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

For a short while, Vivienne permits Bruce the pleasure of observing uninterrupted. Training in the open is equal parts of creating an intentional impression for members of the Inquisition (and any potential allies present at the moment), and honing her skills for her own personal edification. Practical in every sense of the word. Once she's satisfied with her performance, she turns towards him with a genuine smile.

"Welcome back, darling. I do hope your outing was productive?" Squishing through a mire wasn't high on her list of business to assist with. Maker bless those who were willing, but she's glad to have sidestepped that mess.

Vivienne, for all of his own opinions of her and what she was to other people, was undeniably a great mage. Every movement she did and the magic she wielded was always an impressive sight.

He watched until she was done, and when she turned to greet him Bruce returned her smile with his own, inclining his head politely as he replied. "It was quite productive. I managed to find a fair amount of herbs that would help with my work." He also probably should look into trying to grow some of them in Skyhold, if it was possible. "What about you, Madam? I hope your return trip was without trouble."

Ah her trip. Bastien is not well. They are not making it publicly known, of course, but that truth is there and ever at the back of her mind. He is older than she, but that has never mattered to either of them. Knowing how he is makes her return to the Inquisition all that much harder. It's necessary but oh how she longs to be with him.

Not one lick of that internal yearning registers on her lovely, pleasant face. She manages a hint of a smile, nothing that would give away her thoughts, but enough to put one at ease. "It's always difficult to leave the beauty of Val Royeaux, but I am pleased to say that the trip was so lacking in trouble it was practically a pleasure to make. I'm quite interested in hearing more about these herbs you've found. I dabble in alchemy and always appreciate hearing about possible reagents."

Well, if she said that everything was alright, then everything was alright. Bruce wouldn't pry into any of her personal affairs, nor would he even dare to - he knows much better than to incur the wrath of the Iron Lady.

"I'm glad that your trip was without any trouble." He returned, amiable as ever. "And I'd be happy to share anything you wish to know. Is there anything in particular you wish to know?" Just so he can better compile a list for her for easier reference.

Vivienne sighs as if put upon and shakes her head slowly with a markedly amused smile. "I dare say I shan't be able to show my face at court unless I at least inquire after anything that might restore youthfulness. You know how Orlesians are. They may wear masks but when they come off they wish to be seen as decades younger than they are."

It is, well... a partial untruth. Orlesians are notoriously vain. Fortunes are spent as much on cosmetic preparations as they are on a breakfast room for each day of the week. Over the top extravagance is just a matter of course. But Vivienne is quite interested in anything with the potential to restore youth and vigour to her beloved.

"I'd say anything with the potential to restore the vigour and vitality of the weary and worn would be of immense practical value, both here and afield."

At least to Bruce there was nothing strange about her request - it sounded perfectly reasonable, even if the need for it was probably excessive. Bruce supposed he could never understand the nobility and all of their strange ideals.

"I did find a way to make a potion that can help people recovering from exhaustion, but I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for. But I'll make a list of what I've got since you left and let you see it at a later date for your perusal." At least then she could look through everything at her time and see if there was indeed anything that could benefit her.

"I do thank you for going to all this bother, my dear. I know it must seem quite a lot of work for little reward." To be honest, she'd happily put him on her personal payroll forever if he finds what she needs to restore her beloved. "I would save the potion for our fighters out in the field. It does sound incredibly useful, though I double the court would see it as such."

That and she doesn't quite like the idea of such potions potentially slipping into the hands of Gaspard's supporters. It could give them an edge over Celene's troops, and that is unacceptable.

"It's not a problem at all. I'm just glad I can help in some way." Plus Bruce always had a liking of creating for creation's sake. His days of much more dangerous experimentation are over, but with things like potions and poultices--those he could at least still do. And if it could help people, then all the better.

At her suggestion he nodded, able to see where she was going with it. "I'll probably ask the Commander about it once I'm certain of how they function. He would have a better idea on how viable it is for the troops."

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