CRYSTALS | Open

[aestivation]

FORM: crystal
SENDER: ya boy
RECIPIENT: all of you
WHAT: is your sending crystal running you better go catch it
WHEN: vaguely Post-Island
WHERE: kirkwall
NOTES: i'm cool with transitioning this into a mini-log if anyone actually wants to go look!

A sending crystal is missing from the storerooms.

[ the inflection's shallow, and oddly-placed — as though someone speaking across a great, flat distance. ]

The assignment records were last updated three days ago; they don't account for its absence. I've completed a search of the Gallows towers, excluding restricted and residential areas.

[ not for lack of trying. no one spoke of privacy before the rebellion. ]

I’d ask your escort through these, or barring this, that you keep an eye open within any shared living quarters and workspaces. If you've information to contribute, please inform Casimir Lyov, in Research.

I am, [ a pause. ] distinctive.

Comments

[aestivation]

They weren't deemed a hazard.

[ there'd been disagreement upon that point. in the end time won out; the city was restless. there weren't any hours to destroy the swarms. a discussion he'd found himself returning to, in the days just after. the answer's no more or less clear for it.

facts remain: they abandoned the hives. ]

It's likely others will come for them. We left little else.

[ only a few holdouts, without supplies spared to keep them. ]

The statues were removed after attacking. I'm told it wasn't the first time they were roused — red lyrium. If the standard variety could have activated them, they'd be close enough to stories of golems,

[ he trails off ]

It would have been preferable to test it. Perhaps they once did, for the Knight-Commander to know of it. Many records were lost.

[ lives, too, but those less likely to tell him anything. if repairs might have been made, instead of melting them down,

there's no purpose to that line of thought, and he's losing the thread of myr's presence. one of these requires more focus, will expect a prompt response. put the other aside. ]

I've time when the search is completed, [ though when that might be he can't well estimate. too much of this task relies upon others. ] Speaking of your work,

[ speaking with myr ]

Would be worthwhile. I'll do my best to assist.

[faithlikeaseed]

That's as well. Someone will get some use out of them.

[In the end, the hives don't matter so much as the people do, and here in Casimir's person is the last of them he'd been most worried about.

There were murmurs of Tranquil abandoned and vanishing, without their Circles' protection. Hasmal protected her own but there was still reason for concern. Now he can let that go in exchange for the duller anxiety of what the Inquisition might make from of his friend.]

It would have; but at the time, it was likely deemed safer to destroy what they couldn't deactivate or control. They hadn't your expertise.

[Or the organization that would let them use it, he thinks, then banishes the uncharitable thought.]

I'll be glad to have you, once you're done. [He can't wring every last bit of sentiment out of himself no matter how he tries.] There's another project I had in mind that wants a Formari for it, if the Inquisition is willing.

Now. Can I help in any way with your search?

[aestivation]

If destruction were the only measure, [ placidly, ] We wouldn't be speaking.

[ have fun with that one pal ]

It's been suggested the crystal could have been taken outside the Gallows. How would you proceed, if it were?

[faithlikeaseed]

No, [evenly; with all the sharp edges worn off the pain is easy to swallow,] we wouldn't.

You said the last record of it was three days ago? [A moment's silence; he's running the numbers in his head.] The thief could be well away from Kirkwall by now. I'd find out first if there's any member of the Inquisition or the Gallows' staff who's been missing that long--anyone who could get into the storerooms was one of ours, or pretending to be.

If anyone does turn up absent, I'd try calling the lot of them first, even the ones who don't have crystals assigned. Our thief's unlikely to answer--if she's ever activated a crystal before with her name--but anyone who does and can confirm what they're about could be taken off the list of possibles. Anyone remaining on the list I'd take to the guard, maybe circulate their descriptions through Kirkwall and ask if they've been seen anywhere. Also have the guard stop anyone trying to leave the city who looks like our suspects.

[Another pause--lots of assumptions here, not all of them checked or run out to their logical conclusions. He sighs.]

That's all assuming whoever took the crystal is trying to get away with it--and not someone who broke hers and got an unauthorized replacement. Or someone looking to sell one, to the Venatori or anyone else. [Faintly frustrated,] If there were a way to track them, this would be much easier.

[aestivation]

Like the phylacteries, [ he agrees. it seems only sensible. ] There's already a unique signature, by tying name to pattern. The power source would have to be extended, of course.

[faithlikeaseed]

[Perhaps he should be uneasy at the comparison, but he's never given much thought to his phylactery. If you don't ever consider running...] But it could be done; they've already power enough to reach from here to Rivain. Having them report their location as well wouldn't be hard.

There's several other improvements that could be made to them, too. We might make a joint project of it.

[aestivation]

We may discuss the details in person. It will be good to see you.

[ or close enough. ]

[faithlikeaseed]

[Close enough.]

Likewise, [look at them speaking of things they can't do any longer,] I share space with Warden Serra; I'll be awake during the day through the rest of the week.