faderift | [ OPEN ] Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a match

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[ OPEN ] Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a match

WHO: Adelaide, Suitors, Spectators
WHAT: A series of disastrous encounters
WHEN: Throughout Cloudreach
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: OOC POST.

The last day of Drakonis brings a familial attache to Skyhold. François is a stern, formal, and unyielding man at the beginning of the month- hounding Adelaide to make certain she meets each appointed suitor, one for lunch, one for dinner, chaperoning the meetings in hopes of finding a suitable match for the sole single LeBlanc. It becomes rapidly apparent that despite his best efforts, it is for naught. Adelaide, despite being forced into moderate finery and made to sit and bear the company of these men, is less than amused and determined to at least get some paperwork done between meetings. Or during if the conversation is that dull.

The set up for each, unless the suitor has his own mind about the matter, remains the same. Simple and elegant, a table in the garden that is public enough to not be improper, private enough to not invite undue observation, and comfortable enough to suit their needs. The meals are as fine as François can manage with Skyhold's resources and the coin provided for the meetings, each accompanied by Antivan or Orlesian wine. As the month progresses Adelaide's temper grows short and François' patience goes thin. Deviating from the Dossier is not recommended but- desperate times? Desperate measures.

He starts seeking out the clean and respectable looking, dragging them to the table and plopping them in the chair and instructing them to talk, for the love of the Maker.

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Better. Mother never found out, he has made himself exceedingly helpful in finding me a husband and that kept her distracted long enough for it to be returned.

[ Thank the Maker, that would have been a terribly awkward letter. ]

I actually have some of those notes here...[ She flips though quickly, tugging out the list. It is an absurd list, but. A list. ] Once we've somewhere safe and all the materials gathered- we'll be going from 'most likely to fail but least likely to kill anyone' to 'most likely to succeed, but demons.'

[He nods, relieved. Greagoire deserved better than something going wrong for an act of kindness, especially when Anders has seen so little kindness.

After another sip of wine he leans forward to read more of her notes.]

There's a clearing that's not too close to Skyhold to be dangerous, and not too far away to be at risk. If there are too many who are seriously injured for us to take care of them, I mean.

[Or if he's incapacitated in some way. He's a little scared, honestly. He's an abomination, but he's not fully gone. That could change in an instant if one of these goes awry. If he's to die, he'd much rather die with some of himself still intact rather than as Justice.]

One thing to be concerned about...

[He takes a breath. These thoughts are difficult, muddy, and he knows why even as he refuses to acknowledge it.]

I've fought alongside Justice, inside the Fade against the Pride demon when we were trapped, and outside when he'd taken a corpse. If something goes... awry, if he's confused or... I don't know, you should be aware of how formidable he is. Nate can tell you more.

[Nate doesn't have something inside of him that doesn't want weaknesses or strengths discussed.]

Velanna as well.

Knight-Captain Maria Hill has been scouting the surrounding area. Perhaps she's seen it as well.

[ Much as Adelaide would like to test such things herself- she no longer has the time to see to every detail. What is in her hands, the rituals? These she must manage and must manage to the best of her ability. The consequences otherwise are dire. ]

Anders. [ She sets aside wine, notes, and pretense for a moment, looking him dead in the eye. Shadows under her own, a thin tension that will remain wound until this is done knotted along her spine, shoulders and jaw. A weight he asked her to carry that she has yet to set down, that she will not set aside. ] There are precious few things in this world or the fade that would have me break my contract with Compassion. But I assure you both.

No matter what happens during these rituals- I will not allow either of you to do harm. You have my word.

[He meets her eyes and bows his head after a moment, her face replaced with that of Ella and the guilt he'll always carry despite how Hawke had intervened in time. They'd been so close to killing the very person they wanted to save.]

Thank you.

[The words are quiet. After a beat he manages to look back up.]

We almost hurt someone once. I didn't think I could live with myself after, and then I discovered I didn't have an option. Your word here... You've no idea how much it means.

[It's the first time he's been fully open with her, allowed himself to be vulnerable, and it's terrifying. But she's just made a very heavy promise.]

I'd prefer death to harming someone else.

