01. || crystal

[fairforce]

FORM: sending crystal
SENDER: Theophania Hart
RECIPIENT: Riftwach
NOTES: nah

Hello, Riftwatch. I can't tell from observation if it's the custom to give an introduction--I think it's not--but I prefer this to waiting to catching everyone one-by-one in the hallway or training yard. I'm Lady Seeker Theophania Hart. [Well.] Tiffany. I do the title first so there's no surprise later.

I'm among the newest of your company, permanently, but here to investigate the recent abomination. I'll be requesting records and following up on the leads that I have throughout the course of my work, but if anyone has anything additional that should be said, please, let me know.

For the record, I'm finding the Gallows to be surprisingly comfortable, but maybe that's because I've been on the road for what feels like an actual Age, and the weather is terrible, and I'm suffering what I believe to be a mild case of trench foot. Given the time you've all been having, I'll stop my complaining there.

I suppose that's it, unless anyone has any advice to offer to a new recruit. And you can skip any hazing, I'm much too old for it.

Comments

[hornswoggle]

A few years, give or take. I was present when we parted ways with the Inquisition.

[ for better or for worse ]

It's not comparable to ten years between wastelands and embattled watchtowers, of course.

[fairforce]

Isn't it? From what I've heard, Riftwatch gets up to its own share of trials and tribulations. I'm admittedly more familiar with the Inquisition's reputation, but word of Riftwatch has gotten out since the split.

[hornswoggle]

Dare I ask what you've heard of us?

[fairforce]

I don't know. Do you dare?

If you do, I'll ask you to remember that I'm just the messenger.

[hornswoggle]

I'll pluck up my courage. Tell me, what have you heard?

[fairforce]

[She lets out a big breath.]

All right. And remember: you asked.

I've heard that you're heathens, that you're cultists, that you all engage in blood magic rituals, that you eat only rats, that you're working against Corypheus because you plan to raise a figure who wants to take over Thedas and rule--which is also why you broke from the Inquisition--that you were all visited by Andraste herself in a dream and were summoned to Kirkwall, that you're harboring the reincarnation of the Herald, that Rifters are demons and you're all in their thrall, that Rifters aren't demons but they've enchanted all of you like a demon would, that you plan to raise your own army, that you house criminals and thieves and pirates solely so that they can plunder gold under your banner, that you have the Viscount in your pocket, that the Viscount is a demon that has you all under his thrall, that you're running an unsanctioned Circle, that you split from the Inquisition because your mission is holier.... Should I keep going?

[hornswoggle]

Only if you're going to tell me whether or not you've heard the one about the Viscount being replaced by several large rats in an ornate coat.

[fairforce]

[She laughs.]

No, that's a new one. Maybe it hasn't made it out of Kirkwall yet.

[hornswoggle]

Lucky you, you'll be here for the evolution of it. It seems you've timed your arrival perfectly.

[fairforce]

If this is what luck feels like... then I guess I've never felt luck before now. Thank you for telling me of it, serrah. Though I'd prefer to use your name.

[hornswoggle]

John Silver. Quartermaster of the Walrus, and Master of Information. Which I suppose would make me one of those plundering gold under the Riftwatch banner, among other things. It's a wonder I find time for anything, considering all I've been party to.

[fairforce]

If you could give me any tips on time management, I'd appreciate it. I always end up with the longest list of things to do, and not enough time to do it in.

What does the Master of Information do, exactly?

[hornswoggle]

Gossip.

[ this is surely enough of a description ]

What does a Lady Seeker do, exactly?

[fairforce]

Seek.

[Two can play at that game, okay--but Tiffany is forthright at her core, so she takes just a little comedic pause before she says:]

Seekers investigate corruption. We also protect the Chantry from the threats that would assail it--both threats internal and external, and often the corruption has something to do with that. And some Lady Seekers train recruits for years and then one day receive orders that the Inquisition's Free Marcher cousin might need some help.

[hornswoggle]

Interesting.

[ :grimacing: ]

And what do you do, when you've located corruption?

[fairforce]

Expose it. Bring justice. Do our best to keep the circumstances that caused it from happening again, in whatever way we can.

[hornswoggle]

Forgive a humble pirate one more question: who decides what justice is sufficient? You? The Chantry?

[fairforce]

You can ask whatever you like. I'm not keeping score.

The Chantry trusts the judgement of the Seekers. They helped to create us, but our justice is by the word of Andraste and her teachings. If I decide something, I do so with the Order behind me. I can only carry out punishments in very specific instances, but the word of a Seeker carries weight.

[hornswoggle]

I imagine the weight of all that responsibility is a lot to bear, even with the support of the Chantry behind you. Do you worry about the possibility of mistakes?

[fairforce]

All the time.

[hornswoggle]

How do you safeguard against the possibility?

[fairforce]

I meditate on the decision. I pray to Andraste. I consult others wiser than myself. And I don't make any decision until I'm certain that it's right, or the best in the circumstances.

And even then, I know it could still be wrong.