faderift | [OPEN] So Much Is At Stake

Entry tags:

[OPEN] So Much Is At Stake

WHO: Character(s) Vivienne and OPEN
WHAT: Catchall leading up to Orlais happenings
WHEN: Beginning of the month up until Orlais event starts
WHERE: Skyhold (early) / Val Royeaux (one week before event start)
NOTES: Open to all. Val Royeaux segment is a shopping trip en route to Halamshiral (which is available for 'guests' to tag around with each other.) Prose or brackets is fine, I'll tag to match.

Early Solace
Courtyard
Even with whispers about ongoing strife in Orlais, little notes and letters finding Madame de Fer's hand confirming as much, she remains in Skyhold for the time being. Her business is much as it has been. No small part of her day is spent working with the younger mages present in the Fortress. With no Circle to provide these youngsters with solid training, they find themselves trouble in trying to alleviate their boredom. The best solution she's found is to take an active role in not only learning their names and personal quirks, but genuinely trying to seek out responsible mages to serve as mentors to guide them. Much of her time is spent finding suitable adults willing and able to work with their younger members.

Balcony
Not quite as many new mages are joining the Inquisition as there were in the early days. Those who do are often either Rifters, or rebels who didn't follow Fiona to Redcliffe, for good or ill. Regardless of affiliation, Vivienne attempts to stay apprised to the numbers of the magically gifted present in Skyhold. It's especially important that she does so now, as the recently appointed mage liaison. For her part, she tries to remain as available to find on her balcony as she may. When a new name is brought to her attention, an invitation is sent out to join her for tea where she holds court from her chaise lounge.

Anyone passing through the Main Hall of a late night might find her still awake upstairs and intent on an alchemy project.

Gardens
Any morning following a late night dabble with alchemy will find the Iron Lady strolling through the Skyhold Gardens. She examines the plants as she passes through, calm as always, though sometimes a thoughtful hum gives away her extra consideration of something she sees.

---

Val Royeaux
Convinced now that the Inquisition will be making a move into Orlais in short order, Vivienne's routine alters. She decides that a little detour en route for shopping is absolutely demanded. Nevermind that the capital is actually beyond where they will be traveling, or that it seems perhaps frivolous to be indulging in retail therapy when there are far more serious matters to attend to. She, of course, insists that if they are to deal with Orlesians, those agents should at the very least look presentable as such. ~~No, plaidweave is unacceptable. Find something else.~~ Shopping is happening. They've plenty of time to conclude their business and meet with the intended encampment at Halamshiral.

She doesn't travel to the capital alone, however. There are a number of people she's invited to join her for the excursion. Not all of them are particularly pleased to be present, but somehow the Iron Lady's gotten her way. Not that blackmail was involved in any way, that's far too cheap to someone who revels in playing the Game. However, her bullying victims might perhaps feel otherwise. She's arranged lodging for them all at Bastien's townhouse, though the Duke is not in residence at present. Playing hostess is quite fun for her, thus Vivienne will point out the best shops, the tastiest pastries, and of course the most ideal restaurants to see and be seen.

Her own personal shopping involves inspecting a golden pig, which she decides firmly against, browsing fabrics, pretty jewelry pieces, careful inspection of practically every bookseller she can locate, and much time inquiring with the local herbalists.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"So, you sell one very expensive item? And that's it?" Korrin looks from the mystery box to the smug owner of said box, incredulous. Who owns a store with just one item?

The proprieter sniffs and crosses his arms. "The item is irrelevant. The price is worth it."

"But what the hell is it?" Because really, why would anyone sink ten thousand gold into something without knowing what it is?

"If you have to ask, you are not the one to buy it."

Increasingly annoyed with the man's attitude, Korrin crosses her arms in turn and glares down at him. "How do you keep a shop open with only one item? What kind of sense does that make?"

"My 'shop' is a destination. Luminaries of every description journey here to see what is denied them--"

"Except they can't see it, because it's in a fucking box." Korrin narrows her eyes at the pompous twit. Fucking Orlesians....

Now Vivienne understands the rules of engagement when it comes to this shop and the box contained within. The point isn't to buy the item, or even know what the item is. One is meant to be seen here, considering the purchase. Would it look better in the music room or the day parlor at the chateau? One comes in, considers, is seen in the shop as a potential customer, giving an airy promise to return once just the correct spot is found, and generate more interest from everyone else. It's a Game. Can you convince your fellow snob that you are going to claim something before they can?

