It's Not A Pretty Thing To See [Closed]

[overharrowed]

WHO: Julius, Petrana, Colin, Marisol, and Finch
WHAT: Winning hearts and minds
WHEN: Solace, pre-Tevinter expedition
WHERE: Ferelden
NOTES: Link to OOC post

With Orlais at war, things in Ferelden appear relatively quiet, apart from the seemingly never-ending stream of suitors attempting to catch Queen Anora’s eye. But the Inquisition has heard grumbling, low but persistent, about the news that the Inquisition will support mages’ legal right to inherit and hold titles. Sources have traced much of that grumbling to Bann Selwyn. He is not a particularly influential figure in his own right, but he has friends and allies who are inclined to take his point.

The Inquisition has managed to secure an invitation for a small group to visit Selwyn, along with his wife and his heir. (Thomas has only been the heir since the Fifth Blight; his older brother fell defending Ferelden from Darkspawn.) The information available is mainly that Bann Selwyn is a fairly ordinary Fereldan noble, with aspirations above his station, but hopefully a man to be reasoned with. The situation is not yet a problem; the Inquisition wants to ensure it does not become one.

Comments

[champions]

"Yes. They either wish to harpoon proceedings, or are trying to sweeten them."

This is the unfortunate reality; most families aren't as fucking boss as hers. That the Selwyns are from Feral-den does them no favours. "Do you anticipate a moving reunion, Enchanter Selwyn?"

She's here to love and support, etc.

[overharrowed]

Julius squeezes Petrana's fingers, able to accept the small gesture where a larger or more explicit one might have been hard to manage. (He is not yet sure whether he'd have asked her to come if it had been up to him, but now that they're well on their way, he finds himself glad to have her there.)

But it's to Marisol he responds. "I do not expect a man eager for a reunion would have spent weeks agitating against mage inheritance. As for my mother and my brother, I have as much information as you." A pause. "I wasn't the oldest. Originally. My older brother apparently died in the Fifth Blight, which left an inconvenient opening for a claim, now that mages might be able to make them."

[champions]

A sidelong, conspiratorial look. Careful, cataloguing, and then—

a smile.

"Would it not be unfortunate if they were all overcome by a terrible gastric malady? So sad, if he was to abruptly meet his end."

[justnice]

The look he shoots the group is incredulous. Finch should know better than to object. Really. It's that outnumbered bit, again.

Manages to keep his mouth shut, at least — never mind the way his lip curls down, tussles with itself as he slows the pony's trot, allows them both to lapse to the back of the line.

What the hell, guys.

[ipseite]

“It would be an ill-timed tragedy,” Petrana demurs, diplomatically—

not before they've had time to truly gain support and momentum in Ferelden specifically behind mage inheritance rights (and marriage rights, and parentage as well; they must come with the prospect of more heirs), not while they're still bound to Kirkwall for the sake of the Inquisition, not before Julius has had a proper chance to stretch his muscles into freedom. Before he's learned he wants it; before he's shown everyone why he deserves it.

There is no sly, sidelong smile. No hint of anything untoward.

...but put a pin in that idea, Marisol, for later.

“Our purpose here today is stability.”

Today.

[overharrowed]

"I would like the opportunity to ever go on a diplomatic mission again, yes," he says, dry. "Your kindness in offering overwhelms me, however."

He glances back at Finch. "...this is a purely diplomatic mission, you needn't make that face." He knows the one. "The worst that's meant to happen on this particular trip is a lot of potentially circular conversations."

Julius can joke, which is probably best, for all he looks a bit tired already when they haven't even arrived yet.

[champions]

A sigh, pained. "I hope 'circular' wasn't a pun, Enchanter."

Because then she really will need to murder someone.

[overharrowed]

He laughs, abrupt. "...it certainly wasn't, Maker, how little do you think of me? Puns, honestly."