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

private.

[exsecutus]

[Awwww man, Nikos thinks, as he feels a brief sense of the jibblies from the use of that tone, a sensation entirely outside of his control, deeply bred.

Which means he's going to ignore it and instead start a lecture.]

The wealthy of this city are disgusting to me as any other. But in Kirkwall, there is a special ugliness. The source of power behind this place may change hands from age to age, a common coin passed from one regime to the next--and yet the wealthy remain wealthy, and the poor remain poor. This oppression happens not by accident, or mistake, or coincidence. Your neighbors, dear cousin, are profiteers of convenience--or, worse, ignorance.

And on top of that, I hate small talk.

permaprivate.

[champions]

Some are, I agree, but not all amongst the wealthy are complacent, and as you well know, not all who wish for reform are wise.

( There is something faintly acidic about the last past, cautioning. )

No one enjoys smalltalk, but it can be useful. Come: we are family, I would sooner we can exchange ideas and be honest with one another than trade snide comments behind crystals.

good call

[exsecutus]

[excuse]

Useful. Yes. I had forgotten the use that you put in critique, Marisol. You know, for the daughter of a notorious importer-- [smuggler but in a fun kicky way] --you are very critical.

I suppose you have already arranged a similar exchange with Kostos.

[champions]

( She is going to ignore that because she cares for her cousin and is overlooking the necessity for reprimand. Loyal to family, caring for them fiercely, but fierceness was not limited to affection, and sometimes family needed to be kept in line, for their own sakes.

Examples of what happened when family were not minded: sullying of reputation, poor financial decisions, exile from their homeland. )

I have invited him to dinner. We can dine all together, if that is to your preference. My father’s notorious vineyards supplied us with some fine stock for the cellar, should you decide you can endure my company.

[exsecutus]

[Well hey now. Almost offended:]

That isn't fair. Bribery?

[champions]

If I were bribing you, you would know.

( c: )

[exsecutus]

Yes, I imagine that is why I feel so very bribed.

[A SIGH.]

Tell me what time Kostos will be coming so I can arrive two hours before. [To drink.] I'm the younger. I need the head start.

[champions]

I shall, as soon as it is arranged.

( but she cannot resist: )

Just think, an extra two hours for considering which candle holders are best suited to go with the new chandelier.

[exsecutus]

Marisol.

[champions]

Nikos.

[exsecutus]

[qurl]

Do you want me to stay for dinner, or leave early because I have broken a candlestick and put it through my eye.

[champions]

If you break any candlesticks you will be expected to replace them.

( It's that kind of exaggerated seriousness that belongs to ridiculous jokes. )

I won't even joke about tormenting you, how's that?

[exsecutus]

Questionable. I don't believe you will be able to restrain yourself.

[champions]

What’s the fun in restraining oneself, regardless?

[exsecutus]

Ask around at the right brothels and they'll tell you: restraint is very fun. To some.

[champions]

Of course, but restraining yourself instead of doing it to someone else seems rather less interesting.

( She makes it sound like talking about the weather, somehow. )

The point that matters, Nikos, is that you are family. Tease you I might, but I want my home to be a pleasant place for you to visit, and a sanctuary when you have need of it. If there are matters that trouble you, I will listen. I cannot promise not to tease you about interior design, but all the rest I will be as well behaved as I can.

( For a given value of "well behaved," but still. )

[exsecutus]

[To that, Nikos heaves a huge and heavy sigh.]

You are an inconvenient person. Must you be so genuine? It makes everything difficult.

I mean this as kindly as possible, Marisol, [believe it or not] but none of the matters that trouble me are so easily discussed when surrounded by the trappings of wealth that you favor. [A pause.] Still. You know me. Open a bottle of wine, waft the fumes out a window. I'll turn up very soon after.

Feed me enough of it, I'll pretend to care about anything.

[champions]

My genuine nature is a smokescreen devised solely for the purpose of tormenting you.

( Marisol laughs very softly at that. ) I will provide you with the most uncomfortable furniture I can, to set you more at ease.

( More seriously: ) We favour different causes, you and I. That does not mean we do not both wish to see the world a better place. Or a drunker place, depending on the day.

[exsecutus]

I'd believe it.

[--The smokescreen, that is, and the tormenting. He says it in an undertone. It's not very under, this tone. Still pretty clear.

There are other things that he could say, in any tone at all. Perhaps something about how better places do not include overlords inheriting titles and wealth and power beyond the imagining of the common man--how the subjection of one purportedly lesser class of person is never fair or right--the divisions of classism which transmute through each age but remain firmly in place, a structure built upon the foundation of tradition, which is but a thin veil for prejudice--

But there is time for that later. And it is always better when it is written down or spoken in person. (And not by Nikos, who lacks patience, personality, affability, and has no spark with which to strike inspiration in anyone, unless it's inspiration to walk away from him.)

Wine, now.]

Well done. You have hit upon our common cause. I believe today is one of those days.

[champions]

Kostos tells me that he is not allowed in a number of taverns, so I imagine the honour extends to you as well. I'll meet you at the docks and we can drink.

( On one of the ships being the implication, so he can be spared the estate at least on this occasions. Granted a boat that is but one part of a fleet is perhaps no less a mark of wealth, but perhaps it is a little more palatable. )

[exsecutus]

[This time, Nikos' sigh is louder, and more put-upon.]

I am thinking of cutting my face.

[champions]

I doubt that will help; they'd just assume Kostos had offended someone to a more dire degree.

[exsecutus]

He has. Me.

We don't look that alike.

[champions]

To the trained eye, no. ( Nikos has some beer induced cuddliness. ) Not everyone is so refined as I.

[exsecutus]

Is that what you call it. [dry.] Perhaps you can offer refinement lessons at the taverns.