faderift | [Open] A Proper Party

WHO: The brothers Asgard and everyone else.
WHAT: Loki and Thor throw a party for everyone.
WHEN: Right after the quarantine is lifted.
WHERE: The Asgard Estate in Hightown.
NOTES: Loki gonna Loki, probably other things. Directly corresponds to this rookery post.

The new manor has come a far sight from where it had been, cleaned and updated significantly, but the aesthetics are still in keeping with Kirkwall standard...mostly. The exterior features a large iron scrollwork fence with matching gates, currently flung wide open, and a cheerful array of fresh floral decorations. Beyond the gates there are a number of hedges, bare but thick enough that once spring has properly taken over, they will likely be shaped into large living sculptures. There are a few torches scattered among the flora, but they lead toward the front of the manor.

The building's superstructure has not been overtly altered, but there are several exceedingly Tevene touches. The front doors, once made of hardwood, have been wholly replaced by a pair extremely detailed, solid, white marble doors. The fittings are all custom made, snake themed, and plated in gold.

The interior of the building is far more obviously Tevinter styled. The floors are the original wooden, polished to a mirror shine by the staff and bedecked in places by rugs with complex woven designs and thick piles. The foyer is well lit by a series of gold, wall-mounted sconces, and a large chandelier made of serault glass with a distinctly magical light-source in the center.

The staff, all elven in matching black uniforms, are waiting just inside the threshold and are ready to assist anyone who requires it. First and foremost they will offer to take any coats and curtsy with proper depth to anyone who passes by.

There is still some construction going on, deeper in the house, but it is up the grand staircase and beyond the realm of the party. Occasional hammer-falls resound from upstairs but they can only be heard if one is being very quiet.

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The younger man looks oddly familiar, down to the slightly sulky look on his face. Thor waits until he's broken off from the elf to approach.

"Tell me. Do I know you?" Thor holds out another glass, an invitation to linger.

This merits an incredulous look, and Bene isn't sure whether to be insulted or... well, no, he's pretty much just insulted.
"House Artemaeus," he replies tersely, and takes the glass, "Benedict. Son of Calpurnia." If anything, she'd be upset to find how little weight her name carries.

Oh. Of course. One of Loki's tag-alongs. The house isn't too weak, but it's certainly not a rival and that would be why he hadn't had reason to watch it too closely.

"You were escorted in. I had heard they had two Tevinter prisoners, and I will guess this makes you one." It wouldn't be the first time one of his brother's fans ended up in trouble. Thor is quite certain it won't be the last time, either. His brother attracts that sort.

"Does your mother know you are held here?" She's not entirely powerless. She could be someone worth impressing, depending on if the Inquisition continued to hold them at arm's length.

If only Calpurnia could hear Thor say such things, perhaps House Asgard would have another rival.
"Yes, I suppose this makes me one," Benedict replies in a snippy tone, his patience with the conversation already running thin, "and I don't know if she knows. She doubtless knows I'm somewhere, but the Inquisition has hardly been cooperative in my attempts to contact her."

There is potential here, but there is also risk. Loki could easily mean for this boy to be bait for a trap. Thor ponders for a moment before deciding to take the risk. His eyes are open to the possibility and that should be enough.

"I could try to contact her if you'd like. They do not restrict me." The boy could be useful enough, if he could also learn to be a little less whiny. "But the question becomes what is in it for me, and an answer comes to mind. You can tell me what you know of the Inquisition, what you think would be useful for a new arrival. Would that appeal to you?"

"Could you?" Bene looks tired when he asks, and even a little suspicious. He's had a similar conversation recently.
"The answer is nothing, nothing is useful," he mutters, "but if you're lucky they'll think you are. Anyway." He folds his arms, eyeing a drink tray. "Loki was going to send a letter for me, and it fell through. What makes you think you can do better?"

"I could try," Thor repeats. "I did not know my brother had previously tried and failed, but I am not Loki."

He doesn't have his brother's connections, but he's also not as shady as his brother. Thor has connections to other trustworthy people and he has a different sort of charm. There's a fair chance he can succeed where Loki did not, he feels.

"Is the Inquisition truly so unremarkable?"

That's true, he's not Loki. And therefore he's another avenue, which means potential success.
"I don't know. It's probably different when you're not dragged here against your will." A little smirk, and Bene tosses his hair, changing his approach now that it seems Thor may be swayed to help him. "But I'm sure you'll find a way to be of use. And my mother will appreciate your assistance." Sliding his hand into his shirt, Bene withdraws a letter and carefully gives it over.
"Once I get out of this, I'll make sure everyone knows which Asgard gets things done."

It's... cute, almost. The praise is a blatant attempt at manipulation and Thor has to shake his head.

Thor takes the letter. "I need more than a promise that depends upon you getting out of here." There is no guarantee Benedict will survive long here. "I will need you to make it worth it for me. I will get the letter out and you will find a way to pay me back."

Can the little Artemaeus do that? Thor doesn't know. It would be interesting to see if there's any use to the man, though.

A bit of the light goes out of Bene's eyes, and he sighs in growing discouragement. Always the payback. How many dicks does he have to suck to get one bloody letter sent?

"Of course," he says, pushing his hair back out of his face in a gesture that's more anxious than flirty.

"Good," Thor says with a nod. Is it the thought of hard work that gets the younger man upset? Benedict has much to learn if he's going to survive even past getting out of Inquisition custody.

"Keep your ear to the ground. If there is any information that you believe I will find important, you will share it. Are we agreed?"

Yes. Hard work.
"Right. Agreed." This was easier than anticipated, and if it goes well he may even be able to use it as leverage to make Loki do what he wants. A guy can dream.

[Open] A Proper Party

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