crystal.

[elegiaque]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Gwenaëlle Baudin
RECIPIENT: All y'all.
NOTES: There's a new junior dad in town. Tell her all about your sick magic weapons and how buff or noodly your little nerd arms might be. (Happy to do action spam here or in her inbox for any office threads!)

Alright, Riftwatch, I assume I don't need to introduce myself,

( possibly because she hasn't been paying strict attention to recent arrivals, but she is certainly not herself a new face, )

but if you have somehow mistaken my accent for Alexandrie, this is Gwenaëlle Baudin, and if you haven't noticed my taking up the office, I am now your acting Captain of the Watch. ( because they are still pretending that dad might come back (with smokes) and that rowntree's appointment might be temporary. she has already begun studying nevarran, but she isn't all that optimistic about when she's going to need to know it by. ) I've started with inventorying our armoury, and as such I have a couple of requests to make of, primarily, those of you not in Forces. If you are in Forces, I need to know if you possess any personal weaponry of note that we should be taking into account. You can provide details by crystal, book or at my office. If you are not in Forces, I would like to know that, but disclosure is voluntary unless your division head decides to make it mandatory.

( yes, she checked with rowntree before announcing it's mandatory for forces. )

Further, if you are not in Forces, I'd like to have an overview of the combat readiness of our ( nerds ) general non-combatants and what their, your needs are. If you'd like particular training, or if you specifically wouldn't. If you're going to be particularly vulnerable in the sort of emergency we recently experienced, or if it'd be useful for me to be aware that you won't. Again, we can have these conversations by whatever means suits you.

( there's a brief pause. )

And to be clear, I'm not assuming all diplomats and researchers need to be provided personal fainting couches, and you will not be considered clever for getting up in arms about having your toughness questioned. If you would like to be provided a personal fainting couch, ask the Seneschal.

Comments

[elegiaque]

It's where I started, when I started learning here.

( and it was — here, literally. )

But I think I can arrange you something a little sturdier than a chaise-longue.

[sprent]

And now you are Captain. Congratulations.

I would like you to promise me that we'll stop at knowing how to use my knife.

[armd]

Marcus, she's coming for you.

[elegiaque]

( and there's where that thoughtful hum was coming in— )

Someone promised me that, too.

( it's quietly frank. )

So what I am going to promise you is that what we do is up to you, and I won't factor it into anything else.

[elegiaque]

You know I set the roster for guard rotations now, and decide how much sleep you get—

[armd]

If you wanna deal with me on not enough sleep—

[elegiaque]

You see if I ever give you credit for a good idea again, muscles.

[sprent]

(Gela, testing the idea of this promise in her head, finds it: good.)

Okay. (Verbal handshake.) I am happy with that.

[armd]

Everybody important has an ideas guy. You need me.

[elegiaque]

Good. Good deal.

( she sounds pleased, sincerely. )

I'm putting my schedule together, and Isaac's dumped a new project in my lap for the infirmary, but I'll make time.

[sprent]

(Warmly,) But if you ever don't have the time, I won't say no to rescheduling.

(Get it? because she doesn't want to do it)

[elegiaque]

The best and brightest Forces has to offer.

[elegiaque]

( wryly, ) I want you to know— if you don't want to, I won't think less of you and I won't make you. I just need to know what I'm working with so I can keep you safe.

[armd]

Low bar.

[elegiaque]

I have a fine strategic mind, thank you.

[favoriteanalyst]

Nothing of note. [He presumes she means something less than bog standard. Still, he might as well toss in his account for completion's sake.] Got my own sword and shield, though I borrow lighter shields when we do lots of on foot travel or don't expect heavy resistance. Not much practice with other weapons, though I might be able to heft something that needs two hands well enough. [Thanks, Barrow. Also, like, better with practice so he can muscle memory his hands. Nobody wants a greatsword to go flying because his grip wasn't strong enough.] Some of my own armor. Nothing enchanted. [Imagine how that would go.

He makes no mention of the weapon of sorts in the palm of his hand. Frankly, he's not actually sure that counts.]

I'd like to think I'm fairly combat ready. [The wry smile can be heard in his voice.]

[sprent]

(Backtracking now,) No, of course. Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you'd —

(A sigh.) It's complicated. I think I should know how to defend myself in an emergency at the very least, considering.

[elegiaque]

( it's all useful information and she makes note of it— )

I bet. And your hand situation, how is that?

( no wonder she and stephen get on so well— the question isn't pointed or a criticism, just a briskly matter of fact query in search of information, skipping the part where someone with better bedside manner might have found a more sensitive way to approach it.

but he sort of doesn't seem like the kind of guy who needs to be pussyfooted around. she wants to know what she needs to factor in, professionally. )

[armd]

I know. S'why you're Captain.

[favoriteanalyst]

[An accurate appraisal. Better to be straightforward and, at least audibly, nonjudgmental. He takes it in stride.] Coming along nicely, thanks. [And a little cheekily, fine.] Not directly killing me at the moment and able to fire something that seems damaging enough to be of some use in combat when I need it.

[elegiaque]

( slightly over her apology, ) It's fine—

It can be complicated. I'll make time.

[elegiaque]

( she'll take him at his word; if she has reason to worry about it, later, she can always ask stephen about it and gauge based on what his face does while he's reminding her about 'patient-doctor confidentiality'. )

One less researcher as needs a bodyguard in the field.

[elegiaque]

That and the lack of alternatives.

[favoriteanalyst]

All this and good looks, too.

[dissolving]

Huh.

[ a nudge at those specific ways. or maybe only revenge. ]