[ OPEN ] Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make me a match

[fleurdesel]

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.

Comments

[fleurdesel]

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.

[justice_is_blond]

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.

[fleurdesel]

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.

[justice_is_blond]

[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.]

[fleurdesel]

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.

[justice_is_blond]

[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.

[fleurdesel]

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.

[justice_is_blond]

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.