crystal;

[katabasis]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: James Flint
RECIPIENT: All Y'All
NOTES: OOC Version

While we're on the subject of change and the inexplicable--

[Flint hardly echoes the lighthearted quality of the Gallows' most recent broadcasts, though that can hardly be much of a surprise. This part should be though:]

We've received word from Orlais that the siege at Ghislain has come to an end.

As you likely know, our allies have been camped there for some time to maintain pressure on what was believed to be a significant Tevinter-Ander force occupying the city. However, it seems that force has successfully contrived to make their escape. Spies recently discovered the city to be manned only be a skeleton force, the bulk of the body having likely slipped away under cover of severe winter weather.

Ordinarily, I might congratulate the success of recapturing Ghislain regardless of the problems inherent to a disappearing army. Unfortunately, [is not so different from a blacksmith weighing a hammer and judging the angle at which best to strike a blow.] In the haste to retake the city, a number of gylph traps were tripped. This has reportedly caused much of the city's destruction. The exact extent of damage and the number of casualties among our allies' forces is presently unconfirmed, but I would advise everyone be prepared for the possibility that they are significant.

As always, change breeds the capacity for more. It is in our best interest to discover where the Tevinter-Ander force has gone, how they achieved their retreat and how they mean to make use of these reinforcements. Expect more work to those ends, and in support of the regions affected by the damage done to the city.

Comments

[fiat]

I would check the Anderfels.

[He says, in an Anders accent.]

You know, I hear it is very big.

[dinadhal]

[ Not private, but in Ander. ]

Ah, teasing poor Jim, are we?

[bouchonne]

[ He has enough Ander to get the gist of that. And what he has to say is: ]

Jim?

[dinadhal]

Yes, Jim. Do you speak Ander?

[bouchonne]

I speak a little Ander.

[ Though haltingly, and with an accent. And, in Trade: ]

Though not enough that I'm going to be using it with any regularity. It's dreadfully easy to be outwitted when you only speak a little of a language. Did he invite you to call him Jim?

[dinadhal]

If you can't speak Ander, then this isn't a conversation for you, By.

[bouchonne]

[ UGH. ]

Don't be unkind.

[dinadhal]

Buried bones never worry which way the wind is blowing.

[bouchonne]

[ A pause. Yeah. Definitely didn't get that one.

Well, so: ]

Why do you call him Jim?

[dinadhal]

[ and then byerly was left on read. ♥ ]

[cozen]

[ Whispering: ]

Who is Jim?

[bouchonne]

[ Whispering delightedly back: ]

Captain Flint!

[cozen]

[ A pause for processing, then a disbelieving, ]

No.

[bouchonne]

[ Ecstatically: ]

I want to know everything. Do you think he invited her to call him that?

[cozen]

I think your Ander is not very good and you misunderstood. No one would ever!

[bouchonne]

My Ander is flawless.

[ It is clearly not. He's so accented that you don't even have to speak a word of it to hear that he's Fereldan. ]

[cozen]

You don't sound anything like them.

[bouchonne]

You're onto something! They're fake Anders!

[fiat]

[Also in Ander:]

Teasing? I never tease. I am a gentleman. Very serious. Who is Jim?

[dinadhal]

The esteemed Forces leader who brought us news of our people, Raban.

[fiat]

Ah, I see. You are making friends in high places, or he just knows how to sound important, I wonder.

[dinadhal]

You'll have to ask him which, I couldn't tell you. But he does more than sound important.

[fiat]

But he is your... friend? That is the important thing I ask.

[dinadhal]

I've told you, my dear son, you would have to ask him. Now, where are you?

[fiat]

Rare for you to speak around the subject. Is he your fancy man?

[dinadhal]

Since when do I have fancy men? [ A laugh. ] Come, we have much to discuss. Where will I meet you?

[katabasis]

[@ all of this half-understood nonsense]

[hornswoggle]

[ hm ]

We might make use of the griffins to surveil the surrounding areas from the air.

1/2.

[innerharbor]

[innerharbor]

Griffins?

[hornswoggle]

Yes. We've used them before to surveil, among other things. It's not such an outlandish suggestion, is it?

[innerharbor]

Are those the ones with goat heads and snakes for tails?

[acreage]

Chimera, [ he supplies, buried in a cup of coffee as he listens to all of this ]

[innerharbor]

[Squint.] How the fuck do you know that?

[acreage]

[ a shrug. ]

I spent a lot of time reading as a kid.

[hornswoggle]

No need to rely on me. You're welcome to visit the eyrie and select your own descriptions.

[truthtied]

They're not the most common animals in other worlds. I believe a little surprise is warranted. They're not kept at the stables?

[ She's pretty sure she would have noticed griffins in the stables. ]

[hornswoggle]

Ah, I see. Well, they've an eyrie they're free to come and go from. And we've a number of riders, as well as the Scoutmistress who would be delighted to teach you the handling of them.

[truthtied]

Hunting down an errant army seems a good time to learn as any. And I've missed flying. I'll have to introduce myself.

[ To the riders, the Scoutmistress and the griffins, obviously. ]

[hornswoggle]

I'm sure Yseult will be thrilled by your interest.

[truthtied]

I'll take your word on the matter, but I am getting rather strong flashbacks to childhood where a similar statement ended in my mucking out the stables.

[hornswoggle]

Was it a task assigned in punishment, or lack of ability to manage the animals?

[truthtied]

Both. The stable mistress was very firm that I understood the care that went into her steeds before learning to ride. It took some time before I learned to appreciate her reasoning and somehow there always seemed to be twice the amount of stalls that needed a through cleaning on the days I was being especially petulant.

[hassaran]

Yes, plans for that are in progress. They may have a month's head start or longer, but it is possible we'll find some evidence of their passing. At minimum we will be able to survey the damage to the city. Do you ride a griffon, Mr. Silver?

[hornswoggle]

Pleased to hear it. [ genuinely, though to the questions— ] I make my contributions from the ground, generally.

[thereneverwas]

Well.

...

Shit.