[closed] player plot: the making of a villain

[ebeje]

WHO: Max, Kitty, Nikos, Loki, Hanzo
WHAT: Breaking and entering
WHEN: Now
WHERE: Minrathous
NOTES: Slavery cw, blood magic likely. Top-levels to be added as we go.

Comments

loki;

[ebeje]

[ Time is not on Max's side tonight. If it was, perhaps she could have come up with a more discreet strategy. Find a source to pay off who wouldn't accept the same coin from the Venatori in turn. Install a spy of her own who could relay information to her in Kirkwall without risking the Inquisition's reputation during its stay. A thousand other, tidier options that would be preferable if she were not already here in Minrathous. If she were not alone. If her allies were not all men who would be hanged for setting foot on Tevene soil. If she were not haunting the docks every day on the slim hope of news that Jack and Anne still live.

Time is precious. And so, she must rely on the only people in this city she already knows are not Venatori: the Inquisition.

Of the Tevinter natives in their party, Loki of House Asgard strikes her as the kind of person who knows people. Specifically, the type of person who knows the parts of high society where she imagines Woodes Rogers must have found his footing — and his wife. Even a straight-laced military hero does not earn appointment to the governorship of Nascere without someone's favor.

After dinner with the Archon, then, when dance and wine have had time to lighten the spirits, and the glittering maze of politics has had time to distract those whose spirits are not so easily lightened, Max slides into a seat beside him in the ballroom. ]

The finest halls in all of Kirkwall will seem no better than stables compared to this, no? [ She smiles easily, the edge of a laugh, and lifts her glass in a faux toast to their surroundings. ] And how are you finding it to be home again, my lord?

[hwaaaitsme]

[Loki has found it somewhat troublesome to be among the entourage. On the one hand, the presence of southerners is a novelty and because it is novel, his knowledge of them and the Inquisition has opened doors for him that he might've had to otherwise force. On the other hand, the members of the Inquisition have taken to seeking him out as a sort of social interpreter during their time in the Capitol.

He is uncertain if he appreciates it--but he takes a long look at the woman alongside him and decides, perhaps, he is not terribly inconvenienced.]

It is rather satisfying, not unlike coming in from the cold. Unfortunately, now I must remind myself where the fires are located so that I can avoid being inadvertently burned.

[He has not met this woman. That is not terribly unusual...but there are not very many well-bred ladies in Kirkwall. He knows, he's counted.

He lifts his glass in answer to her toast and takes an idle, almost bored sip.]

Strange that we have not met before this--Loki of House Asgard.

[ebeje]

Max, of Nascere. [ No house. No rank. Not even truly from Nascere, nor Tevene at all if her accent is anything to go by. And yet, she comports herself as if none of those things are sufficient to stand in her way. Sometimes the truth is as interesting as any fiction — and she would like to interest him. ] Not so strange, I think. I had only just arrived in Kirkwall before the Inquisition turned us northward again.

But it has been some time since I have been back to Minrathous. [ the words are a note wistful, the shadow of a secret held just out of view. ] It is not so unwelcome, to see again the things one once loved — even at the risk of getting a little singed.

[hwaaaitsme]

Hmmm, and you love Minrathous?

[He would not have taken her for a mage but, in truth, mages outside of Tevinter baffle him a bit. They are hard to identify and harder still to identify with--but if she is not a mage, then there are more questions about her being back in Minrathous. Questions about her wistfulness.

Color him curious.]

Tell me, did you come for the diplomacy? I know many came because the thought of seeing the forbidden Capitol of the evil empire is, for lack of a better word, alluring...but if you know it already?

Nostalgia, perhaps, brings you back? It is a very long walk for nostalgia's sake.

[ebeje]

I am not so sentimental, [ she says, in that tone that says she might well be, but at least won't be admitting it. There's sentimental, and then there's walking all the way to Tevinter for a social call. ] Our mission here is important. Success could change all of our fortunes.

[ ...That said. She takes a sip of her wine. ]

But there are those here who were dear to me, when last I was here, who I might wish to see again. [ A slight, sad shrug. ] Unfortunately, it seems she was not graced with an invitation tonight.