therookery | 01. || crystal

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I would be glad to offer what I can. [ A pause, then - ] Yes. Through marriage.

I see. The name has some familiarity. I was born in Ferelden--which also means I can usually pick out a fellow Fereldan--so your accent and the name together caught me by some surprise.

You're likely to run into him sooner rather than later - he is head of Diplomacy. I, of course, am from Nevarra, not Ferelden. I don't think I could survive the farming.

Oh, yes. I heard his name mentioned.

[As a bully. But accusations are accusations until proven as fact, and wives don't answer for their husbands, so let's be polite--]

Farming isn't so bad. Very similar to a healer's work, when it comes down to it. The non-magical kind, of course.

Which is what I am.

[ If she could see Sidony's smug little smile. ]

I've never done much farming myself, but I am sure I would note the similarities.

Sorry--just realized that I sort of made myself sound like some tenured farmhand. Being Fereldan, we're expected to help out, of course, and I'm not afraid of work, but I did have other responsibilities. I should have said that I hear that farming is very similar to a healer's work. I haven't any real hard experience with either.

How did you come to working as a healer?

Oh, I assure you, I made no assumptions. [ She hums, thoughtful. ] I studied it when I was at home, but began to practice it here. Riftwatch is rather in need of people to tend to their wounded.

You're the second person I've spoken with who began their healing career here. Is Riftwatch really so accident-prone?

We're at war. Hadn't you noticed?

Oh--yes, of course. I was joking, a little. Sorry. Of course a military organization like Riftwatch requires a full staff of healers.

No, of course, I was jesting as well. [ Like, 90% joking, honestly. ] Magic and not. So if you have a preference you can choose.

[Tiffany lets out a little breath--and then laughs, but at herself.]

How long have you been with Riftwatch?

Close to two years now. It certainly feels like longer.

Do you still remember the part where you didn't know anyone and couldn't tell if someone was joking and you kept embarrassing yourself? Or does that memory fade after two years?

[ Oh no. She's cute. ]

It fades with time, I assure you.

That does help a little. Thank you. I'll try to keep that in mind, especially after any future embarrassments that I'll no doubt find myself experiencing.

Most people are forgiving. I promise they'll be kinder than you expect.

Thank you. I think I need all the kindness I can get. We all do.

Oh, I hardly think I'm kind, but it's sweet of you to say.

Really? I thought kindness was one of those traits everyone assumed of themselves, even with evidence to the contrary.

Oh, no. I'm a hideous bitch.

[It's so sudden and unexpectedly brusque that Tiffany laughs, then feels a little bad for laughing.]

That--is such a harsh thing to say about yourself that I can only imagine it must either be something you've heard a lot, or it's something that has a modicum of truth to it.

[ It's fine - Sidony is laughing as well. ]

It may be a little of both.

[She laughs again--and, somewhere, covers her mouth.]

I know I just laughed, so now I have to say--'hideous bitch' is far too cruel to you.

Oh, you hardly know me, darling. I assure you that I can be.

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