crystal; two questions

[aberratic]

FORM: sending crystal
SENDER: ennaris tavane ( aberratic )
RECIPIENT: everyone
NOTES: no warnings!

Riftwatch, [ brightly, someone has a new project she's set herself on, ] two questions, if you'll indulge me—

First, what is your favourite place in Thedas? Second, I have a project in mind for Archives. Please let me know if you would be amenable to participating in a series of interviews relating to your experiences in Riftwatch—particularly those among us who have been here for years, though all stories are welcomed.

Comments

[ipseite]

I would be quite happy to answer such questions.

[aberratic]

Of everyone, I thought you might, Madame.

[ call it a hunch! ]

I'm sure it won't surprise you that I intend this project to be for posterity. We needn't attach names to anything sensitive, but anything I take down will eventually be a matter of historical record. That's important to me.

[ipseite]

Well, I can assure you that I will not say anything I would not wish my name particularly attached to.

( whether or not that’s very reassuring, it’s certainly true. )

[aberratic]

[ hey, it's ness' job to record history, not to judge whether it's politically safe to do so. that's above her pay grade and also dumb. ]

Then this project will be very interesting indeed, [ warmly, eagerly, gosh she loves history and the truth. ] I'll deliver my list of initial questions to your desk shortly. I may ask follow-ups that were not prepared, but we can work through those as you like when they arise. Is that amenable to you?

[ipseite]

( luckily, that’s petrana’s job. unluckily, that definitely means her willingness to answer questions is very separate from whether or not those answers will be at all interesting to record (or wholly truthful). )

Of course. I will return my answers to you as I’m able.

[bouchonne]

My favorite place? Why, in the center of attention, of course.

[aberratic]

The Centre d'Attention theatre in Val Royeaux? A strange choice for a Fereldan, but to each their own, I suppose.

[bouchonne]

Ah, I'm half-Orlesian, if that helps clear it up.

[aberratic]

Oh, such a winning combination! I'm sure that has resulted in no sense of internal conflict at all.

[bouchonne]

It might have if I were a man prone to introspection. But I am as the Maker made me - simple.

It did result in quite a few lads who wanted to punch my teeth in, though. Both in Ferelden and in Orlais.

[justanyone]

The Nocen seashore.

And I don't mind questions. I've been here for eight years.

[aberratic]

Ah, I love the seashore as well—in my previous life I lived along the cliffs of the Storm Coast, and there is nothing that compares to the view of the horizon reflected in the waves.

What makes it your favourite?

On the topic of the interview, I shall drop a copy of my questions off onto your desk, so you may prepare your answers. As I said to Madame de Cedoux, I intend for this project to be a matter of historical record, and will require your consent on that front, as well as clarity regarding what you wish to be anonymized versus what I am free to attach your name to.

[justanyone]

It was always a place of peace and warmth, free of care. [for him anyway]
...I don't know that there's ever any going back to that [for a variety of reasons], but the memories are there.

As for the interview, I understand. I'll have a look through it and let you know.

[aberratic]

Would it be terribly dangerous to return? I've seen so much and yet so little of Thedas in my year here, I'd like to know better the world we're trying to save.

[justanyone]

[an awkward laugh,]

For me, yes.

[cassian look away]

[cozen]

I would be happy to look at your questions —

[ and maybe answer some of them ]

— and my favorite place is the intersection of Rue de Jeaneve et Rue de Cochons in Val Royeaux. The owners of the two taverns at the diagonal have been feuding for thirty years, the apothecary is a front for an assassin's guild so the man behind the counter will drive up his prices outrageously for anyone else who tries to buy from him, and anyone who goes into the boarded-up shop is never seen again.

[aberratic]

But not to answer them?

[ you think you're so clever, don't you? ]

That... isn't quite what I had in mind, but I can't deny that I am intrigued now. Would you show it to me?

[cozen]

It is impossible to say how happy I will be about answering them until I have seen them.

[ He knows he's clever. For example: the intersection of Rue de Jeaneve and Rue to Cochons isn't actually his favorite place. Nevertheless, ]

It would be my great honor to show you, Mademoiselle.

[aberratic]

If you won't answer them, there's hardly a need for you to see them, is there? It's quite a lot of work, sourcing paper, transcribing questions with my off-hand, ensuring everything is legible and well laid out... I'm sure you wouldn't make me do all that for no result, Monsieur.

[ do guilt trips work on grown adults, let's see. ]

It may be dangerous—I've an incurable curiosity, you will probably have to pull me away from the boarded-up shop. Or shall we be the first to escape and tell the tale?

[cozen]

You might read them to me, if it is such trouble. Or transcribe them for everyone all at once in the crystal books.

[ So, half works? ]

We could try. The worst case scenario, I think, would be a demon — would you fare well against one yourself, if we assume I would be more or less useless?

[wythersake]

[ their cohabitation has offered little from isaac beyond yes, no, lock up when you leave — as though she ever leaves —

stories and places, and he could twist that nail a bit now, if he chose. ]

Conduct them outside the office, if you will.

[ he doesn't choose. and maybe that's the nail. ]

[aberratic]

[ she is so very rarely contrary for the sake of it, ]

If I won't?

[wythersake]

Then I imagine Mssr Orlov — [ yes, he's noticed ] — Will be happy to answer my own questions.

[aberratic]

[ absolutely fucking not— ]

I have no idea what you're talking about. They're written interviews, anyway, at least for now.

[wythersake]

Splendid. As long as they remain so, I've no cause to brush up on my arithmetic.

[ twenty-five years, or the second in a row —

third, maybe. thevenet's got a tit in everything. ]