she planned ahead for a year, he said let's play it by ear

[elegiaque]

WHO: Gwenaëlle Vauquelin, Benevenuta Thevenet, and YOU.
WHAT: A catch-all.
WHEN: This month.
WHERE: Skyhold, Orlais.
NOTES: Hit me up on plurk (matriarchal) or discord (demis#8828) if you want a starter! Or feel free to pop something in yourself, ~wild cards~ I'll roll with it. This is just the ~ladies~ because I want to hold off on new Martel stuff until plot progresses. Also, starters in the comments because #aesthetic.

Comments

[theproperglove]

Josephine can only smile at Gwenaëlle's continued confusion, and the very telling wrinkle of the nose almost makes her want to laugh and perhaps she would've, if she suspected it would have been helpful in this situation. Instead, she settles for reassurance, and goes about repeating herself. "As I said, your presence here is appreciated beyond your family's financial contributions to our cause." And Josephine will repeat it gas many times as is necessary for Gwenaëlle to accept it, or at the very least, regain her composure.

"In any case, I believe I have some measure of experience in dealing with such matters. If he decides to make such fuss, he will wish that he had not.

Gently, of course," Josephine adds, just in case it needs to be said. "A gentle reminder of the worthiness of contributing to the Inquisition's cause."

[elegiaque]

Morrigan, Cullen, and now Josephine; all assuring her of the value of her efforts. It would be easier and substantially more comfortable to dismiss what Josephine says as more of the same as the rest of this conversation - that she is being gently and kindly cosseted, and to set no more store by it than appreciating in some vague way that she merits the time it takes to comfort her for her worries. And if it were only Josephine, then she probably would. If they'd not spoken before this, too, then she probably would, but -

It isn't. And they know she took up the work she did largely out of an inability to abide idleness, but perhaps that's a virtue, in itself. Or something like one. Enough like one. And it is good work, she thinks, she is proud of it. Is it so strange that it should be valued?

...yes. Still, it is a comfort to think that she might offer something worthwhile. That she might be necessary; that she might be valuable, beyond the usefulness of Emeric's support. (It probably isn't healthy to keep a list of the people she thinks would care if she died here, but it soothes her to think there's anyone, frankly.)

"You needn't be too gentle," she says, after a moment.

[theproperglove]

Josephine tilts her head to the side and allows her smile to widen slightly at its corners. Oh, but how she does love to work unrestrained. "I will keep that in mind," she assures Gwenaëlle, and if one looks closely they might see that Josephine's eyes appear to be... twinkling?

"In any case, I will keep you updated on any developments that would be relevant to you. I hope this has addressed your concerns somewhat."

[elegiaque]

She should feel badly, she thinks, for - potentially - setting Josephine on her father with so few restrictions.

She waits to do so. She does not.

"You have, my lady ambassador. Thank you - very much. For your time."

Which is valuable, and so she probably oughtn't take up too much of it with nonsense - Gwenaëlle is rising only a moment later, smoothing her skirts with the hand that bears no shard, mustering up a smile that's sufficiently not-false as to not embarrass her with the effort.

"I appreciate it very much."

[theproperglove]

"You are welcome," Josephine answers, eyes still bright. She leans in slightly over the table. "Truly, it is my pleasure. Should any new issues arise, please do not hesitate to let me know.