[ 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

Study

[failedfirst]

Velanna initially enters the Study to look around for anything peculiar or any papers left out that were missed. She is however drawn to the Dalish items. She knows there are many humans who collect such things. It makes her nauseous to think of them being here, pieces of elven history, held by a human noble. If she were a little more impulsive she might try to appropriate the items.

As it is she just spends some time curiously looking at them, adding sketches of them to her notebook. If someone happens by, and the upset from seeing Dalish items on display has passed, she'll inquire as to how they came to be here and if there's any known history attached. It might not be relevant to their investigation, but it's relevant to her personally.

[comtessedevelony]

"These?" The Valet murmurs, blinking from where she's fetching papers out of the massive oak desk off to one side. Ledgers and the like. Payroll, of course, to be handled by the Steward but she's fetching the notes for the Comtesse, tucking them carefully under her arm. Fereldan and all the more out of place for it, her voice stutters somewhat. "I- all Dalish items came from the late Comte's excursions. Either to Dalish ruins or exchanges with merchants- I don't know more than that I'm afraid... except for this one."

She steps off to the side and in doing so, a sheet of paper, a small scratching of notes, drops behind her. She doesn't notice, too focused on the dagger resting on the bookshelf nearbye. "This one the Comtesse brought with her. I don't know where she found it but- she's fond of it. Insists upon polishing it herself. I imagine there's a story somewhere."

[failedfirst]

The Valet may not have noticed the paper drop, but Velanna certainly did, and while she is interested in the history of the dagger she doesn't miss the chance to duck down and pluck the paper up off the floor, tucking it into her journal and closing it as discreetly as she can manage before following the young woman to the dagger.

"You've no idea what the story could be? I collect stories, things involving Dalish artifacts are of the most interest to me, but... I have written down others as well. I'd be interested to know." Though whether she can ask the Comtesse herself is another story.

[comtessedevelony]

"I honestly don't know, I'm sorry." Clara shifts her grip on the notes in her arms, looking back to Velanna. She missed the little dip and catch of the paper and thinks nothing of it. "The Comtesse may be able to tell you, though. If you ask. She doesn't often get honest company here- and rarely leaves the Estate."

[failedfirst]

The smile Velanna gives the young woman is a little thin as she suggests that she ask the Comtesse about the dagger.

"You think she'd be willing to speak with a Dalish?" She'd been cordial enough at dinner of course, but that was what most nobles did. Put on airs and acted like they weren't bothered at all by the presence of some savage. One-on-one though, tended to be a different story.

[comtessedevelony]

"Of course. She...might be a little mystified- you don't see Dalish in the Imperium or Orlais often- but she will speak with you." Clara herself is managing with some ease, albeit with the usual birdlike, flittering tension. "She ought to be gardens at this time of day- she likes to take in the sun."

[failedfirst]

Velanna tilts her head to the side at the young woman's words, not so much about where the Comtesse would be, but the mention of the Imperium.

"She is from Tevinter?" It's difficult for Velanna to keep the suspicion from her voice, though she makes a mostly noble effort at it.

[comtessedevelony]

"Yes." Her eyes flick up to Velanna's, lips pressed thin. "It isn't what you think. She's not a mage- she didn't live as the others more well off would have."

[failedfirst]

She raises her eybrows at that, although it does make some sense. The woman seems kinder than most nobles she's met.

"She's done quite well for herself then, hasn't she?" Velanna feels like she might be a little more comfortable talking to someone who lived as a non-mage in Tevinter, oddly enough. She's heard some of how those without magic live in the Imperium.

[comtessedevelony]

"Married well and worked hard, yes." That is the only way to do better in the Imperium- to do so outside of it only makes such things easier...to a point. There is no great love lost between Orlais and Tevinter. But she has managed pretty well.

[failedfirst]

"Perhaps I will go and speak with her, then. Thank you," Velanna gives the young woman another slight smile, as if she's attempting to put her at ease. It's not her best smile, but it's not hostile, at least.