this is fine.

[ipseite]

FORM: Crystals.
SENDER: Petrana de Cedoux.
RECIPIENT: All y'all.
WHAT: A request, and an offer.
WHEN: Current.
WHERE: Kirkwall; wherever people are that have crystals.
NOTES: Warnings TBA if necessary.

( the sound of a woman clearing her throat; two soft, dull thuds. she may have tapped the crystal. then, a voice unlikely to be familiar to many yet, quiet and steady and bearing some resemblance to the finer orlesians in the inquisition's company; )

Excuse me. I would like to know if it would be possible for me to have or - also or to borrow any books which are not important to you. I am not concerned very greatly with their content - I would like a recipe book, if this is possible, but mostly I would like words written in the common language of the Inquisition.

I would further be very grateful if it is possible for someone to make time to assist me in learning to read these books. ( it's a little wry, rueful in a quiet way. ) I am happy to trade work for your time - I can clean and mend as well as any, and I know also simple remedies and means to make the hearth more pleasant.

( she does not have the voice of a woman who sounds as if she does a lot of cleaning and mending. )

My name is Madame de Cedoux, and I reside now within the Gallows. I am very grateful to the Inquisition and only wish to make myself useful.

Comments

[toujoursdroit]

I take it you are one of the new arrivals, Madame de Cedoux? I have a few volumes that may serve, though I fear none of them are on the subject of cooking.

[ipseite]

I am, yes. I would be very grateful to you all the same, sir, thank you. May I come and collect them?

[toujoursdroit]

At your convenience, yes. I am still at temporary lodgings in the Gallows; ask for the Duke de Coucy and someone should be able to direct you.

action.

[ipseite]

( "temporary"; duke. Petra can draw her own conclusions, to a degree -

She presents herself not long after, having taken the time to tidy her things a bit more and digging back out the proper components of her riding habit as currently the finest things she has, replacing the plainer bodice she's been wearing with the embroidered one that matches her deep violet skirts and the trim jacket. Best foot forward, and all that - )

My lord de Coucy? We spoke briefly of books.

[pinprick]

I have books, and I can teach you. [Is she a Rifter? No doubt. Rifters have made him suspicious for a long time, but they've been around so long and not done anything demon-like. If they are demons, they are very restrained demons, and demons are anything but restrained. Moreover, they were not part of Corypheus' victory in the dark future, as far as he knows, so. Humble pitiable Rifter girl stirs his sympathy.]

[ipseite]

That's extremely kind of you, sir, I appreciate your time. I am, as I say, more than happy to offer in return what I might.

[pinprick]

Don't worry about it. [Nathaniel is made uncomfortable by excessive Manners. Manners (different from courtesy or politeness) are used like masks in Orlais, intended to hide something. Maybe humble-pitiable is also a mask. But he can't live with himself if he risks dismissing someone who actually needs help.]

[circleprodigy]

Would Thedosian history or magic interest you? Those are the only subjects I currently possess.

[ipseite]

They would very much. Books of magic are long since gone or hidden, where I am come from - I am fascinated to see what is written here.

[circleprodigy]

In the local library, we have a wealth of such information. Admittedly, much of it comes with a Chantry-centric slant, but speaking to mages not affiliated with the Circle can round out such perspectives.

Why is there a dearth of information regarding magic in your world?

[foxsays]

I would be happy to volunteer the time, Madame Cedoux. I haven't any recipe books though I have several others in my possession as part of my studies that I can lend you if you wish to look them over. I do have notes too, written in the common tongue.

[Recipes are all in what looks like Antivan, which is what Araceli's accent so often sounds like to a stranger who doesn't know her better.]

And I am certain that good company would be payment enough, no? [Gently said but. She knows a certain sort of voice, if not who it belongs to.]

[ipseite]

You have a rare outlook, ( more gently said than dry, but still: nothing in the world is free. )

I would be glad of anything you might lend.

[foxsays]

I have a good volume of history, there was a great deal to catch up on when I arrived. Unfortunately the tavern here is not so-- not so comfortable as the Herald's Rest. [Information is its own currency.]

Would you like a map as well?

[aforethought]

Know plenty of recipes if that's all you want.

[ put something in a pot and warm it up, it's not like it's hard, who needs a book for that? ]

[ipseite]

It is my wish to become literate in the local way. And I have never been an especially gifted cook. Two birds, as my husband might say.

[aforethought]

Long as you pluck them first.

Local way's mostly not reading. Why d'you want it?

[justice_is_blond]

I'd be glad to teach you. What books I have are on herbs and diseases and the body, of course, as well as a few treatises on the nature of people and freedom.

...And a couple of spell books.

[Because he expects magic to be interesting to her.]

[ipseite]

You've done so much already - ( a half-hearted protest too pleased to be convincing. )

I'd very much like to be able to read of magic.

[justice_is_blond]

I'll trade it for learning more of your world, if you feel the need to return a favor.

[And more of her magic, but considering it's not a safe thing in her world, he'll keep that little bit quiet for now.]

Have you been given the tour of the Gallows yet?

[byblow]

There's a pretty big library. Just make sure you cover your mouth and your nose when you take a book down, for the dust. And take a sword, for the demons.

[ There are no demons anymore. ]

[ipseite]

( alarmed; ) Demons?

[byblow]

Mmm. Those angry ugly bastards from the Fade—?

[nonsibi]

Reading's pretty simple.

[By which Bellamy means easy to learn, and not why don't you know how to read. Which hopefully it doesn't come across that way.]

Why'd you pick a recipe book first?

[ipseite]

I'd like also to learn to cook. My husband has more skill, in that - it is a practical thing for a soldier. I've never myself been obliged, I think it might be pleasant.

( she takes no offense; she's certainly hoping being so educated already will expedite the process. )

[nonsibi]

Practical, sure. Doesn't mean good. Not if we're talking the kind of food soldiers make. That kind of cooking's also easy, but you're probably not going to find it in any books.