give her a hand

[arlathvhen]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Beleth
RECIPIENT: All hands on deck (everyone)
WHAT: It'd sure be handy if people could hide their anchor shards.
WHEN: Now
WHERE: Beleth is in the Gallows, but anyone can hear it
NOTES: This will probably be the start of trying to gain the upper hand on this anchor shard situation.

Hello, everyone. There have been several incidents now that have made it clear that there is a certain risk, in certain situations, of people openly possessing anchor shards. The least of which being that there are populations in Thedas that have a rather negative view of them.

The obvious solution is to simply wear gloves, but this method isn't guaranteed. It's chilly enough now, but it won't always be, and large groups of people all wearing gloves could become suspicious--particularly so if they all refuse to remove their gloves. Thus, we are going to need more methods to disguise the anchor shard that so many of our agents carry.

As this involves a large portion of the people in the Gallows, I thought that it would be prudent to pose this issue to everyone, so you can all offer your suggestions for possible solutions.

Additionally, I would like to ask for volunteers to test these methods on. [ She pauses for a moment, wondering if she needs to say it, then decides not to underestimate how paranoid some people can be. ] This will, as stated, be voluntary, and you will be made aware of what process is being tested, and what it will involve, and can back out at any point in time.

For instance, my first idea is to see if enough makeup can be applies to hide the shard, without making the hand look unnatural. If someone with an anchor shard would like to, I can arrange a meeting for us to test this.

All methods used and their results will, of course, be written down and filed for future reference.

Comments

[swordproof]

I would be glad to volunteer, if it might help.

[doneisdone]

I don't see a problem that a quick chop can't remedy.

[hello_there]

Not a particularly practical solution, Warden.

[doneisdone]

You mean it didn't work?

[arlathvhen]

Thank you, what name can I put down...?

[swordproof]

Six.

[hello_there]

Wrong hand, Warden.

[doneisdone]

Oh, that's some bad luck you've got.

[arlathvhen]

[ Dully, in the tone of a retail worker explaining why she can't check the back to see if they have more items: ]

As we are unable to close the rifts through any means save anchor shards, they are currently necessary in order to make sure that Thedas is not currently drowning in a neverending tide of demons.

Additionally, we would prefer not to mandate those with anchor shards to cut off their limbs so that they can participate in a single mission that requires discretion.

[doneisdone]

[THERE ARE NO ITEMS IN THE BACK]

Mmn.

[arlathvhen]

[ Six what? She resists saying. ]

Thank you, Six. If you wouldn't mind trying the makeup, is there a time that's best for meeting with you?

[swordproof]

[ Six is a good name, thanks - ]

It is not a problem. I'm free most days and evenings, so a time that is good for you should work well.

[hello_there]

There's no such thing as luck.

[doneisdone]

[whiner]

[provenforce]

Kirk once suggested wrapping a bandage around the hand. I've done that a few times since I usually wrap my arms as it is, and if you wrap both hands it's less conspicuous that only one is covered. It would probably stick out if a lot of people started doing it, though.

[the_cleric]

[In a bright sparkling tone, here comes the clear answer to the problem:] Invisible mittens!

[arlathvhen]

Bandages are a good idea. Less conspicuous than gloves, for sure. Even one hand isn't too obvious, if you make it look like your entire arm is injured. But yes, I think it's something that will have to be used sparingly, lest people start catching on.

Still, it's a solid suggestion.

[arlathvhen]

[ There's a lot of things to unpack here, so Beleth starts with the most obvious: ]

If they're invisible, wouldn't you be able to see the anchor shard?

[arlathvhen]

[ It's a good number. ]

This evening would work, I'll bring the materials to my office.

[ 'The materials' aka her sizable makeup supply. ]

[tofindthesun]

Does it rub off? [making an educated guess about........ 'make-up'.] I do not have idle hands.

you know what, she *is* here

[coquettish_trees]

[ genuinely: ]

Unless the Scoutmaster has some manner of cosmetic that verges upon the magical, it does indeed rub off. Although I believe the degree to which ought to depend on how vigorous the use of the hand.

[heirring]

Perhaps consider a glove modeled to resemble a hand.

[Helping.]

HMMmMMMmMMM!!

[tofindthesun]

[...hm! hm! wonder what that could mean!]

Then I shall take great care not to overuse it. It would be unseemly to seek out the Scoutmaster to have it reapplied throughout the day.

[does he know what she means. it's arguable. maybe he's just like this.]

[arlathvhen]

Not that I would mind you seeking me out throughout the day, but I can always give you more to reapply yourself.

[ Because there are plenty others that she would mind, if they visited her constantly. ]

[arlathvhen]

[ Uh. ]

...If you make or encounter such a glove, please let me know. As long as it’s made out of....animals.

[ A people-skin hand would be affective, but. At what cost. ]