[OPEN] So Much Is At Stake

[madame_de_fer]

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.

Comments

[madame_de_fer]

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?"

[gatheringstorm]

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.

[madame_de_fer]

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."

[gatheringstorm]

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.

[madame_de_fer]

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!

[gatheringstorm]

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.

[madame_de_fer]

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."

[gatheringstorm]

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.

[madame_de_fer]

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."