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that word of my return has reached you already, and were circumstances suited to it, I would offer apology for being so withdrawn.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 One reason I have remained withdrawn was my own contemplations on potential negative impact my return in this state could alert.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

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.

[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?

[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.

[sumptus]

[ A complement would fit neatly here — Yours is more than serviceable — but if its absence is notable, so may be the fact he does continue conversing with her in it. ]

And versatile. [ Versabilis— changeable, shifting, the whipping of a flag in the cross-wind. ]

Not everyone speaks it with nuance, of course, [ here's looking at you, un-expellable Altus kids, ] but I can imagine the usefulness of that knowledge, considering your enemy.

[ He's hardly the only young mage to have taken to it like a secret code. ]

[ipseite]

I am the chief cryptographer here for Riftwatch — in fact, often our only cryptographer — so I have made the study of languages my business, but yes, particularly that primarily in opposition use.

That we have access to languages the Venatori do not while we can learn what they know is most useful. But I admit to simply finding conversational Tevene a useful —

( how to put it, )

— exercise in elasticity of the mind. To utilise a muscle I might otherwise not. Our erstwhile and errant Commander Flint ( she's good because she doesn't sound pissed with him and she still is ) was previously my, let us say, sparring partner.