[There's some high-pitched squawking and swearing in the background before Kain speaks up.]

I might as well just give you away, you demented crea- ah, anyway. Sorry about that. I was wondering, does anyone have any worthwhile tips to share about catching rare birds? It seems I only attract the variety who might as well be possessed by demons. What I'm looking for is something more... uh, refined.

[There is no way in Thedas they'll win any favor if he gives away his own "pet" bird, but oh he has considered it.]

Your advice is appreciated. Thank you.

( A voice that has not been heard on the crystals before, and indeed, is not really heard all that often. One could be forgiven for thinking she's new, although she's been serving in Kirkwall a fair while. )

Rifters, what does the term English mean? Who are the Englishmen?

Apologies for the interruption, [ is not the strongest start to Ilias's first sending crystal broadcast; he sounds a bit distracted. ]

Is anyone available who might have [ Hm. ] particular experience with dwarven culture? Specifically, perhaps easing tempers, or appropriate means to show appreciation for one's hosts, or---

[ How do dwarves even work??? ]

Myself and Brother Jehan had some preparation before traveling to Orzammar, of course, but we seem to have-- [ Casually offended the dwarven scribe at the entrance, and watched the remainder of their meeting cascade downhill? ]

It could be going better. [ Help. ] Any advice would be appreciated.

The Inquisition's records regarding what to do with us if we all die are incomplete. Obviously half of you do not have any family—

[ Coming next month: sensitivity training.]

—but if you would like your remains or your belongings handled in a specific way or given to a specific person, there is a form in the Senechal's office. Or I can write it down for you, if you tell me how you would like your mummy dressed.

The deadline is at some point before you die. So you should do it this week.

[ Salvio—poor Salvio—has actually done something to deserve this, and that something was asking Kostos to make this announcement in the first place. ]

Hello, everyone. There have been several incidents now that have made it clear that there is a certain risk, in certain situations, of people openly possessing anchor shards. The least of which being that there are populations in Thedas that have a rather negative view of them.

The obvious solution is to simply wear gloves, but this method isn't guaranteed. It's chilly enough now, but it won't always be, and large groups of people all wearing gloves could become suspicious--particularly so if they all refuse to remove their gloves. Thus, we are going to need more methods to disguise the anchor shard that so many of our agents carry.

As this involves a large portion of the people in the Gallows, I thought that it would be prudent to pose this issue to everyone, so you can all offer your suggestions for possible solutions.

Additionally, I would like to ask for volunteers to test these methods on. [ She pauses for a moment, wondering if she needs to say it, then decides not to underestimate how paranoid some people can be. ] This will, as stated, be voluntary, and you will be made aware of what process is being tested, and what it will involve, and can back out at any point in time.

For instance, my first idea is to see if enough makeup can be applies to hide the shard, without making the hand look unnatural. If someone with an anchor shard would like to, I can arrange a meeting for us to test this.

All methods used and their results will, of course, be written down and filed for future reference.

For goodness sake, it's marriage, not plague that I am asking if you've contracted. Why on earth do so many of you look like I've asked if your leg has rotten off over something as simple as marriage and children? And at your ages no less?

[ There is that tsk, that universal tsk of a Mother, Grandmother, Aunty, pinching a cheek and fussing. ]

Your fathers and mothers must be growing grey hairs as we speak in worry with your being in a war camp and they are still with no grandchildren.

[ P.S, this is Byerly's fault. ]

[There's a quiet moment even after she started her message-- She doesn't use the crystal often and doesn't intend to use it more now. But there is something she wants to say. She's waited and not, days later, she's determined.]

Good afternoon. You'll have to forgive me-- I neither use the crystals often nor am much of a public speaker. This might just be my first and last message. That's to be decided. [A beat.] I'm a rifter and-- as you can guess-- the recent uproar is something that is both one I've thought about often and am opposed to. But that's not exactly why I'm here today-- Well, no. I am, but in a different sort.

Look at this in our point of view: We're brought here, by means none of us know. We have to accustom to a life far away from our homes, our families, and livelihoods. We're expected to quickly acclimate and help out, or not in some cases. A difficult gesture when I imagine for many of us this is... Far different from what we've been taught.

It is not a matter of willfully being ignorant of the going ons here in Thedas. The unfortunate circumstance is that we, more than anyone, have to pay attention, to learn... Or be called, what? Demons? We're well aware of our circumstances and what any wrong move will deem whatever your people think of us as true. It's a fact and at least I myself keep my head down over--

But we learn, we experience, we live here... Yet, someone proposed an interesting question: How many of you take the time to learn about us?

[A beat and she's quick to add:] The Inquisition provides food and shelter, this is undeniable. That reason is the one in which I've tried to do my part in the scouting division. But you do it out of necessity, as we've heard too often recently we're a "valuable resource". [That's the sound of bitterness, tbh. And she's careful with her next words.]

I go by Tina. My full name is Porpentina Esther Goldstein. [On her side, she grimaces before adding:] You can tell why I'd go simply by Tina. But my name... It's also one my parents gave me, and in many ways it's very Jewish. And I mightn't call myself particularly religiously Jewish but you don't live in New York without seeing it-- there's quite a lot of us there. [Jewish people, at least in the 20s.] For me a phylactery is different.

They're also called tefillin. It's worn during morning prayer as a reminder of being led out of a land called Egypt. It's not something I've ever done for a number of reasons, but I'm sure you can understand why your version leaves me uncomfortable. For even more than my knee-jerk reaction.

[Another pause and she takes a breath:] It's a joke, to me, trying to find a life here. I've come to understand the likelihood of being trusted here is very slim, because to you I'll be gone soon. And I hope I am-- Because my sister isn't here. My job is to protect people, I'm a law enforcer. Yet, here, it feels as if I'll be lucky to be able to go out at night on my own.

I've no secrets to hide. Ask 'em if you want.

[That is her way of saying that if you really want to know about the rifters-- at least one of them-- she'll take the bullet on it. Because they can't expect them to understand them if they don't open up. And they can't be seen as more than tools if they're not asked questions.]

Hello crystals. I have question.

( There is a long pause before Helena continues. Long enough that it could seem plausible that the question is never coming. And then, with a rush, )

How do you be good twin?

I'm— not sure how to be good sister. We were being apart long time. I thought maybe peanut butters would be good present, but I think it made Sarah unhappy.

( Stiltedly, ) I stole her crystal, do not play this for her. Thank you.

[Ignis clears his throat before he starts, almost as a polite acknowledgment that he's there -
despite it being through crystal communication.]

I would like to start by extending my gratitude in all that the Inquisition has done to protect and bring comfort to me and my friend. You have all been very encouraging and a credit to Thedas as a whole - which helps to bring me to the request I had in mind now.

I want to learn more about Thedas. I'd love to discuss your history, countries, customs, and all of those little things that help make your world unique and interesting. As it stands, so many of you have come forward to share your views and stories already. For that, I am very appreciative.

I was hoping I might take a stab at your library as well, but for obvious reasons, I cannot read the volumes housed there on my own. Of course, I would simply rope Prompto into helping me, but he has his own duties and desires to tend to. I was thinking that we might be able to find some volunteers willing to help me. To, uh, read to me.

[He pauses then, letting the request stand by itself.]

That failing, I always want to hear more stories. If you are willing to share, please tell me what are some of your favorite holidays or other cultural cornerstones of your country? Or even traditions your family had? Or historical stories? Anything that you'd like. I wish to have a broader sense of your world.