Who'd win in a fight? Outta everyone.

Good evening! I apologize for the late hour -

[ (all this in a pleasant Fereldan accent belonging to a young man, speaking like he's giving his excuses for being late to tea) ]

- but I'm trying to find the ferry. Am I too late for it?

[ You might be asking yourself: Who is this? How did he get hold of a crystal? Are there more members of Riftwatch who've been magically erased from the world?

Probably it's fine, though. Right? ]

SUBJECT: Thoris Ferron
PARTICIPANTS: Bastien, Vega Arany
CLASSIFICATION: Public (with access to Scouting Division files)
DATE FILED: Kingsway
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Bastien and Vega convinced recent Venatori convert Magister Thoris Ferron of the merits of their cause. With murder and blackmail.

REPORT:

Scoutmaster,

Things did not go entirely as planned, but Ferron has agreed to assist us. Some duress was involved. She will have to watched for the usual signs of becoming a triple agent. Maybe if she does we can find something new to blackmail her with and make her a quadruple agent. But at that point I would have to hope she crossed us again because I have never met a quintuple agent and I would like to.

If we do not want to experiment with layers of agent, I have two suggestions offhand. One is finding her a Seheron Sharp-Shinned Sea Hawk egg after all. Your pirate might be in a better position to have an eye out for one than the rest of us. The other is arranging to transfer her allegiance to the Lucerni, who might be able to present themselves as a sympathetic alternative to both the cult and the cruel blackmailers.

Cheers,

Bastien

NEXT STEPS: Make use of her. Maybe shore up her support into something less reliant on threats. Maybe get double or triple crossed sometime.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC info, preliminary conversation, aspirational log.

The eluvians place certain opportunities in better reach. I've a list of actions and points we might address; fold them into your existing work, where able.

I trust that I needn't underscore the importance of discretion. Be mindful of those you involve, and if you must shout about all this, for fuck's sake use the filter.

Good morrow, Riftwatch.

( Now, there’s a voice that hasn’t been on the crystals for a time. Years, in fact. The Starkhaven accent is strong as ever, and yet— some more nebulous quality has shifted. What was once careful and controlled, turned to diplomacy through practice, has turned to uniform flatness. Every word placid, every syllable even. )

My name is Herian Amsel. If we were previously acquainted then the possibility that word of my return has reached you already, and were circumstances suited to it, I would offer apology for being so withdrawn.

For those unfamiliar with me, or who have not become familiar with the details of my return, there are elements best not left unspoken.

You may notice differences in my speech and manner. This stems from the Rite of Tranquility, enacted by radicals acting outside the approval of the Chantry and Inquisition. Indeed, the attack was an attack against the Chantry and Inquisition, both.

I remember well the passion and fire of so many in Riftwatch; I share this news not to stoke those fires. These are matter that require thorough investigation. Rather,I speak to be transparent that this state is not one freely chosen, and such a revelation is an unkind one to inflict on others in the midst of other work. A good many find the Tranquil unsettling even before considering the context of how the Rite came to pass.

My presence hence is to serve Riftwatch, and if my presence disturbs you, please do not hesitate in letting it be known. I would sooner remove myself to another part of the keep to do my work, than some disconcerting quality to my aspect interfere with your work, or my circumstances evoking painful memories. One reason I have remained withdrawn was my own contemplations on potential negative impact my return in this state could alert.

Presently I have been assisting Doctor Strange, and learning of medical practices. If any could be troubled to lend assistance through procurement of clay, that would be most beneficial.

If you have questions you win to ask, I will endeavour to answer.

( Behold, a new voice on the crystals. Soft, good-humoured, with an accent that sounds Scandinavian / relative equivalent. The crystal catches a quiet breath of laughter before she speaks. )

I don’t know if you’re really lucky to have an engineer turn up, or if I’m really unlucky that I need to figure out the machinery.

I mean, learning about the infrastructure of a city in a whole different world isn’t even a “once in a lifetime” kind of opportunity, and pretending I’m some sort of genius at kinetic motion just because I know some mechanisms from home would be pretty fun, but…

Wow.

( Maybe that sounds a little weightier than her first "wow.")

Oh, I'm Abella. Riftwatch, you’re gonna have to have a lot more ramps by the time I’m done with you. Somewhere has to accommodate wheelchair users, even if it’s some kind of fairy tale world.

( Hmmm. )

Wait, can you just make them float, here? (More softly, ) Flying wheelchairs would explain the lack of ramps. I mean, this crystal thing is remarkable, so... let me know if I don't need to think about the ramps.

If your soul were to take the form of an animal, what form do you think it would take?

You can answer on behalf of your friends, if those friends are killjoys who won't answer for themselves.

[An identifiably posh voice clears its throat and speaks over the crystals:]

Good morning, Riftwatch. This is Benedict.

With everything that's happened, and morale being understandably low, I thought we might, um, turn our minds to picking ourselves up.

I have two questions for you all: first, and more simply, would you find it worthwhile to have some scheduled leisure time, either to use freely or to spend with food and drink on the beach, as we did several years ago?

Second, what are some of the gaps in our personnel-- of what specialties, skillsets, and the sort are we in dire need? What does your ideal recruit look like, and have you any ideas of where they might be found?

If you prefer not to answer over crystal, you're welcome to come by the Personnel office in the Central [only] tower, or leave me a note.

[a loud sigh coincides with the crystal turning off, as though all the tension he has been holding in his entire body is suddenly rushing out with the conclusion of the message. public speaking is hard]

Hey all. It's the Provost. I'm reaching out so everyone's aware and rumors don't go wild: Commander Flint is, indeed, absent from the Gallows. He's pursuing a time-sensitive action against Corypheus, and it's going to keep him out of pocket for a while.

In the meantime, Captain Rowntree will be stepping in to oversee the work of the Forces division. He's served ably as Captain of the Watch for some time, and the Scoutmaster and I will get him up to speed quickly with his new responsibilities. Most of you have been here long enough to experience changes in division leadership before [this a little wry, considering Cosima's relatively new position, but she's serious again for], and we expect you'll continue with your duties with minimal interruption.

[The previous statement sounds fluid but scripted, mainly because this last part feels more off-the-cuff:]

Everyone's been really pulling hard for the rebuilding effort, we know. It's appreciated. And if you've got any questions or concerns, you can speak to me or the Scoutmaster. Privately, if you want. Speaking for myself, I can't promise every question will have an answer, but I'd rather know what's on your mind than have it preoccupying you. Uh, that's it for now. Thanks.