therookery | (no subject)

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(no subject)

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Josephine Montilyet
RECIPIENT: Everyone!
WHAT: A question! (Please talk to her, she's lonely.)
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: n/a

Good evening, everyone. My name is Josephine Montilyet and I am the Ambassador for the Inquisition. I've not had the pleasure of meeting as many of you as would like personally, so... I thought this might be an easier, more - ah - approachable way of getting to know each other better.

( She clears her throat as though to prevent herself from rambling. )

I must confess I do not know where to start. Perhaps a conversational ice-breaker will have to do. ( So much for not rambling. ) What do you miss most about your life before the Inquisition?

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( She agrees readily, with a light trace of mirth: ) It is not impossible.

What is it that differentiates the wine from your home from that of our world's?

And so we continue to hope.

[ how does one best describe dorwinion? ] It is aged for a longer time. The grapes are grown only for that wine, and export of the seeds is prohibited.

Ah, so it is exclusive!

How long is it aged?

One-hundred years, I believe, though for our festivals we might find a bottle a few centuries older.

That is the better kind, for even elves may find themselves drunkenly joyous.

( She takes a moment to process that remark. )

Do your people have a higher tolerance than us?

It appears so, and it only increases with age. [ and exposure, thranduil. ]. Or it simply could be that the wines of Middle-earth are stronger as a whole, and so all peoples there have acclimated to them.

And what of you, my lady? What do you drink?

( She has so many questions, but is distracted by the question directed at herself? )

Me? Ah, I have a fondness for the wines of Antiva.

[ it's only polite to return the favor. ]

And does the Inquisition have this in enough supply to spare a glass for me?

It could certainly be arranged, if you would like.

I would like that, Lady Montilyet.

Where should I have it delivered?

Might I beg the indulgence of your company, and come to you?

I - if you would like, I certainly have no objections.

I would not have asked if I did not desire your charming company.

I will be in my office all day.

[ he comes- of course he comes, he's been promised wine and conversation, bearing gifts. it's only a half of a small loaf of bread, and an even smaller bit of cheese, all wrapped up nicely, but it's something.

he has so little to be hospitable with, now.

her door is open, but he stops at the doorway, the tips of his boots barely brushing the divide. ]

May I join you?

[ for her, a smile. ]

( Her face brightens up with a genuine smile as she beckons him in, almost like she's been anticipating his arrival. )

Of course! I have the time. As well as...

( She ducks down to retrieve something from the lower draws of her desk, before surfacing with a bottle of Antivan red and two wine glasses. )

[ he's easily pleased by these sorts of gestures, especially when the true purpose of all her kindness has yet to be revealed- she's the inquisition's diplomat, there's more than a small measure of cleverness behind all that lovely gold silk. ]

Ah, my lady, you think of everything.

[ he glides in- the door closes nearly all the way behind him, perhaps an inch or two, but he makes no presumptions on her time or that he might forbid anyone. There's a chair by her desk, he inclines his head to indicate it. ]

Is this seat taken?

No, no, please. Feel free. ( As man seats himself, Josephine will busy herself with the pouring of the wine. )

It was my pleasure.

[ he reaches for his glass once she's done pouring, and acts the polite guest by waiting for her to drink first. then he's free to take a sip, and by his pleased expression, it passes muster. ]

In the face of such hospitality, I must give you my thanks. [ he muses for a moment. ] If only it were this easy to gift all those arrived from other places a taste of home.

( It pleases her to witness his pleased expression; now certain she has made the right decision, her next sampling of the wine is much larger. )

Indeed ( she begins, placing the glass down on her desk again ) Honestly, I cannot even begin to imagine what it must feel like to be separated from your own world and brought to Thedas, especially in the current political climate. Whatever little I can do to help, I will.

( She tilts her head at the basket Thranduil has brought with him. ) May I ask what it is you have there?

Only time will see me settled in Thedas. [ he keeps the glass in his hand, settled in his palm. this feels civilized, even if his company is mannish and the world strange. not as strange as it once was-- and isn't that a thought?

he refocuses on her when her tone ends in a lilt, reaching for the basket. ]

It is only something small, and hardly worthy, but- [ he places the napkin on the table, untucks the loaf and cheese and knife, offering it handle first to her. ] you seem the sort of occupied that does not often leave time for meals.

( Josephine ducks her head gratefully, accepting the offered knife from Thranduil's fingers. )

Ah! It is very kind of you to think of me. ( And he'd been right of course, Josephine honestly cannot remember the last time she took a break to eat today, and she busies herself with divvying up the cheese and bread with a small smile in her face. )

[ he smiles, rather than speak- any more acknowledgement of how he's merely returning the favor would seem foolish; overwrought. he relaxes in his chair, crosses one leg over the other. it is still her office of course, he is but a guest, and for that he doesn't make an attempt to own the space. ]

I must beg you to forgive my curiosity. How does a woman from Antiva find herself in Orlais, serving the Inquisition?

( Josephine fusses with the cheese more than strictly necessary, as though dividing into anything other than perfectly equal portions would be a grievous insult indeed. Once satisfied, she presents Thranduil with his share, gaze dropping briefly to her wine as she considers his question. )

The answers to both your questions are rather straightforward, I'm afraid. I went to Orlais to further my studies once I completed my basic education, and for the Inquisition... that is more Leliana's doing than my own.

( Then again, the Inquisition's spymaster has always been a force of nature. )