therookery | reading, writing, arithmetic

Entry tags:

reading, writing, arithmetic

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Merrill
RECIPIENT: Everyone!
WHAT: Summary of content
WHEN: Late Guardian
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Google doc of current classes and teachers! Let me know if you would like to add/change anything c: More than one person can teach a class! Anything not currently listed with a teacher is presumed to be taught by NPCs.

Hello everyone! It's Merrill.

[ Pause. That's maybe obvious, considering how cheerful she sounds, but- eh. ]

I just wanted to remind you all that classes for everyone -- yes, everyone -- are in session in and around Skyhold! We have some volunteer teachers who've done a wonderful job and lots of people are learning about everything from how to write to different cultures to Rifter languages! It's all very exciting, if you ask me.

[ Are you excited, Skyhold?? Be excited! ]

I think it's a great opportunity for us all to learn more about each other and the world we're in. Nothing wrong with that, right?

[ No, there isn't, she will fight you. ]

I'm working with Waver on setting things up properly so that new arrivals can learn without feeling out of the loop, and so that if someone has to miss a class for a mission, they can easily catch up. Teachers, please feel free to give me ideas!

Everyone else - if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[extravagantly excited]

There's a rifter teaching mathematics?!

[okay calmed down a little]

...and he has a name. Sorry Jim. When are classes?

There is!

[ :D she's just glad someone else is excited ]

That depends on the teacher, mostly, but we all try to be flexible.

Your enthusiasm is contagious, Merrill. Just keep using your powers for good.

[She chuckles.]

I've met Waver, he'll have a good mind for that sort of thing. I'm juggling what classes I can, but if you need me for errands here and there, I'd be glad to step in wherever.

I can do that!

[ :D yay ]

Oh, he's great, isn't he? And you've been great too, Korrin!

Actually, you're on the mage council, aren't you? I was wondering if maybe the council would have any suggestions for classes. To help mages and improve relations with non-mages, you know.

Yeah, I am. The Mage Council has some classes, though they're mostly focused on specific kinds of magic and combat techniques. They probably aren't a great stepping stone to understanding mages in general. We could always have a 'Mages 101' kind of class, with revolving teachers? Something not bogged down in jargon that would be more accessible to non-mages, like you say.

That reminds me, do you want mages offering specialization training to add to your list?

I think that would be great! But I want to make it appealing to non-mages, especially those who are scared of magic. What would be a good way to do that?

Oh! I wouldn't mind that at all!

Excellent. We'll have more to throw at your list, then.

Hm. More informal question and answer sessions to start with, so that you can help people separate what's real from what's bullshit? And then gradually work your way up to demonstrations from chosen mages, or projects that can be done with both mages and non-mages participating. I'm not sure what else might be helpful, I've never taught anyone before I arrived here, so it's not my forte.

Those sound great to start with! Thank you, Korrin.

I'd like to eventually have classes offered at the places the Inquisition is currently holding, too- I mean, the soldiers there shouldn't be deprived of learning, right?

Hm, that's a good point. Not everyone can make it back to Skyhold, for one reason or another. But if we could at least extend it to the keeps held by the Inquisition, that would go a long way.

I think getting teachers there will be the biggest issue, but since we did just help Orlais quite a bit, maybe that'll give some pull.

[ Or. Something. ]

It might! True, that empress is still alive because of us. Though they might blame us for the elves gaining a Marquise, but in that case, fuck 'em.

Exactly! [ on both counts yolo ] If the Empress doesn't have a problem with it, everyone else in Orlais probably won't be too loud about it, right? Since that's "unfashionable".

Just let me know when and if I need to repeat my lectures on the Chantry. I am willing to work with this ... Waver person, if you have approved him.

[Because. Well. Merrill.]

I really need to sit in on one of those. The Chantry is still very confusing to me.

[ Aw, James. ]

He's a Rifter who asks very intelligent questions and is used to teaching and classroom management and that sort of thing. I think you'd like him.

[Hey it's not like he has a major soft spot for her or anything.]

I shall be happy to sit you down and give you a refresher, whenever you like.

[A faint nod.]

...Well, he sounds like an intelligent sort. So yes, that will be fine.

[ c: ]

When do you have time?

[ If nothing else, she's always up for Chantry/Dalish debates. ]

Oh, good! He is a mage, just so you're aware.

[Hmmm.]

I could give you lessons during supper, if you so desire.

[He did like them himself. It helped firm his own positions and allowed him a wider window into the Dalish world.]

... is he going to blow up all of Thedas?

That would be great! Tonight, or?

[ Educate All Shems 2k17 ]

Not that I know of! [ so chipper ]

I just wanted you to know, in case he acts a little nervously around you. I mean- I suppose you might be used to that, but just in case.

