crystal

[degenere]

FORM: crystal
SENDER: Val de Foncé
RECIPIENT: all of Riftwatch
NOTES: nah


As we are all engaged in the business of risking our lives for the fate of the world--sometimes against our will, for in such days are the very sacred celebrations of Satinalia endangered by fools and Nevarrans, and I hardly need to say that so often these things are found to be one and the same--but as this is the business that we find ourselves in, I must make an important point. I demand your attention to it.

I have noticed, as of late, that the Gallows is occupied with animals domestic. So, before your death in battle, take the time and the thought to make arrangements for what will be done with animals presently under your care. For what is sadder than a creature left to languish, alone? Hardly anything!

And this instruction goes doubly for those Rifters among our company who are likely to disappear. Perhaps your affairs are already in order. If they are not, I can recommend a solicitor who can assist with such things--but only if you swear, in these arrangements, to dedicate several lines to any animal who will be left behind at your departure!

Really, I cannot be the first one to have had this thought. I am sure my charges housed in the Gallows, and without, far outnumber those of any other member of our company. I have made my arrangements. See that the rest of you do the same.

Comments

[bouchonne]

And whom have you named in your will?

[degenere]

Why, but of course my friends. The Baroness Haut-Brion and Brother Jehan. Of course my solicitor will handle the management of my affairs. But there is no one I would trust to arrange situations for my research and creatures entrusted to me, and no one better suited to take on the collection of my papers and writing for the first and second posthumous volumes of my work.

[bouchonne]

Not your wife?

[degenere]

[degenere]

She would be in mourning, of course. And inheriting a great deal. This would take up much of her time and attention.

[exequy]

Do you know anything about birds?

[degenere]

I know many things about birds. What is it that you wish to know?

[exequy]

Only that. I’ll leave my bird to you.

[degenere]

Oh, I do not like birds.

[acreage]

[ ...as a rifter with an animal, this actually does catch his interest. but, dubiously: ]

You know a lawyer who writes rifter wills?

[degenere]

Why monsieur, most lawyers will write anything at all, if there is good coin to be found. The trouble with writing rifter wills is that rifters so rarely have that coin.

And you are, of course, entirely too near to the Fade. One must not forget that.

[acreage]

Believe me, it's hard to forget.

[ wry. ]

But you have a point. I never thought about what'd happen to my horse.

[ or any of his stuff, tbh. ]

[degenere]

Tragically few do. And it is this thoughtlessness which creates a great deal of conflict with one's possessions, and a great deal of confusion with one's living charges. I shall not regale you with the tale of the baroness who kept a heard of druffalo upon the grounds of her estate, with the breeding pair living within her manor--and, upon her death, her solicitor arrived to find that the mates had grown too large to be removed from the manor's halls, and that the baroness had not specified within her will what was to be done with them in the first place. A horrific scene ensued.

I hope your horse is not so large.

[cozen]

[ He has an actual will; it’s in a lockbox in the dwarven bank in Hightown, with everything else he doesn’t want the next person who breaks into his room to find.

However: ]

If I die Scoutmaster gets my horse. —did you hear that, Yseult? You have to protect Rascal.

[hassaran]

It's too late for that. You've already named him Rascal.

[cozen]

You will let my adorable spotty horse starve because you do not like his name?

[hassaran]

[ Well when he puts it like that she almost feels bad. As a fellow spotty creature. ] I suppose I can rename him.

You should introduce Darras to him. Perhaps he'll be adorably spotty enough to win him over.

[degenere]

Is the Scoutmaster much fond of horses?

[cozen]

She was raised by them. That is how she became so graceful.

[hassaran]

[bouchonne]

Also why she has such a long face.

[radicans]

Perhaps we could start a list of people willing to take on animals if needed. In case people don't know who to ask.

[degenere]

A good suggestion. Will your name be upon it?

[radicans]

Yes, I'd be happy to see to a dog or cat, or a horse. I'm not sure about the more exotic pets, I don't know anything about how to handle those.

[untiltheyarent]

Josephine Mariette, of the housekeeping staff. I am glad to assist in the event of such a need, or simply to feed them while their masters are away.