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[degenere]

FORM: sending crystal
SENDER: Val de Foncé (and with him, as always, is Jehan Mercier)
RECIPIENT: e v e r y o n e
WHAT: the scholars of Orlais have something to say.
WHEN: now, right now
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: aren't they charming.


Inquisition, we are confused.

[Melodious, Orlesian, flirtatious (somehow even in this most simple of sentences): these are three words one might use to describe the sound of Val's voice. It makes confused sound kind of fun, if a bit puzzling.]

My friend and I have come all this way to be an asset to you. And now we have arrived here, to your Skyhold, and we find so much to be in want. How have you all managed so far, with these conditions? I am a man used to the roughness of a camp, a life of travel. I love this life. You'll find no one loves it more than me. But a camp, that is one thing, and this? It is meant to be a city, of a sort. Yet there is no apartment for us. There is barely a work space, in your library--we have been, my friend and I. We have seen the conditions. There is barely a book there.

I am sorry for you, Inquisition.

[So sincere. A pause, in which he has pressed a hand to his chest, in a deep show of pity. And then, briskly, cheerfully:]

But we will not leave you there, in sorrow. The good news. You now have, among your numbers, me. An introduction: Valentine de Foncé, a master architect, among many other masteries, too numerous to name. If you ask sweetly, I'll tell you them all. If you ask very sweetly, I'll give demonstration. And for the Inquisition, I will offer my services, and my knowledge--and so, too, does my friend. If only so we can get a decent space in which we can do our work. And believe me: you want this. We have arrived to be your greatest blessing.

Now, tell me. With business sorted: what does anyone do for fun around here?

Comments

[degenere]

And anyone who makes definitive statements of broad and sweeping conviction will always be disappointed when she is proved wrong. See how this works?

You can't have too many kitchen boys. There is only so much space in a kitchen. And soon there is little and less work for them to do--too many hands, you see--and then you have idle kitchen boys. Dull, idle--a terrible combination.

And I believe I said blessing. Not savior. Wouldn't you like a blessing?

[stabsbooks]

Not from you.

[degenere]

From Jehan, then? I will be only a little hurt if you answer yes, and I would not question your taste at all. He is a handsome man.

[stabsbooks]

Your friend, I assume.

I doubt it.

[degenere]

No? But doubt is not the same as a refusal. And we must never say never, dear mademoiselle.

You can be honest with me. My heart, it will only break a very little. He is a holy man, you know. Perhaps his blessing will suit you better.

[stabsbooks]

[ She pauses, just for a moment. ]

A...holy man?

[ Not that that necessarily means anything. There are plenty of holy men who also manage to be pompous jackasses. ]

[apologist]

[ Hey that's his cue. ]

I can only aspire to holiness, as do we all--save Valentine, who aspires to your scullery maids. But do not worry. He will be no more trouble than he is worth.

[degenere]

And he is worth a lot.

[stabsbooks]

[ Oh good, now there's two of them. ]

Ugh.

He must be worth very much, if you can tolerate all of this.

[apologist]

He is, but even so I pray every day for patience. It can never hurt.

[ :) :) :)

But anyway, introductions are in order. Because Valentine has introduced himself and sort of mentioned Jeannot, but WHO COULD BE this authoritative Nevarran. ]

I am Brother Jehan Mercier—[ prompting. ]

[stabsbooks]

[ WHO INDEED. ]

Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast.

I have not heard your name, Brother Mercier. Are you a templar?

[apologist]

Ah, Seeker Pentaghast. Of course. It is a pleasure to speak with you.

[ He is going to strangle Val. :) :) :) ]

Alas, no. I might have liked to be if I were better suited. I am only a scholar. But I will do what I can.

[stabsbooks]

As do we all.

What then do you study?

[ SORRY VAL just gonna ignore you, your friend is much more agreeable. As in he doesn't make her want to punch things in frustration. ]

[degenere]

Theology and history are his specialties. Though he is very special in many ways, so do not worry: he, too, will be a boon to your Inquisition, Seeker Pentaghast.

You can call him Jehan, if you like. Brother Mercier is so formal. We eschew such formalities.

[sorry cassandra, not going to be ignored]

[stabsbooks]

You might not be so quick to discard such titles if you had studied and sacrificed to gain one of your own.

[ She's assuming he hasn't. He doesn't seem the type. And Brother Mercier had introduced himself as such - Cassandra's hardly one to take liberties. ]

In any case, I am sure Brother Mercier is capable of answering for himself.

[degenere]

He's not. Alas.

[Which Val sounds very cheerful about. Maybe it's the shock.]

He has gone quite mute from the shock of speaking to Seeker Pentaghast. You should see him now. He has turned quite an interesting color. But, in cases such as this, he has elected me to speak for him, so I will provide translation.

He says you may be as familiar with him as you like.

[apologist]

The color is not really so interesting. I would call it a standard pink.

[ But he won't deny that he did turn a color. ]

But you may be as familiar or unfamiliar with me as you like, Seeker Pentaghast, of course. I do not offend easily, or I would not be able to keep this company.

[degenere]

[Off-crystal, but in a voice that still carries, probably--and in Orlesian:]

You darling flatterer.

[stabsbooks]

Ugh.

[ Aimed at Val. ]

Well. It will certainly be interesting to see what both of you bring to Skyhold.