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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?

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[She shakes her head, again sending her curls bouncing as she laughs.]

It will take a lot of time to go through all the mages. More are arriving every day. Besides wouldn't you rather do something more for the Inquisition, such as helping to acquire a better library or making Skyhold look pretty?

[She leaned forwards as well, setting her cup of half-filled wine down.]

How could I not notice?! Having met your surface only recently, I can agree that it is indeed of fine workmanship. And it is in equal keeping with that clever mind of yours.

Why would I do work to make buildings look pretty when I could just look at pretty people all day long?

[--Which he says very reasonably, so much so that it might sound reasonable to anyone, at least if they were going by his tone alone.]

And while I'm at it, remain in your most excellent company, and hear more praise as you've just begun to lavish. Workmanship? Do you think I have to work very hard, to look as I do?

[She raises an eyebrow at him questioningly.]

Skyhold doesn't strike me as the place to jus let people loaf around, even if it is to look at pretty people. You'll have to do something for this place or the people sooner rather than later.

[A smirk is quick to return however as she takes another sip from her wine.]

The Maker would have to bless you truly to make you wake up as you are every day without some effort. Otherwise, that is something that would have to be put to a test.

[Val answers her smirk with a blithe smile, as he takes another easy sip of his ale.]

On both counts, mademoiselle, you underestimate me. I built a scholarly career structured around loafing and looking at pretty people, while simultaneously counting myself most naturally among their number.

That is to say, please. Test me, on either. I welcome it. I love being tested.

Is that your secret then, hm? I should try this and see how far it gets me.

[The wine was doing wonders for her nerves as she blithely grinned even more at him.]

I do very well at tests. Or so I've been told. Passed my Harrowing with flying colors. Testing you shouldn't be nearly as hard, and certainly more enjoyable.

I should hope so. I make it a point to be enjoyable. Especially if I am being put to the test. As to the question of 'hard', I suppose the context will be important.

[There's a wink in the way that he says it, even if he doesn't actually wink. Rather, Val drums his fingers against his chin, thoughtfully.]

I do like the idea of testing each other. I think that's how we should proceed. you are very clever.

[To her credit, she didn't blush at the way he spoke.]

Mn, I guess what needs to be decided now is what sort of test would be most... applicable to test our skills. What would your suggestion be?

[Good. He takes his time at his consideration, deeply thoughtful and contemplative.]

Well. For your test, it is a test of comparison. So I will first need to spend time with you, so that I know you. It will be a test of personality and charm, just as much as it will be the beauty of the exterior--since that has already been well-proved.

[He gestures in her direction. Case and point.]

The test might be a little grueling. We will have to work just as hard to keep our spirits up.

[As he contemplates, she again sips from her cup, all the while continuing to watch him.]

There are worse things than passing time with an attractive companion, especially when they are as engaging as you. I will do my best to keep pace. You may find I do not tire easily, nor am I one to be daunted. I am ready for whatever happens.

Engaging, but never engaged. The best state to exist in, I have found. I think it is promising that you do not tire easily. You do not strike me as a boaster--and how wonderful that is, may I said, I am so tired of people who do nothing but talk of how great they are--

[Like, you know, Val himself, but perhaps that's why he is tired of it: because he gets his fill of boasting from himself.]

I find modesty much more becoming. And exciting. All the secrets that one gets to tease out of the modest!

My proposition is this: we share our drink. And then, tomorrow, we meet again.

[She was the opposite of a boaster and was quite happy not to draw attention to herself. At least his boasting can fill silences and isn't completely unwarranted.]

You've certainly won some secrets from me. I hope in time I might learn to pry secrets from you with the same level of skill. This, of course, means that I am more than willing to meet you tomorrow. We are after all friends, yes?

You can aspire, certainly, to such heights. But I am very skilled.

[It's not boasting if it's true. Or, at least, it's not just boasting. All that being said, Val rests his elbow on the table and raises his mug, expectant of a toast. If she is even a little slow to respond, he will prompt her by raising his eyebrows. Well?]

We drink, this time, to friendship. May it be a very long and very happy one. Full of secrets shared.

You never know. I might surprise you.

[Rather than be offended, she just grins at him. It takes less time than he might expect as she almost offered a toast herself. Her cup eagerly tinks against his.]

To secrets shared and good times.

And, with any luck: surprises.

[He knocks his mug against her glass with great enthusiasm--enough to jar her a little, maybe slop some of her wine over her hand. Just a little. And it was completely not deliberate. Do not be fooled by the way that he is ready, immediately, to touch his fingertips against the hand in question, to wipe away the wine spots.]

My apologies.

[Sadira gasps softly as her hand is jarred. The wine does indeed slosh slightly onto hand as well as a little over the table. At first, she is too distracted to even notice his touch.]

No need for apologies. It isn't like anything was damaged.

[Laughing softly, she arched an eyebrow at him.]

Shall we consider that an additional surprise?

Shall we? If you think that was surprising--

[He spares his thumb a casual glance, then licks it clean of wine smudges, almost as an afterthought, and sneaks another look at her--]

You will be very much surprised at what will follow all of this. I am a very good friend.

[In spite of her best efforts at being nonchalant, Sadira cannot hide the rise of color to her cheeks. Ignoring it, she fixed him with a bemused look.]

So that was planned then? It seems a little coy of you-- unless that too is planned? [A grin once again creeps out.] You should know, I don't mind very good friends. I am just unused to being open about attraction after a life in the circle.

I don't think I will tell you either way. Planned or unplanned, coy or not so coy... that will all be a surprise too. One you might never learn the answer to.

[Oh, well. There are worse things. He leans back again, considering her now from this angle.]

I have been told that romance is discouraged in Circles. So that is true?

[Even though she'd brought it up, talking about the circles was the last thing she wanted to do. Sighing, she took a long drink from her cup.]

It's true for the most part. Some are laxer than others. Many mages also saw it as one more thing the Templars could take away. Still, it wasn't uncommon for us to go sneaking off to some quiet corner or another for a tryst.

I knew it.

[This answer pleases him, and he takes another sip of ale to reward himself for his wisdom.]

Another mage has told me of the chaste sadness of Circle life, and I knew that could not completely be the case. Just an exaggeration.

[Sadira laughed again, smirking.]

Some Circles were more strict, and others had mages that were too scared to try. Ostwick was lax in some ways. We still weren't open about affection, however. At least no more than a mentor might to a student.

Ostwick. I had wondered, where it was you were from. We have been to Ostwick. It was not a very long stay. Should I be glad for that?

You probably saw more of the city than I ever did. Templars usually frowned on us walking around. [She shrugged lightly, also sitting back.] Possibly? The city itself isn't bad, just guarded. But if you're referring what I said about the Circle-- Well That is something you'd have to decide for yourself.

I meant more in terms of the entertainment, but if you were not allowed out--I suppose you would not know. A shame, that you were kept so contained. If that is what lax looks like, perhaps my dramatic mage friend was correct about all the sadness he carries around.

But what luck, then, that you are here! Freedoms everyone. For instance--

[He waves a hand to encompass the room they are in.]

Not the loveliest of accommodations. But all the same: something to drink to, again.

[Dropping her gaze, she looked down towards the table and her completely forgotten book. Idly her hand traced over the cover as she thought about the Circle. At least until he encouraged her to look up at the tavern around them.]

I doubt you'd be surprised that I am fond of this place already? [She chuckled lowly as she lifted up her cup.] I can drink to that and to the very good company I find myself in unfettered.

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