If it comes to that, I will make it quick. I do not, however, think it shall come to that.

[ She has put too much work and research into ensuring this will go smoothly- and if not smoothly? Favorably. Justice wishes to return to the fade. Anders wishes to be himself once more. There is nothing in these rituals that should twist false.

Having some manner of templar about for the more dangerous ones is a sane precaution and little more. ]

The first is a touch absurd. We will need bards or the musically inclined- apparently it is possible to guide a spirit back to it's purpose and the fade with song. A highly specific song.

[He gapes at her. She can't be serious. She can't. But she looks it, sounds it, and this isn't a joking matter.]

You... Song? Someone made, wrote...

[Maybe it's from a time or place where they know more about spirits. Or the Fade. Or something. He doesn't know. And honestly, it doesn't matter how ridiculous this winds up being, because it will still be better than being possessed. Song it is.]

All right. Singing. There's an overflow of bards here, but considering what you've said about their purpose, we may need to be choosy. But there have to be some that are trustworthy.

[Beyond Kalli. He doesn't know if he wants to put her at risk while they try this, or encourage her as another reason to be careful and not get possessed.]

Mhmm. Song. I will need some assistance working through the pronunciation of some of these words, the language is entirely foreign to me. Some manner of ancient ballad or- something.

[ She cannot quite say what it was. ]

Leliana sings well, putting out a call across the crystals might not be remiss.

A careful call.

[It's not that dangerous. Actually, it doesn't sound really dangerous at all. But he's worried that there will be a moment of vulnerability when Justice departs and someone could take advantage of that.]

There are a lot who...

[He shakes his head and takes a breath.]

Put out a call and pick carefully. To die the very moment I'm free would fit the way my life goes, but I'd prefer that not happen.

I am not going to have anyone you disapprove of involved- or anyone that has expressed a wish to do you harm. This is an attempt to cure; I'll not have it ruined by someone deciding it is a fine time to cut you down.

[ She won't give her word to protect him- this is more than she probably ought to offer in and of itself- but the principle of the matter stands. ]

So good. We should have a pool of two, three, if we're lucky, four people if we go for only those who have not expressed a wish to harm me.

[There's a little amusement on his face; it's a half-joke. Anders takes a breath.]

I jest. There should be enough options among the volunteers to both see to the matter at hand and still feel secure. And I believe it's safe to say Nate will be present, considering how well I know the man, so I'll have someone watching my back, too. ...But let's consider him for a non-singing role. He's the best man I know, possibly the best person entirely, but he cannot sing.

...I have a feeling that I do not want to know.

[ She'll take his word for this, honestly. ]

If framed less as a cry for help and more an academic practice we might get more volunteers. If we are able to do this? It is an unprecedented step in treating possession without having to kill the host, spirit, or demon should that be the case.

If we could... Maker.

[They could extend it out, too, couldn't they? That no one has succeeded in known history in curing an abomination doesn't mean there aren't ways. It means that it takes effort, and effort is one thing the Chantry has never cared to expend when it comes to helping mages. Far easier to off them and move to the next group.]

And then there's the possibility of further applications, if spirit possession can be cured.

[He takes a sip of wine before continuing, trying to bolster himself for even the vague details of what he's about to say.]

I lost control once, near one of the Tranquil. For several moments after, he was himself again. He said it was like the Fade was inside of me and....

[His voice gets tense near the end and he stops, shaking his head.]

If possession is curable, we can try things to heal the Tranquil. They don't have to be left like that, with all the joy and colors taken out of the world.

Nathaniel said much the same was related to him by Bethany Hawke.

[ Here her interest isn't...lessened, but there's a darker shade to her eyes, a thin press to her lips. Tranquility having a cure- a rumor, a whisper of a rumor brought ruin.

Maker only knows what the truth would offer. ]

I have been looking in to this as well- nothing is written. In the Spire there were...rumors of a cure. Not how it was done but that it might be possible. As the rumor saw many of us cut down and I had not seen nor heard anything to support the idea; I considered it false. When Nathaniel told me about you...I've asked a few what they might wish. But they wish for nothing, they cannot. They are content or as close to it as they could possibly be.

