bring out your dead

[degenere]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Baroness Frédérique Durfort-Lacapalette, Brother Jehan Mercier, and Valentine Nicasius Maxence Mérovée Olivier de Foncé
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: CHASSEURS DE FANTÔMES
WHEN: Early Cloudreach
WHERE: From Kirkwall, listenable anywhere
NOTES: Your favorite people!

—will come try to stop us, [ Jehan is whispering when everyone's crystals come to life, but it's capped off with a sigh as he realizes it is too late, too late, alas. ]

They must know [Val, in a stage whisper. He hardly cares about being heard.] Inquisition. We have been in Kirkwall for how long now? Long enough that some of us have seen shades. Spirits. Ghosts.

Inquisition, these are but exaggerations. Do you know how we know this to be true? [He’ll tell you. In a second. The dramatic moment is slightly spoiled by a sudden sharp intake of breath, and a loud SPLASH.] Sacre-- the oar!

Careful! [ Freddie is there too, naturally. ] Keep it in the lock-- there. Inquisition [ she begins again in Val's place ] we have heard your tales of supposed hauntings, but we three have spent countless hours toiling in these Gallows and have not seen a thing! Not one spectral wisp! And so, you see, we cannot help but doubt. We are women--and men--of the sciences, after all. It is merely our nature.

Men and woman of the sciences, [ Jeannot corrects, because who doesn't like being corrected ] and of faith, merci, and we do not mean that anyone is lying. Of course the Veil is thin here. But surely not so thin as the stories.

And so, we have returned at night--which I am sure we can all agree is the most appropriate time for ghosts--to give the spirits the chance to prove all of you correct by revealing themselves to us.

Do not be afraid for us! This is not even the tenth most foolish we have ever been, particularly Freddie and Val, and so far as I can tell they yet survive—we would welcome advice, however. Where have you witnessed these spirits reaching through the Veil? Were you doing anything to attract their attention?

And how do we attract their attention? Tell us, so we can try for ourselves! Must we cause a great scene, and commotion? Must we SHOUT? We are willing to shout-- O, SPIRITS! HEAR US, AND APPEAR! WE WOULD WITNESS YOUR--

[ muffled muffled something like a hand has been clapped over his mouth. ]

Comments

[degenere]

Ah. This would explain their resistance to the subtler metaphors. No wonder the poetry of Ferelden is so very crude. Like rocks thrown into a millpond.

[el_tybs]

[This is what he gets for trying to converse with Orlesians.]

And that was a metaphor for...? It's more like you try to fill a page with just words rather then getting right to the point.

[degenere]

And what is the point, if not beauty? Monsieur, do think a little. You have thrown a rock into a millpond, yes? Or at least a pond, if we must bandy words so minutely.

[el_tybs]

I know what you meant about the millpond. I was referring to the whole boorish-

Second thought, doesn't matter. Are you going to teach, or are you not?

[degenere]

I can only teach those who wish to learn.

Do you?

[el_tybs]

Depends on what you want to learn me.

[Sam knows that isn't proper sentence structure, he's just taking a jab at the whole 'mages in society' thing.]

[degenere]

An understanding of society, to begin with. But I think now that perhaps I will need to begin more simply for you.

[el_tybs]

And exactly whose society are you planning on teaching about? I do just fine in Ferelden and Free Marches, and I've gotten past just fine in Orlais.

[aventuriere]

[ squinting, skeptical: ]

Which parts of Orlais?

[el_tybs]

I've traveled quite a bit of it actually. The Frostbacks obviously, the Western Approach, the Arbor Wilds. Val Royeaux. Course Valentine would know of that considering he suggested a shop keeper and asked for me to pick up poetry.

[degenere]

[A word of support, in Orlesian:]

He did do his best, Freddie. With the poetry.