The problem is, Korrin does not understand how this should work. And her grouchy tone is not at all helping with the appearances they should be generating in feigned but uncommitted interest. Vivienne would explain to her how this should work, but inside the shop is certainly not the place for it. So she intercedes with a more appropriate response.

"Now, darling, I don't need to look inside. Although I do wonder, would it look better on display in the library or should I have it installed in my suite at the palace?" She glances at Korrin as if they are both fabulously wealthy and she is in great need of decorating advice. Essentially ignoring the out of step questioning of earlier. "What do you think, my dear?"

To Korrin's pragmatic, 'nothing goes to waste' mind ingrained by years of mercenary livng, such excess just for the same of it is incomprehensible. And that's just in terms of Orlesian nonsense she can see; to not know what you're buy, to just be here to...what, impress other people? If this is part of the Game, it's an excessively stupid part, and her expression says as much. Sorry, Vivienne, she's not buying it.

"Nah, put it in the main hall. It can be flanked by those huge, gold qunari statues. That way, whenever anyone approaches they'll also have some eye candy." Because whatever it is, she doesn't trust it to be anything other than gaudy as shit. The shop-keeper, momentarily appeased by Vivienne's attitude, sniffs disdainfully at Korrin's sarcastic idea.

Gaudy and excessive is the mode of style in Orlais. It cannot be helped. Everything is a show from ridiculous statuary in a breakfast room to the masks the owners wear with jewels and feathers and whatever insane adornments are the fashion that particular week. C'est la vie.

Vivienne is equally inclined to sniff at the sarcasm because clearly putting the item between two statues of that magnitude would diminish the display. She refrains, however, only because Korrin has mercifully caught on to the game being played, at least in part. Also because the merchant is watching them with unveiled interest and a flick of greed in his beady little eyes.

She studies the box intently, as if she were genuinely interested and attempting to place the item in her home somewhere. "What about the third dining room on the marble display? It'd make for a daring conversation piece. I'd be the envy of Ghyslain. Everyone would clamor for a dinner invitation." Vivienne squints, feigning suspicion at her company. "You're not going to snipe it behind my back are you? I'll be terribly cross if you do."

If it weren't for the food, Korrin would likely dismiss the Empire in its entirety. But Skyhold cuisine often leaves something to be desired, and Araceli has been craving a decent shopping trip forever. So, she's here for both those reasons. That doesn't mean she has excessive patience for constant snobbery and things that make no sense, however. Orlesian inclinations toward both are a constant source of puzzlement.

Mention of dinner parties with whatever was in that box has Korrin letting out a soft snort, rolling her eyes. That would be sure to draw some fascination from the nobility, as ridiculous as the whole thing is to her. When she responds, her tone is rather deadpan."Maybe I should. My company leader would be absolutely speechless about receiving such a gift." Speechless about the cost and the concept and the stupidity of it all, and no doubt Shokrakar would never let her hear the end of it for even including her in this, but still.

There we go. Now Korrin is playing along. The merchant's eyes glint with keen interest and some smug satisfaction. He doesn't want to necessarily sell the item as much as watch everyone else bicker over who gets to buy it and drive up the price. At least Vivienne has done her part to encourage this oddity.

She turns a very stern look on Korrin and purses her lips into an attractive but firmly annoyed shape. Leaning towards the man just a hair, "If you'll excuse us, I need a word my friend."

Vivienne's not a touchy person by any means, but she does cup a hand under one of Korrin's elbows and hisses, "May I speak with you, darling? Outside." Mostly she doesn't want her student to lose her temper inside the shop and cause an undue scene.

Meanwhile, curious people are peeping through the windows and hovering at the door at the sight of Madame de Fer about to engage in a bidding war with a Qunari. How thrilling for them!

It's easy to keep up that annoyed demeanor, as it stems from actual emotion. Okay, it's a little entertaining that Vivienne is able to make the merchant dance to her tune, but only because he was so pompous in the first place. "Of course." She darts the merchant a look that promises that she'll be back, though it'd actually be more fortunate for him if she didn't.

She pays no attention to those curious people, not interested in giving them any more entertainment than they're already getting. Maker, this can't end soon enough.

While they are still in earshot of the curious onlookers, Vivienne states firmly, "Now darling, I cannot allow you to buy it." It's loud enough to carry, there's a thrill circulating in the speculative whispers outside and no less than three people moving into the shop to be seen attempting to snipe the item from the bickering set outside.

Only they aren't really bickering and Vivienne casually walks them away from the nosy. Presumably to continue "bickering" with Korrin. But mostly so they can talk unheard.

