Fade Rift Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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faderift2016-09-15 08:47 pm
faderifting) wrote in faderift2016-09-15 08:47 pm
SPA TIME [closed]
WHO: Beleth Ashara, Cassandra Pentaghast, Isabela, Rachette Dakal, Thranduil, Vivienne
WHAT: SPA TIME
WHEN: Kingsway 15
WHERE: Orlais (near Lydes)
NOTES: OOC plotting post
WHAT: SPA TIME
WHEN: Kingsway 15
WHERE: Orlais (near Lydes)
NOTES: OOC plotting post
The famously exclusive spa at which the Grand Duchess Florianne is relaxing in luxurious treachery is Bains-les-chers, located on the coast near Lydes, across from Val Royeaux. Perched high on a rocky cliff, it is ideal for taking in the warm, salty breeze off the Waking Sea, considered to be good for one's health and complexion. Originally the summer escape of a royal cousin, the place is built almost entirely of white stone, with high walls on three sides and the sea on the fourth.
The palace itself is a large square around a huge central courtyard where the main spa facilities are located, and the ground level of the building is all open, made up more of pillars and curtains and pools than conventional rooms. Pristine fabric billows, bright sun filters through canopies, and the finest and most attractive masseuses in Thedas pad about the grounds in soft, silent sandals.
About a dozen nobles and their retainers occupy the various areas, alone or in small groups, lounging in warm pools, soaking in deep tubs, reclining on padded benches. Wine flows as freely as the springs that drew them here originally. It's a quiet place; guests are typically encouraged not to speak unless necessary, providing a respite from the constant babbling gossip of The Grand Game that fills the rest of the empire. Each visitor receives a suite of rooms in the upper level. Because of the large windows looking out over the courtyard and the surrounding landscape, they are less private than they sound, and noise carries far, as some have learned the hard way in the past.
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Isabela strode up, perfectly at ease up on deck, despite the difficult weather.
"You're smart in keeping up on deck. Down in the hold is no way to travel by sea. It's much better to be up, wind in your hair and spray in your face. Nothing else like it."
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She gave Cassandra a long look.
"I'm going to guess sailing isn't something you've done a lot of, though. I could always change that for you."
Isabela's eyes glances back toward the destination.
"I'm also going to guess you don't intend to have any fun while we're there. Pity that. This seems rife with opportunity."
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The journey from Kirkwall across the Waking Sea had not been a long one in terms of distance, but to Cassandra, it had seemed to take forever. Perhaps that had been due to Varric's presence. Or perhaps it had been the storms, and the accompanying seasickness. Either possibility seems equally likely.
She snorts in response to Isabela's second observation, frowning. "I doubt we share the same idea of fun, Admiral."
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A smirk tugs at Isabela's lips.
"Varric hints that you don't have any sense of fun. So, now I'm curious. What do you enjoy doing on your downtime?"
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"Varric makes his living telling lies," she reminds Isabela. "Of course I have a sense of fun." She frowns. What does she enjoy? At least, that she's willing to admit to the pirate? "I enjoy...reading." Surely reading counts as fun in Isabela's eyes. More so than praying or reciting the Chant of Light, in any case.
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She raises an eyebrow at Cassandra, her grin broadening.
"Reading! Well, who would have guessed we'd have something in common right off the bat? Of course, it depends on what kind of reading. The Chant gets so dull the way they present it. I quite enjoyed philosophy when I was younger, and I like ideas and all, but when I really want something fun, I prefer literature with a little more... action to it. You know. Broad-shouldered men and women with heaving bosoms, all movement and passion and ridiculous dialogue. You know, Varric actually has a romance serial. It all started when we were working together on a piece of friend fiction for Aveline."
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"A romance serial?" she repeats, doing her best to sound as disinterested as possible, even as her mind clamps down on a terrible, alarming realization. If anyone would know the status of Varric's romance series, if anyone would know about the possibility of a sequel, perhaps one written but unpublished -
No. No, she will not ask Isabela of all people. She snorts lightly, shaking her head. "He certainly is prolific, isn't he. But you should not disregard the Chant so easily, Admiral. I have always found it a great comfort in trying times, and the writing itself is...it can be quite beautiful. The Canticle of Transfigurations is especially elegant."
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But Isabela still scoffs at the Chant.
"I have other comforts in trying times, thanks. If it makes you feel better, though, I think the same thing about all religions. I've heard them. They're not for me. That said, they do inspire some truly brilliant works of other natures. Mmm, the one book I read of Andraste and a certain very fiery... sword..."
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She frowns, her posture immediately, if subtly, stiffening as she turns away.
"I see."
Her voice is ice-cold. She stares forbiddingly out at the water. It's not a posture that invites further conversation.