001.

[champions]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Marisol
RECIPIENT: All
WHAT: sup losers
WHEN: early Wintermarch, handwaves vaguely etc
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Marisol's info is over here but still in progress, feel free to shoot me a pm if you'd like some deets or to hammer out past cr

Good morning, Inquisition.

( It’s early afternoon, easily. She sounds very relaxed, and it would not be inaccurate to imagine her reclining on a sea of cushions and eating chocolate. Her accent is distinctly Antivan, and probably should be accompanied by a montage of vineyards and orange blossom. It’s just the kind of vibe she gives off. )

I wanted to apologise for any inconvenience caused the last few days by my arrival; the family estate in Hightown was not yet ready to receive me, it seems, and so there has been some to-ing and fro-ing. I understand one of the birds caused a little confusion.

( It trapped Finch in a cupboard. ) Please rest assured all the flamingos have been moved for their safety.

( And the safety of the Inquisition. )

I am Lady Marisol of the Houses Vivas and de la Nieve, Asturias and Hierro. ( Merchant Princes, nobility, pirates. You may remember her from such mage empowerment videos as GO REBELS GO and IT’S NOT SMUGGLING, IT’S SPECIALISED TRADE. ) You know, I had planned to be here a little sooner, but the weather in Antiva was so fine. I couldn’t bring much winter sunshine with me, but the Inquisition’s supplies have been replenished a little.

So! Is anyone here from the Rialto Circle? And can anyone explain why it is I should bring ships and staff to an Inquisition that took to destroying the Necropolis? I have some aunts and uncles who are very upset about it.

( She, personally, does not sound seriously concerned, but apparently she doesn’t sound seriously concerned about anything. )

Comments

[ungovernable]

( It is a Nevarran accent that says, very mildly, )

I would recommend to them not falling for the same clumsy trap as did the Inquisition agents.

[champions]

( Ah! Good. Nevarrans are infinitely more interesting to deal with than Orlesians or, Maker forbid, Fereldens. )

The flamingos? Or the staff?

( Her tone is playful, though not without gravity. ) Clumsiness does not make for good sailors, in my experience.

[foundmyselfagain]

I knew it.

[ His tone is one of someone who is trying to be accusing, but is more amused than anything. ]

[champions]

There is no need to accuse the flamingos, Gareth.

( c: )

[judgemewhole]

...And a good day to you, Lady Marisol.

[Yes yes he knows all about Rebels Now and Whoo Piracy. Sigh.]

Thank you for removing your flamingos from the premises.

[champions]

When the weather is better suited a number of them may return to the Gallows. The place is excessively glum for visiting dignitaries, you know?

[gatheringstorm]

Ah, Lady Marisol. This is Korrin, I believe we corresponded before. Welcome to the Inquisition.

As I heard, it was the undead in the Necropolis who started it. And thanks, now you have me hankering for the weather up north even more than I am already. If you brought some Antivan wine, I'll forgive you though.

[champions]

Korrin, yes. It is good to learn your voice, but— "The revered undead started it." You can see why this excuse is exceptionally unconvincing, no?

I have, but alas, this was a gift to the Inquisition from our vineyards, for their diplomatic meetings. I will have access to the cellar at the Hightown estate when it is ready, but...

( but in the meantime I am sad and lacking in adequate wine is the direction she's going in. ) You kitchens now have considerably more fruit and vegetables than they did before, at least.

[iceblade]

[Hi, have a thick Avvar accent in response.]

To be fair, the Necropolis tried to destroy us first. I'll not apologize for defending myself and others.

[champions]

Your excuse is very convenient, and very flimsy. No, we didn't attack a sacred site, it attacked us first. Where is the proof, hm?

[exequy]

Flamingos.

[champions]

( Oh no.... "flamingos" in B-flat... you're disappointed. )

Flamingos, yes. Are you familiar with them?

( 8] )

[foxsays]

[Does the accent sound Antivan? It most likely sounds Antivan.]

Welcome to Kirkwall, señora Marisol, I trust all is well in Antivan? As the head of the Naval Presence project, I wish to personally thank you; with the ice causing difficulties for our ships, this is more than welcome.

I wasn't present in Nevarra, so I cannot speak to it personally, but what happened in Nevarra is likely to have upset those who matter so one hopes the lesson sticks.

[champions]

( Lady Marisol, she almost corrects, but does not— yet. )

Thank you. ( It is exactly as drab and depressing as she expected. ) Does the head of the Naval Presence project have a name?

( Said playfully; she appreciates her coming to speak here. )

One hopes. What do you think is the lesson?

[unshadowing]

You brought bloody flamingos with you? [...nobles, man.]

Because we got locked in and got attacked. And yes, we know, no evidence, blah blah blah, how dare we. But it's what happened. I don't suppose all those skeletons and their weapons suddenly being not in their crypts and instead strewn about the causeways in heaps wasn't some kind of indication?

