Player Plot | From Tevinter, With Love

[coquettish_trees]

WHO: Alexandrie, Benedict, Byerly, Fifi, Hanzo, Isaac, Loki, Merrill, Romain, Thor
WHAT: A diplomatic dinner and mysterious murder most foul
WHEN: Mid-Harvestmere
WHERE: the Asgard estate in Hightown
NOTES: OOC Poast, CW: rich people being garbage, elf related racism, other updates to come as they apply!

In the wake of the events in Minrathous, there has been a great deal of reshuffling of power and alliances both within the Imperium and between those within it and the surrounding powers. A particularly well-off Laetan merchant by the name of Flavius Aurelius is one such alliance shuffler. He has holdings in the south along the border and a number of cross-country trading caravans and has made overtures of aid in getting Inquisition personnel into (and around) the country in exchange for protection against having his lands occupied and used to do the precise opposite of what he's offering.

This is a rather good deal for the Inquisition, especially since it involves more risk on his part than theirs, and so all attempts are to be made to convince him that he'll be a valued member of the cause. By his countrymen in particular, who may enjoy particular success in doing so for a variety of reasons. Thus, the Tevene contingent of the Inquisition—as well as diplomatic representatives from Ferelden, Orlais, and a wayward Dalish elf—find themselves in the position of doing this due diligence, in the hopes that this will make things go smoothly—better than smoothly if possible—at the meeting established for the next day to discuss terms.

What better way than a small dinner party?


[ ooc: toplevels will be added beneath as they happen! ]

Comments

hanzo | ota

[eruit]

It takes Hanzo a little while to get ready. It's been a long time since he went to anything resembling a proper Tevinter dinner party - almost more than a decade, now, adding in his time with the Inquisition. He has to take care to adjust his grooming, to reshape his face, to clean himself up and to hide the dangerous circles that rest under his eyes. He has to dress better - in proper, formal attire - and he has to make sure his spirits are quiet.

He shows up a little earlier than he was told to do, looking better. His bow is with him, but he is more than willing to allow it to be placed somewhere safe - and close - for the duration of the dinner. What is most obvious, to those that know him, is that he actually looks like a proper Tevinter Magister; he is standing taller, his hair is tied properly, his golden tie firmly in place.

He looks dangerous and he's well aware, even with his tattoo covered.

Until the dinner starts, Hanzo settles himself on the edge of the gathering, jaw tight and expression set. He is here because it is in his best interests to know what is happening with Tevinter and because it is best for him to keep an eye on Benedict, too, despite the circumstances.

[wythersake]

Cheerfully, under his breath:

"You look like a prat." Isaac adjusts one of his own sleeves (shabby beside a duke, but aren't they all?) to briefly sweep in. "Pretend you want to be here."

He's hardly alone in disdaining circumstance, but glowering like a gaudy statue in the corner is only so charming.

[eruit]

"That is the point."

Hanzo isn't here to look like a handsome young man, after all. Hanzo is here to be a particular face, to look the part, to act as though he is still some kind of member of Tevinter society even though he has been away from it for a long time. His nose wrinkles, just a little, but he stands a little taller all the same.

"No one from Tevinter wants to be anywhere. Acting otherwise would be foolish."

[wythersake]

"And what's that say about why you're presently outside it?"

He smiles, drinks (juice; thank you, Maker knows how much the fruit cost).

"And what capital —" Lack of it. "— Your involvement has to offer?"

[eruit]

"I am a friend of House Asgard. That is enough."

He thinks, for now, at least. He is a friend of House Asgard and... Something to Benedict's house, whatever is happening between the two of them. That's something he doesn't want to spend too much time considering.

"Whatever capital I am worth depends on what they see in me. It is for them to judge. That is how it is." Let them see that House Asgard has found and befriended the errant leader of House Shimada. Let him see what happens as a result of that.

[wythersake]

Isaac restrains himself from squinting. It’s a narrow feat, worthy of a medal.

(At least a prize ribbon.)

“Are you quite certain,” It’s very possible he’s misjudged the situation — Isaac’s place upon this little outing is as an acceptably-servile stand-in for the South; the position from which he’s used to negotiating these affairs has never been one of advantage or pride. But also: come on, “That you should be here?”

Maker knows people will judge. That’s the point of diplomacy: Swaying the verdict.

[[ email tags, gomen for any html errors!! ]]

[eruit]

"It does not matter if I am certain or not. I am here."

Hanzo is, at least, another body at the table, another person to be polite, to be formal, to nod his head and understand the games of Tevinter. He knows them as well as anyone else might - he knows them as well as anyone could. He was a Magister; it is in his blood to recognise and understand, to rise above it all and keep himself held high, at least for now.

