[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]

Benedict shrugs one shoulder. "In Ferelden all the nobility fight with swords and dogs, and I imagine they have their own share of serious accidents." Never mind that a stabbing or a mad dog still pales in comparison to the power of an abomination, but he considers it a decent point.

"As I said, consorting with spirits and certainly with demons is frowned upon. And social status is everything."

[shri]

"I ought to hope so." She taps her fingers, a little in consideration because she has one obvious concern. One that is openly painted on her body, raised lines on the otherwise well-kept skin. At odds with the bright colours of her garments, the gold glittering in her hair.

"I have never waged war with a demon. Tell me, if you are not a mage, how does one kill such a thing?"

[altusimperius]

"Truth be told, I haven't either," Bene admits, "but once the demon has left the Fade, it's a mortal thing that can be slain like any other beast. It helps to have safeguards against its particular magic, but in that way it'd be no different from fighting a mage." He inspects his fingernails. "And in the case of an abomination, you may as well be."

[shri]

"So my blade is then as good as your magic?"

Careful, but maybe, just a little teasing. See how thin his pride truly was over being a mage.

[altusimperius]

He pauses, his eyebrows raising with a smirk of surprise. "In this way, perhaps," Bene concedes.

[shri]

Arrogant, but that at least, she can like, when it is well founded. For she has a great many faults, but at least hypocrisy isn't amongst them when it comes to pride over her own skills. Sips her tea, polite as anything, smoothing over her vibrant fabric.

"Perhaps only just the very skilled."