MOD PLOT: SHOULD GLORY COME AT SUCH A PRICE, Part I

[faderifting]

WHO: The Inquisition's Minrathous delegation
WHAT: A diplomatic visit to Tevinter's capital
WHEN: Mid Solace
WHERE: Minrathous, Tevinter
NOTES: Slavery cw. OOC post here.

I. SWEET DIGS

The Archon's palace is a vast complex at the northeast of the island, buildings of stark black and white stone drawn straight up out of the ground and shaped by magic alone. Ringed by a wall of the same, it is made up of the palace proper and dozens of outbuildings, stables, barracks, baths, gardens, and the like. The Inquisition delegation is housed in the guest quarters, a single long hall in one wing of the palace. They are not its only occupants: special emissaries from the Anderfels occupy several rooms at one end of the hall, and other visitors are scattered throughout—trade envoys, out-of-town courtiers, relatives and guests of the Archon. There is also a veritable army of staff, constantly fetching, carrying, cleaning. Skyhold will have sent stern reminders for the Division Heads to pass down to the rest of the party: assume you are being watched at all times and mind your tongue accordingly.

The areas of the palace open to foreign visitors are somewhat limited: aside from the Archon's personal apartments, several wings apparently house massive bureaucracy behind the throne, and guests are not permitted without an appointment and an escort. The library and hall of treasures are free to be wandered, though they are carefully guarded against theft or vandalism, and the gardens are lovely and imposing testaments to the wonders magic can wring from nature.

II. GUIDED TOUR

The delegation's first day in Minrathous is fully booked, beginning with a guided tour after breakfast. The tour focuses on the nicer parts of the city and is led by a friendly elven mage, Caeso, who works for the Archon—someone is trying to make a point, perhaps, about how high elves can rise, as long as they're the right sort.

Minrathous is ancient, and it shows, with not even the care and pride Tevinter has in its heritage able to stave off signs of wear. The buildings are enormous and dark, made largely out of black stone and metals, but they indicate a majestic history more than a majestic present. There are also signs of magic, everywhere. The foundations of many buildings seem to have been pulled up straight from the earth, rather than built on top of it, and towers and bridges that should have collapsed ages ago are permanently enchanted to defy gravity. While he doesn't take them inside any of the buildings, Caeso points out the Argent Spire, the headquarters of the Imperial Chantry and Divine; the Minrathous Circle, the oldest in Thedas; and the Ambassadoria, where dwarven ambassadors work underground to preserve their castes. Then he guides them through a colorful central market where they're able to have lunch around a fountain and enjoy open displays of magic and enchanted objects by street performers and merchants. He's happy to answer basic questions about the city and Tevinter in general, and after lunch provides everyone with maps that are, possibly, designed for tourists who aren't particularly trusted (or aren't believed to be particularly bright). They only show significant landmarks and the streets required to reach them from the palace.

III. FANCY PARTY

That afternoon, everyone is due back in time to dress up, fix their hair, fix other people's hair as needed, and sit down for dinner with the Archon—distant, at the end of the table, and quiet—as well as a number of members of the Magisterium and other notable figures, with an over-the-top sixteen course meal served by a quiet, respectful staff that may be slaves or may be servants. Afterwards, and after a break to allow a little bit of digestion, the entire group migrates to join even more guests for an evening of music, dancing, and mingling in a ballroom adorned with floating lights.

The locals will shy away from discussing anything too sensitive, like Corypheus' origins or Tevinter religion and politics, but they'll be happy to discuss history and to ask questions of the delegation. A southerner is as rare a sight for them here are a Tevinter is in the south.

IV. FREE TIME

Under the Archon's protection as long as they remain his guests, and despite what the maps they're given might suggest, the delegation has been given more or less free rein in the capital, with only sensitive areas of the palace, naval yards, and the Circle and Spire off-limits for casual visits. Minrathous is a city like any other: tightly-packed buildings, bustling streets, opulent theaters and rundown shops, markets selling vegetables and flowers and fabrics, cafés packed with students arguing politics or beleaguered bureaucrats taking tea, pristine gardens filled with elaborate topiary, or small squares of green tucked between buildings, flowering vines draped down their walls. Of course it's also like nothing they've ever seen further south: street performers here make common use of magic, not just breathing fire but shaping it into a flock of birds or a dragon in flight. Slave markets are kept to the outskirts of the city but those near the docklands are vast and busy. In the harbor, among the forest of masts of trading vessels from every corner of Thedas, sits the Imperial Navy, four ships always on guard at the broad mouth of the harbor, a reminder that this is a nation at war.

