[closed] the jackal's gambit

[doneisdone]

WHO: Benevenuta and Teren
WHAT: preliminary conversation for an upcoming plot
WHEN: after Damsels, early January
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: sheecrets

It's with slightly more trepidation than usual that Teren ascends the many stairs and traverses the many echoing hallways to find the room housing the lesser Thevenet, but she maintains her usual cold and businesslike exterior to any who might pass her and wonder at the Senior Warden's presence in the keep.

She hasn't spoken to Benevenuta since the ball at Halamshiral, so for all Teren knows, nothing has changed between them. But perhaps it has. Perhaps it has been changing all this time, and she too embroiled in other things to notice. But the prospect of calling on the girl wouldn't normally leave her throat so dry, her heartbeat quickening when she knocks on the door.

She could just up and leave on the mission, and not say anything until she's well out of reach of Benevenuta or her infernal mother, but it's likely that would arouse even more suspicion than simply covering her purpose with a palatable lie.
The girl isn't the enemy. In a way, neither Thevenet is, or at least don't consider themselves to be. But they could be, if she isn't careful.

Comments

[ungovernable]

Interesting.

It isn't as if Teren never has other affairs to attend to; the nature of the Inquisition and the very oblique nature of her obligation to the Thevenets mean that much of her time is taken up with the work of the Wardens. Both of them might at times come and go without so much ado. She might be nominally at Benevenuta's beck and call, but it would never do to appear so - and it has been neither necessary nor useful to pull that leash too tightly. She knows the value of keeping her cards close to her chest, and playing them when the time is right -

Which is why she says, "No, I think not," easily, amusement quirking her lopsided smile, not guileless - Teren would see through wide eyes too quickly - but merely conversational. "A matter for the Wardens?"

[doneisdone]

Teren is often occupied by Warden things, it's true, though many of the more recent missions have taken her only a day or so's journey away and have not warranted mention for their simplicity and frequency. This is likely to be a more extended affair, one from which she can't quickly be reached or recalled.

Certainly not on purpose. Duty is foremost, naturally.

She meets Benny's smirk with a mild one of her own, relaxed and collected, glad of things falling into place. "Aye," she replies, and leaves it at that-- the Thevenets at least likely know by now that a lot of details on Wardening can't and won't be disclosed, a rule which Teren actually tends to follow pretty well.
"Just thought I'd ask. I'm like to be gone for a while, can't have you thinking I've abandoned you."

[ungovernable]

Benevenuta watches her for a few moments, sedate.

Then,

"That was very charming, but if you haven't got any more play-acting to do, it would be much faster for you to tell me the truth."

[doneisdone]

Abruptly, Teren's expression chills, the confidence draining from her face as quickly as if Benny had just pulled a plug. Of course, any passersby witnessing the conversation would have no idea what just transpired, since Teren always manages to comport herself a certain way, and her posture doesn't diminish, her gaze doesn't leave Benevenuta's.
But what most wouldn't expect is the uncharacteristically awkward chuckle that leaves her in a strangled "ah-heh". Fully aware of the change in herself, Teren clears her throat. "My lady," she begins, stalling, her mind set to ferret out any opportunity for arguing her innocence in the half a second it will take the girl to answer.

[ungovernable]

"My lady prefers we deal with one another honestly," she says, very gently, still smiling. Always, always smiling - there is a hint in her, sometimes, of something sharper and darker, but Teren has not seen her lose her temper in anything other than play and it is very unlikely, all things being equal, that she ever will.

That is a particular sort of intimacy and one Benevenuta grants precious few.

[doneisdone]

Well... this is embarrassing.
Teren is a stubborn shrew who would sooner die than be proven wrong, but even she knows when a fight is futile. She sighs through her nose, narrowing her eyes slightly before she glances to and fro down the hallway, ensuring that nobody is too near.

"May I come in," she says dully.

[ungovernable]

"You may."

She is gracious in victory; does not linger on it or gloat, but moves swiftly to allow Teren into the room (Husband does not look up, but Max had already lumbered closer to his mistress and seems set to remain by her side) and offer her one of the desk chairs. She sits on the edge of the bed, rests a hand on Husband's head lightly for a moment, and

waits.

It's nice that they'll be doing it the easy way. She prefers that.

[doneisdone]

Fully aware of the likely results outright saying 'don't tell your mother' would bring her, Teren opts not to begin with that, instead mulling over how to approach this as she stiffly takes a seat. She looks at the approaching Max with mild distaste, not because she dislikes dogs, but because she hates losing and he looks so bloody cheerful.

"I've received a distress missive from a former associate," she says, keeping her voice low. There are few associates she could mean, at least that she'd want to be keeping secret, since previous Warden interactions would just be Warden business.
But this is Jackal business, business she supposedly-- and to be fair, essentially gave up upon having the noose snatched from her neck and completing the Joining.

The look she gives Benevenuta is simultaneously steadfast and weary. There's no sense in pretending she won't do it even if expressly forbidden by the Thevenets, consequences be damned.