OPEN

[madame_de_fer]

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.

Comments

courtyard!

[fayth]

It was a good feeling, that since some of the other off-worlders had proven their worth in battle a good majority of others seemed more open to their kind. It seemed that the slivers of glowing green that possessed their hands could be of some use to the Inquisition after all... It was good news, and yet -- with hardly any offensive magic to her name anymore, Yuna still felt at a loss.

She often watched the other mages of this world, trying to find out how their spells worked, how they slung the elements about like they were nothing. This manner of fighting... was perhaps more suited to black mages.

And yet, the woman that she watched now seemed so confident in the way that she moved, in the way that her spells landed so expertly. Little by little, the summoner approached, wringing the edges of her cloak in her hands, intending only to observe -- not disturb.

[madame_de_fer]

So far, Vivienne has refrained from forming an open opinion of the rifters in one way or another. With good reason, she is rightfully suspicious of anything that comes stumbling out of the Fade. Granted, so had the Herald but she had been of Thedas and proven herself. These others were more suspect for the First Enchanter. Useful, to be sure, but then one could argue the same for demons and Vivienne was having none of those. No, she'd prefer to continue observing them and then making her own decisions about how beneficial or detrimental they were, both as a group and as individuals.

The Iron Lady knows that Yuna is present and is content to continue her efforts for some time without saying anything. It's best that all of these surprise arrivals have a healthy respect for what mages are capable of. However, once she's satisfied that good progress has been made in keeping her skills sharp and duly impressing her audience, Vivienne turns to Yuna.

"Does the mark pain you at all, my dear?"

[fayth]

"Ah..." Yuna pulled back just slightly, she should have known that she had a reputation herself, as a rifter. After a quick moment, she shook her head, "It's... not painful, exactly," she offered, looking down at the palm of her hand, "a tingling, that sometimes burns..."

Letting that hang between them, she looked over towards the dummy, bowing her head slightly. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to interrupt, I was just -- curious." She looked back up slowly, "I haven't come across many mages using that style," she admitted, having tried to visit the training grounds from time to time. "It looks... so powerful."

[madame_de_fer]

"Not at all, my dear. I was quite finished." Only in matters of luxuries should anyone indulge in excesses of anything, and even then, only tasteful ones. No, continuing to practice would be too much, so there is no need for the girl to worry about interrupting. Besides, if she's impressed, so much the better.

"I'm not surprised you've not seen many mages using this particular variety of magic. It is the art of the Knight-Enchanter, limited to a very few who have the fortitude for it." In truth, very few mages are trained in it, as few have the strength of will to stomach the risks that come with being in melee range. Fewer still with the attention needed to fight in close quarters while keeping keenly alert to what is going on around them. "Do forgive me though. I don't believe we've been introduced. I am Vivienne, Enchanter to the Imperial Court of Orlais."