faderift | [ CLOSED ] WAR TABLE: INVESTIGATE COMTESSE DE VELONEY

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[ CLOSED ] WAR TABLE: INVESTIGATE COMTESSE DE VELONEY

WHO: Herian, Anders, Issana, Velanna, Pam, Malcolm
WHAT: A series of disappearances in the Orlesian countryside has culminated in the vanishment of some of the Inquisition's own scouts. A team has been sent to investigate the estate of one Comtesse Eléonore Vaillant de Veloney.
WHEN: Over the span of 4 days in the 2nd week of Harvestmere.
WHERE: Estate of Comtesse Eléonore Vaillant de Veloney
NOTES: Trauma, gore, dark themes, homicide, pretentious wine usage, other things not labeled as to avoid spoilers.

Welcome to the Estate

It is a terrible misfortune, all these disappearances- but with a civil war on and all this strange Venatori and Red Templar activity- with the rifts in the countryside? People simply not appearing where they ought is a sad reality. Nothing to be done for it. That such an esteemed noblewoman has found herself unjustly accused simply due to her wealth and prosperity? Cannot stand. Comtesse de Veloney invited the Inquisition herself to investigate her manor and put the matter to rest- they are to be afforded all the cooperation and respect imaginable.

Even the mages. Even the elves.

They are met at the gate by a veritable delegation of footmen led by the Gardener and Tanner to see them inside and out of the stormy, dreary weather. Packs are secreted off to rooms (a lovely set of suites in the east wing if the Steward does say so herself), baths drawn (The Comtesse insists, it's been just dreadful and they've come all this way), and a lavish banquet prepared.

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...The room is ridiculously comfortable and this man is ridiculously cheery. He's not sure how much more ridiculous he can take. But he does welcome the cheeriness because it's better than rudeness.

"Um. Let's try the rosewater one. And thank you for earlier. I've... I'm a little bit of a loss here."

"Valery tried to tell The Comtesse that you might not be accustomed to all this pomp and circumstance- but she wanted to treat you with the utmost respect for what you are doing." And what the Comtesse wants? The Comtesse gets. It's as simple as that in this estate, something he has come to live with quite happily. He turns about to pull a bottle of the aforementioned wine from his cart, offering it and a glass to Anders. "She means well, really."

"Valery? Or the Comtesse?" He takes a sip and nods, appreciative. "This is excellent, thank you."

It pays to be polite. Sometimes. Not against Templars, or anyone else who thinks themselves superior to him, but the rest. "You've worked here for some time, I take it?"

"..." After a moment his head bobbles in something close to a nod- a fluid, slushed nod. "Yes."

Both of them.

"Since before the Comtesse- I wasn't the Butler under her late husband, but quite awhile. She's truly turned the estate around. We've never been more prosperous." He pours himself a glass from the bottle under his arm and settles in for the moment to join Anders. "She truly believes in her people and that? Is the mark of a true noble."

It's not usual, in his opinion, to hear someone actually thinking a noble means well or believes in their people. Granted, a majority of nobility he's met have been under poor circumstances or they've been assholes because he's a mage, but still. Anders studies the butler for a time before giving the man a nod and holding out a hand.

"I'm Anders. I don't think I got your name." It's only after he's spoken that he's remembering how poor a decision this could be, but he's had a few glasses of wine this evening and not every portion of his brain is functioning properly.

There isn't so much of a flicker of recognition on the Butler's face. "I-"

With all the gravity and flourish of a man in his cups but accustomed to it, compensating for a lack of balance and rather graceful in the low scrape of a bow. "Am Narcisse. If you need anything- well. If you need wine or gossip, I am here for you!"

He likes being no one. He likes so very much to be no one, and Anders actually gives Narcisse a nod of the head back before gesturing to suggest the butler should take a seat near him on the bed. The thing's huge, after all.

"You've shared wine... and I'd have to say I'm curious about what gossip can be found out here. We're not in the city, where I'd expect all sorts of talk." It's still clumsy, but at least the Butler is pretty drunk.

There's a moment's hesitation in the doorway- but sitting and drinking and gossiping is his favorite way to pass the time. It doesn't take much prompting for him to bring both bottles to the bed, perching daintily on the mattress. "It is the usual as of late. The surrounding estates are doing poorly and envy the Comtesse's success, they don't like how she treats us- like family."

He gestures with his wineglass. "The Help are to be The Help and not The Household, yes? Yes. But the Comtesse had such a large family, she said, before she came to Orlais. Everyone helped one another or- something. So we are paid well, treated well- we may have poached some of the better staff from the surrounding estates simply by being better"

Of this he's terribly proud. "And they can't stand it. That a widow who refuses suitors- she's still heartbroken over the late Comte, terribly sad, won't ever marry again- does so well? Shameful of them really, saying she's the reason those people have gone missing. She couldn't hurt a fly. I've seen her shoo spiders back out into the garden, even."

