faderift | (no subject)

Galadriel had little clout in this world. Once she had been among the most known of the realm, but she was a stranger here. In Arda, she could have chosen one of a dozen sources to acquire what she needed. She could have gone to the dwarves beneath the mountains, to the sons of Beorn, to her grandsons and their mortal friends--here, she could think of precious few who could acquire a wealth of silver for her. Silverite was not mithril, but it was white and had a brilliance about it--it would serve, but only if she could acquire enough of it to form the whole basin. Fortunately, the first person she could think to turn to was present and easily found.

Madame Vivienne De Fer was a striking figure and her space overlooking the great hall remained, to date, one of Galadriel's favored places to spend time. Vivienne was in attendance today, as she often was, and Galadriel greeted her as she climbed the stone steps.

"I think the autumn light falls kindest across your furnishings," Galadriel commented as she inclined her head. "It is a pity that heavy curtains are the fashion in these lands. I would have light spill across the whole of this hall...but, alas, it is not to be. Are you well, mellon nin?"

Too oft, of late, Vivienne's presence on the balcony has found her elbow deep in sheaves of parchment and baskets of alchemical reagents. Today is no different. Still, she welcomes the pleasant distraction of Galadriel's company and beckons for the elven woman to join her and take a seat. There is even a smile from the Iron Lady.

"I am indeed, my dear. It is so good to see you." Her eye turns to the windows and the heavy draperies hung there. Her guest is right, the light would be much better were it not for the curtains. Unfortunately, the chill of the mountain air forces the need for warmth over aesthetics. Still... "Perhaps we should have the drapes drawn further open until the sun sets."

"The setting sun does look so lovely through these windows," Galadriel agrees and moves to join Vivienne. The tasks at hand appear many and complex and Galadriel spares a polite glance across the contents of the table before turning her full attention to the woman alongside her.

"I fear I have come to add to your work, my friend," Galadriel says, an apologetic note ghosting into her smile. "I can think of few others to ask and fewer still that I could abide owing a favor.

"I require silverite for a private endeavor and, in these lands, I cannot imagine where to go about acquiring it. Will you assist me?"

Silverite. Pretty metal, very useful for mages and highly sought after to enhance cold powered staves. Vivienne doubts the personal endeavor involves the crafting of a staff, however, and finds herself mildly curious. Though Galadiel isn't prying into her alchemy projects, so it's only fair that she not pry in turn. It's a delight to have someone who can appreciate discretion and not be offended by it.

"Of course! I should be delighted to, though it's no trouble whatsoever. Do you require only the basic metal? And in what quantities?" If she's considering having armor made over say a pendant, that will guide the direction she intends to go. "On occasion, one can acquire fragments of silverite which have been Fade-touched. It's dreadfully rare but the effects are almost always worth the cost."

"Fade-touched?" Galadriel prompts, her brows rising as she asks. It had not occurred to her to ask but only because she had never heard of such things.

"The measures of this land still elude me, I fear, but I have been told what I desire will require only a moderate amount," she says and withdraws, from her sleeve, a piece of parchment that the Sam had scrawled an amount on. She expects his estimate is generous but her project is also very vague and basins can be formed in a great many sizes and shapes.

"But now I wonder after this Fade-touched metal, and expect it would assist my efforts greatly. Are the properties of such fragments predictable?"

"As with many other aspects of the Fade, they are not at all predictable or reliable. Though in my experience, I've known such silverite to display enhanced protective properties or increased potency for lightning magics." Qualities which might not be particularly useful in this case, but the unpredictability of anything the Fade doesn't mean it couldn't be contrary to past experiences and still somehow prove useful. "If there is anything that can be said of it, it is that it almost invariably enhances the usefulness of any enchantments placed on it."

Without being too blatant, Vivienne gives the parchment a quick glance and assesses the amount listed. A tiny smile, almost playful, emerges. "Presuming you've no intention to turn miner, I know a man in Halamshiral with connections sufficient for your needs. Not inquisitive like some merchants who want to know the end product before they agree to a transaction."

"A valuable sort, then," Galadriel replies evenly but her gaze lingers in the middle-ground a beat as she considers. The ability to enhance enchantments placed upon the basin might make her efforts more likely to succeed...but they might also increase the dangers of using the mirror in these lands.

For the task at hand, the risk of such a wager greatly outweighed the benefits...but Galadriel has always had great disdain for powerlessness and she has lost so much in coming here. The hope that a fade-touched basin might assist in restoring some of her former power...that is too precious a thing to pass up.

"And would you know another of his ilk who might obtain some of the Fade-touched metal? Perhaps enough to form a brooch or ring?"

She has no desire for jewelry, of course, but Thedas and Arda are not so different that one cannot beat a small piece of metal into a fine sheet to line her mirror. Perhaps Sam, in his skill, could even lay it into the decoration he would place upon the bottom of the basin.

Mmm now acquiring Fade-touched silverite does create a little more of a challenge. It's possible. There are more than enough people who owe her favors or who have made missteps in the Game who would very much like to go on living. "I will confess it would be easier were the Circles restored back to their former status. There was a time when the finest of Orlais clamored for our aid and good will. Alas, those days are ended and it will take decades to rebuild what was lost."

For the moment, Vivienne doesn't care to dwell too much on the ripe mess the rebels and that Warden terrorist have left in their wake. It makes her livid beyond words and she doesn't feel the need being whipped up into a fury right now. Letting that topic slide, she nods in affirmation of the request.

"Which is not to say that I cannot help. It might take a few weeks to find someone in possession of it and willing to part with it for less than an empress' ransom. But sufficient for jewelry shouldn't prove too difficult."

Galadriel inclines her head, in silent thanks as Vivienne confirms her ability to procure such things, and is glad that she came to the mage first. Something in her shoulders eases and something almost alike to excitement settles beneath her placid expression. The promise of power, of a return to normalcy, is enough to make her feel nearly giddy; it is silly, but it is undeniable.

"Thank you," Galadriel says aloud, after a pause. "Of course, if there is any assistance I may offer you, my friend, I shall give it gladly. Such a grand favor deserves no less in return."

For her discretion and her willingness to go out of her way, Galadriel would gladly provide Vivienne with anything she could request. Indeed, given how little Galadriel had shared about her own skills and power, she might even provide council spontaneously if the moment presented itself. Such occasions were uncomfortable in their scarcity, but having a proper mirror in Thedas was worth a King's ransom at least.