[ 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

SUITORS

[fleurdesel]

[ Names that found their way into the Dossier, they will all be coached on what François knows to be Adelaide's preferences ( consult Adelaide's info sheet for details ), informed of what the LeBlanc family's connections can do for them, and if they do not have any real finery of their own with which to make a stellar impression- a swift makeover of sorts at the man's hands. They must, after all, be presentable. ]

DESPERATE MEASURES

[fleurdesel]

[ From the third week on François grows harried and desperate, the formality and pomp of the earlier suitors coming to naught. He starts grabbing clean and respectable individuals to sit in vain hope of finding anyone that Adelaide will agree to. They get the same abbreviated conversation about Adelaide's preferences, the Family's finer points and benefits. Highly abbreviated. At the end of the month he's simply asking who wants a free meal and won't mind sharing it with a mage. ]

SPECTATORS

[fleurdesel]

[ Want to point and laugh? Ask what in Andraste's name this mess is all about? Have some words with Adelaide about how there are better things to do? (She knows, Maker, she knows, she's stuck with this mess and cannot untangle herself from it so easily. Come, speak, mock, or commiserate. ]

[gatheringstorm]

[As soon as Korrin catches wind of what's happening, probably thanks to the bulletin board, she retreats to the cellar and fetches a bottle of best-quality Orlesian wine she can find. Then she'll head to the garden where she's heard Adelaide is seeing suitors. She waits until that drip of an attache is otherwise occupied, then joins her and pushes the bottle forward.]

Somehow, I figured you'd need this. And Cade, really? Ew. You can do so much better, Adelaide.

[Literally anyone else, it's not a high standard.]

[seesobserves]

Sherlock knows enough about the noble mindset to know that the second son of a merchant doesn't rank high in terms of marital capital — and yet, somehow, his name wound up on a list of potential suitors. This business has 'Mycroft' written all over it.

He consents to only a minimum of fussing from the attache, drawing the line at anything that includes ruffles, and flatly refusing to give up his dark grey coat, no matter how the other man tuts at the scorch marks and nicks that mar the leather.

When presented to Adelaide, he offers no courtly bow, or even a hand to greet her with. He does stand in contemplation of her for a moment, attempting to place her within the context of the Inquisition (his initial reaction to hearing the name 'Adelaide LeBlanc' had been, Who?).

Her disinterest in this whole affair is practically radiating off of her. Thank the Maker for small favors, at least.

"The nobility never cease in attempting to plan marriages," he notes as he sits. "Darkspawn at the gates, and they worry about where they're going to find centerpieces."

That's not a metaphor. He witnessed as much back in Amaranthine.

[amygdalae]

[If Bruce had known that the other person in question was Adelaide, he would have instantly said no. But of course he didn't know the name until after he agreed on this, so now Bruce finds himself sitting awkwardly in the garden and doing his best to not show said awkwardness on his face.]

...for the record, I only knew it was you after I said 'yes'. [And it wasn't as if the explanation he had beforehand was very... helpful.]

[arlathvhen]

[ Beleth is by no means respectable-looking, but she manages to slip into the table Adelaide has been stuck in, while the strange Orlesian man was off. The dossier was strangely endearing, different and yet not so dissimilar to what she's heard from her own mother. It is as good of an opportunity as any to attempt to seek common ground. And Adelaide probably could use a break from suitors, anyway. ]

Ah, good day. I saw that strange list on the board. It's funny--I wasn't grateful for the small population of Dalish until I saw that list of men, and realized I would have probably received a similar one from my mother if there were any appropriate suitors in Skyhold. Although...I suspect I would have more mages listed for me, and at least a cursory statement on how many mages they've had in their family.

Still, you have my sympathies.

[ Beleth gives her a small, warm smile. ]

[fleurdesel]

It's well and good that he doesn't attempt any gesture of greeting, Adelaide would not have seen it as she'd hoped for another half hour to compile her notes on the rifters and their shards before the next suitor. Alas, this is not to be. But at least he seems as done with the ordeal as she long before he sits. François fitters off to find the first course- lunches had courses now, Maker preserve her- and leaves them alone for a moment of mutual exasperation.