[champions]

Yes. Kirkwall is not the most vibrant of settings, and the Gallows not especially prestigious. If you wish to make a positive impact on visiting nobility, it is good to have something interesting for them to look at.

And I think, given the reaction of Nevarra as a whole, the answer would be a resounding no. An elaborate ruse by the Inquisition is not so far fetched, in the eyes of some.

( She's not saying they're her views, just... #yikes. )

[sunshinethroughgrey]

[Oh! Here is the very person who might be able to help them with this whole mess.]

Good day, Lady Marisol ... I am Lady Darton, or Senior Warden Bethany Hawke-Darton. I was with my brother and my husband in the Necropolis -- would the word of a Seeker have any weight with the Court? And has anyone found our guide? He is the one who imprisoned us and I believe, worked with the Venatori to set the poor deceased upon us.

[champions]

Lady Darton, I am not as closely involved with Nevarran politics as I am Antivan - I simply have much family there, and take interest. I cannot speak for the location of the guide.

( However, she will lend insight. )

Considering it from what I know of the court, and from how things are seen in Antiva? The Seekers are an arm of the Chantry, which has long expressed displeasure at Nevarran practice. The Wardens may fare little better; your organisation has allied with the Inquisition, and your leader has claimed the throne in the Anderfels. He may be attempting to reestablish connections with Nevarra, but his legitimacy and the integrity of the Wardens - and those allied with the Wardens - are all under question.

[aforethought]

Those’re your boats?

[champions]

The superior ones are my boats.

[universal_charm]

_{[ He has to ask this, because what? ]}

You have flamingos? Like - pink flamingos?

[champions]

Some pink, some red. I have a breeding pair of black flamingos that are especially dramatic.

( She can tell he is incredulous, but she is going to breezily ignore that - largely because it's funny. ) Some peacocks, as well.

[exsecutus]

You would make more friends if you'd have brought the Antivan weather with you, instead of your flamingos. A suggestion for your next entrance.

[Beloved cousin #2 here, more dry than unimpressed but also not very impressed.]

Hello, Marisol. And how is the estate?

[champions]

( You would make more friends if you were a less ambitious or more effective planner of assassinations, she almost quips, but resists. For one, because that is unkind and he is her cousin (poor decisions aside) and for two because she's no certain how well known that particular indiscretion is outside of particular circles. Regardless, it is better not advertised. )

Weather? I thought perhaps elephants and a parade would suit me better. I will consider it. ( She is exactly 0% concerned with how unimpressed her cousins sound, truthfully. She loves them, but their choices??? )

If by the "estate" you mean "me" ( why would it ever mean that ) I have to say I am wounded you have not come immediately rushing to my side. If you mean the actual estate, then... it is in need of some renovations. Marble needs replacing, and so on and so on. I will be extending the offer of rooms there to yourself and Kostos, if ever you tire of dwelling in the Gallows.

[thunderproof]

That's a lot of houses to be from, is that normal here? I thought people usually one had the one last name.


❰ what kind of noble nonsense...... ❱

[champions]

It varies. In Antiva we can be a little more.... eager to honour our ancestors, or show off our connections. Vivas and de la Nieve are my paternal Houses, Asturias and Hierro my maternal ones. Each carry different weight, and different meaning. It is very possibly for people to list further back, but after a certain point it becomes... unwieldy, shall we say. This was only for the purposes of introducing myself here, in case people had a familiarity; normally I am just Marisol Vivas.

( She doesn't sound at all troubled by the question; if anything, she's conspiratorial. ) You are lucky we did not get to the matter of middle names as well, or we could have been here quite a while.

tags w both characters because i want this

[degenere]

Lady Marisol. A pleasure, to meet someone such as yourself. Vivas is a name that I recognize, and would take some small animosity toward, if I were at all interested in the politics and prospects of my family. Fortunately I have been disowned, and now my interest in wine is only one of sport.

I am called Val de Foncé, though there is a great deal more to it than that. And now, to my true purpose: I wish to purchase a flamingo.

g o o d

[champions]

Disowned, Mister de Foncé? I am sorry to hear it.

( Possibly she already knew, rumour mills and so forth, but even so. She isn't being flippant; legit, she sounds sorry about it. Either he did something really shitty, or his family is really shitty, it's hard to say. )

My mother has a very fine necklace with a number of sapphires that I believe were purchased from your family, that she's very fond. I hope we can leave aside the need to compare mansions, hm?

( Or the relatives who are pirate raiders and may have intercepted some jewels that were in danger of being lost to the sea. Maybe. It's just a rumour, probably. )

As for the flamingo, they are not generally for sale. Lone flamingos can be very sad indeed.