crystal | if i promise that i'll be real good,

[poleaxed]

FORM: crystal as you please.
SENDER: Jone of Denerim.
RECIPIENT: Everybody.
NOTES: Jone's mouth.

I ain't been here long. Have we ever had a proper tourney, like?

We've horses enough for the joust. We've space for the melee. Some of you, I've heard tell, can manage well enough with a lute. And there can be betting, if any could be bothered to bookie. You know, so you can join in even if you can't hold a weapon or ride a sodding horse.

Has anyone done that? Might be worthwhile, yeah? Considering... things can get a bit boring, staying all in one place, if you ain't careful.

Comments

[truthtied]

[ With some indignation:]

You certainly wouldn't lose a hand. All of the stabled horses are terribly good natured.

[archademode]

You know them well enough to attest to this?

[Jone means the truth when she speaks, but her assessments are as willful as her beliefs, and it's for that reason alone that Gabranth hesitates to trust that they're all such simple creatures here.

It's gonna be real weird when he realizes they haven't got a full set of fangs.

[truthtied]

I do. I help the grooms with mucking out in the mornings.

You're welcome to come along with me and meet a few of the horses before you try riding.

[archademode]

[Is that tepid pause a sign of discomfort, or simple consideration? Difficult to say.

Still, after a scarce collection of held seconds, his decision is made:]

Very well. Your name, if you've a mind to offer it.

So that I might ask after you when I next visit their paddock.

[truthtied]

[ Delicately ignoring the pause, because someone around here has to have basic manners. ]

Diana. And you, Serrah?

[archademode]

[The first he's met so far inclined to offer up even a slight dose of propriety; there's something to be said in regards to appreciation for that.]

Judge Magister Gabranth.

A pleasure.

[truthtied]

[ That sure is a title, bud. ]

And you as well. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the title. How should I refer to you?

threadjacks your threadjack.

[poleaxed]

Just Judge! No magister nothing!

gasp!!!

[truthtied]

Why- Oh. Magister is a Tevene title as well, yes?

REVENGE.

[poleaxed]

Yeah, but he's stubborn. Don't use it and get him killed, aye?

[truthtied]

And I imagine no one would be pacified if it were pointed out the gentleman is in truth a Rifter.

Yes, I will keep that well in mind. Thank you, Serrah Jone.

[poleaxed]

Yeah, I mean- if you ain't met him, phwoar, he's huge, but the Chantry's a bit huger, innit.

[truthtied]

[ With some amusement: ]

He does give that impression, yes. And you're right. An sole individual might fight an army, but they certainly can't topple an entrenched institution. We will simply have to ensure there's no reason for such a fight to occur.

[archademode]

Enough, Jone. I need no keeper.

[As for Diana, he’ll say nothing— it would be unkind to fix his attention on a woman he’d only just met. One whose intentions are clearly good, if not currently focused a little too narrowly on his own safety owing to Jone’s guidance.]

[truthtied]

It was for my benefit as well as yours, I am sure. We are comrades in our situation as strangers in this land, it benefits us all to know these things so we may protect each other.

[ Her own tone is gentle reproof of someone accustomed to stepping between arguments and being heard. She tempers it with good humor: ]

And you did not answer my question, Serrah. How shall I address you?

[archademode]

Gabranth, if you have need of something shorter. I’ll not dictate what amount of respect you show me, only that you show no disrespect in your dealings.

[Though he suspects already that Diana would never be so coarse.]

[truthtied]

My thanks, Gabranth, and it is a pleasure to meet you.