{ OPEN } catchall for the month

[aceso]

WHO: Christine, Ellana, Minka, Julian + OPEN!
WHAT: A catchall for the month.
WHEN: whenever in Wintermarch
WHERE: various locations in Kirkwall

I'm putting starters in comments so I have a header for each character and get comments only sent to them instead of getting double comment notifs.

Also, if you'd like to work out a wildcard option, PM me or send a private plurk to megoom and we can play around with ideas.

Comments

[aceso]

"But what is the next step? How do we begin to track down our phylacteries?" She looks at her cup, but doesn't attempt to lift it. While it appears to be soothing for Inessa, Christine would probably just spill it on herself right now.

[circleprodigy]

Her brow furrows. "...phylacteries are better known by templars, we might have to ask them. Or perhaps Casimir might have knowledge to spare regarding that."

She absently pats Garahel as he rests his head in her lap. "Can I share what you've told me? If there's another gathering, it's only right that you be included if you wish."

[aceso]

That makes Christine release a breath of frustration. The last thing she wants is to let the Inquisition's Templars know that the Circle mages are vulnerable and could be a danger, if whatever is happening is meant to control them.

"Please, him first. I want to avoid telling the Templars as long as possible. That is, unless one of the other mages has already told them." She can envision some of the Loyalists running to the Templars about this. It'd just be typical.

"You may tell them you know another mage afflicted and give my symptoms, yes. If pressed, you can tell them who I am and that not all Orlesian mages had their phylacteries destroyed. I will not be attending any meetings." Christine probably doesn't need to explain why.

[circleprodigy]

No, Christine doesn't, and Inessa's not about to push on that subject. She nods, unsurprised but still feeling as though she ought to offer. "I'll do that, then, and inform you should there be a breakthrough of any kind.

As for Templars, I don't believe they are yet aware...though the longer this persists, the harder it will be to hide from anyone, let alone them. We must be prepared for that eventuality."

[aceso]

"Indeed," she answers, displeased but knowing that it's inevitable. Either someone will tell before the group is ready, or their symptoms will make hiding this an impossibility.

"I do not know how I will rest tonight, knowing what I know now."

[circleprodigy]

"I'm sorry for not making that any easier, I truly am." She sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Despite these...incidents...I won't be idle. We'll get to the bottom of this, Christine. One way or another, it has to happen."

Garahel huffs his agreement with that, staring at them both pleadingly.

[aceso]

"It does. None of us can continue on like this." Christine forces a smile tinged with sadness at poor Garahel, who for all his intelligence can't understand the full extent of what is going on here. At last she takes up her cup that Inessa poured for her and takes a sip. It doesn't work to soothe her any, but it keeps her hands busy.

"There are still some hours in the day left to get some work done. Perhaps I should before I--" she stops herself from what she was going to say, head dipping a little. "Before I head home." Of course, what she was initially going to say was "before I have another episode."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa nods, understanding without needing to be told directly. "I'm thinking of telling Serah Shivana; he seems unaffected, and I'll need someone to focus on the project for me, should this worsen. Is there someone in the red lyrium project who can do the same for you?" Normally she would volunteer herself, but....

[aceso]

"I had not given it any thought," she replies with a sigh. Christine is a woman who prefers to handle everything herself, which leads to her being overworked but in full control. "Sigred can probably handle things, should this worsen." Seeing how she's a dwarf, there's no way she could get caught up in all this.

Standing up, Christine forces a weak smile before saying, "Thank you for the tea, but I had better go."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa manages a tired smile and nods as Garahel leans into Christine, giving her some affection before she departs. "Please take care of yourself, Christine. Especially now."