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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Thanks to Margret, Inessa now knows who she wants to speak with next. When it's time for her morning tea, she will specifically request Ophelia in hopes that they can have a private moment alone. Garahel doesn't count for that, though he'll be happy to make a new friend.

It takes a moment, but a tense woman with a thin smile comes up with tea, dipping faintly at the door. "You called for tea and me, Ser Warden?"

Tense, of course. Obviously afraid but- her accent and the extra treats on the tray mark her as Fereldan. "Hope you don't mind about the crunches- Margret insisted. Said you have a big ole hound that needs some feed'n."

"I did, yes. He is always hungry and eager to make new friends. Aren't you, Garahel?" Inessa smiles warmly, wanting to put her at ease. Garahel instantly heads over to Ophelia, tail wagging as he woofs happily, definitely eyeing those treats. "Please, sit. I won't take up too much of your time, but you might as well be comfortable."

"Well a friend of Margret's is a friend of mine." Ophelia's smile widens, warms as she sets the tea to one side and sits. One treat is offered without hesitation, her hands slipping to scratch under Garahel's chin. "I've got a little time if you need. Don't know what I can tell you but- oooh."

Her attention slips back to the Mabari. "Oh she was right about you, weren't she? Such a handsome beast."

That treat is promptly inhaled and Garahel gives her the most adoring look, rumbling happily in response to the chin-scratching and compliments. "Every time someone says that, I swear his ego grows. Soon there will be no living with him." Said fondly, of course. "It's nice to see some appreciation for the breed, even in Orlais. You're from Ferelden as well? Where exactly?"

"Redcliffe, Ser. Came here 'bout four years back. A friend of the family wrote and said what a great life it was working here- how she could marry up if she worked hard and studied. I wanted to learn my letters so my parents sent me. I send back most of what I earn, I don't need much while I'm here." Her lips press thin when she thinks about it- the recent troubles. "I hope it's been making it to them."

"You...hope? You are not certain?" Inessa's brow furrows, growing concerned as she notes Ophelia's body language. Something is definitely not right, as she thought before.

"Well, there's the war on here in Orlais, yeah? And back home in Redliffe there were the mages and Templars all over fighting- and then the Mages in Redcliff kicking out the Bann? It's rough all over save in here and it's-" She shakes her head. "Easy to forget, sometimes. That there's a world beyond them hedges. That there are people not living as good as us. So. I send it- I hope they been getting it."

"The Inquisition has a presence in Redcliffe and the Hinterlands. I can make some inquiries. The area is more stable as of late, so they're probably fine." Inessa will shy away from making firm guarantees, since she can't. Even so, they have made strides in the Hinterlands, so she has reason to be optimistic.

"Margret said you were to leave soon, like the other girls married off...and that you had noticed patterns among those sent away. Please, if you can elaborate, I would try and make sense of all this."

"Thank you. I'd feel better, knowing they were getting what I sent them." Not much, there's still tomorrow to worry about but-

Little things. She takes the good where she can.

"Yes. Bigger girls, it's always the bigger girls. Not that any of us are skinny anymore after we start working here. I didn't think anything of it till Susan went missing. I told Margret she got married cuz that's what we're told but-" She stops a moment, focusing on Garahel's fur under her hand. "She packed up the night before, all excited. Waiting for her carriage. Couldn't sleep that night and I stayed up, watching at the window. I didn't see a carriage. I didn't see anyone come for her or anyone leave. It was dark but- you hear 'em when they ride up. I didn't hear anything. So I start poking around a little, you know? Quiet like. Then I find her locket down in the wine cellar while cleaning one day. Just behind one of the casks, like it got dropped. It was her mother's, she'd never forget it."

Garahel listens as attentively as his mistress, leaning into Ophelia to comfort when she seems to need it. Inessa, sipping at her tea, frowns in thought as she collects her thoughts. "That does seem suspicious. No one saw her after that point, then? Did you see anything else of note in the wine cellar?" By this point, the Grey Warden is certain she'll check it out regardless, but it can't hurt to get as much information as possible beforehand.