He motions to himself, carefully.

"I am from Tevinter. I am an ally of the House. There is no reason for me to leave."

Oh, there are many reasons, but...

[wythersake]

"Not even for the sake of privacy?"

The lilt in his eyebrows might be mistaken for a baser overture by outside observers — and that's as intentional as it's decidedly not his intention. A callback, instead: I would prefer the matter of my position to be kept private,

No, he hasn't forgotten that little exchange upon the crystals. Or Hanzo's terribly secretive insistence upon making it clear that he has a secret ever since.

Kostos might be aware of what it is, and Isaac will (under duress) admit to generally trusting Kostos not to cock it up. He'd still sooner know.

[eruit]

His eyes turn to Isaac and he watches, sharply, for a moment, drinking him in and assessing.

Hanzo knows what he is saying. One whispered comment, said out of place, and it hangs around him. It was a mistake and he curses himself for it now, shamed and frustrated with himself. What the secret is - that's something that the other man couldn't possibly know, but that doesn't matter. There's a tension in his shoulders now, something sharp and dangerous, and he breathes out.

Slowly, he pushes himself up, stands a little taller, lets the breadth of his chest betray how hard is he trying to be confident, to have control of himself, to have the power.

"Not even for that."

[altusimperius]

It takes Benedict a little while to finally shake Flavius (so revoltingly surnamed with his own father's given name), and it's with a sneer of distaste that he steps over to Hanzo, as much for cover as for anything else. "You look the part," he says, in a tone that suggests he is either playfully joking or.. very much not.

[eruit]

"That was the intention."

Hanzo doesn't turn to look at Benedict, at least not immediately, but he takes a deep breath and looks over. It feels odd, to be so well dressed, to appear as what he is rather than what he is pretending to be, and he can feel it twist around him. There's a burn of something anxious in his stomach, but he forces it away. Here, now, he is the image of a Magsiter, at least in appearance - his heart does not have to be in it.

"It would be meaningless if I looked... Myself."

[altusimperius]

Benedict unsubtly glances him up and down, casting a snide little smirk at Hanzo in reaction. Cute.
"Well," he says primly, "let's hope our friend here drinks himself to forgetfulness." Lowering his voice, and in a mischievous tone, he adds, "or, you know. More. Anything to prevent him coming back."

[eruit]

He stands taller beside Benedict, trying to match his height despite the disparity between them. There's something sharp about it, about trying to prove that he can be what he had abandoned, trying to act as though he is what he... Isn't. It's a mixed, complicated thing, and he has to force himself to stand as tall as possible, to be superior, to be the slave owning, magic wielding master of the Shimada clan.

The smirk doesn't help, and he gives Benedict a sharp look, one only just softens as he looks away. He can't let the man think he gets away with everything, after all.

"It no longer matters if he remembers my presence or not." Hanzo's voice is lower, softer. "I... I am unsure what my future may hold, but it may include my family." Why tell Benedict this? Because, a small voice says, Benedict is one of the few people who knows the truth.

[altusimperius]

The sharp look affects Bene briefly, but the smirk only returns and more fully once it's over. "Then I suppose you'd better remember how to hold a fork," he says, with a vain toss of his hair, "and calm down. You look like you lost an arrow up your bum."

[eruit]

As ridiculous as Benedict is, being around him is soothing some of the more ruffled and uncomfortable parts of Hanzo. He breathes out, shaking his head, trying to shape his face into a mask of superiority rather than discomfort. It has been some time.

"I recall most people from Tevinter looking much like they had a quiver there, not just a single arrow."

[altusimperius]

Though Benedict doesn't laugh aloud, Hanzo's remark gets a wide-eyed glance of delighted amusement: oh my god you just made a joke.

[eruit]

His lips twitch for a moment, fingers brushing over his jaw in a thoughtful motion before he crosses his arms again. It’s not often that he makes a joke, but he is both in the mood and trying to repair a bridge between them. Looking at Benedict, he smirks.

[thorndergod]

Thor joins Hanzo on the side, giving the man a smile and approving nod. Subtle he is not. But at least it looks like a warm greeting rather than anything else.

"You look the part," he says simply before gesturing at the bow. "Would you like that to be in our weapons room? I've a case for my favorite staves. It is enchanted and secure."

Why the man brought a bow while trying to actually look like what he is escapes Thor... but he will not push. Hanzo is not a man who seems entirely secure in who he is. Questions may only shake the face he's putting on.

[eruit]

There's a reason for the bow, even if Hanzo would never admit it to most. He's afraid of what might happen if he is too far from his spirits, even now with the promise of a family place settling on his shoulders.

