this town is only going to get worse.

[rowancrowned]

WHO: Thranduil and Solas / Adalia / Finch / Loki
WHAT: Catch-all log for July.
WHEN: Current, slight backdating to pre-negotiations.
WHERE: Various locations among Kirkwall, Skyhold.
NOTES: None applicable.

Comments

[hwaaaitsme]

The arrangement is reserved but only in direct comparison to the excess Loki is wont to indulge in. More than anything, however, it is a change. This is markedly different than his usual affairs and that, if nothing else, has him fully engaged in the proceedings.

"I expect high society shall get along without me," Loki replies with a dismissive wave as he takes the seat Thranduil has drawn out for him.

"At least for one night. Tell me, how fares business within the ranks?"

[rowancrowned]

Minimalism- less to focus upon. Thranduil smiles, giving Loki first and full access to the food, the wine, and the choice of conversation, with the easy grace of a practiced host, though he cannot fault what Loki settles upon.

"Well enough, considering that I have had only three years to learn the tides of politics here. The matter of the phylacteries," and a pause for a look that expects to find a twin in Loki's face, all ah, those uneducated fools, and distaste, though they come from two completely separate cultures, "-will be settled soon enough. I leave for Skyhold the day after tomorrow," he takes the bottle from Loki and pours himself a glass, "-and soon there will be no more fuss after that."

He looks over and out the window, then takes up his knife and fork to cut his food. "Tell me," he says. "Are there phylacteries for anyone in Tevinter?"

[hwaaaitsme]

Loki, despite himself, snorts into his wine. He takes a drink and lets the dismissive nature of his laugh linger between them before he lowers it and replies properly. The food on his plate is appealing, but less so than the company. He refrains from eating just yet.

"No, not even in a token form," Loki replies. "It would be rather like having guillotine's or stocks set up in the city square. It's far too barbaric a practice for our tastes."

Now that the smug superiority is out of the way:

"Besides, it would make advancement too easy. No country run by mages would entertain the idea of something that might help entrap them. The templars there are not our keepers they are symbols of the Chantry. They are non-mages who receive a considerable boost in social status and, in return, we refrain from poisoning them with their weight in lyrium each year.

"Honestly, I expect they find it a rather equitable arrangement."

[rowancrowned]

Phylacteries work only upon mages; at least the slaves are spared that much but there may be horrors unseen and unimagined by him that they face alongside those he can.

"And the Black Divine?" Thranduil asks. "The Southern Chantry has made her views on the Rifters quite clear, but Thedas is as varied as my own home. Is your family especially pious and prone to insight on his thoughts?"

That Chantry took them from the ranks of their Enchanters, if Thranduil trusted his memory (he did), which meant Loki may have possessed a connection. The Archon was not the only power in Tevinter.

[hwaaaitsme]

"The piety of my family is...varied. My father believes very strongly in the Chant; I am, by comparison, far less...devout." Loki replies with a short pause. "As far as I am aware, the Black Divine has made no pronouncements about Rifters or even Rifts.

"He is a man of many words but I have found few of them are ever truly relevant," Loki admits and takes a sip of his wine.

"I would not expect him to have the same misgivings the southern Chantry does. Distant magics from across the veil are rather appealing to the homeland, be they concept or reality."