faderift | OPEN

WHO: Vivienne and YOU
WHAT: Madame de Fer is returned to the Inquisition and open to deliver opinions. About everything.
WHEN: End of Firstfall through the beginning of Haring. about a week
WHERE: Around Skyhold
NOTES: Vivienne is her own warning.

It's been a few weeks since Vivienne was last present with the main body of the Inquisition. There had been a matter of great importance to attend to in Val Royeaux. Alas, much as she'd quite prefer to stay by Bastien's side, especially now, she knows far too well that this is the place she needs to be. The Inquisition has the potential to shake Thedas to its very foundations and she is determined to be present when that dust settles. The loss of the Herald is a grave blow to the fledgling organization, but that merely spurs her on all the more determined to see this through to the bitter end. There will be time enough later for personal grief.

It doesn't take her long at all to lay claim to the balcony overlooking the main hall of the fortress. In short order, she's got herself a quaint sitting room set up with the best views available. There's quite a pile of books she's brought with her as well. Anyone who's curious or just observant will notice that when she's by herself, she seems quite engrossed in some manner of research, reading intently or taking notes. Those with the knowledge or true skills of perception will note that the books seem an esoteric collection of magical theory and alchemical discourses. Even while busy with this pet project of hers, she remains poised like a queen seated in state to permit a miniature court to be held with herself presiding. Naturally.

She does have other business to attend to. The leadership of the Inquisition must be made to see the importance of how the group presents itself. Certainly the quartermaster is doing his best to see everyone outfitted, but there's still new recruits who are little better than scruffy ragamuffins milling about. There is a need for funds to keep everyone fed and armed, and for that they must at least look like a respectable group, not like a gang of alienage starvlings looking for a handout. Yes, if one espies the Iron Lady marching across the fortress with a determined glint in her eye, it's to seek out those who matter and are in a position to correct this terrible atrocity of poor style.

Not everything is all lazy reading and fashion organization. Despite choosing fine silks with gems as her attire (finished off with creative hats) at all times, Vivienne doesn't neglect the very necessary attention needed to practice her Knight-Enchanter skills. There's no mistaking her for a mage, as she lobs ice at her chosen training dummy out in the courtyard. The surprising behavior is her sudden calling up a sword out of thin air, taking a melee-range method of attack mingled in with the magic. And yet somehow, despite this very real exertion, Vivienne somehow manages not to break a sweat. Maybe that's the chill of being high in the mountains, however.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

They may have shared a tent before, but Korrin has so little in common with the First Enchanter that she hasn't bothered to seek out her company since. Politics, fashion, pro-Circle views, all of it's nothing she wants in her life. So it's just as well that they hadn't crossed paths until now.

But seeing Vivienne training effectively gets her attention. It's not the ice spells that keep it, but that spirit blade which causes her to make a detour from her route, instead pausing to openly watch the knight-enchanter at work. If Vivienne wants attention, she effectively has it.

Naturally Vivienne wants attention. She also wants to practice her skills so they remain in excellent form in the field. However, there is no sense in denying that her open training session provides an opportunity to continue shaping how she is perceived. If some of the Inquisition's membership finds it either impressive or intimidating, so much the better. There is practiced intention in her movements. She continues for some time, permitting the Qunari mage ample opportunity to observe. There are benefits to being Circle trained, and the art of being a Knight-Enchanter is one of them.

Once she's quite satisfied with her exertions, she turns to Korrin. They do not agree in philosophy whatsoever, but the woman is still a mage, and for that reason alone, Vivienne considers herself at least partly responsible to see to her care and well-being. "My dear, how are you doing? You've been away I believe?" Yes, she's been keeping tabs on people.

Korrin's almost sorry for Knight-Enchanter training time to end, at least for the time being. Perhaps she'll have to catch more of it later on, though. It's worth giving Vivienne that satisfaction if she can satisfy her own curiosity about other forms of magic.

Keeping tabs, well, that's to be expected even as Korrin chafes at it. But her attention diverts to the subject at hand, and she wrinkles her nose. "Oh, yes. I've had all sorts of fun at the Fallow Mire. Undead and plague everywhere, not to mention neverending swamp, what more could I ask for? You're fortunate to have missed out, practically no one has any fond memories of the place."

"And I'm sure like the rest of Ferelden, it reeked of wet dog." If Vivienne is a snob about anything it's the stink of mabari and the presence of plaidweave. Most other offensive things are typically attacked in a less direct way. "I am terribly sorry for your time having been spent there. Was your trip productive, however? I can think of nothing worse than having a dreadful destination prove ineffective."

"It's less the scent of wet dog I couldn't stand and more the bland crap that passed for tavern fare. It's like no one has ever heard of actual spices before." Korrin's not a snob about much, but having traveled all over, she's gained an appreciation for what Antiva and Rivain do with their food. It's a shame Ferelden's too busy not taking their advice.

"But other than that, it was time well-spent. It'd better have been. People were evacuated, those beacons were lit, the veilfire runes are being studied and those rift-folk can actually close rifts. The mire will never be anything but pure awful, but at least something has come of that visit."

There's a great deal about Ferelden that could use influences from other countries, food and fashion included. Although as Vivienne thinks on it, it's no surprise as a rule they tend to reject such notions. Remnants of years being under Orlesian rule most likely. Korrin gets a sympathetic look in appreciation for the suffering of bland food. Poor dear. Mentally, she makes a note to have something shipped over from her own kitchens for the Qunari mage. Not a bribe, or even a peace offering, just a gesture to express that she can appreciate the sacrifices being made for the sake of the greater good.

"That is excellent news then. I had heard some of these things, but not quite all of it. Those runes sound particularly fascinating, though I dare say evacuating survivors of the plague is the best part of the venture. Have you had ample opportunity to rest while you've been back?"

Whatever it can be called, that gesture will still surprise and please Korrin, who would not have expected such a thing to happen. She was just venting to vent, after all, no ulterior motive. If she can find a way to return the favor, she will somehow. They don't have to agree on much to appreciate having some standards.

She also smiles upon hearing of Vivienne's priorities and that they match her own. Arcane knowledge is interesting, but not as important as people caught in the middle. "Oh, I did nothing else after a good long soak. Thank the Maker for that hot spring. Now if I can get swamp-scent out of my armor, I'll consider myself truly fortunate."

It's commissioned, okay. She doesn't want to waste her savings.

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