"That was the intention," he says gently, frown still settled on his face. He looks half miserable, he's sure, but he manages a nod, sharp and sure, all the same. "... Please. I would be more comfortable knowing it was somewhere protected."

Let Thor think what he likes about why Hanzo has Storm Bow at his side. A dinner party this might be but it does not mean you should neglect your defences, especially with a Tevinter man around.

[thorndergod]

"This way." Hanzo's tension suggests maybe Thor should show him the case rather than simply taking the bow and putting it away, or calling a sl--servant to do so. They're also sorely lacking in proper service here - the only one Thor would truly trust to know the enchantments and put the bow away correctly and securely is currently waiting on their guest.

Thor heads through a side door, one covered by some sort of newly added tapestry. It is probably near to time that he calls this household to some sort of order, the Orlesian lady does not run it, but that does not have to be today.

Deftly he undoes the locks on a larger engraved stone and glass cabinet, something very clearly heavy and expensive and filled with very nice staves, before gesturing to its insides.

"It will be safe here."

[eruit]

Hanzo appreciates being taken there personally. It's very difficult for him to find proper words to express just what Storm Bow means, how important it is, because he does not want to betray the nature of his spirits to anyone, at least without his consent and some time to prepare. Separating himself from them, even for a short time, is a difficult thing - and while they might be able to join him at some distance... After a period they must return to where they are bound.

He does not think he will be able to feel them in Thor's magical safe.

The cabinet seems secure enough, at least, and it means that Hanzo can look it over without too much hesitation, letting his fingers run over the frame of the bow with some hesitation. The faint, light glow that comes from it is likely enough for even Thor to see, and Hanzo breathes a noise before he moves forward and places the bow inside.

He immediately feels bereft.

"... You have my thanks." Stepping back is almost painful, and he seems sour despite his fanciful clothing. "I will return as soon as dinner is complete."

[thorndergod]

He is not certain that Hanzo trusts the cabinet. Thor frowns, trying not to take insult. This is the Asgard estate, he has promised the bow's safety... truly Hanzo has been gone long from their land. Thor crosses his arms, frowning momentarily, before he nods again.

"I will open it for you when you need it." This could be a very long evening. But he does not voice his thoughts. He wants a friend here who might not stab him, and Kirkwall seems particularly short on people who fit that description. It can be a very lonely place.

But Thor will not let loneliness drop his guard too much or make him too vulnerable. His house must stay strong, and therefore he must stay strong.

"And in the unlikely event that we are attacked, I can drop the enchantments immediately. This is not a house that is weak."

[eruit]

It's not necessarily Thor that Hanzo mistrusts; it's not particularly offensive, at least. Hanzo does not loathe the idea of leaving a weapon - it's the spirits that are housed within that he fears for. It has been ten years, perhaps even longer, since he dared trust anyone from Tevinter and he knows that there's an edge to him that cannot be denied, not any longer.

"... Thank you." He's well aware how long this dinner might go on - nothing housed or ordered by anyone from Tevinter can be at all considered brief, he knows that. His desire to be here is minimal at best; his discomfort is obvious, especially wrapped in the finery that he had abandoned ten years before now.

It is difficult, especially when it hounds him with memories, with uncertainties. It makes him think of Genji, and of what it means to be Magister.

"I did not imagine that it would be." Not with a Magister, a handful of Altus and whatever else knows might be there. "The bow is... Important. Precious. I do not like to be parted from it."

[thorndergod]

To Thor's ears, it sounds like the bow has sentimental value. He glances back at the faintly glowing weapon. Their country is not a place for sentimentality... but losing his mother has made him have a slight understanding of it. Hanzo has lost both of his parents, and likely his brother. There's a little weakness in indulging in sentiment, but Thor cannot find true fault there under those circumstances. The potential insult fades to nothingness.

"An heirloom?" In truth, he's not certain he should ask. But Thor dislikes silences that go on too long and it's the easiest thing to think of to ask as he seals the cabinet. "I had not heard tales of any Shimada," magister, he means, but he won't breathe the word, "with a bow."

[eruit]

Hanzo doesn't seem inclined to say much more on the topic of the bow, but he has found that he feels as though he can almost trust Thor. It's as if he recognises something in the man, something familiar, and he respects that. Thor has known his secret the entire time they have been in the Inquisition together and not breathed a word; that is something, at least, even if Hanzo is unwilling to voice it.

"Something like that, yes." An object to bind spirits to is an heirloom if anything could be one. It was a gift from his father. "It was a means of... Focussing our power. It was not normal for us to use such weaponry, but since leaving Tevinter I have found it practical."