He's so careful with his movements, so clean, so cheerful, it's almost something like a dance. Anders leans closer to the man, as if interested in this gossip.

"You must care about her a great deal. Having a family... I'm a mage. I know what it is to not have one." His staff has been obvious, as have his robes. He's not worried about that being offputting now. "A sense of belonging is invaluable. Precious, even. And to someone that universally kind?"

Anders' smile is warm. Flirting is... a little more difficult when he actively doesn't want to get laid by the target, but he can put it on somewhat.

Narcisse gestures when he speaks- but never spills so much as a drop of wine. "She is my Lady, my Leige, my mentor- she sent me off to Sommeliers in Orlais and Antiva so I could learn to create the best possible collection for her- and perhaps start up our own private vintage."

He taps his glass to Anders' smiling at the wine in his glass. "Rosewater is supposedly too strong to be used in wine, but she listened. And in't it lighter? Bubblier? Isn't it sweeter with that hint of a floral note, like walking in a room after a woman has left and you get a touch of her perfume in the air?"

...Maybe flirting isn't going to work here. The Butler seems like he might be somewhat infatuated with the Comtesse. That's better in the long run for Anders, though it means any information will be colored with that.

"That's exactly what it's like. It's not too strong at all, I'd say, though I've not exactly had the opportunity to explore much in the way of wine. I'm learning as I go. And clearly you've done a great deal of learning. What else have you done with wine?"

"Exactly! Something light to have with canapes or outside in the sun. Very much a springtime wine. I've been working with the Gardener on another grape- trying to find something for a heavier wine for the fall and winter." Wine has his heart, wine has his soul. "If you want-"

He snorts a soft laugh, leaning forward to drop his voice, as though sharing a secret. "I can get the key for the special collection from Valery's room before you leave. I don't go down there often but it's where we keep all the samplers. It's the cellar below the winecellar."

"I'd absolutely enjoy that."

It might not lead to anything important, but seeing more of the estate seems a plus. Sampling, he'd see, but worse comes to worse he winds up knowing a little more about wines.

"Perhaps another night? Between the travel and the hundred forks I'm not sure I'm up for a trip."

"Marvelous!" Narcisse finishes his glass with a swig, settling back with a woozy smile. "I know- I know you're here because of those rumors and accusations. And I know you're trying to find the truth. I do. But the Comtesse is innocent. She's- she's a good woman in an unforgiving country, playing the Game to keep us all safe. IF those people have gone missing here-

If it's someone on the Estate-" He looks around for a moment, as though there are ears in the walls. Leans in closer still and whispers. "Loupe is at the heart of it. He- He's a Werewolf, you know? It must be him."

There's a beat as he mentally runs over what he knows from Jonas and Oghren talking about werewolves.

"I... don't recall werewolves being able to pass for anything other than what they were. Is he some... different sort of werewolf?" Or is Narcisse just drunk out of his mind?

"Don't you know? They turn when there is no moon! He always leaves the day before the new moon and returns the day after. No one knows where he goes." One unsteady hand slips forward to clasp Ander's shoulder. Narcisse's voice all drunken sincerity. "You must believe me. It's his doing. He's trying to discredit the Comtesse."

He reaches out to support Narcisse, searching the man's eyes.

"I don't recall that part of the story. I thought they were always werewolves because they were cursed, and they'd simply start attacking. Where did you... Where did you hear about ones who change when there's no moon?"

Not to mention how infrequent that would be with two moons in the sky; it wouldn't line up with all the disappearances, Anders is quite sure. But he'll talk to the others, in case.

"I read it in one of the Comtesse's books, tales from Tevinter." He speaks as though the book must be a part of the Chant. "Even if he isn't- he is responsible. He must be. What kind of tanner always smells of perfume and has soft hands?"

None that he knows of.

"...one who likes perfume and lotions? You're Orlesian. You should be familiar with that sort. But I'll... look into him." Tales from Tevinter. People missing. Blood magic and slavery are hallmarks of Tevinter, and suddenly he's trying to recall if he heard anyone speaking with that accent. The cook. He might have to speak with her even more than he does the tanner.

"I'll see what he's up to. If you think of anything else, it can only serve to help you prove the Comtesse's innocence."

"He's a woodsman." Like that explains everything. "From the North."

Like that. Also explains everything. Narcisse collects himself, sitting upright and swallowing down- well. He has no more wine left but he pouts at his glass. Fine. He will drink later. "If I hear anything, if I see it? You shall be the first to know, Ser Anders."

Of course. It totally explains everything.

Or nothing.

It actually explains nothing.

"Thank you, Narcisse. I appreciate it. And the wine. I'll look forward to the trip down to try some samples."

"Tomorrow. Or the day after tomorrow." Right. He stands, straightening his waistcoat. "I will leave the rose with you, yes? It will help you have sweet dreams of springtime."

Anders nods.

"Thank you for that as well." And that gives him more time for some digging.

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[ CLOSED ] WAR TABLE: INVESTIGATE COMTESSE DE VELONEY

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