crystal;

[tender]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Derrica
RECIPIENT: @ everyone
NOTES: company is coming.

[ A muted clearing of the throat, a distant rustle of paper. Then Derrica's voice comes over the crystal, light but firm. ]

If I could have everyone's attention for a moment, there is a very urgent matter to make you aware of.

I've had a letter to the Project Haven office informing me that a Chantry Mother will be arriving and staying some time in the Gallows. She is charged with gathering information on how Riftwatch operates, and intends to conduct interviews until she is satisfied she's reached an understanding as to how we approach our work.

[ As calmly as she states this news, it is apparent what they might consider this visitor to be: an impending problem. ]

I know there are many among us, even among our leadership, who enjoy an argument. And I know it will be difficult to refrain from engaging this visitor when she may try to provoke any of us she comes across. But this is not the time to do so. We cannot try to debate this woman, or sway her to acknowledge our views. It is important this visit proceeds as smoothly as possible. If she finds reason, Mother Pleasance could bring the Chantry's scrutiny down on us in a far more serious capacity. Winning an argument with her isn't worth risking such a thing.

[ Again, the minor rustle of papers. An exhale of breath that stops just short of qualifying as a sigh. ]

Beyond that, there is no reason to allow her knowledge of certain aspects of our work. I believe the Division Heads will go over specifics in the coming hours, but I can tell you that much of Research's work should not be spoken of. Experiments involving the anchors and lyrium, our work regarding the Gates, the artifacts and other items in the basement [ delicately avoiding the words possessed Averesch relations ] and the gun Wysteria built should never be mentioned to her, regardless of what questions the Mother puts to you or interest she shows.

If she is to question you regarding those who support our work, or any of the resources available to us, simply tell her you don't know, or refer her to your Division Head. Don't tell her about our access to the Crossroads, or our eluvians, or give any names of those we count as allies.

And it may sound like a small thing in comparison, but don't share with her any details about each other. She may wish to speak of the people you work alongside, and those questions should be deferred as politely as possible.

Rifters, she may press you for information about the world you arrived from. Be aware of how the Chantry perceives you. If you must share information with her, choose topics of little importance. Don't speak to her of magic or religions in your world, or anything that could be misconstrued as heretical. [ which, admittedly, could be most things, so Derrica adds, ] If you cannot avoid saying nothing, speaking of food or weather is likely the easiest route to take.

Mother Pleasance is seeking information as to our work here, and I don't think she'll be content to leave empty-handed. The Division Heads will go over safe topics more thoroughly, but it is our thinking that we might safely share our commitment to stopping Corypheus and the Venatori. If she presses for answers as to how we are going about it, we might tell her non-specifically about our work in identifying Venatori spies, preventing their sabotage or attacks. If she wishes to speak of Research Division's work, give her very general answers about the ARRIVED system and [ a beat, looking at a list. ] germ theory.

[ ok. ]

It is also safe to speak of such things as bicycles, or attempts to cleanse red lyrium and their work in seeking information to help us kill Corypheus' dragon.

If you are just trying to derail a conversation with her, I would recommend speaking of entertainment like Les Chats, or something similarly harmless. If you find yourself with no ideas as to what you might say, defer her to me, or to your Division Head. Excuse yourself and claim urgent work.

We believe she will be arriving in a few days time, so if there is anything you need to do to prepare yourselves, do it now, please. And I've been speaking at length, so if you've questions now, please. I am happy to answer.

[ ooc / get your assignments here! this doc contains a run down of each division briefing and a list of who has been designated a wrangler and who has been designated as DNI, along with info and assignments specific to each category. questions to the plot post please! ]

Comments

[tender]

[ That would be an unmitigated disaster, Derrica doesn't say.

But she thinks it. Feels a rush of exhaustion at even the possibility, which manifests in a quiet sigh. ]

I'm hoping we give off the impression of being uninteresting. Or if not that, then harmless.

[ Harmless in their eccentricity, that had been the hope. But even with certain people packed off to Kirkwall and preparations underway, Derrica is still aware of all the potential objections left lingering. ]

How would you describe our mission? If you were asked?

[fairforce]

I think we aim for harmless. I don't know if there's a man or woman of Riftwatch I would call uninteresting.

[--Keeping it light, but she does agree with the sentiment, really. Tiffany pops another segment of orange in her mouth as she weighs the second question.]

I'd start with important, I think. It sounds too simple but it's true. I'd want to emphasize the commonality we've all found in the cause. If we don't stop Corypheus, nothing else matters--no other cause, no other argument, no other problem or debate or battle. If an outsider couldn't agree with that, I don't know what else there would be to say.

[tender]

I don't know that they'd disagree with the goal, only the method.

[ Which can't be faulted. There is argument even among their own as to how they proceed with the work they focus on here. ]

I want her to think we're capable, [ Derrica says, the heart of her worry. ] Odd and eccentric, but capable. So capable that they can leave us alone and not look back.

[ Though that being said— ]

I was worried after what happened when we went to fetch Enchanter Rowntree. I thought they'd use that to blame us. But that they've waited, and approached it this way...

[ Worth some concern, Derrica thinks. She breaks off another orange segment, gaze slanting sideways to Tiffany, who knows more the Chantry's workings than Derrica. ]

[fairforce]

[Tiffany nods as she chews another segment of her orange. She turns over the finality of Derrica's wish: so capable that they can leave us alone and not look back. It's understandable, but it makes some part of her sad, too. The horror that the Chantry can be, has become.]

I thought of that, too, after what happened. I think it could be a good sign. If they thought it a true emergency--if they thought us a true threat--they'd have gotten their plan together quickly and moved against us. The delay suggests procedure has been respected, and maybe even that we're owed a certain level of respect and caution. I don't want to assume too much, of course, but I have to think there's some truth to the thought.

[tender]

That's optimistic.

[ Not a denial, just acknowledgement of the framing.

Derrica had wondered if the delay had been due to some kind of preparation, but it's just as likely that Tiffany is correct in her assessment. That they let the time pass because they see no clear threat. ]

Though it feels strange, thinking of us as an organization due respect. Sometimes, we're so small it seems that we're easy to overlook.

[ Which is part of the appeal, isn't it? Being part of something small, and independent, and free of the heavy expectation that come part and parcel with any larger organization. ]

Will you stay, after they've come and gone?

[fairforce]

Yes--we are small, and yet we aren't, I think. We've been involved in too many occasions of great importance and significance to be truly written off. And nearly all institutions started small, though so far back in history that it's perhaps difficult to remember. That's one of the reasons why I think this visit is important. It's dangerous but at the same time it gives us a kind of legitimacy as well that can only be earned.

More optimism, [she admits, with a self-conscious little smile,] you have the right of me. I think that's one of my virtues as well as one of my-- well, not weaknesses. But a soft spot, like a chink in an armor. I'll admit it. As to whether I'll stay, well--I hope to. My orders come from elsewhere, but the Seekers seem to think my presence here is an asset, so I suppose I'll be permitted to stay. I like Riftwatch. It's--different than I expected when I was first sent.