[ 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

[comtessedevelony]

"I will check the pantry. Miss Ignatia!" She calls once they grow near, motioning behind her to Anders and his cat. "We've a guest that wants to speak with you."

The old cook takes a moment to draw a long breath from the pipe, eyes flicking from his face to his hands and back again, nodding. "Bring him a chair, girls. Get him a glass and a roll with sausage. Wardens are often hungry this late."

"Yes Miss Ignatia-" Like a choreographed dance, the girls break away from their circle, adjusting the chairs till there's room for Anders across from Ignatia. By the time he's settled there's a platter with thin flakes of tuna for the cat, a plate with several sausage rolls for him, and a glass of something that looks like it might be cider. In the center of the circle there's a low table- herbs and runes and polished knuckle bones scattered across the surface.

[justice_is_blond]

Anders takes a seat, inclining his head in thanks at her offering food to him too. He doesn't often eat as much as he's had chance to here. He doesn't often have the time for it, but no one here seems to need healing and there's food everywhere as he interviews people. It's... rather nice to not feel hunger in his bones.

His gaze travels over all she's got spread on the table before he lets Purrelden daintily step down and smash her face into the platter.

"Thank you. You're familiar with Wardens, then?"

[comtessedevelony]

"I am familiar with darkspawn. Those that fight them? Have my gratitude." Especially this far south. They don't pop up often in the Imperium- but she did not always live there even before joining the Comtesse in this estate. "Not everyone understands the whole of it. Some think you heroes. Some think you brigands. Doing what must be done- because it must be done. It is no easy thing."

[justice_is_blond]

She's definitely from Tevinter. There's no mistaking that as she continues talking. Whether she's mage or not still waits to be seen, and blood mage even past that. She doesn't have any obvious cuts, but neither did Merrill most days.

"It's not." But he really can't say more than that on what she's saying, though. He'd not joined them out of any noble purpose. It had been about survival, both times.

"You... tell fortunes, then? You're a mage as well?" It's not like he's hiding anything, in robes with a staff on his back.

[comtessedevelony]

"If I were a mage I wouldn't be a cook." There are better lives for mages in the Imperium than your average citizen. She spreads her hands, shaking her head. "No, I am no mage. Who told you this? The Steward? The Butcher?"

Jealous women with petty fears stirred up by possible accusations levied at the estate. "I know my meals are quite delicious but no, there is no magic in my blood."

[justice_is_blond]

"The Butcher, yes." Interesting that she knows who would say that, that she has a finger on the pulse of who has problems with her. Of course, that would be crucial for survival in Tevinter, especially for someone who isn't a mage. It also means that she might have a better idea of what's going on around the place than anyone else.

"Can you tell fortunes with your tools there? Or could you tell me your theories on what's going on here? Or both, I'm not feeling very picky."

[comtessedevelony]

There is a moment, a long one, where Ignatia looks the man over. Anders, Narcisse said his name was. Warden, mage, narrow of face. Someone that keeps track of the world beyond could put things together if they so wished. After one last draw of the pipe she murmurs to her scullery maids. "...We need a moment alone, girls. Take the pipe and bottle to the bunk, yes? I'll make sweet cakes for you in the morning."

Without so much as a word of complaint they sweep out, nudging one another with their elbows, commenting softly about a 'private fortune telling' but otherwise? Unconcerned. Only when the last of them have gone does Ignatia lean forward her voice low.

"If it is not the war, the demons, or the neighboring estates that have your people? Follow Clara, Eléonore's valet." There's a familiarity and a fondness to the way she speaks the Comtesse's name. "Someone that nervous? Hides something. And she is not normally this wary around visitors. If anything she is practically cheerful- but the moment word came through that Inquisition was coming to call? She ran the maids double time to clean every inch of the cellars and the guest suites. Eléonore assumed it was to make a good impression but- she hides things, that girl. I have long thought her to be behind the late Comte's death but proving it?"

[justice_is_blond]

"Proving it is always more difficult." He wonders what she'd seen as she looked him over. With the amount of information she's giving and her awareness of who would talk about her, there's a chance she knows who is sitting in front of her. Unlike Narcisse.

"I don't think it's the war, demons are too messy and would leave traces. The neighboring estates..." Anders shakes his head. "They're not well-run enough, and for as many disappearances as have happened you need something organized. The valet certainly has the position, but she couldn't do it alone, I don't think. That many, one person? Who would help her?"

She's being candid. He should be open and clear right back, he figures. Then again, it's not like he's ever been good at being subtle and dishonest.

[comtessedevelony]

"The Butcher, The Tanner, Possibly Narcisse through nothing more than negligence. Loupe hunts, Gabrielle is the one that butchers the bodies and refuses to allow any into the smoke of slaughterhouse. Killing people and feeding them to her hogs- they'll eat anything." And that is why they've no sign. "Loupe has always been fond of Clara- like an older brother. Protective, quick to chide any that comment upon her, even Edgar."

