(002.) hello fade rift my old friend

[dashing]

FORM: crystal
SENDER: Herian Amsel
RECIPIENT: all the Inquisiton
WHAT: sup
WHEN: whatever today might wind up being in fair Thedas.
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Hello! So Herian's background has some dark themes,
and she has some pretty harsh attitudes about mages, the Dalish, and pretty much anything that takes her fancy. I've got an opt out post if there's anything you want me to avoid touching on.

I fear it had been overlong since last we spoke, Inquisition.

( Crisply spoken words, the touch of Starkhaven shaping each sound. )

For those not yet known to me: I am Herian Amsel, Knight Enchanter of the White Spire. For those better acquainted with me, I apologise for my abrupt absence. My orders bid me elsewhere.

( ... and that's all she has to say about that, smoothly moving on. )

I hope the seasons and the Free Marches have not treated you poorly. However, I am bound to lament our residence in any portion of them that is not Starkhaven.

( There is just the faintest touch of humour, maybe. Possibly. You probably imagined it. )

Maker willing, Kirkwall will treat you all with kindness.

Comments

Why would this be private?

[youwonscience]

I'd say we should go on a field trip to Starkhaven, but given my history with field missions, maybe we shouldn't tempt fate.

Also, do you have a favorite baked good? No particular reason.

no reason ever!!!

[dashing]

There is no great rush; our hands are doubtless full here.

( ha ha ha she's not avoiding going home at ALL no no way nothing to do with trauma ever nope not usin duty as a (legitimate-ish) reason to not go to Starkhaven and see her relatives haha what are you saying )

I have not tried an abudenance. Any claim to a favourite might be ill-informed. What would you recommend?

[youwonscience]

[Cool cool cool that's a great subject to keep avoiding.]

Okay, well, anything Avery makes is pretty great, but I was thinking of trying to see if we could develop an Earth delicacy called churros and I need help taste-testing it.

It's really, really important, so it's a good thing you're back.

[dashing]

Nothing would be so remiss as to deny aid to one in need.

( So solemn. Equally solemn: ) Would not my lack of familiarity prove a hindrance?

[youwonscience]

No, no, you see, you're here for a control. Genuine Marcher palate. I can tell how authentic they are, but man, if I'm the only one eating them I'll feel bad wasting Avery's time.

[Probably not. Also:]

...okay, me and Church, I bet Church enjoys churros.

[dashing]

A control?

( In context the term is unfamiliar, even if she knows the word. )

I hope I prove worthy.

[youwonscience]

It's, um. [A brief pause.] So when you're running an experiment, you have to have something to compare your results against. Like, if you were trying to see if nugs grow bigger on a hay diet, you've got to have nugs not on a hay diet but living in the same place, getting the same amount of exercise, the whole thing, so you can be sure that the only difference is what they're eating. The non-hay nugs are the control.

...do nugs eat hay, I actually have no idea.

[dashing]

I see.

( Huh. She's just processing that. It... sounds logical enough. ) And since we are not assessing the potential for churros to make us grow, we need not concern ourselves with the disparity between yourself and your control?

( She sounds very very serious, but it's that kind of seriousness that happens when she's teasing, as opposed to being actually serious. It's complicated. )

Nugs eat darkspawn, I'm certain. ( Herian don't troll pls )

[youwonscience]

Did you just make a short joke.

[Cosima is more impressed than insulted.]

I feel like nothing nugs supposedly eat would surprise me very much. Hay, darkspawn, the odd piece of iron ore.

[dashing]

Would I resort to such cruel humour?

( Yes, she would. But not with very many people. Congrats on being special, Cos. )

Mm. Not dissimilar to travel rations. ( So serious. So very serious. )

[youwonscience]

You're ridiculous, and if I didn't need you for pastry science I would revoke your churro privileges.

[See what you did.]

I'm an official member of the research department, now, you should totally respect me.

[dashing]

Alas, I hold a position of power, now. I fear my honour is corrupted.

( A sigh, almost wistful. )

In a way, you are responsible for my moral downfall.

[youwonscience]

Wait, wait, wait. You gotta show your work on that one.

[dashing]

You said I was needed for your research. As such, I gained power - mayhaps even influence. Unfamiliar with such a position and the sway that comes with it, I began on a slow but inevitable corrosion of mine own ethics, spurred on by those that would benefit from my power.

You see?

[youwonscience]

[Laughing:]

Wow, wow. Usually you have to graduate to at least running an experiment before you can go full mad scientist, I think there's definitely a rule about that somewhere.

[dashing]

( So seriously: )

I have always been very advanced.

[youwonscience]

OK, well, what can I do to redeem myself-slash-you from this terrible moral decline?

[dashing]

I'm not sure. ( A thoughtful kind of sigh; ) You could join me for a drink. Possibly dinner.

[youwonscience]

I think it's probably the least I can do, under the circumstances.

My schedule's pretty free in the evenings.

[dashing]

Tomorrow evening, eight o'clock. Would that suit?w

[youwonscience]

8 it is. It's a date.

[I mean. Is it? Probably.]

[dashing]

( Totally a date. More than likely. )

The same place we visited on my return? Or have you somewhere you better favour?

[youwonscience]

No, same place is fine. I mean, I haven't been in Kirkwall that long, I don't have a huge list of places to suggest.

See you tomorrow.

[dashing]

Until then.

( She's just gotta go fight a templar and be mess, but you know. )