voice.

[dashing]

Good morrow, Riftwatch.

( Now, there’s a voice that hasn’t been on the crystals for a time. Years, in fact. The Starkhaven accent is strong as ever, and yet— some more nebulous quality has shifted. What was once careful and controlled, turned to diplomacy through practice, has turned to uniform flatness. Every word placid, every syllable even. )

My name is Herian Amsel. If we were previously acquainted then the possibility that word of my return has reached you already, and were circumstances suited to it, I would offer apology for being so withdrawn.

For those unfamiliar with me, or who have not become familiar with the details of my return, there are elements best not left unspoken.

You may notice differences in my speech and manner. This stems from the Rite of Tranquility, enacted by radicals acting outside the approval of the Chantry and Inquisition. Indeed, the attack was an attack against the Chantry and Inquisition, both.

I remember well the passion and fire of so many in Riftwatch; I share this news not to stoke those fires. These are matter that require thorough investigation. Rather,I speak to be transparent that this state is not one freely chosen, and such a revelation is an unkind one to inflict on others in the midst of other work. A good many find the Tranquil unsettling even before considering the context of how the Rite came to pass.

My presence hence is to serve Riftwatch, and if my presence disturbs you, please do not hesitate in letting it be known. I would sooner remove myself to another part of the keep to do my work, than some disconcerting quality to my aspect interfere with your work, or my circumstances evoking painful memories. One reason I have remained withdrawn was my own contemplations on potential negative impact my return in this state could alert.

Presently I have been assisting Doctor Strange, and learning of medical practices. If any could be troubled to lend assistance through procurement of clay, that would be most beneficial.

If you have questions you win to ask, I will endeavour to answer.

Comments

permaprivate

[dashing]

( Enchanter Julius. A careful, deliberate man. She had liked and respected him. )

Thank you.

( There's no gratitude to articulate, but it is more polite than ignoring it, and a polite word of thanks is far from the destructive potential of an insincere apology. )

I have no frame of reference for the price of clay. He has highlighted the need for quality materials, beyond that which might be requested. It seems logical.

Prefer you to be addressed as Enchanter or Seneschal?

[laruetheday]

Right. Just, if I tried to make clay sculptures, they'd look like shit? That's why I asked.

[dashing]

In practical terms, I am less capable than I once was, beyond the loss of my magic. While I can take up the sword and remember drills and training, and loss of emotional control hinders one's ability in battle, the is something amiss. Rather than control, there is a void.

You knew me not before, unless my memory has faltered. I was oft considered detached, or without sentiment. In truth, some emotions burned too fiercely, so much that more than once I did harm to myself and those dear to me. I invested much time, these years past, in reckoning with that and better managing all that which has been so destructive in years past, but it is a path without fixed end.

In Tranquility the struggles are rendered null. Insight and reflection are possible, and have the clarity that comes without emotion. Knowing how great a challenge that could be, previously, it is beneficial that the process is simplified, however, without that effort any growth inhibited. Things can be acknowledged or cross our awareness long before we grow and internalise them. I have come to realise this is an incomplete form of myself. The Tranquil have limited potential to become more than they are. It is a statis; not inherently a negative, however, I am aware that I am an incomplete form of myself.

( Its the sort of thing that could evoke some kind of emotional, even subtly. Instead, there is a perfect, consistent placidity. )

Speaking so transparently causes no concern. I can elaborate, if you wish.

[dashing]

A potential benefit to Tranquility. I can rework it until it is correct, without frustration.

[dashing]

You are an artist?

[laruetheday]

Sooo you used to be different?

[extortionate]

Yep. Specialize in an-at-om-y.

private;

[sumptus]

Madame,

[ Thank you, Amsel, for saving him having to match that accent to his increasingly chaotic rolodex of southern honorifics, ]

Can I ask, do you know if there've been papers, or— a report, maybe, on the process of reversal?

[ Don't make him ask that angry guy. ]

private ∞

[ipseite]

( bad news, new kid— )

I am not specifically aware of such a report, as I understand that the original efforts were not what one might precisely describe as having been sanctioned, but I presume that the nature of the discovery as well as the need to preserve it in the face of predictable resistance would necessitate such a record.

[tadpoled]

I can provide herbs for medicinal potions. I’ve been working on the garden, when I’ve the chance.

[sumptus]

[ Ah, hell. ]

So not done by Riftwatch, just Riftwatch members. Enchanter-- [ whatsit, ] Averesch, he was one?

[ipseite]

I believe so, yes. A number of primarily mages— one of our past Commanders was quite keen to have names, but I don't know the full list of those involved.

( coupe had not been thrilled. )

Mssr Lyov, who was remedied this way, was regrettably a recent casualty of Venatori attack.

[sumptus]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[ Genuinely, not just for scientific reasons. Imagine being whole again, only to— ]

Thank you for sharing what you do know. I can understand why others might not be so forthcoming, but, [ how to say it, ] if it can be done again, I wouldn't see it fail for lack of hands. If I can help, I'd like to.

[ipseite]

Riftwatch has seen much turnover in the time since Mssr Lyov's restoration— I believe you may have your opportunity to be of use.

May I ask your focus?

( here, generally, magically, you know—

and then, an afterthought: ) Do you prefer trade or Tevene?

private forever

[exequy]

Good.

[ What he means is don't fucking apologize. Spit out the same. ]

Were you the only one?

amen and thank you

[dashing]

The only one subject to the Rite. Those others of my party were executed, indiscriminate of magehood.

[sumptus]

[ Switching languages immediately-- ]

That depends on your Tevene.

[ His is precise, by that measure; sharp and playful as a blade in a knife juggling nerd's hand. ]

[ipseite]

( with a self-deprecating laugh— hers has become conversational, even fluent in these past years, but it remains primly accented, shades of the same way that something like but not orlesian shapes her vowels and the cadence of her speech in trade, )

I will call it serviceable, by now. I have been lucky in my opportunities to expand my knowledge, and I had recently despaired of finding a new conversation partner that I might — remain serviceable.

( she has not quite james flint's way of speaking the language, the way it seemed to come from some rumbling place in his chest, a slow, sibilant thing— but perhaps it is still reflected, there, that she has spoken tevene most frequently with educated pirates and not gentlemen of the imperium's circles. )

It is a beautiful language, besides its strategic import.

[succise]

(Because Herian has told her something interesting, there, right at the end Vega decides she won't draw attention to the unnecessary personal information, or say that she doesn't care to know what Herian was like 'before'. A reward, of sorts.

The way she responds quickly implies that even if speaking transparently caused concern, she would still ask for more.)

Yes, please.

How does being disconnected from the Fade feel?

love reading past tags to refresh and finding your own words incoherent 8|

[dashing]

Have you ever been so cold that your limbs are beyond your command or sensation?

The tag life...

[succise]

No.

[dashing]

I do not know how best to explain. It is a disconnection from that which granted me those insights. As a blindfold inhibits sight, Tranquility blinds entire parts of me.

[overharrowed]

Either is fine. People use a mix of both, and they're both accurate, so whichever seems more logical to you.

[An easy substitution for whichever you prefer, here.]

I've no quarrel with the idea that you should look for quality materials, but Lazar has a history of trying to enrich himself in a variety of ways, not all of which are honest. I'd not see him take advantage of your unfamiliarity.

[succise]

That's awful. Do you hate it?

private ∞

[portalling]

( Strange waits it out and quietly listens to the other public conversations as they occur, a fly on the wall. He lets them play out and gives Herian some time to field the initial reactions, the questions, the curiosity, the anger. Once that wave has passed, some time later— )

How are you settling in?