He... She...

[There's pain in his eyes. Neither could possibly know how precious Karl had been to him, how close he'd kept the details of it, but they're telling people and that hurts. That's his.

Anders looks away, hoping he manages it before Adelaide can read his expression fully.]

When... When he was Tranquil again, he was content. But he begged, he, he...

[He breaks off, grabbing his glass and taking a hard swallow of wine.]

He begged me not to let that happen. They can't protest, they don't know to protest, but they're not content. They're not actually, really content. They, their true selves, they're not.

And if they chose that life? If they voluntarily became Tranquil? Who are we to take that from them? Even if there is a cure and we find it, how are we to know who might wish it and who might not? There is no way to test such a thing save to have the truth of the reason behind a mage's rite known.

[ And that is- there are many Tranquil. How can they possibly ask all of them, as the mages that knew them, whether or not they wanted it? They cannot.

Adelaide keeps her eyes on her wine, gaze still distant, voice clipped. ]

We either cure them all and put those that want it under the brand once more or we cure none of them until we know for certain if testing desire is possible. Anything by half measures is a disservice to them.

We can't deny them personhood because we don't know. We can't go all or none. What records we have, we have to have some, some names, or people who knew Tranquil. We start there.

[He's not making his case well and he knows it, but he's too emotional for that. Things touching on Karl tend to do that.]

When we try, we've got them to start with. We can ask them what they remember, try for an answer from there, but if their friends knew it wasn't willing, then we go with that. We can't simply leave them like that. They were stripped of everything.

And some chose that as an alternative to possession. [ Now her eyes snap up, bright and cold. ] What right do we have to take that last choice they made on their own terms from them?

We do not even know if a cure is viable or if it is safe. If it can be done without risking the mage or the Tranquil. We cannot test such a thing. There are too many questions and too many risks.

As I said, we start with the ones we know didn't. Those that we know did, we'll let be.

[Justice is as angry about that point as she is, but in the opposite direction. Anders rubs his temple as if he could ease the spirit's anger like that. It doesn't erase the passion in his voice and eyes, or the pain.]

We cannot leave them like that. We cannot. There were so many made Tranquil because they were willful, or runaways, or spoke back, or the Templars wanted to use without further protests. Isn't it worth it to try? Our people have been hurt in so many ways. A cure, a way to prevent this specific harm from happening again... You can't tell me you don't see that it's worth it.

The fact that you continue to use 'we' as though anything with your name and efforts backing it will end up anything other than completely hamstrung- you have as much right as any to have opinions and express them.

[ She tries, as best she can, to pull her wounded fury inward. Her posture shifts, her voice flattens out. Cool and collected and formal. ]

Advocate for it as much as you want. They need someone to speak for them; but we cannot test a process we know nothing of- least of all when the only proof we have of anything that might work even temporarily is Justice coming to the fore on this side of the fade. You lost control. That is the least of the potential risks. Until we know more we cannot try, to attempt to do otherwise is irresponsible and dangerous.

[Now there's an edge to his voice, Justice's influence and his own frustrations.]

I am a mage too. And I've saved more lives than I've taken, no matter how much of the war is put at my feet. I refuse to quiet down because some care to only see a part of the picture. They are wrong. I am not killer alone, and I will look into this.

We, the mages can take hold of our future rather than hiding and hoping no one takes it from us. Or hope no one sells it for her own glory, ambition, and luxuries.

[There's a specific person in mind there, but no one who has been around him long can fail to know his thoughts on Vivienne.]

I can't sit and hide and hope things pass so I can help. I get attacked for simply walking past; there will be no end to that. I will work. And I will not cower.

[Not any longer. Less fear, less moping, less letting people push him around. He is alive, his crimes are dealt with legally, and he will move forward.]

And what precisely do you think it is that I have been doing these past few months? Hiding and hoping? Waiting to see what more may come?

To find a cure we must research, to research we need resources- coin, space, information that we do not have and will not be given if you attempt to spearhead this. You are a political liability no matter the truth of the issue, you know this. If you cannot step back enough to see this without becoming frustrated or upset or- [ She flicks her fingers to them, for it is them in the moment. ] this, you are hurting yourself as much as those you would speak for. We are in a delicate political situation, Anders.