"You did quite well in there, my dear. I expect he'll be inquiring after your name so he can name one of his children after you. I must say you did give me a fright there, at the start, that you might have hit him out of frustration."

Glad to drop the pretense -at least verbally- once they're far enough away, Korrin just shakes her head. "And give the Inquisition a bad name? No, not worth it. I'll admit I was definitely thinking it, though. Whatever's in there can't possibly be worth all this nonsense."

At least, not by her standards. It's probably letters of influence or trade agreements or something that a noble would demand for their mansion and never look at again, and would exist only to make an already ridiculous mansion even more ridiculous. She does glance at Vivienne, though, because if any of the Inquisition group is likely to guess correctly, it'd be her.

Vivienne catches the glance and eases into a smile. Any remaining voyeurs may assume their spat over the item is at an end and one of them has conclusively outmaneuvered the other. Most likely Madame de Fer since she is looking pleased with herself and was openly known as not a woman to cross.

"It's not the contents that matter, darling. It's the image of being able to afford making a luxury purchase sight unseen. I know it must seem foolishness to you, but in Orlais, the appearance of success matters just as much as actual wins in the Game. You've actually done the man a great service today. No one is so ill-bred as to actually discuss finances but the war has taken a terrible toll on the country, both in resources and the loss of life. Some poor nobleman who's lost all his heirs and bankrupted his estate can now go in and be seen contemplating a purchase that everyone knows he cannot make. The merchant, in turn, will turn him away as we've been seen openly spatting over it and he'll tell others for weeks to come that either you or I will be coming to claim the item. Once we've made our peace, of course."

There's the slightest shoulder shrug at the absurdity. Orlais is ridiculous but it's how things are. "Rest assured, my dear, whatever it is, is certainly not worth the actual price. It's probably a gaudy trinket like a golden nug or velvet Cailan or somesuch."

Araceli knows rich people. Araceli knows rich people both from sneaking into their houses to steal from them (and to sleep with their daughters or sometimes their wives) and then from mingling with them as a guard, and she definitely knows this attitude. Perhaps she should have intervened a little earlier but after having to deal with so many Orlesians up close and personal, she deserves a little entertainment.

"Sirena!" Bursting in with a touch of scolding in her tone, she swings up on her toes to kiss Korrin's cheek, all smiles and windswept curls tossed over her shoulders, she turns her attention to the proprietor, then to the box, crouching down to get a look at it. "Where is your sense of intrigue, Korrin Ataash?"

"Thank you my-" The man attempts to speak, seemingly relieved by his supposed rescuer but Araceli talks over the top of him, and her next words have his neck flushing crimson, the mask fortunately covering his face.

"Wasn't it worth it after the soiree when you got to peel me very slowly out of my dress into just the corset? Perhaps it is like that, no?"

Oh dear, he's too scandalised to speak in the face of these alarming bisexuals in his shop, Maker have mercy.

Araceli's timing is, as usual, impeccable. Left on her own a moment longer and Korrin's temper would have begun fraying even more. Perhaps it would have to the point where the shop-keeper would have called for guards to subdue the 'dangerous qunari'. The fact that Korrin would have done nothing but rant about the stupidity of it all would have made no difference, not to the people who have little time or respect for anyone not human.

The timely arrival derails Korrin's mounting temper, at least for the time being. That kiss gets a smile out of her where none would have been possible a moment ago, and those words bring a flush to her own cheeks. That silly smile lingers, though it turns into a smirk when she notices the redding neck of the shop-keeper. "When you put it like that, I suppose it has some appeal. A little. It has nothing on you and that corset, though, never could."

That very racy, very energetic night is never too far from her thoughts, and her grin says as much. Hopefully it makes that shopkeeper asshole blush even further. She's not going to share every detail, though. Some things are just for them.

With Korrin suitably appeased, at least for the moment, Araceli does turn her attention back to the man because it's always a good tactic to distract and flummox someone, especially this particular stuffy breed of man. Korrin might not be interested in the box but Araceli was a thief for years. A damned good thief.

She wants to know what's in the box.

Still tucked close to Korrin's side, she smiles sweetly at the man with a bard's smile; utterly insincere but it looks so very real and genuine as she inclines her head. "You must draw the attention of the most unsavoury sort of folk," she remarks sympathetically, to soothe whatever feathers she's surely ruffled. "Only the most brazen, of course, would dare. Is this the sort of work for the guards, or is this the sort or private work for mercenaries?" That's a nudge for Korrin - and an actual nudge too - as Araceli edges away when the man heaves a great sigh.

