[open] Te Vene or Not Te Vene

[altusimperius]

WHO: Benedict and you
WHAT: Learn how not to get immediately killed in Tevinter
WHEN: Justinian
WHERE: the Gallows library
NOTES: will update as needed

In the summer evenings, Benedict can be found holding court in the library, sitting at a table stacked with books and usually bearing a glass of wine or tea. Unless occupied by his pupils, he's often doodling listlessly on a sheet of parchment, quite a lot of them having amassed around him over the idle hours.

As advertised in his crystal announcement, he's here to teach the language and customs of the Tevinter Imperium, at least enough to make a successful tourist or, Maker forbid, prisoner.

Comments

[altusimperius]

"Regardless of what is done with the brands," Bene says testily, pressing two fingers to his temple, "they will have to know what they are in order to convince them to get branded again." Maker, what a disaster.

"It would be wiser to contrive to keep them out of Tevinter entirely. Convince them they've no reason to go. Or there's something more pressing to deal with here."

[eruit]

"That is a short term solution for what is a long term problem. How do you intend to keep them out of Tevinter forever? How do you intend to keep them away from other people from our country?"

This is tiresome and frustrating and he's wondering why he got tied up in this in the first place. He can only blame Wren.

"How do you intend to suggest to a series of Templars that they should not go on a dangerous diplomatic with the entire Inquisition? They have every reason to go and nothing is as important as an alliance or truce with those people."

[altusimperius]

Bene falls silent for a time, arms crossed, hunched in what appears to be a sulk as he mulls over the question. Think, damn you.

"They could..." he mumbles, "...be injured." Now you're thinking like an Artemaeus.

[eruit]

"How do you intend to injure them? If you do it yourself you could be imprisoned and punished. You would be questioned as to why you had done it when you had so recently been freed from your shackles. What reason do you have to turn on the Inquisition now?"

Hanzo sighs, drooping just a little. He's tired - old and tired and frustrated.

"If you can think of another solution - one that works - I would be glad to hear it. There is a risk to mine, true, but will your mother be willing to admit that she had enslaved members of the Inquisition? When we are on her soil, as guests? It would be more likely that the replacement family will be blamed and she will take advantage of the chance to remove a rival."

[altusimperius]

"Oh as if I'd be stupid enough to do it myself," Benedict hisses miserably, sinking lower in the chair. He chews the inside of his cheek, brow furrowed, dark eyes staring into the middle distance, concentrating.

"...I'll see what she thinks." Still very much in a pout, he cuts his eyes to Hanzo. "And the Templars, you think they'd go along with it?"

[eruit]

There's a comment to be made about the level of Benedict's stupidity, but he's sure it's not the best idea to say it aloud. Instead, he sighs something like relief, adjusting his weight before he nods his head. He's not sure he trusts Benedict's mother, but it's as good a thing as any.

"I think they would prefer to be under the control of someone who can free them than someone who would allow them to be murdered."

[altusimperius]

There's as much to be said about Hanzo's madness and arrogance, wanting to bring the wrath of House Artemaeus upon himself and his family, but Benedict has decided that's Hanzo's bed to make and lie in.

"If you say so," he murmurs, carefully sitting up and straightening his sleeves. He doesn't think they'll prefer to be under anyone's control-- at least anyone but the Chantry, but that's a given.

[eruit]

The good thing is that Hanzo couldn't care any less for his family if he tried. Perhaps, once, he had wished to take back the mantle of Magister properly, to reclaim it for himself, but now? The Shimada family can fall to ruin and dust. They are not good people and they were cruel, he recognises that in hindsight, though it is difficult for him to admit even now.

"If you must then check with your mother," Hanzo nods his head. "If she agrees then I will handle the rest. It will be simple, then, to leave your name out of matters."