[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

[stabsbooks]

It almost makes sense. Of course they must make use of what allies they have. With the Inquisition grown so large, their options for accommodations are few. And it would be foolish of them not to make full use of Vivienne's influence among the nobles.

But even so, she can't hold back a muttered ugh at the thought of anyone clamoring after the Duke. She makes an uncharitable face. If wealth and titles are all that make someone an eligible bachelor -

Slowly, she becomes aware of Vivienne's subtle change of subject, and she goes still. Surely she cannot know - But she does, of course, and Cassandra flushes deeply, drawing herself up tall and refusing to look away.

"I - " she begins, and falters, unable to lie, or even to feign ignorance. There is no reason to, anyway. There is nothing - yet - to deny, on either side; Vivienne has not asked outright, and she and Martel have made no commitments.

She shrugs her shoulders, in a blatant, failed attempt to appear nonchalant. "I suppose he is." As if she is considering it for the first time; as if she had not noticed for herself, by now, many, many times.

[madame_de_fer]

Just a teensy bit more smile. It's all Vivienne will allow herself so Cassandra does not flip into one of her notorious outrages, like the one she was having moments ago. Inside, however, the Iron Lady is all full of giddy glee on getting even that much information and a rise out of her. It will be the talk of Orlais because daring romances make for far better gossip than the state of the civil war.

...although Maker, the woman is just terrible at lying, even a teensy fib about a man's attractiveness.

"Come now, darling, is that all you have to say about him? Surely he's worth more praise than that." Spill. The. Beans. Seeker. Vivienne is still all serenity with a non-challenging little smile. A friendly thing between women of the world. If that doesn't work, she's got an Angel or two up her sleeve. Namely asking after Cassandra's required sleeping arrangements when they depart Skyhold. 'Tis so very important.

[stabsbooks]

Cassandra turns even more red, if possible, even as her chin lifts and her mouth tightens into a thin line.

"I do not see what this has to do with anything," she says stiffly. Once again, she can feel herself quickly losing command of the situation. It seems to happen every time she dares to talk to Vivienne, no matter how prepared she likes to think herself beforehand.

She straightens her spine, doing her best to regain control. Her eyebrows draw down, her customary authoritarian tone returning. "If you have a point, Enchanter, please come to it quickly. We both have work to do."

[madame_de_fer]

Already Vivienne is making plans about who she should drop her tiny amounts of information onto. Just enough to start a thrilling rumor of romance that will distract the Orlesians from their bloody business of killing each other. Everything, everything, the Iron Lady hears can and will be used in the Game, be it now or in the distant future.

In the present, however, it's quite obvious that the Seeker's temper is bordering on truly irate. Thus it's quite time to address a concern she had a mind to see to sooner or later.

"Indeed we do, my dear. I'll be assisting the duke's staff with ensuring adequate accommodations are provided for the senior members and leadership. We are taking a sizable number with us. I presume you will not mind terribly if you must share a room?"

Ahem. With Martel.

No actually placing the man in her room outright would be quite tacky unless their relationship is more than what Vivienne is given to understand it.

"I assure you it will be with someone with the utmost discretion and who shan't so much as blink when your beau comes slipping through a hidden passage. Do you have a preference?" Roomie or hot man. It's Cassandra's call.

[stabsbooks]

Cassandra splutters, her face turning red.

"No one will be slipping through any passages, Enchanter," she hisses, glancing around furiously. Luckily, no one seems to be paying any attention to their conversation.

Although...well. Now that she considers the logistics of the thing...Her relationship with Martel, while still entirely innocent, is progressing along steadily. If they are to be in Orlais for months...

She frowns. "I had not heard anything about sharing a room."