A SURVEY

[aventuriere]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Baroness Frédérique Durfort-Lacapalette, Brother Jehan Mercier, and Valentine Nicasius Maxence Mérovée Olivier de Foncé
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Important questions
WHEN: Now
WHERE: Everywhere
NOTES: Please threadjack

Inquisition, we have a question for you.

[ DO NOT SILENCE YOUR CRYSTALS. That is an Orlesian voice, but it is not Val de Foncé's voice. Instead, it is the voice of a woman, which makes it immediately superior. You are probably safe. Maybe. Keep listening. ]

You see, we are scholars. The best of scholars! And this Inquisition, it offers the most magnifique opportunities to learn more of this world and we, my friends, we are here to take on that most noble challenge!

We are conducting a study. [ From the tavern. ] Which of Thedas' nations is your favorite? Le plus fantastique? [ A pause, some murmuring reminder while the crystal is covered with a hand. ] You may not say Orlais, and you must explain why, pour l'étude.

[ HERE is Val’s voice. Please keep listening. ]



You may not say Orlais because we already know that it is Orlais. We have been to Orlais, many times. [ A voice cuts in, dry: ] We are even from Orlais, in case you had not guessed. [ From, you know. The really obvious accents. ] For this, we seek other answers. Answers that are more diverse. Perhaps it is better to say second best? Second favorite? With, naturally, Orlais being the favorite. We are, you see, all in disagreement.

It is threatening to tear us apart, when we have only just been brought back together.

Yes, because you are wrong. If you would cease to be so wrong, we would not be torn apart!

No, you are-- Ah, courage, my friends! We must not be torn apart. [ There is some shuffling and oofing. It is possible that arms are being thrown about shoulders and necks are being squeezed. ] Inquisition, we turn to you, on behalf of our reunion, and the great Baroness Haut-Brion.

If you answer our question we will permit you to call her Freddie.

You will permit nothing, but I may permit it, if your answers are particularly clever.

Also, for a bet-- [ Should Chantry Brothers make bets? Shh. Should Chantry Brothers pause while speaking to drink wine? Shhhhh. ] How many times per day is it reasonable to pray? Suppose that you are also reasonably faithful.

Suppose that you are a madman, a holy madman--

And that you desire nothing more than to be Andraste's second husband and like Maferath to be cuckolded by the Maker himself--

[ Should Chantry brothers dump wine over the heads of their friends? Shhhhhhhhh. ]

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

I try to be a scholar, but everything backfires on me.

[degenere]

It isn't a life for everyone. I am sure your lack of success has only to do with the smallest of failures.

[justice_is_blond]

[So dryly:]

Yes. I'm certain that my failures are all very small.

[degenere]

They usually are. Everyone makes such an effort of remembering, and for what? Nothing. Where I make a point to forget, and gain a great deal for it.

[justice_is_blond]

I've not told you what I'm called, have I.

[degenere]

You have not! Please, tell me.

[justice_is_blond]

[Well. It was nice while the conversation and cheer lasted. Anders' voice sounds resigned.]

Anders.

[degenere]

Yes?







[oh, wait.]

The?

[justice_is_blond]

[The resignation is heavier now.]

Yes.

[degenere]

I see.

[It is not often that Val is rendered speechless. He isn't quite speechless here, either, but-- still.]

That is-- something, monsieur.

Private

[justice_is_blond]

And the question is if it is too much of something.

Private

[degenere]

I think that it is something that remains to be seen. I will confess, I do like you.

Private

[justice_is_blond]

[...Not the answer he'd expected, or been prepared for.]

That's not normally what I hear. But I'm selfishly glad to hear it; I've liked our conversations and I like you.

Private

[degenere]

Naturally.

[With a little bit of restored preening. Who doesn't like Val? Only people who do not matter.]

I had not thought to find a man of your history counted among the Inquisition's ranks. How this news has not spread very far is a marvel in itself.

Private

[justice_is_blond]

It's quite the marvel. Corypheus is bigger news, overshadowing that of me being here, thankfully. I'm certain some word's slipped out, though.

Private

[degenere]

Word that could be easily dismissed as rumor. Or countered as rumor, if one were to be deliberate. It is no secret, then?

Private

[justice_is_blond]

It is no secret. Officially I'm simply with the Wardens again, as I am a Grey Warden. Unofficially, I go where the Wardens or the Inquisition needs a self-sufficient, combat-competent healer. And I spend most of my time healing down in the tents in Skyhold itself.

Private

[degenere]

And if someone were to come riding into Skyhold, asking for your head?

Private

[justice_is_blond]

Judgment was given by the authorities in Kirkwall. The Knight-Commander and First Enchanter deferred to Hawke, who chose to spare my life. Further, as I'm with the Grey Wardens, they've the claim to me.

Anyone coming in seeking my head will be disappointed.

Private

[degenere]

That's lovely.

I hope it holds up, monsieur. And I do mean that. These times in which we are living are strange times.

Private

[justice_is_blond]

Thank you.

They're very strange times, indeed. All I can hope is that we come out of them better than before, with freedom and equality for my people. An even grander dream is it extending to everyone.

Private

[degenere]

'Everyone', monsieur? I would not aim too highly.

Private

[justice_is_blond]

Do you truly think there's a group that doesn't deserve a chance at equality? That should be inequal based on birth alone?

Private

[degenere]

I would say, rather, that I believe there is a natural order. Advancement beyond this order is possible, but-- unlikely. Things often are the way that they are because that is the way that they are meant to be. Should we question such orders? Of course. But there may be little point.

For mages, now, it is a different story. Rest assured, my friend, I am on your side in this.

[justice_is_blond]

I don't think they're meant to be. For the Dalish, or for the mages, or for the elves. And I think that the longer we say they are meant to be, the greater the battle will be when people rise up.

I appreciate your support for the mages. And I hope that one day it might extend to more people.