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

[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."

[thorndergod]

"Like my hammer, in a way," he offers up. He doesn't need it for his prowess with lightning, but it's helpful. Nice to have.

With an incline of his head Thor leads the way back toward the main room. "I prefer my hammer to my staff, in truth, but both are useful in their own ways." Anyone listening could take that as simple weapon discussion; it doesn't imply Hanzo has any magic. Thor is not naturally particularly subtle, but he's from Tevinter. He's survived Tevinter as heir of his house, no less. It means he's had plenty of need to practice it.

"Though I have handled a bow, a couple of times. My father wanted me to be versatile on the field in case it was needed. The qunari are not very predictable, and victory means keeping options ready against them." And there's potentially a very safe topic. "I find I enjoy fighting them. They hate me and those like me, they wish to conquer us, and I get to show them time and time again that they will not prevail. That they underestimate House Asgard."

[eruit]

"Yes. A conduit, of sorts." A conduit that shoots dragons that can destroy his enemies, but Thor doesn't need to know that.

The nature of the Shimada attitude towards spirits is not something they have shared often; it's been a well kept secret for decades, perhaps even longer. He was given his own, a pair come to him to embrace his honour and his dedication to himself and his family, and Genji... Genji had one, but Hanzo does all that he can to try not to think of that. It is too painful, even a decade later.

"It is useful to know a range of weapons in case one is taken from you." It's not the first time he's given that advice. "I have not had much experience with the Qun, other than what I have seen at home and here in the Inquisition." Such as the large Qunari lady that had taken his had and walked him across a small bridge in the Deep Roads. That had been an experience to say the least. "House Asgard is strong. There is no denying that." And he motions to the house around them in exemplar.

[thorndergod]

If it does not get too entangled with Orlais, Thor thinks but does not say. Lexie is... many things, most of them dangerous, and her influence shows in the house Hanzo gestures to. Thor will set that right, eventually. He must. But for now he has a guest, and despite something clearly bothering Hanzo, Thor has a guest he likes.

"We encounter them often. They attack Marnas Pell with some frequency, seeking to take it. Fighting them is clean." They're not people driven by hunger or a misguided sense that Tevinter isn't as good as the south. They're invaders, pure and simple, and mutilators on top of that. "They are also formidable. Each fight is a good fight. There is a great deal to be said for a challenging battle, rather than one against ill-equipped, half-starved bandits. Or former Templars driven mad by red lyrium."

[eruit]

"I have seen good fights," Hanzo says, voice low. He had fought a dragon lately, had fought Darkspawn, had fought himself. The worst - and hardest - fight of his life had been a decade ago, when he had drawn upon his magic and his strength and cast down his brother, leaving him broken and shattered, the life stolen from them. The thrill of a fight had not been quite the same since then and there's no denying that he had been reshaped because of it.

He almost sighs, but he swallows it.

"I have not been close to the border between Tevinter and the lands of the Qun for some time. When I was younger," and there's no point pretending to be anything he is not when he is around Thor; House Asgard knows who he is, "they were more of a concern for my father and the elders of my family. Perhaps they will become one for the Inquisition, one day."