[ CLOSED ] WAR TABLE: INVESTIGATE COMTESSE DE VELONEY

[comtessedevelony]

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.

Comments

[tactical_alert]

It's not the worst question to ask, and at least Anders made an attempt to ask it in a less than completely direct way. de Velony, thankfully, does not take offense, not that one can see. (Maybe she is fine with good looks; he might have to act on her interests later if it gives him more information.)

"You act perhaps not against the Chantry, but...at an angle to it. They make little doubt of how they feel about the Inquisition, but you're quite correct: if Most Holy so willed it to be made, with the actions of her Left and Right Hands, then just because the clerics and mothers of the Chantry may not like it doesn't mean they should spit on the memory. The world is in chaos, and I dare to suggest that electing a new Divine will not bring it to peace. It certainly won't bring an end to war in Orlais." There, now she is free to express opinions on the civil war, should she wish to. It might not be immediately of importance, but perhaps if she's been hurting in the war, it might drive her and her own to do something drastic.

[dashing]

Herian accepts the tea gratefully, a thankful nod to the butler, and a faint smile for the maid. "Thank you. I am sure it wonderful."

She is still paying attention to what is being said, and her gaze moves between apostate and Seeker, curious. Concerned, actually, but she has developed somewhat in her ability to stop reflexive emotions bubbling over. If she is able to sit at a table and dine alongside a Dalish Warden without a vein bursting, she is able to listen to conversation on a mission that is an investigation and not be up in arms about disagreeing with statements made. So she listens, and she nods at the Seeker's comments even if there are points she would sooner discuss than simply bend to.

"I cannot imagine the resilience it must demand of Orlesians," she agrees, thinking of Halamshiral and Sabine and hungry refugees rather than nobles congratulating themselves in their halls. "Holding onto faith can be a great comfort in times of trial." Both true, technically.

[comtessedevelony]

"Only a guiding hand might do that much. Someone to throw their authority behind one or the other of the current candidates. Neither are entirely favorable, neither are entirely wicked. What is most damning is their negligence of the people- they have a responsibility to those displaced by the fighting, to care for them, to see them tended to- and neither has done so." The Comtesse pauses for a moment to take a bite of steak, some small relish taken in the meal, if not the conversation. "I take in who I can and send the rest to safer pastures."

A few of the serving girls nod, one murmuring her gratitude quietly. Those that remained from the refugees that slipped in during a stormy night such as this. Her eyes again slip to Malcolm with that same weight and appreciation- before her attention shifts to Herian with the exact same focus, the exact same appreciation. "Faith can sustain us when all else fails. Faith in the Maker brought me my husband- faith has seen us through troubled times into the prosperity we enjoy today."

[justice_is_blond]

Faith can sustain them. Only a non-mage human could say something like that, and she's a noble, no less. Anders glances over at Velanna, knowing her thoughts have to be mirroring his own at that comment, and covers up for the glance with another sip of his wine.

[failedfirst]

Velanna's eyes meet Anders's in return as she lifts her wine glass. It's really all she can do to keep from also rolling her eyes. Talk of the Maker usually brings out her indignant side, and this is mild torture for her. She takes a sip from her glass, before motioning to one of the girls who had brought tea out for the others.

"If I could trouble you I would appreciate tea going forward," the wine is very good, but she doesn't drink much. She's going to need to remain sober if she wants to continue not saying things that can get her in trouble.

[circleprodigy]

"Likewise, please." Inessa, much more prone to listening than speaking in this scenario, can't resist the urge for some tea. She listens with polite interest in matters of faith, neither condemning nor extolling its presence.

[comtessedevelony]

Tea for the ladies. The serving girls sweep in and again- more of the wineglasses (Save those already filled) are swept away and pots of tea distributed. The Comtesse makes no comment other than to offer another link of sausage to whomever seems to have an empty spot on their plates. "The Estate specialty."

[tactical_alert]

Malcolm is either oblivious to the looks or pretends to be oblivious. Their opinions on faith and the Chantry might vary wildly, but he's trying to make a good impression. And it seems to be working. Wine is fine for him; all things in moderation, and with food fit for a king (or a comtesse, anyway), he doesn't fear getting sloshed. More sausage it is.