I believe we can make tonight work, yes.

[Bring On The Chant Of Light, Templar Style.]

Well, then we should have no problems.

[A faint snort.]

I know my reputation, Merrill. Everyone is nervous around me.

I don't think he knows your reputation.

[ Beat. ]

I don't think I know your reputation, other than that you're a Templar. Either way, I'm not nervous around you.

[ how on earth this blood mage has survived so long is entirely unclear with things like that running through her head ]

[Another beat.]

... for the sake of our friendship, perhaps neither one of us should really look too hard into one another's reputations.

[One more.]

Because I am not nervous around you either, and I care ... a great deal, about your good opinion.

I don't really care about reputations anyway, I suppose. I mean, I was taught that all humans are awful and going to kill me, and that clearly hasn't been the case.

Reputation or not, you've proven yourself to be a good person, at least to me. That's what I care about.

[...Merrill, if you could just see the way that James Norrington is looking at this crystal right now, you might blush.]

I have always known you to be a singularly good soul, Merrill.

[Clears. Throat.]

So how is Mal doing?

[ To be fair, it doesn't take much to make Merrill blush. ]

Aw, thank you! That's very kind of you.

[ what a nice man ]

Oh, well, I think! We write letters.

[That is true. He could probably give her a lopsided smirk and she'd blush.]

I have my moments.

[... he does have nice moments too.]

Write ... letters? Where is he?

[ Facts. ]

Oh- he left a while ago. He's on his ship. I know he went to Kirkwall for at least a bit...

[Too sweet, Merrill. It's why you are one of his favorites.]

I am sorry to hear that ... I know the two of you were fond of one another.

Ah- yes. Well. We write letters.

Still, it's very- different. Dalish don't really write letters to each other, for starters.

What do the Dalish do?

It varies by clan, but- we don't really keep in contact over long distances. And as a mage, and the First, I always thought that the Keeper would pick another mage and that would be who I married to help keep magic in the clan.

Can you only marry a mage? Or rather, a Dalish mage?

Not necessarily, but they would have preferred it, I suspect.

It doesn't matter now either way.

Any man, Dalish or otherwise, would be lucky to have you, Merrill. Letters and all the above.

[ SO MUCH BLUSHING ]

Well- thank you. I don't think any Dalish would, but-

Anyway. [ erm ] I think anyone would be lucky to have you as well.

Well, far be it for me to say something about your people - and I understand the need to raise purely elven children. Still, I know there are those who would be happy to, ah, marry you. Elves, and all the like.

[Now he's clearing his throat. Embarrassed? Never.]

Uh. Ah. Well. Thank you. I shall keep endeavoring to make someone ... lucky.

[Sigh.]

Oh! Do you really think so?

[ Aw, James. Don't sigh. ]

Is there someone you want to be with, or do you just want to in general?

I really do.

[There is a pause, before his laugh is a little rueful.]

I have stopped wanting in the particular - it seems to keep backfiring on me. Let us just say that I have a dream of love, and if that dream decides to come to me and become true? I will not object.

Backfiring?

[ There's a little hum. ]

Well- I think it's admirable that it's something you prize so highly, at least.

I might be jumping towards marriage and commitment too fast for all of the ladies that I have ever courted.

[He is giving you a smile, Merrill. You're the best.]

I try to. I am learning to be honest with myself, these days.

Oh! Well... at least you're eager? I'm sure they just want to be careful.

[ right?? right ]

Good. [ Said firmly, though not unkindly. ] If you're not honest with yourself, I don't think you can be honest with anyone else.

Yes, of course that's it.

[Not that they find him boring. Or too stoic. Or he's just too damned gentlemanly and hiding his true self behind a mask of gentility. No, not at all.]

... I have learned that the hard way, I think. But at least I have learned it.

You are indeed kind of heart. [He is congratulating himself, perhaps, in recognizing her value right away.] Can I be of any help?

Oh! That's very kind of you to say. [ kindness 5ever ]

If you'd like to help, I'm sure we could find a way for you to do so! Thranduil teaches sometimes, so maybe you could work with him, or even if you wanted to sit in on some classes and offer suggestions for improvement.

I would like to work with that child. [Yes, he just called Thranduil a child.] There are subjects that will not hold my interest, I fear, but on those that do, I can offer my expertise.

[ Cue a stifled giggle from Merrill. ]

Can I ask which ones you aren't interested in?

Perhaps I spoke too harshly: there are subjects that are foreign to me. I would have no right to teach them. I could learn from them, however.

Oh! Well, that's different. Though still, I'm curious about any subjects you aren't interested in, if there are any.

Dwarven Culture. [She could not drag him into that class.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

reading, writing, arithmetic

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slowly... drags self back into rp...

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