[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

[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."