crystal || OPEN.

[degenere]

FORM: sending crystal
SENDER: Val de Foncé
RECIPIENT: E V E R Y O N E
WHAT: researchers, meet your new boss. everyone else, give Val a high five. applications for Research Secretary now being collected.
WHEN: right now
WHERE: your ears

Research, Inquisition. [Hail and well met my dudes Val is still Orlesian. Note the accent.] If this word does not thrill you as it does me, we have very little to speak of. In fact we may not have spoken at all. In Val Royeaux, at the University, I and my friends are well known for all of the research that we have contributed to the vast stores of knowledge that are contained within our much beloved and greatly venerated University.

And I am pleased now to inform you, Inquisition, that I have been made Head of Research for this very organization that we all name as our own. A very wise choice. There are so very few that possess my credentials, experience, and charm. It is my belief that we, as a division, shall far surpass the work of all other divisions. For our purpose is not only superior: it is clearer, too.

[In a more serious tone, now:] To those lucky enough to be working on research projects for the Inquisition, I am requesting that all work you have amassed on each topic be put into the fires and burned. [And a pause before, more cheerfully:] No! Do not do that. What I mean is, we start anew, together. But you must submit your work to me for a metaphorical burning. I shall burn it with my critique. I require at the very least a written proposal for the work you are conducting. If a project has begun, let us visit it together.

I shall also require a secretary. Chief duties for this position will be, of course, reading project proposals. Please, make an introduction and submit your credentials to me in my office forthwith. You need not be a member of our research efforts, but you must have a keen interest in reading terrible handwriting.

[And generally doing all the work but that part remains unsaid.]

And! To those that might contest my selection, I shall quote the translation of a rustic proverb found engraved upon the wall of Orzammar, taught to me by my very dear Baroness Frédérique: may a demon eat your arse.

Comments

[degenere]

Not to fear, madame. There are some who have been looking at written texts all their lives, who perfectly read the language, and yet have no concept of what they see on the page. If you make progress, already you are ahead of these.

You are recently arrived from where?

[ipseite]

Alas, I know well the kind, sir. They littered my educational endeavors, but I persevered.

( a slightly awkward pause, then: )

I am recently arrived from a rift. I do not believe the names of my lands would mean much.

[degenere]

Really!

[As happy as Val would be to shittalk some academics a little, the word rifter stands out to him as if it has been painted a bright pink.]

Madame de Cedoux, before, you had my professional interest. Now you have my attention. You must tell me all about the country you are from. Perhaps not now--but it could be now, if you are amendable. I have not had the chance to learn much of rifts and rifters, and I confess that my lack of knowledge has only increased my appetite to learn more.

[ipseite]

( there's a hesitation. she isn't enthusiastic about the idea of going into that, but. ) If it is useful, of course.

[degenere]

If nothing else, it will be useful to me--for my amusement, and for my own knowledge. I think it is only right to take the opportunity to learn of such places. This is a very unique opportunity that we have been given, to share in this way, and we must take advantage to make the very most of it.

Though I suppose if you are not able to read in the language, you are also unable to write, yes?

[ipseite]

Indeed; I hope to be able to translate the observations and reproductions I have already made, in time, when I have a greater grasp.

( mmmm definitely sounds like not a good enough reason to talk about lamorre, she's going to sidestep that for now. and, you know, indefinitely. )

[degenere]

An admirable pursuit! I have already made great friends with a lovely young woman who works in the greater library of this city. She is Fereldan, of course, but she remains personable and charming as any Fereldan could hope to be. If you seek to be tutored in both reading and in writing in this language of ours, I would be more than pleased to introduce you.

[once he remembers this lady's name.]

I would instruct you myself, but I would fear overwhelming you with my talents. And I suppose if I am to supervise, we must take care what we mix.

[ipseite]

The Wardens Howe and the Duke de Coucy have made themselves available to me for the purpose, thank you, sir.

[degenere]

An interesting choice of tutors.

[ipseite]

I understand them to be, as well as admirably generous to me with their time, educated men. My lord the Duke has arranged a standing appointment that I might read with him, and all have provided me with works I might study.

[degenere]

Well. It is not his fault, of course, but Nathanial Howe is Fereldan, I believe.

[js]

[ipseite]

As are many here, I understand?

[degenere]

Yes. It is so very unfortunate. They make for terrible company, and terrible scholars.