And a one, and a two

[paladingus]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Simon Ashlock
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Just imagine the strains of the Thedosian equivalent of "Don't Stop Believin'" playing in the background.
WHEN: Present
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Not necessarily meant to lead to anything.

[There's an intermittent tapping noise, as if Simon is trying to ascertain whether the crystal is working. He still doesn't trust this newfangled magitech. Eventually, he just goes for it.]

...yes, hello. [Awesome start, buddy.] For anyone who's interested, or was a part of it, I recall seeing some advertisements around Skyhold for...a choir, I guess it was. A secular choir, more of a club really. The, uh... [Cough.] "Sing-quisition."

Is that still on? It sounded like a nice idea, and if there isn't a new meeting place for it here in Kirkwall, I was thinking we ought to find one.

I wouldn't be averse to thinking up a new name, either, if none of the original members are coming back, but one thing at a time.

Comments

[sulena]

( a voice with a noticeable Starkhaven accent, speaks: ) It would be nice if we could continue it here. The Gallows, I think, deserve a little more song. There was not nearly enough of it when I was here before.

[paladingus]

[Simon, whose own Starkhaven burr can be aggressive when excited, is delighted to hear hers. Less so to realize she's a fellow veteran of the Gallows, but that's more just because there's never been anything about the Gallows that could possibly incite delight.]

Nor when I was. Or when anyone was, I expect. When were you there? We might've crossed paths...

[sulena]

Perhaps we shall have to change that then. ( she laughs, happy. ) I came in 9:31 when the Circle in Starkhaven burned to the ground and I stayed until the very end of it all.

( a beat. ) Ah... where are my manners? I name might perhaps help, as well. Saoirse Ceallach, former Enchanter.

[paladingus]

We might well have met, then. I remember that, though I wasn't there for much longer afterward. But there weren't so many of us from Starkhaven there, even after the sorry business with your Circle...

[He thinks, trying to place the name and voice together, but can't quite.] I'm afraid it was too long ago for me; I don't remember you. Simon Ashlock. I was a templar. [He can't entirely keep the wariness out of his voice; it's a rather fraught introduction to be making, especially given that it was the Gallows.]

[sulena]

And it seems the sorry state of Starkhaven's representation continues here within the Inquisition, sadly.

( it is said rather sadly but she chuckles, lightly. ) That is quite fine. There were many of us within these walls, so I am not the least bit surprised. Nevertheless, it is most importantly to have someone else here from Starkhaven here! I just returned from a visit to the city myself.

[paladingus]

It's an awful shame, isn't it? We'll have to do it proud.

How was it, though? [He sounds envious.] I haven't been back in--oh, years. Last time I was there, all the bargemen were on strike and the rich folk were complaining about having to rent their own boats...good times.

[sulena]

I never truly have the chance to venture out far past the alienage, in truth but I am proud of the city. The Prince seems to be keeping a level head about current worldly matters and making sure the city stays safe for everyone...

[ she hopes, anyway. ] But nothing seems to have changed in my eyes. I still felt that same wonderful warmth that I remember since I was a child.

[tactical_alert]

A secular choir. [He says it in a tone that's a fair mix of mockery at the idea and bafflement.] At least it wouldn't offend our fellows who don't sing the Chant, then.

A room with half-decent acoustics should be dug out in any event. Can't have everyone stuffed in a box that wasn't made more with audible aesthetics in mind. [He'd suggest the chantry except oh wait. #singthetics]

[paladingus]

Well, to be fair, there is the odd popular ballad that doesn't praise the Maker and still manages to have some merit. But you'd think the old choir's set list was strung together by a bunch of-- [He stops himself short, trying to think of something approaching politically correct, and realizes that's a lost cause.]

Anyway, it can't be too difficult to find a space that fits the bill. An old warehouse, maybe, if we dampen the reverberations and clear the pirates out of it. You know there'll be some.

[tactical_alert]

[He scoffs at Simon stopping himself short. Listen, he can promise he's heard worse than whatever was about to be said. But also, open crystal communication, sooooo...]

The problem being we really need all the space we can get. But if we can clear out an area temporarily, depending on how many are really all that interested, then we might be able to work something out.

[paladingus]

Well, it doesn't have to be just for the choir. If we pick a building and kick the ne'er-do-wells out, we'll win some goodwill with the people, and then we can make it a sort of...multi-purpose hall. It'd be a good thing all round.

[tactical_alert]

Oh...that's not a bad idea, that. For meetings and gatherings and for larger projects that can't be done outdoors. Could be used for storage meantime; space is still a little bit at a premium of sorts while the newest arrivals from Skyhold get themselves set up, but you ought to look into that. [Because it's Simon's idea and he'll not steal his thunder.]

[aventuriere]

If you would like to join, you will have to audition.

[ not that Freddie has ever heard of the Sing-quisition before just now, but there's no way to guess that from the very firm and confident tone of her statement ]

[paladingus]

Oh. None of the flyers said as much, but-- [She certainly sounds like she knows what she's talking about.]

That's no problem. I can prepare a piece. Are you in charge of it, then?

[aventuriere]

Oh no, I am merely the right hand of the Singquisitor. I speak for her in all recruitment matters. Your audition piece shall be The Lady & the Nug-Farmers. You may begin.

[paladingus]

What, no sheet music provided? I may as well start my own choir, then. I can't be bothered with amateur hour.

[aventuriere]

You require sheet music? [ she clicks her tongue in disappointment ] We expect all serious candidates to have memorized a wide repertoire. Very well. What piece do you know?

[paladingus]

[He had been confident that she was kidding. Now he's vacillating again.]

There's your problem. Those of us who serve the Chantry don't have time to learn a whole array of heathen nonsense. I might have to go so far as to say you're discriminating against the devout. And I'd hate to have to say that.

[intruthandlove]

The Sing-quisition does have a nice ring to it.

[paladingus]

I suppose it does. Everyone loves a pun.

Well. Everyone else.

[intruthandlove]

I can't help, but note you do not include yourself.

[Said with the utmost innocence. ]

[arlathvhen]

I have some ballads from Orlais that are currently popular at the moment, if you'd like to have more material. None of it is put together with the intention of being sang by a choir, but I'm sure you could improvise.

[ They're all sappy romance songs, but that's what you get when you get music from a Bard. ]

[paladingus]

Oh, sure. The list I've thought up is a bit narrow, so it can't hurt. And I'd be happy to arrange them for more parts. [He is just aware enough to realize that not everyone is going to be enthused about a lengthy selection of dreary Chantry hymns.]

What kind of ballads are we talking?

[arlathvhen]

They're love ballads, mostly. But they've all been checked over to be politically neutral and inoffensive.

[universal_charm]

The Inquisition Idols.

_{[ Because doesn't it sound fun in your head as an announcement over a megaphone? ]}

[paladingus]

Sounds...idolatrous.

[That wasn't a pun.

...okay, maybe it was a pun.]

It's not bad, but d'you think it would make us sound full of ourselves?

[universal_charm]

Depends on what you're going for, I suppose. It's not uncommon where I come from for really famous singers and actors to be called "idols", so call yourselves what you want to be, right?