"You would not believe," he begins with the air of a man who has been put-upon for far too long, as if he is not a man in the the upper level of the markets in Val Royeaux with a shop that can stay open with only one box that apparently draws a crowd from far and wide, "what I must suffer! Those rogues, those-- those scoundrels!"

If Korrin would please be so kind as to keep him talking however, Araceli might be able to sneak around and get closer to the box, if she times it just right.

Araceli's curiosity is infectious and while Korrin already has some of her own, if her love wants to sneak a look inside she's absolutely not going to thwart that plan. One could try to justify it as checking to see if it's something that would help the Inquisition, but Korrin's not that person; she just wants to know what the hell is worth all this fuss. That sweet smile of Araceli's just makes her smirk more, though she returns to looking appropriately grumpy at the stuffy little (at least to her) shop-keeper.

"Oh yeah, scoundrels are everywhere. Never can tell what they'll do next. I'm still not convinced all this song and dance is worth the trouble, but it's your money. And I have a company that might be willing to offer help for a modest fee." Not that it's a sincere offer, but at least it's a believable one. The Valo-Kas have done plenty of business in Orlais. Nobles are forever ridiculous, but new crew's opinions don't prevent them from getting well-playing work.

Outside of her gambling with the scouts and soldiers where she plays for information or trading favours these days more than she plays for coin, there's so very little that follows her oldest of routines since even in the palace she steals. She puts things back usually unless it's for a mission or assignment, but there's little call to steal within Skyhold, and she's too busy. But she misses it. Misses just wanting to know, to hold something that isn't hers, the want, take, have impulse. An eye on Korrin and the proprietor, she slips out of his line of sight and kneels by the box to run her fingers over it first to find if there's anywhere with any sort of give, a hidden catch or join the naked eye can't see.

"Valo-Kas company have a reputation for excellence," Araceli adds just to back Korrin up as she slips out her earrings. To most, they're just curiously shaped long earrings with fine detailing. Very few know that they're lockpicks, same as her necklace where they all fit together intricately. Gesturing at Korrin, she looks to the box then to him, eyebrows raised. Keep him talking, she implores with her eyes, still making sure that he's not about to turn and that no one is going to burst in the door either.

If it was almost anyone else, Korrin's patience with this twit would have run out by now. Likely she would have just turned on her heal and left, grumbling about Orlesians and their stupid antics. But she'll give it just a little longer, having faith in Araceli's lockpicking abilities. Her kadan will have her chance soon, of that she has no doubt.

"Most of them are in Nevarra right now, but there are three of us available and we're a balanced set. Warrior, Tempest, mage. If you want more, that'll cost extra, but I'm sure we can handle a your rogues on our own. As for our references...." She rattles off several well-known families, which she has actually worked for, though she also makes sure to include the Leblancs and Varric Tethras's name. That seems to perk him up, and she smirks. Good, an angle to exploit. As she dangles the possibility of signed copies and a meeting, she does her best to keep that man's attention on her and not her kadan.

There isn't a lock.

It takes all her years of skill not to start cursing when she can't find a seam or a join or a lock on the box because what sort of trickery is this? For as long as Korrin talks, she keeps searching, bending low to run her fingers far across it until she's forced to admit defeat, sliding her earrings in again as she gets to her feet, dusting herself off.

"Well, I think we must give it some very real consideration, these things require delicate negotiations, you understand." Rejoining the conversation as if nothing happened, she smiles effortlessly but well to say she's disappointed would be an understatement but she has a plan. Just not for within earshot of this idiot. "We should be talking terms with the rest of your company while this is all still fresh in our heads I think. A pleasure to meet you." Translation: time to go, we have to consult privately away from the Orlesian buffoon.

"...right, we'll see you later perhaps." Korrin can't get out of there fast enough, her stride quick though she remembers after a few paces that Araceli's legs aren't as long and slows down. Once they're clear of the shop, she sighs and turns to face her love. "No luck, huh? I should've known it wouldn't be that easy."

But perhaps Araceli found something, or she might have lingered to toy with that pompous ass a little more. At least, that's her hope.

"Bastardo," Araceli mutters as soon as they're safely out of earshot, her shorter stride keeping pace with Korrin's before tucks her hand into Korrin's elbow to set the pace better, burying her head on the part of her arm she can reach. "Defeated by an Orlesian box, my reputation in ruins around my feet! How will I live down this shame?"

Obviously she's exaggerating when she had far worse setbacks at home, some of which have ended up leaving her with scars but that really wasn't how she expected her day to go.