"There do seem to be few willing to take in the displaced in the fighting. The Inquisition has taken interest, of course, and would like to help where possible, but at the end of the day it is something to be resolved by the will of the Orlesian people. Or whichever party happens to give in first. Faith, hopefully, will also see your estate and your people safe."

He's happy to indulge in food for a bit, the pleasantries more or less out of the way, but business is business, and he likes to get right down to it. "Comtesse de Velony, we appreciate your shelter and your food, but do allow me to strike at the heart of the matter of these charges against you. We will, of course, be grateful for your cooperation in this investigation. I cannot guarantee we will be out of the way. We mean no offense whoever we may talk to, whatever questions we ask, whatever we may do while searching for our people."

[dashing]

Doubtless it would be a little on the nose to turn immediately to the maid or butler and start questioning them right away. She sips her tea, sets it down, and amuses herself with the brief and very self-aware delusion that she started a trend. (Laughable, that.)

At the very least the Seeker seems to be a good talker, and he navigates the balance of respect and directness ably. That was a lesson Herian suspected she had yet to master, and her gaze turns to him for a moment of consideration. Of all the people to fall into the role of their speaker, however unofficially it might be, he is doubtless the best qualified of them. Honourable possibly, if his manners were indicative of much else about him.

"I speak only of personal perspective, but I believe one of the most admirable qualities of the Inquisition and its members is the broad spectrum they represent. Mage and Seeker, Grey Wardens, noble and common all alike and bound together— our people are dear to us, even with our differences." She feels like she is looking everywhere except at the Dalish, the new scars on her ear feeling too hot and too raw and obvious even if they are healed already by magic and mostly covered by her hair. "We would appreciate all aid you might be able to offer us in ensuring their safe return."

[comtessedevelony]

"Wherever you need to go, whatever you need to ask. My home is your home as long as you need. Valery has keys to all of the estate save the Slaughter House, the Smoke House, the Tannery, and the Perfumery. The Butcher, Tanner, and Perfumer have those keys, ask them and they will cooperate." Her eyes flick to those present at the moment. Her will is law in the Estate and this transparency is required if they are to clear her name. "How many were they, again? The rumors themselves were vague. Perhaps the Gardener or Tanner saw them these past few weeks- they've spent a great deal of time at the edges of the estate while fulfilling their duties."

[justice_is_blond]

"Seven members of the Inquisition have gone missing in the area." As well as the others that are rumored to be gone, but he thinks there might be some foundation there seeing as the missing scouts were mostly the responsible sort. He doesn't need to add those in to his comment, though. She has to have heard of them.

"And we appreciate your openness. Your help in this matter will make our job far easier and get us out of your way all the more quickly."

If she's innocent. He doesn't know enough to say yet, and he can't really say he has much trust for nobility.

[anacardiaceae]

Tea, thank someone; while the sausage is well-seasoned (and that might speak to a cook that is not from Ferelden, at least) Pamelia is also. Smol, as they say, and thus uninterested in getting sloshed unlike some folks who don't have to worry about that.

Pamelia gives the serving girl a grin. She's pretty, and the men are talking (or something like that); she can afford to flirt with someone she's sure must be bored out of her mind.

A bit. Anyway.

"Maker knows we don't want to be a bother."

[comtessedevelony]

"Seven. I will have Clara speak with Loupe- see if we cannot rouse his memory of the night he saw them. Should he recall anything I will make certain he speaks to one of you." Or all of them. Whichever might come first. Eléonore dips her head in thought for a moment, slicing another bit of sausage and flicking it playfully under the table for whichever hound might find it first.

Behind her Clara, the Valet, shakes her head but Eléonore ignores it for the moment. Guests are guests, Dog or otherwise.

The serving girl blushes faintly, clearing her throat as she murmurs. "The honey is from our apiary, and this season they've tried to keep the bees near the lavender- you should be able to taste it."

[anacardiaceae]

Is it common for Valets to correct the decisions of their mistresses? Pamelia thinks 'no', but nothing about this place appears common, from the looks of it just this one evening in.

She takes note of it though, making a bit of a show (for the poor serving girl) of adding honey to her tea and then popping the spoon in her mouth before setting it on the saucer. "It's very sweet." And so are you, is the implied.