"If the Darkspawn were well dressed and politically advantageous guests, they'd be invited as well." She sets down her pen, for the moment. Anyone that can mock this as much as it deserves has earned her attention.

[fleurdesel]

You might be the first person I have had to share a meal with this month that I actually like, Bruce.

[ Not that everyone else has been terrible, but. The situation dictates and she is weary of it, has been, for weeks. ] Consider it a free lunch instead of our usual Tea.

[fleurdesel]

I could kiss you.

[ Not that she will without permission and cause or at least the attache's presence to earn herself a proper scandal, but the wound tight frustration ringing through Adelaide's shoulders eases somewhat. Coils and settles into a vague approximation of relaxation as she reaches for the bottle of wine and uncorks it with a twist of spirit magic. ]

Not my choice, not my suggestion. What do you know of him, actually? I have not yet seen him and only know he is a templar.

[fleurdesel]

Truly I do not know if I ought to thank whoever posted copies or feel a gross invasion on behalf of my family. Then, of course, someone else is brought before me and I feel that I care far less about the latter and more weight to the former.

[ Her family wouldn't have made this a private mess, oh no, it must be public enough that she is obligated to play along. At least she and the attache can say that they tried and be done with it when the month is over. There are worse things. ]

They are attempting to find a match of political influence and weight- seeing as Southern Circle Mages have no lands or titles and most apostates tend to not be noble, the pickings are slim aside from reaching for Tevinter and that is...reaching for Tevinter. I doubt they are so desperate as to go so far.

[arlathvhen]

The simple answer would be to undo whatever ridiculous proclamation makes it so that mages can't be granted titles and lands, particularly if they are from noble blood and would have been due to inherit it, anyway. There must be some among the nobility that got whisked off to the circles.

And there's little point in such useless laws anyway, these days. Though I don't blame them for not wanting you to marry a Tevinter. [ You'd probably get MURDERED for BLOOD MAGIC!!! ]

Dalish lineage is much the same, though we put weight on different considerations when making matches. Still, it's something we pay careful attention for individuals who carry such considerations. I could tell you how many Keepers are in my bloodline going back at least three generations. I mean, I won't, because no one actually cares, but I could.

It's a shame the considerations the two groups have don't intersect. You could marry my brother.

[ Pause. ]

That's a joke. You deserve better.

[fleurdesel]

It is chantry law and thus, changing it will require a New Divine, a New Andraste, or a deeply heretical sweep of politics.

[ None of which seem terribly likely at the moment. ]

Most nobles were sent to Circles and given a bit more leeway than others of lesser station, but a Circle is still a Circle. Any attempts at raising a mage child in a noble household, at least in Orlais, ends in scandal and death more often than not. It has been some time since I have last heard the like.

Less a question of my wanting to marry, which I do not, but a question of the politics. There is no great love between Orlais and Tevinter. [ Less, now, with the Venatori. ] I...appreciate the sentiment, and the humor intended.

[arlathvhen]

[ A little of all three columns would be a good start, in Beleth's opinion, but she dare not say so. ]

Change seems to be sweeping Thedas rapidly. Who knows which way the wind will blow next? I suppose it all remains to be seen.

[ She blinks, looking a little surprised when Adelaide says that she doesn't want to get married. ]

Ah--Well, my sympathies even moreso, then. But most of the list of men available seem to be perfectly amenable. With time I'm sure the two of you will, ah. Grow to be close. The responsibilities of family can be a heavy burden, but it usually works out, in the end.

[ After a moment of consideration. ]

Personally, I'd recommend Aleron Darton. Every time I've met him he has been considerably kind and agreeable. And his eyes are lovely.

[seesobserves]

That gets a response from him: a twitch of acknowledgment at the corner of his mouth.

Well. No need to endure frivolous small talk. Better get right to it.

"My brother promised 'creative' measures if I didn't write home often enough. Arranging this meeting is his way of checking I'm still alive." And eating, probably, he thinks with a glance at the plate as it's set down before him.

His eyes then shift to look at her notes, picking out names, terms. Rifters. Fade magic. Well, she is a mage.

