for some important questions—

First, I need to know what sorts of things you consider good-looking, in a man, generally speaking. It doesn't matter if you're attracted to men or not, before anyone feels the need to explain their love lives to me. I only need to know what sort of man-faces you think are pleasant.

And then I need to know if you think Byerly Rutyer is good looking enough to make up for not being a nice man.

And he'd also like to know how much money each of you have. I think that's important for you to know before you answer the nice man part.

Comments

[swordproof]

No, I - I should have been more clear. [ This is horrifically awkward, but here she is. ] I use a greatsword, but I am trained in long and short blades, daggers, bows and crossbows and the use of shields. It was my calling, at home.

[heirring]

[Then please, allow her to lead running away from the awkward corner of this conversation as quickly as they're able. She dives into this far preferable subject wiht gusto:]

Spirits! To have some proficiency with so many weapons seems quite the accomplishment. Are all bread and butter warriors such as yourself so skilled in such a variety, or have you simply applied yourself to the task in particular? --and you must describe your home. Is it Ferelden or the Marches? [Hopefully:] Rivain?

[swordproof]

[ Six is a touch baffled by the questions, but - ]

I trained for a long time. Since I was a very small girl. [ The less said about that the better, she thinks. ] I do not have a home, so I travel. The world I am from is much like this one, more akin to Ferelden, I think, than any other place.

[pyrazine]

It's kind of gross.

[shri]

[ MMMHM. ] A mother, any mother, is deserving of respect - she did birth you, for all the pain that would have caused her.

[bouchonne]

That is - and I say this with all trembling awe and admiration - utter horseshit.

[coquettish_trees]

Do let me help you recover some of what you are used to before you resign yourself to relying upon the pittance that the Inquisition provides, cherie. You may consider it a favor to me, if you like. It would so lighten my heart, after all.

[coquettish_trees]

A pleasure, to be sure. Are you recently arrived, Lady Sidony?

[ A guess; the woman's accent is markedly upper class. ]

Ah! What poor manners I have. Lady Alexandrie de la Fontaine, but you must call me Alexandrie.

[indissection]

Recent enough that I might still consider myself somewhat new.

[ It's obvious enough, but she doesn't mind. ]

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Alexandrie.

[coquettish_trees]

Tell me they do not have you staying in that horrible blocky fortress.

[byblow]

No, you’re not. You might be the only person here who’s doing this correctly.

[byblow]

And spend that much time with him? Absolutely not.

[byblow]

Yes. Excellent. Thank you.

[byblow]

Ugh.

[byblow]

You know, for that, we might not have to bargain at all. I’m sure there are plenty of elders who want to help the cause somehow but can’t heft a shield anymore. They might do it for free.

[byblow]

Only for the idea of someone kicking her in the face.

If she hadn’t been a frail old woman. Like I said. There are lines.

[bouchonne]

Mm. So you definitely didn't flinch?

[bouchonne]

In every city I've ever been to. Honestly, if I escape without considerable debt, I consider it a wasted journey.

[indissection]

I am staying where there is space. Most of my time will be spent in the infirmary - sleeping is of no concern to me.

[ Translation: yes, they do. ]

[coquettish_trees]

[ she makes a brief grief stricken noise ]

An intrepid soul!

Do come and visit with me in Hightown at some juncture so you may relieve your eyes from their arduous duty of seeing those buildings.

I refuse to call the island by its given name. How awful it is.

[ beat ]

Let us rename it!

[indissection]

It is serviceable enough. I have a room and a wardrobe and my handmaiden - what more could I ask for?

[ A decent bed, really, and a larger room, a sitting room... A nice fireplace to lounge in front of... ]

What sort of name do you think would be better fitting?

[coquettish_trees]

[ can you hear her eyebrows raising skeptically? She’ll let it go for now, however. ]

Something that inspires a different feeling than mild horror and distaste, certainly. “The Bastion,” perhaps. Breakwater. Riftwatch. The possibilities are endless really.

[indissection]

[ Look, runaways don't get nice things. ]

I do find myself fond of Riftwatch.

[coquettish_trees]

And suddenly I find myself less distressed by your having rooms there, since they are now at Riftwatch.

[indissection]

I hope that will not dismiss me from my visit.