The one he's fucking. The one everyone knows about.

[justice_is_blond]

And it's behind her slaughterhouse where Inessa had found the bone. It's very tidy, and very plausible. Anders is quiet for a moment before nodding slowly.

"It fits. And it fits that they'd throw you under the druffalo, as well. It's easy to point at the person who practices something different and call mage, blood mage, no less, and stir people up like that." He doesn't know if she's telling the truth, or if she's just clever, but it's certainly an explanation he's going to take to the others. They can see if it fits additional evidence.

"Thank you. Though I'm a little curious as to why you're being this forthright."

[comtessedevelony]

"I know who you are." Simple. Flatly stated. "I know what you've done. I look into your eyes and I think I know why you did it. You've known suffering. You've known what it was to be bone deep hungry. And now you've fat on you. A spring to your step. A smile to your face. A cat as a companion."

Ignatia laces her fingers in front of her, head tilted to the side slightly. Birdlike. "You have found a better life. Many of us here have found the same- I intend to keep it honestly. Eléonore wishes to keep it honestly. When people become desperate they do drastic things to make a change- or lash out against those that have sheltered them. We've come too far with making a name for ourselves as respectable to let one selfish, desperate person cut us down."

[justice_is_blond]

He doesn't like being read. He likes padding what he's been through with jokes for most, and with the stark truth only when it will be useful. While this might count as a use, he doesn't have control over it and it makes him nervous, uncomfortable, wanting to deny it... and hoping desperately that she's telling the truth about what's going on. That she's right.

Taking a breath, Anders looks down and nods. One desperate person. At least he'd not truly cut down mages. For all that they complained, they were out. For all that he'd hurt, they were out. They'd moved forward. What was happening here? People being murdered, fed to pigs and burned to ash? That wasn't truly helping anyone, only hurting. It's a small hiding place, away from the full weight of guilt.

"Thank you. I hope we manage to not disrupt what you've found here." People should have a sanctuary, so long as no one is hurt by it. "I'll take my leave of you, then? Unless you want to tell me my fortune. I've never had anyone do that before."

[comtessedevelony]

Ignatia's dark eyes remain on him evenly- and without judgement. Without warmth as well, but without anything overly harsh. Simply a hawk's gaze, even and assessing. She has seen much in her time- and would see more before her life was through.

"The Estate's good name is all Eléonore has left of her husband in truth. Whatever you find? I hope is kept quiet. When she lost him it was a dark time in her life- focusing on improving the Estate is the only thing that's held her together." Something to keep in mind as they move forward in their investigation. Some of the gravity leaves her voice, then, and she sweeps the bones and rune carved stones into a cup, rattling them about.

"The present or the future, Ser Warden?"

[justice_is_blond]

He nods to her request. Anders doesn't have a great deal of resources, but he'll do what he can if her information is true. She's been straightforward and civil. That's enough for him.

"The future," he says after a moment's thought. She's given him plenty of material for the present, and they'll figure it out. The future is far more murky, and he's wondering what she might make of it. Whatever there is.

[comtessedevelony]

"The future it is." Another twist and rattle of the bones, another shake before she lets them fall across the table. Knuckles and runes and a pattern she can read, her brow furrowing as she bends to inspect them. "...You'll be revisiting somewhere known to you well- somewhere familiar but not comfortable. I see shackles. A search for an answer to a question that has plagued you since your youth."

Her fingertip barrel touches a bone resting on one end, balanced perfectly. "You are as likely to find what you seek as you are to not. But these- sins from the past come to call in the future. Not yours, but yours to clean up."

[justice_is_blond]

Familiar but not comfortable is any manner of places. There's a list. That list gets shorter when shackles are involved, Kinloch Hold, Vigil's Keep, Kirkwall, even if the latter hadn't seen the things around his wrists specifically.

But if it's a question about his youth, that narrows it down even more. And makes it completely unexpected.

"I... see. I think." Uldred's sins? It's not going to be Cullen being called out, Anders is certain. Templars get protection. But they would see. He would. If it even happens. "Thank you. I'm a little confused, but... Thank you."

[comtessedevelony]

"You are welcome, Warden. Whatever you do or do not find? Take it as a sign that there are some burdens, some wounds that are best laid to rest." A man can carry only so much, after all.

[justice_is_blond]

Anders looks down. Letting wounds rest is not his strong suit. Maybe it was when he was younger, but he'd carried Justice and Vengeance for far too long to let things go easily. But he can work on it, and that sometimes seems to be what his life is anymore - a series of things he's working on.

Though there are some things that make it brighter, at least, and his pouch wiggles at his hip. Purrelden's waking up.

Anders stands, loosening the strings and letting her peek her head out. "I'll keep all you said in mind, Ignatia. I appreciate it." And with that, unless there's anything else, he's heading out.