"Brought your own research. That'll make this run much more smoothly." He reaches into the upper pocket of his coat for a small notebook — something to pass the time with himself. "What say we focus on relevant things while taking advantage of the free wine?"

He punctuates the question with a short, tight smile that fades back almost instantly. Sound good?

[fleurdesel]

"It is endure this for a month or risk finding myself married by letter one morning without any say in the matter." Meddling families, whatever shall they do? Follow along to the letter if not the spirit of the intent. Semantic loopholes are not her favorite trick, but a fine one none the less. "If I am to be here, I might as well be doing something useful."

It seems he has much the same idea. Perhaps what was written of him hadn't been entirely inaccurate.

"Please." Going through one more round of 'this is why I should be your husband and have access to all your family's money even if you're a scary mage' and she might scream. She flicks to a fresh page of notes, a bit of warmth curling in a thin smirk of her own. "You've seen mine. What of your research?"

[fleurdesel]

This is an exercise in futility on my family's part. I will not be marrying any of the offered suitors.

[ She has not told the attache as such just yet- but he will learn the truth of it soon enough. ]

I do not have time, the world may very well be ending and-

Well. I suppose his eyes are quite lovely. I have not spoken to him myself but you've found him pleasant?

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin leans back and rolls her eyes.]

I was assigned a tent with him...sort of. I say 'sort of' because once he caught me there changing and Araceli fell on him, he ran off like his ass was on fire, never saw him afterward. As tough it was beyond scandalous to change clothes in my own damn tent. I never met a twitchier person, afraid of their own shadow. I thought he was just an idiot, but the he snapped and beat up Beleth. So, no, I'm not his biggest fan.

[fleurdesel]

So he is not good with people, violent, and strange. All while being terribly quiet and awkward.

...I am not going to look forward to that hour.

[gatheringstorm]

[Wincing a little at that, Korrin nods.]

I'll save a flask of maraas-lok for later. The only upside is that it seems he's been forbidden to have any weapons, but what he really should be doing is rotting in the dungeon. What they did was a slap on the wrist.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Okay, why did a butler dude just try to give me a lot of information on how to woo--what, your family, I guess? I can talk to you whenever the fuck I want. And usually do.

[Church is a little dazed and gussied up and so very confused.] Did I just get shoved on a date with you?

[justice_is_blond]

[His joke is ignored by the attache who appears to be impatient and tired, and Anders is basically shoved into a room hoping it's not a trap. Once the door closes he sees who it is, and he's still left wondering if things could go very poorly. Meal with a mage makes more sense in the context of what he'd seen posted on the boards, now.]

Oh. I'm sorry. He asked if I could stand to have a meal with a mage and I told him I ate by myself all the time so yes, and then I was here. I'd offer to do a magic trick and disappear only I'm half-certain he's leaning against the door to keep it closed.

[arlathvhen]

...Do you have someone else in mind?

[ Is he cute. Is SHE cute??? ]

I would think that the world ending would be a good reason as any to get the matter settled sooner rather than later. But--um, yes, quite so.

[ She covers her mouth for a moment, to hide a shy smile. Sitting across from Adelaide, for a brief moment she feels like a teenager all over again. No!! She is an adult and she is discussing the prospect of marriage and children like an adult. ]

I was quite upset about some events, and he comforted me for no other reason than to help me, though he owed me nothing. I will say, he confused me for a moment. I've been trying to learn more about human culture, but, ah, I hadn't realized that there were multiple meanings to getting on one knee. [ She laughs a little, rubbing the side of her neck sheepishly. ] I nearly had a heart attack.

Said he was going to stand there and laugh....not really

[sandsofhell]

[Martin wasn't exactly someone who would interfere with private affairs. Well let's rephrase that, not one to interfere with private affairs anymore. Although he probably does owe her one for that timely response at the party. But even so, he wouldn't exactly know what he could do to intervene.

There probably wasn't anything he could do. Still the entire thing is rather silly if someone were to ask him. But, well the least he could do is pay the woman a visit the first chance he got.]

So, how're the marriage prospects coming along?

[What else is he supposed to say?]

[fleurdesel]

I am going to kill Gregoire.

[ She sags in her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose. ]

At least you get a free meal out of this- and no. It is an appointment to test compatibility.