[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

[foxsays]

It's a very wise choice to serve Ellana; you never know who might be a bard after all and one day the Maid on the Shore plans to make herself known when the time is just right. At least the pushiness of home (just the right amount) has paid off well, and maybe that will be a little on the spot lesson too. Cards and dice are good for reading a situation, but nothing beats getting to put it into practice.

When there's a moment where the assistant isn't hovering, Araceli leans in with a conspiratorial smile. "I'll get your measurements on the way out. I did the same for Korrin at Skyhold." The way they spoke about her kadan in front of her and in front of Araceli too? Unforgivable. The only way some people learn is by loss. But she moves out the way to let the women get to work because she's excited for her friend, for getting to be part of this.

Unable to stop herself, Araceli swings up on her toes to smile at Ellana, eyebrows raised. "How does it feel? Because those colours are going to look stunning on you, I promise."

[serannas]

"Ma serannas," Ellana whispers back with a smile. She has no idea what size she is. To her, clothes either fit or they don't, and if they're too big, they can be belted, right? This corset certainly isn't too big, but she's trying her best to breath normally so she doesn't get lightheaded.

"Very tight," she replies, but then she casts her gaze down and for the first time in her life, cleavage greets her. She's never had a line of cleavage before. She stares in wonder before a small smile curves onto her lips and she looks up again.

"I love it."

[foxsays]

Ellana, if you ever mention that sort of thing around Araceli you're going to get something that isn't a lecture about tailoring, because a lecture implies something stern. Araceli's opinion on clothes and what they can do is altogether a more passionate thing. They're just another tool of the trade, a weapon in the arsenal, and if her father taught her how to gamble and to read a person, then her mother (well, her mother taught her a different way to do that too) taught her how the clothes maketh the lady and what they can do for you.

"You need to have it Ellana, you look incredible!" Her cheeks are starting to hurt from smiling as she looks at her friend because they should have this. Everyone should have this. "Sweep your hair up, wear a necklace that draws the eyes there too so there can be no mistaking where anyone is meant to look."

There are more lessons. Araceli tends to let the girls out plenty when she's playing cards and dice, that isn't an accident.

[serannas]

It's tempting to want to poke at her own breasts, because they hardly seem like they belong to her right now. And each inhale of breath makes them lift even more. She raises her arms to pull back her hair, exhaling a whoosh of laughter because everything is so tight she has to learm how to move her body to accommodate the corset.

But she does get her hair in her hands and twists it up to hold against the back of her head for a moment before letting go. The hair unravels itself back in place and she grins at Araceli.

"This is fun! But what do I wear with the corset to make an outfit?"