"No, just me. Smelled a little more like Lye than usual down there afterward- but there ain't anything scrubbed with it. Cuz it'd be bad for the wine. None of us know why it smells like that but sometimes it just do. So after that I keep...I try to eat less, you know. Pad my shirts and skirts so no one notices. Three times I been up to be 'sent off' and-" She swallows. "I dunno. I dunno if Susan left in the morning and I just missed her but other girls too. Sometimes there are carriages and they're off but they never visit- but most often? Nothing."

"...and you're afraid that when your turn comes, it will be the same fate." Whatever it is, it's less and less seeming like a happy resolution. "When are you scheduled to leave, Ophelia?" Her tone is speculative, a vague idea already forming though she'll have to speak with the others to hammer out details. But it's clear they have to act, and act quickly.

"A few hours past dusk. Dunno why it is- but that's how it's been. Best way to hide us if a girl tries to run, I suppose. I tried- can't get through the hedges. Loupe's caught me at it a few times, thought I was sneaking about, trying to find his gin." Trembling now, she swallows. "I- I dunno if I"m gonna get the carraige or fall into the void. I say my prayers like I should and I just hope- I can't wiggle out of it this time. So I'm packed. Gonna put on a smile for all the other girls throwing me a party tonight. And tomorrow I'm gonna hide. I dunno where but, I'll hide. They can't take me if they can't find me."

Reaching over, Inessa sets her smaller hand upon Ophelia's, her gaze nothing but sympathetic. "Tomorrow, you won't be alone. You'll have me, and the others of my group. We'll get to the bottom of this, and no one will take you against your will. You have my word as a Grey Warden and a member of the Inquisition."

Garahel, perks up and barks to confirm this. He'll happily defend her, just watch.

Ophelia clings to Inessa's hand, her determination to not go missing tempered, now, by this promise. "I just- I want to go home if I can. I don't want to get married and I don't want to go missing-"

Blubbering isn't becoming a Fereldan woman. They don't blubber. They straighten out and they work. "With your help- I can't pay you back. But I'll try."

If anyone finds out that Ophelia lost her composure, it won't be from Inessa. She shakes her head, not seeking reward anyway. "Don't worry about that. Just focus on what can be done now, alright? Go to the party, have a good time...then return here, when you get the chance. By then, I'll have had the time to speak with the others and we'll prepare for tomorrow."

"Alright. I- Alright." Ophelia squares her shoulders, dabbing at her eyes. She'll put on a brave face for the other girls and slip back here afterward. She should be able to manage that well enough. "I'll bring tea or something, have an excuse for coming by."

That gets Inessa to chuckle. "Tea is always a good excuse, with me. I'm sure they've come to realize I will request it regularly, by now. The hour doesn't matter; I sleep poorly, and they know it." And yes, their efforts did help earlier, but Inessa will hold off from requesting that kind of aid for now. She'd rather be alert than compromised.

"And something for you too, I promise." To Garahel, this delightfully brave and comforting hound all perked ears and bright eyes. "Didn't know what to think of you when you came in, I'll be honest. Heard things about wardens, heard things about the Inquisition. I'm glad you've come, though."

Garahel response with a happy rumbling and nuzzling. If the mood was lighter, he'd insist on belly rubs, too. But maybe that can happen after they're sure she's safe. "I understand, there are a lot of rumors flying around and it's not easy to separate fact from fiction." And sometimes, the darker parts are more true that she'd like to admit, but there's no reason to bring that up. "If you hear of any changes for tomorrow, no matter how minor, please bring them up. We don't want to be caught off-guard."

"Yesser. I best be getting back to my duties- but thank you." She gives Garahel one last good ruffle, gives Issana's hand a good squeeze before standing and shaking out her skirts. Work to be done, a party to have, a life to...lose or save, depending.

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[ CLOSED ] WAR TABLE: INVESTIGATE COMTESSE DE VELONEY

Ophelia, second day?

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