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[inkindled]

FORM: sending crystal
SENDER: Matthias
RECIPIENT: every! body!
WHAT: orphans are coming to guilt everyone and we have to complain about them. and THEN mobilize to stop them.
WHEN: now
WHERE: complaining live from the Gallows
NOTES: this is setting up a big orphan vs orphan streetfight so if you want to punch a child in the face it's not too late to come along and live that fantasy.


So while we're all complaining-- [Are we all complaining? More or less.] Like, the Inquisition's not without its problems. Which is balls, but it's not like I came here with false expectations, right--underneath, everything is balls. [So matter of fact, that.] But so far, I haven't heard of the Inquisition stooping so low as to recruit a bunch of orphans to come and snivel in every town square in Thedas to get pity for the cause.

But that's all right for the Chantry. 'Cause that's the news out of Val Royeaux. I heard it off this fellow in a tavern, he'd just been, said Benedetta's got a bloody army of sad-eyed kids on the march. Every road in Orlais is clogged with them, and they're headed to stand outside the Consensus and look pathetic and say their parents died in the invasion, and she's their only hope. [And he could not sound more disgusted.] It's horseshit. But so's everything these days, I guess. So their parents died in the invasion. It's not like they're the first to have lived a hard life. And what's Benedetta going to do for them, anyways? Like some mingy bint sitting on a chair and growing a fat ass ever brought anyone's mother back from the dead. It's horseshit.

[Hang on now, he's getting lost. Back to the point--] So what I want to know is, how d'you get to Val Royeaux. Besides take a left at Ghislain.

Comments

[rathercommon]

Sorry - are you angry at them for being orphans?

[inkindled]

Orphans that are letting themselves get used. Yeah.

[rathercommon]

[ A very contrary shrug. ]

Orphans that are turning their awful lives into something that can at least get them fed for a day, if nothing else.

[aenseidhe]

And what the bloody fuck does Benedetta intend to do? Ride out at the head of the cavalry and shove a sword up Corypheus's ass herself?

[inkindled]

Right? [At least someone's got sense.] She's not going to do anything--not for these stupid orphans, definitely not for the anyone in Thedas--so why the act?

[aenseidhe]

Since when do orphans give a single shit about anything political? She's likely bribing them in food and shelter.

[cozen]

May I have your name, monsieur?

[inkindled]

Why?

[cozen]

Underneath, everything is balls. I am writing this down. I want to ensure you are given credit.

[thorndergod]

There is walking if you are poor, riding a horse if you are not or have friends who are not, or riding a griffon if you have jumped through whatever hoops are required to get access to them.

Do you seek to stare at orphans?

[inkindled]

[ye olde record scratch as Matthias suddenly falls back ten years to when he was completely obsessed with griffons.

Holy shit.]

I walked here from Ghislain. It took ages. They'd have venerated the new Divine by the time I got to Val Royeaux if I was walking. And I'm not staring at them, I could go any old where and stare at orphans. That's the point. There's loads of orphans. No matter who's Divine, there's going to be loads of orphans. If they think they're so extra pathetic and special, someone ought to tell them where to shove that stupid entitlement of theirs. That's what I'm after.

[And, okay, he can't resist, trying desperately to be casual--]

Where're the griffons?

[thorndergod]

[Thor snorts.]

Who in the South does not feel that they are extra pathetic and special? Even your nobility makes a show of suffering. Even the griffon keeper makes noises about being beleaguered and she is working with creatures no one has in some time. As for where they are, you must get past her first, but you will find them [insert walking directions here.]

She will not let you ride them, or at least not right away. I have not looked into what she requires yet.

[Like they're gonna let a Vint on the griffons...]

[circleprodigy]

...what.

[Yeah, she's disgusted, too.]

I never thought to support Benedetta anyway, but this....

[inkindled]

Right!

[Relieved to find someone ELSE with the right feelings and priorities, Matthias quickly warms to more shit-talking.]

It's all built on a falsehood. How many of 'em actually believe that she's going to do anything for them, and how many of 'em just want the coin?

[circleprodigy]

[Shit-talking potential Divines is a time-honored tradition, why stop now?]

Hope is a powerful thing...and sadly, used to manipulate the most vulnerable. Even a hint of a better life is enough to make people move mountains...or die trying. And those not consumed by idealism still probably feel as though they have nothing to lose.

[chainlightning]

I suppose I'd take a griffon. But I'm also not entirely sure how to get to Val Royeaux normally...

[ Pause. ]

Perhaps the Inquisition could offer the orphans shelter and purpose instead? Pull them off the streets, actually do something?

[inkindled]

[With sulky dejection:] Wish I could take a griffon. But them being guarded and all, I don't think I'm allowed, so far as I've heard it. Another crap deal.

I guess the job thing isn't bad. Only I don't if I want to be rubbing with elbows with some snipe who thought making coin off of exploiting himself was an all right thing to do. People ought to be joining up because the Inquisition is-- well, decent, at least. Not to make money.

[chainlightning]

Oh, you can go and visit them. Make friends. If one likes you enough, they're likely to let you ride one. That's what happened to me, at least.

[ Because Merrill is many things, but she is not a Grey Warden. ]

They ought to be, [ she agrees, with a sigh, ] but maybe they don't know it's an option?

[altusimperius]

On a boat and then a horse, I'd expect.
Or just a horse, if you prefer to take the long way.

[inkindled]

Boats take a long time, though, don't they. In general.

[altusimperius]

Is that a bad thing?

[sulahnan]

[ A snap of the fingers. ]

Got it: just follow the orphans.

[inkindled]

[Despite his righteous indignation... Matthias snorts.]

Oh, right. S' that easy, then. Only I've got to find the orphans first. How do I do that? Just throw on sackcloth and a ree dick oo luss Orleeezan akcente, start crying... see if I'm moved in any particular direction?

[filthydipper]

Sometimes if it's dark, anything'll look like a light. Even if it's a sham. Even if somewhere deep down in you you know it's a sham. If someone's saying they'll give you some food or something out of it?

You'd probably go for it.

[Trying to keep it chill. Casual. Not thinking about how the Chantry is a better scam than the Carta at all.]

[inkindled]

[Immediately defiant:]

I wouldn't. No way would I.