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]

A relationship shouldn't be effort, no matter who may be involved.

[heirring]

Oh not at all, fair lady!

[At once, she has become more genuine. Making fun of Byerly is one thing; this is an altogether different matter.]

Shouldn't it be the thing with the most effort involved? Not that I'm encouraging you to put effort into a card like Mr Rutyer of course as it's important to recognize a lost cause when you see it, but surely the person you want to love should be the one you spend the most time on. That only seems right.

[swordproof]

Yes, of course, but it shouldn't be exhausting. It should not be a battle. Not that kind of effort.

[heirring]

Certainly not. But you know, sometimes it does look that way, doesn't it? From the outside, I mean. Exhausting. Don't you find that to be true - that lots of married people seem to be so, where one of them seems to be carting around the other one and doing nothing but bickering but at the end of the day you know they must actually be quite fond of one another. And surely there must be something rewarding to the challenge. I imagine it must be like testing one's strength.

For some people, obviously.

[swordproof]

For some. [ This is. A lot. Especially for Six who had a barely-there, intense, dramatic practically non-existent relationship with her teacher who then proceeded to die. ] I - I have not watched many couples. It seems impolite.

[heirring]

There's nothing at all wrong with observing the world as it happens around you.

[No.1 gossip fan, Wysteria Poppell.]

[swordproof]

Of course not. Observation is - acceptable.

[heirring]

Some might say it's the only way to properly learn a thing.

[swordproof]

Not necessarily. Practice is important.

[heirring]

[Hey, now look who's out of her depth.]

Well. Yes. There's that too. Practice is of course an important part of developing any skill.

[swordproof]

[ Now she feels awkward. ]

I imagine you must observe before you can practice. I did.

[heirring]

[Thank the spirits, here at least is an escape route from the hideously clumsy turn this has taken.]

Oh so then you're matched already and all my good advice is entirely wasted. You must tell me everything about your companion, dear lady.

[swordproof]

Matched? No, I’m - not. I’m not.

[heirring]

[A small, bewildered sound. A long pause like a question mark. But hadn't she just said--?

Eventually:]

I think we've lost each other somewhere.

[swordproof]

I was speaking of observation before training. For a weapon.

[heirring]

Oh. Yes. Of course. Forgive me, I thought we were still on the subject of-- Well it isn't important. [Let's not speak of romance and the matter of practice. There are far more interesting topics at hand. Namely:] Tell me then, what weapon do you use? And really, you must say whether it's your profession or past time. I have a great admiration of women here who 'make their way by the sword'. Or bow. Or whatever you like.

[Lady knights are far more romantic than the topic of courting and marriage.]

[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.

[heirring]

--Oh! [It's a bright, clear exclamation - all pleasure and curiosity.] You're a Rifter! How grand. We should be friends.

[swordproof]

Is that how it works, to be a Rifter?

[heirring]

I don't see why not. There's no reason at all in the world why we shouldn't be friends and stick together in a strange new place, is there?

[swordproof]

Have you been here long, my lady?

[bouchonne]

[ He's laughing. ]

[swordproof]

[ bitch ]