Advocate for what you like. Research what you like. But do not spit on those of us attempting to mitigate the damage of your association with the mages of the Inquisition. Do you have any idea how hard I had to fight, what I had to argue so that you might continue to heal without templar guard or any other means of meddling? Do you know how many often my intentions have been questioned for our continued association, for how I argued on your behalf?

You are not killer alone- but you are not 'a mage' alone any longer. There is more to what you wish to do than simple research and testing. It is not cowering to work from the shadows, it is practicality. I am not asking you to do nothing. I am asking you to step back and let it be done without the drama of your name being on it.

[He's bristling now, not sure where his anger and Justice's drive meet, wondering if Justice's anger is in the mix too, and that's part of this whole delicate situation. He starting to worry about where the line is, if he's slipping more, losing more. Not only that, there's injured pride here too. If he's never seen to be doing anything, opinion will never change. Why had it been so much easier to choose to die for a cause than do this?

Anders takes a breath, and then another, focusing. This whole overflow of emotions started when Karl was brought into it, and it's really no surprise that he's still irrational when it comes to that.]

There's so much wrong, [he finally says.]

There's so much to work on, and there may be so little time. I don't think you've not been working. I think you've been in the minority. I also think that anyone who scorns the mages of the Inquisition for my proximity is an idiot, as Vivienne is also here and no one would see her as about to work with me, and idiots aren't worth the time of day.

[Another breath.]

I have to do something. And as I am watched by nearly everyone, what I do will have my name associated with it. There is no changing that.

[He looks up now, feeling more in control. They are not talking Karl. This isn't about him, his loss.]

It is nearly impossible for me to work from the shadows. Every book I borrow, every person I speak with, is noted. And if I try to hide what I'm doing, it will be all the more difficult for any progress to be made as suspicion will grow.

If you've an idea for a practical, open approach, I'd appreciate it.

A part of this Inquisition and a part of building something new for mages means, inevitably, working with people you do not care for who hold politics you find repugnant.

[ Not naming names but, Vivienne. Vivienne. ]

You work with fools and under fools- that is the way of things in any research endeavor. You are being very...Fereldan about this. Considering what you have said of Kinloch Hold I should not be so terribly surprised you and your fellow mages of that Circle are ill prepared for organized undertakings such as this.

Even in the Spire arranging anything took a great deal of time and involved, if not infighting, but friendly debate on how things ought to be done. But we had a system.

Another point in favor of Circles being voluntary, standardized universities rather than the sole sanctum of mages. Organized education and practices, a wider distribution of information- [ She actually pauses to make a note of this, muttering under her breath in Orlesian. The ice has withdrawn in favor of a different manner of formality- that of an Enchanter discussing a matter with a peer or student. ] Another reason I caution your involvement in this in depth is that it holds the attention and focus of the templar Nerva. As little as I care for her, I cannot imagine you would fare half as well.

Voluntary education for everyone, with all allowed to come and go, could be... an elegant solution.

[Expose the common people to mages, make them see similar struggles, make mages people in their eyes while giving opportunities the Chantry never had or would? It's brilliant. He shakes his head at her warning, though.]

There will be Templars with issues with me no matter what I do. If I do not get involved in a project, they will suspect me of being involved in something more subtle and dangerous. and I'll face increasing scrutiny there. I've heard about how intense the questioning got after my identity was revealed, and how it seemed to be frustrating that there was nothing to find. I'd prefer to frustrate Templars by doing something that will help rather than doing nothing.

But the other... We would need... We could even start here. There are people here who can teach, refugee children with little hopes and prospects in a war-torn world. Classes in languages, in survival, in life skills, things that will serve mages and refugees alike. We don't need a building. They can be held in the open air because there will at first be scrutiny and suspicion, and again, nothing to hide.

[There's a little hope in his voice again, and it's been a long time since he's truly had a project that gave him hope.]

All we need are seats, willing instructors, and willing students. ...And time. But we can make time.

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[ OPEN ] Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a match

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