therookery | A SURVEY

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

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.

That's lovely.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

If they rise up would be a better way to phrase that. Not everyone has been treated so poorly as the mages have. You have been left little choice. Others have it much better, and always have. Others are even happy.

If I am wrong, let it be so. But I do not think that it will come to so military an end, any of it.

...True.

[He's quiet for a few moments. The Dalish and the elves would have to rise up the way the mages had, would have to show they wanted progress, before they could start making it. Knowing that they were upset wasn't enough, no matter how much he wishes it was.]

Things will not change unless the groups show they want change. At least we've made clear that the Circles cannot stand, and others are beginning to see us as people and not simply things to be feared. And I hope that there will soon be an end to the military conflict in regard to the mages, that people will ease up, but there's work to be done there.

There is, always. I suppose the Maker thinks that we need to be kept busy. And we are lucky to live in such a time to have seen what has already come to pass.

Especially you, my friend. Despite everything, and what others might say.

[My friend. He doesn't have words for how happy hearing that again makes him.]

Thank you, Valentine. Here's to hoping both of our luck streaks continue as far as staying alive in this time, and seeing the world improve.

[Goodbye sober conversation; Val is so ready to be flippant again!]

Oh, well, in staying alive, at least, I have always been lucky. Perhaps you should spend more time in my company, and it will rub off on you.

[Anders snorts.]

That's an invitation I can't turn down. You'll see me around, Val.

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