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

[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.

[champions]

Refined, charming, enchanting. I call myself many things. All of them are factual and true.

[exsecutus]

Is enchanting meant to be a play on words.

[champions]

Would I ever be so crass as to pun?

( c: )

[exsecutus]

I have not seen you in some time. Might have taken up crassness.

[champions]

That is very hurtful. Can you hear that strange creaking sound? That is my heart starting to break.

[exsecutus]

Please. I will not be fooled. Your heart cannot break. It is very small, for one. And made of iron.

[champions]

Iron, yes. Because it is so heavy from these insults.

[exsecutus]

Oh, yes, now I feel sorry for you.

[the deadest of pans.]

[champions]

So you should. Don't you know the women of Antiva are delicate, and in need of protecting?

[exsecutus]

Ha,

[Nikos says. It's a laugh.]

Delicate and capable of kicking me in the back hard enough to give me a permanent scar. It's still there, you know. The scar and my back. Despite your efforts to the contrary.

[champions]

I have no memory of this. I think, perhaps, you are mistaken. I'll forgive you, though, it sounds like a traumatic experience.

( If she is recalling his protests at the time correctly. )

[exsecutus]

Deeply scarring. As I have said. I'll remember it for us both, forever.