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

[ipseite]

Mme de Cedoux does not seek Lady Selwyn out.

She does not appear to have sought Lady Selwyn out, at least, when their paths cross; the approach naturally coincidental. Her interest in the home has been polite and genuine and marvelously nonspecific—it is her first visit to Ferelden, she explains to those of the household who entertain her charming curiosity, and those who don't find it charming certainly find it novel enough that such an Orlesian-seeming woman evinces such earnest enthusiasm for learning of Ferelden people and custom. Amiable and smoothed of edges—Orlais without all the Orlais, she overhears in her wake, not a compliment but useful nevertheless—she is sufficiently tolerated and indulged to further her acquaintance.

She is not so unusual a sight, querying this or that; wishing, you see, to better understand how Ferelden conducts itself, as she is better acquainted with the Free Marches, and perhaps they are not the only acquaintance with Thedas that one might wish to consider oneself well-rounded.

“Madame,” she says, warmly, when she rounds to Lady Selwyn. “Forgive me; I did not know I was not alone.”

[overharrowed]

She smiles in return; if she has concerns about rifters, mages or both, she certainly keeps those concerns much better-concealed than her husband. "Mme de Cedoux," she says with perfect politeness, maybe just a hint of warmth. "There is nothing to forgive; I had hoped you all would make yourselves quite at home. I hope you've been enjoying your stay, thus far?"

If nothing else, at least one of the Selwyns does not intend to squander the opportunities presented by hosting representatives of the Inquisition when their neighbors have not been so favored.

[ipseite]

“I've found it extremely illuminating,” mirroring the expression expertly, with perhaps a little more warmth; it is fitting that the Inquisition put forth its best foot, and Petrana be openhanded, openhearted. Yes; this is an opportunity. For the better if one of the Selwyns can see as much, too, but useful to know that perhaps only one of them does.

Finding herself welcome, or at least not openly unwelcome, she continues til she might come to a companionable stop at Lady Selwyn's side. “I have spent little time in this part of the world, til now, and it is most educational. I see why one might feel moved to defend it.”

An opening, if she likes. Or not.

[overharrowed]

Lady Selwyn seems, very briefly, to consider the woman in front of her. There's something of her son in her, though Petrana might be better positioned to see it than Lady Selwyn herself. The same deliberateness behind a smile, if muted in the older woman and sharpened in the younger man.

"I think it is a natural thing, to wish to defend one's home. It is what the Inquisition is trying to do, is it not, on a larger scale? Or so I understand, I don't pretend to know so much about these things as you and your companions must."

An instinctive softening of her view, though more habitual than anything.