faderift | [open]

"She is indeed, and terribly fierce."

...And terribly willing to starve a civilian populace to remove a resource from the hands of their enemy. After learning about the Red Lyrium cultivation possibilities, Lexie is wavering on whether or not they had done the people of Minrathous any kindness by preserving the supplies, but Thor had been so very sure then, and the brothers were alone enough already in the South without her taking another side. But none of that is really appropriate afternoon talk with a new acquaintance, is it?

"The heads of the scouting and diplomacy divisions as well, and three of the four who lead the organization as a whole from Skyhold. Orlais has an Empress, Ferelden a Queen," An altogether acceptable state of affairs. "Is it not so, then, from whence you came?"

"Oh queens exist, certainly. Or have. Kalvad hasn't had one for some time, but there's a perfectly barbarous Empress to the West. And naturally there are a number of women ma--uh--" She jumps through at least two verbals hoops to bend the incriminating vowel into something different: "--military...officials. Doing their service rotation. As a certain number of us do in exchange for our educations. But it's a rare thing, I believe. Or has been. It's more common now for a girl to go to university than it was when my mother was a child."

She bowls onward. "I suspect that's more common here as well. I've heard lovely things about the academies in Markham and Orlais." Well, the first one at least. But she has the distinct impression her tutor in that might have held some bias. "And I wonder if that's really all it takes to even things out a little - a proper education, I mean."

"A quick wit and the gained knowledge on how to apply it is a great equalizer, to be certain. We may have a chance to see for ourselves if it is so, as under Empress Celene's rule the University," for really, there is but one of special note in the world, "has begun to readily accept elves who prove their thoughts to be of some note. It is not entirely a popular proposition, of course. Much noise is made by those who would rather not see the world change so, but it is hardly the fault of the more progressively minded that those who have more in their pockets than in their heads and little more to recommend them but the roundness of their ears fear to be surpassed."

Alexandrie clucks and shakes her head in mock sympathy, then turns back with some interest to whatever it was that had made Wysteria stumble over her words--certainly there was something to be found on the other side of those hoops she'd jumped through. "Did you say you had a rotation within the military?"

Blast. Well, of the options on hand it's hardly the worst thing to discuss. Best to speak of the distraction than the thing you've been making an effort to distract from. Magician, she'd almost said. Wysteria, you absolute imbecile. It's as if you didn't sit in all those discussions for two weeks in the Gallows about the sensitivity of the rift shard in your hand, the delicacy of the relationship between mages and everyone else. Not that magicians are really so much like mages; Anders had made that very clear indeed. But who knows what anyone else might think. Best to keep her mouth shut about the whole concept.

But military service. Of course. That's a fine enough topic of conversation, even if it requires skirting clumsily around a few of the most incriminating details.

"That's right. It's part of the contract for-- for certain people when they get their education. The schooling is provided in exchange for a commission of a certain length. Usually two to five years. It's of course entirely dependent on the individual's means and how much the state must provide to support them through their apprenticeship."

For 'certain people'--so, not women in particular, as they'd been speaking on. Wysteria is, then, of some status in her world apart from nobility, and one which makes her halt to speak of it even here in a world apart. Some manner of profession, if the mention of an apprenticeship is any indication.

Alexandrie wonders how far it is she'll be able to press without sending the woman into a full fluster or cause her to clam up. The former seems far more likely; Wysteria is a veritable waterfall of words... which is utterly endearing, really.

"I do so hope you were able to complete your education and apprenticeship before you came here," she replies, "I imagine it would be ever so irritating to very nearly complete a course of study and then find the means to finish it removed from you abruptly."

"Oh, not even remotely close I'm afraid. Though I appreciate the sentiment." She doesn't seem terribly broken up about it. "No, I'm sure my master would say that I've been pulled away at a time where I know just enough to be dangerous and nothing near being useful."

Here she laughs, a genuine kind of easiness in it. It's a funny joke, you see, for one because she's very much not in the position to be dangerous to anyone nevermind how little she knows and for two because Mr Ralston, the Master in question, would fundamentally never say anything so kind as implying otherwise. Ah well. Thedas may not have much to offer in the way of continuing her rather specific education, but it certainly has the simple pleasure of not having to tolerate that man's company for another hour going for it.

"Is that not what teachers say always?" She tilts her head with a terribly amused smile which widens a bit to hear Wysteria's easier laughter. Hurrah, we're comfortable again! Ever so necessary for being able to continue to pick away in the search for interesting information, although she's beginning to genuinely enjoy the company as more than a curiosity.

"Or is it simply that we are so warned because we share both a thirst for knowledge and a certain impetuousness in its usage."

"I suppose we'd have to find a third test subject - a real dullard with no passion for the application of their studies - to be certain. But let us say that's the answer, as it's both kinder and more indulgent."

That flashing smile persists. It's slightly too honest and too broad for a young lady with a mind to preserving her complexion or even the narrowest air of mystery, but it's at least also unremittingly earnest.

"Speaking of-- I can't express how much I appreciate your indulgence of my company this afternoon, Lady de la Fontaine," --the name said with all the rounded vowels it deserves; what a pleasure it is to say it-- "It's rather heartening."

"I am entirely pleased to hear so, although saddened to hear you were previously disheartened. Although, I suppose, I can hardly imagine I should feel any differently were I to appear suddenly in an unfamiliar place with—" Alexandrie's hand rises quickly to cover a gasp, then moves to touch Wysteria's knee ever so lightly with an accompanying look of concern. "Were there demons? Say no, or that you were not hurt at all. How awful!"

"Oh yes, actually." She's says it quite seriously, with the mind to give Lady de la Fontaine's knee the credit it's due. There's a kind of kindness to being so horrified, whether or not it's true and even when it's very clear that she made it through perfectly fine or wouldn't be here in the garden today.

"There were quite a few demons. But no, not a scratch on me and I'm very relieved to report it. Not from them, anyway." She laughs then, a bright sound in the sunshine. "But here, you'll find this funny. As I came through the rift, I was so surprised that I tripped and twisted my ankle and nearly fell flat on my face. I'm sure it didn't help that we were in a wood and the ground was so uneven, but there you go. Ridiculous from the start, I'm afraid."

"Far better to be ridiculous than rent asunder." In contrast with the morbidity of her words, Alexandrie looks bright and relieved to have heard so. "Well and so, I demand you take heart despite both demons of the Fade and demons of Kirkwall society, for now we have made ourselves acquainted and I shall happily stick a hatpin in both on your behalf."

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