Outside of specific missions, everyone is free to wander the city and explore, though they are given strict instructions to stay out of trouble—no matter what. They are also asked to keep their eyes and ears open as they do, to mingle and talk with anyone who seems willing, and to keep watch for anything unique on sale in the markets. Rare books, unknown potions, unusual enchanted objects should all be purchased if spotted: this may be the Inquisition's only opportunity to get its hands on the wealth of magical and historical knowledge hoarded by Tevinter (and reimbursements will be offered, within reason).

Potential agents are another invaluable commodity, and the delegation is charged with taking note of anyone who seems sympathetic to the Inquisition's cause and bringing their names and information to the attention of the Scoutmaster and her aides. Those capable of carefully sussing out the depth of that interest are to do so, but given the delicacy of the situation everyone should proceed with the utmost caution, and under no circumstances is any non-member of the Inquisition—no matter how friendly—to be trusted.

Comments

[coquettish_trees]

Alexandrie is torn, here, between returning to the well-worn track of their easy banter and continuing to be so terribly uncomfortably sincere. But the way they are now, with her looking down at him, Loki having drawn back to lightly quip not simply because it is amusing but perhaps because he truly thinks so, and it is always easier to hurt oneself before another does it?

She looks at him intently, moving her hands to frame his face, the pads of her fingers a near whisper against his skin.

"Not in that," she says quietly, "Never in that." Then, having said so, she bends to slowly kiss him again with the sort of deliberate surpassing gentleness with which one might touch something precious.

[hwaaaitsme]

It is immediately apparent in how he freezes, how still he goes, that he does not know how to reciprocate this sort of kiss. He holds her up without effort but he cannot make himself move toward or away from her as she brushes her lips so softly across his. He is, again, stunned and several seconds of silence follow after she draws back.

He starts to speak and halts as he begins. This repeats once and again before he finally moves to let her down. He does not draw away once she is standing.

"I will do poorly at this, you realize?" Loki prompts with a shade of his old bravado reinforcing his admission. "You do not mind?"

[coquettish_trees]

Her feet on the ground again, Alexandrie is of a perfect height to fit directly beneath Loki's chin, the which she moves to do, turning her head to rest it flat against his chest. "In this," she replies with some confidence, "I trust doing poorly far better than skill." She has not said why yet. She imagines she will, eventually.

Instead, she emits a quiet chuckle as she tucks her chin, lifts her arms to circle his waist, one hand rising to rest higher on his back. "Setting all that aside, you cannot truly think I shall do so well."

[hwaaaitsme]

Loki is nearly as unaccustomed to embraces as he is to gentle words and declarations of adoration. This is a strange evening and he folds his arms, almost awkwardly, around her back. For a man who has no problem putting his hands where he likes, he is remarkably uncertain of where to place them now.

"I have not seen you do poorly at anything, thusfar, I've no reason to expect you'd suddenly start."

He drums his fingers on reflex, a gentle tap across her spine, and peers back at the palace. This is the sort of position that will compromise their plan and result in attempted assassinations. They really should not linger like this.

"Come let us...depart. It is too cool out here for my liking."

[coquettish_trees]

This merits another laugh, quiet enough that it will be mostly registered in the shake of her shoulders. It is downright balmy, as far as Alexandrie is concerned. She would be tempted to believe it dissembling on his part, had she not previously been tumbled in the frankly tremendous amount of bedding Loki favored. "You shall be entirely miserable in Kirkwall come winter."

She does, however, release him. "We ought not leave together, mm? After all," she says, her tone as bright as her smile, "we are terribly angry with each other."

[hwaaaitsme]

He releases her in kind and steps away, tugging his jacket back into place with a few crisp motions. His expression is mild but pleased.

"Oh yes, livid." He gestures at the edge of the garden and bows his head slightly. "After you, my dear."

[coquettish_trees]

A smile tugs at the corner of Alexandrie's mouth as she sweeps him a rather extravagant curtsy in return. "Fais de beaux rêves, lune de mon coeur," she responds with light affection before she straightens again... to whirl in a sudden and impressively full blown bristling huff to storm back through the gardens to her room.



...Because really, how dare he follow her out here after everything he'd said!