"I do have another plan," she announces when she does finally lift her head from Korrin's arm, glancing around to see who might be watching them.

Korrin glances around as well, though as far as she can tell, the nearby citizens are clustered in small groups conversing and not paying them a speck of attention. Whatever scandal they create by existing here and together, it doesn't always eclipse the Orlesian's own intrigues. For once, she's grateful for their ridiculous behavior.

"Oh? And what is this daring plan of yours? Do I play a part in it again?"

"Come, come sit with me for a moment," Araceli urges as she turns in the direction of one that faces out over the water so she might watch the little boats with their red and gold canopies for a moment. Not ships but they remind her of the gondolas in Castileos that everyone uses to navigate the waterways quickly, and Antiva with the voyage by sea, the fight aboard the ship with the smell of salt-spray in her nose, the noise of the Rialto, it's beginning to feel like a lifetime ago. And she can sit like this. Like they're two ordinary people; ladies might have mercenaries here, after all, not people who have to worry about an Inquisition hanging over them.

"I steal the box." All plans start out small because a seed is very small; Araceli isn't a gardener but she does know that much. "Usually I do such things alone but for Lux however I couldn't trust these Orlesians seeing my handsome boy with his fine fur, so I would need a lookout. And if there are guards I think you could be trusted to deal with them. But quietly, of course. And maybe carrying the box once I get it open since I have no idea what's in there since I didn't have enough time to find any way in."

It does beg the question if magic is involved in protecting the box as well actually.

Those boats bring out a small smile from Korrin, who might just be planning to snag a miniature one for Araceli. It'd be a cute room decoration, after all. Maybe they can even bribe someone into lending them the real thing before they must leave again, just for a fun afternoon on the water. It's not the same as Antiva or Rivain, but still, it's something.

And she snaps back into focus at mention of theft, a small grin forming. Sure, it's not at all what the Inquisition sent them to do, but she's the last person to discourage Araceli on this. If they're quick and clever enough, no one will even know it was them. "Anything you need, kadan, always. I can't give a hint as to what's in the box, though the box itself isn't magical. Once you have it to yourself, I have complete faith in your ability to get it open."

One day their room is going to be utterly ridiculous when Araceli finally manages to go pick up the sort of things that litter her room back home, not clutter precisely, but it feels very bare with only the essentials or the odd bits and pieces she's procured that are still mostly practical. That and the one lone seashell painted out front so everyone knows what door is theirs when she directs them.

"You're sure it's not magical?" That puts a bit of a smile back on her face because it makes things simpler - boxes she can deal with given enough time, since even in houses she could get them open with people in them. Just not in the room with her unless they were tiny and she was hidden or very careful. "Is this sort of thing common in Orlais? I've been reading more about the history, the politics, the game, the culture, not about the specifics of shops."

Used to a roaming life that doesn't afford much in the way of things, Korrin isn't one to take the initiative on item accumulation. If she gets something new, it's usually to replace something else. But she's finding herself increasingly swayed by the idea of making a place visibly theirs. Someday, she might have an addition to the door.

"I'm pretty damn sure, yeah. Magic has this feeling, and I didn't get any of that when I was standing next to it. Odds are the shop-keeper isn't a mage, either. And no, this is pretty ridiculous even for Orlais. That's why I had to go see it for myself, I couldn't believe that something that preposterous existed. I'm going to lose a bet...but if we find out what's inside, it'll be worth it."

Araceli will only encourage this, if only so she doesn't feel as if she's taking over entirely; it was her influence (and she'll have to tell Korrin this next part one day, maybe here when they go to a few other shops since she needs to cajole her into at least holding fabric swatches against her to get opinions) that the queensguard from other lands now have rooms to reflect their homelands thanks to her. That the architecture might be Castilean but as much as possible? They look like home. Little bits and pieces are forever find their way into their rooms that Araceli will shrug and deny every time.

Nodding, she considers the options as she stretches her arms high above her head, using it as an opportunity to get another look. "We'd need to stay late, take another stroll back up here by sunset so I can get a look at everyone without really looking; it's a good view, people watching the boats, enjoying those silly little gardens. Obviously cover of darkness and going in the back way is the way to do it." Only that's more Araceli talking to herself except usually she'd be talking a plan through to Lux, and it's a shame he isn't here actually, so Korrin could see him nodding, looking very serious instead of his usual louche manner. "Who are you losing a bet to?" She asks with interest, rising to her feet again since there's still plenty to explore in Val Royeaux and they can't seem too suspicious after all if she's planning to come back again later.

[OPEN] So Much Is At Stake

That one shop....

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