001.

[deuselfmachina]

Bonsoir, Riftwatch.

[ A new voice graces the network. It is thiccly Orlesian, to the point where it may even be difficult to follow if you're not at least passingly acquainted with one. ]

My name is Florent Vascarelle, and I have the very good pleasure of staying as a guest here in your prison-fortress. I thank you all for your hospitalities so far. I wish I could have celebrated Satinalia with you all, but my presence was required elsewhere. You know how it can be, this time of year.

But to the matter at hand! I am now in search of an artist, one practiced with painting walls. You see, my apartments in Val Royeaux were beautifully decorated with vistas of exotic lands, and colourful characters. My very good and talented friend, Kesta, indulged me in this task, but now she is unable to make the long journey to the Free Marches, unfortunately, she is very much in demand. But I had the thought that Riftwatch is a group of all different types, and among you, perhaps a hidden talent with a paintbrush?

I will of course pay you well for your services. Please respond soon, if I have to look at these ugly grey walls a moment longer, I may go blind.

[ He laughs, and then stops laughing. ]

But really. When you are able, s'il vous plait.

Comments

[justashotaway]

We are permitted to paint our walls?

[deuselfmachina]

Hm?

[justashotaway]

In our rooms.

[deuselfmachina]

I'm sure.

[justashotaway]

Then you should paint your own.

[deuselfmachina]

Me? Non non non. I have many talents, but I am not a skilled painter of walls, or even of paper. I am, however, good at paying for services rendered.

[ Maybe. ]

[positioning]

How well will you pay?

[deuselfmachina]

Spoken like a true artist. What do you usually charge for your work, monsieur?

[positioning]

That depends, my friend. Tell me, what do you envision? When you look at your bare walls, what vision would bring you joy?

[deuselfmachina]

So many things! I favour a collaboration between an artist's strengths and style along with my own preferences, you know, but I did have the notion of an image from a favoured production of mine, if you are good at characters.

Perhaps you have a portfolio you could present?

[positioning]

I am ashamed to admit my portfolio was lost to the strain of travel. The elements can be so unforgiving. But rest assured, I am very good. Everyone says so.

[elegiaque]

We might be able to persuade Lexie that it's worth her while.

[deuselfmachina]

Your pretty red haired friend? She paints?

[elegiaque]

And she loves being told she's pretty.

[deuselfmachina]

How lucky for her.

Is she an artist of good ambition, or is it only a fancy? I do not mind one way or the other, but you know I can be exacting.

[ Sort of. ]

[elegiaque]

( a thoughtful hum, )

I don't know if I've ever asked her in so many words about her passions. But she's talented, and passionate about the arts. She might fancy the idea of contributing to the artistic livelihood of the Gallows, and bringing a little Val Royeaux to it—honestly, more than me, but I know how you are.

( he is a product of that, and as much as gwenaëlle doesn't particularly miss what they've left behind, she does love him for it. )

[clawings]

What is Satinalia?

[ A beat. ]

I'm new.

[deuselfmachina]

[ A stymied pause, because truly, the world is such a strange place with strange people in it who don't know about Satinalia, apparently, and then, gamely; ]

Me too, mon ami! But we had Satinalia where I am from as well, so I can explain.

Satinalia is a celebration before the darker months claim us. It is a time to give gifts to your friends, to dance, to feast, to dress in costume, to act a fool for an evening — sometimes many evenings. There is also a fool, in fact, a named one, who gets to be ruler of the day. It is all silliness, but of a welcome kind. I am sad you have missed it.

[clawings]

[ Boy oh boy, just wait until you happen to meet Erik, Florent. Strange doesn't begin to cover it. ]

So'm I. Sounds like it would've been a riot.

[ In a good way, his tone implies; though it also sounds medieval as fuck. Not that he's shocked by that bit, he's seen where he is.

He's actually a little sad that he apparently missed the social event of the afterlife, here. (He's still not convinced he isn't dead and suffering as a result of his own actions while alive.) ]

What's the next major holiday?

[deuselfmachina]

Ooh, well, that would be Le jour premier, or, hmm, First Day, to mark the beginning of the new year. I think it is not as vigorously celebrated but all, but in Val Royeaux, we find any excuse. Perhaps this place is the same.

But before we continue, please, your name?

[clawings]

[ Sounds French, but the accents are a little...different? This must be Orlesian. ]

Erik. Stevens.

How far away is the new year? I ain't been paying attention to a calendar.

Also, why'd you come here? If you don't mind my askin'.

[lettenhove]

You sound like a refined gentleman. [ sorta. jaskier is rolling his eyes a little. ] So far no one has been able to tell me where I can find a good Beauclaire wine, or a bit of Est Est. Hell, I'll even take cheap wine at this point. Do you have any suggestions?

[deuselfmachina]

Hmm.

Well, there is a cellar here, but it is for esteemed guests, [ he says, and allows for a pause. You fill in the blanks, guy. ] But my current stock came as a gift to me from a friend in Orlais, je suis desolee. I am currently drinking a ten-year-old Val Foret. It is very good.

[lettenhove]

I can't say I'm familiar with those names... [ because, duh. meanwhile the french goes over his head. elves in his world speak polish ] But if the vintage is anything like what comes from Toussaint, I'd be willing to share a bit of my Erveluce. There's unfortunately not much left.

[deuselfmachina]

Erveluce.

[ He is encountering so many new things today. Avvar artists, Fereldens who don't know of Satinalia, some mysterious elixir, and also he feels like he should know where Toussaint is, but doesn't. It's fine, he can pretend he does. ]

I would like to try it before it is gone, then. Erveluce? We can make a trade.