04 | CLOSED

[shri]

WHO: Lakshmi Bai & Wren, Herian, Thranduil, Araceli, Ioverth, Kitty, Solas and Teren - ( Also: Flint & Vane )
WHAT: Telling Some Whole Truths.
WHEN: Post-Fade Adventures, some time after her house arrest.
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: Probably really extra.

She sends them just the one note:

I require your presence, together this evening, for a matter of serious urgency in regards to the Inquisition.

महारानी,
Lakshmi Bai

Comments

[arlathvhen]

"I am simply being practical," Beleth is quick to retort to Iorveth, a frown flickering across her face. "I understand respecting other people's cultures--" She doesn't wish to comment on if Lakshmi was correct in saying if there's something similar in Dalish culture. That's something that she's not willing to talk about in a room of people of varying closeness to her. "--but self-imolation in the middle of battle is not always something that is exactly easy to pull off, particularly in the heat--" She has the grace to wince at her wording, "--of battle."

Do you know how hard it is to set yourself on fire, Iorveth? Do you??

"I am merely offering another option. If you're fine with it, then I will mix up something appropriate--I will leave the use of it up to your discretion." She pauses a few moments, and then adds, a belated attempt to make it sound a little better, "I can make sure that it's quick, and painless, as well. More so than fire, at least."

She really wishes that she could kick the other people out right about now. These are unpleasant things to talk about, and Beleth doesn't like having to say and decide unpleasant things where other people can hear her saying them.

"I would certainly prefer that no Inquisition agent has to die, through any method, or for any reason. But I would prefer that Corypheus doesn't have access to immortal soldiers even more so. Because that would cause decidedly more deaths." It's a gruesome math that has to be done, but it is as ever necessary, and a part of her job.

"But of course, that would entirely hinge on whether or not it affects people from Thedas in the same way that it affects the people in your world. Things that come through rifts often...do not act the same as they had before they came here." There's a pause as Beleth tries to figure out the most tactful way to word this. Mostly because she doesn't want it to be apparent just how eager she is, how much it resonates with her, a deep longing that has been carried in her blood for centuries.

"I think the easiest way to settle this would be to test it on a native. If it turns out that it does not affect us as it does you, then there is no reason to worry about self-immolation, or poison, or any such unpleasantness." She spreads her hands wide, palms up. See, she can be reasonable! She's super reasonable!!

"Since I'm the one attempting to give you poison for this reason, I'd be willing to be the one to be tested--of course, only if it is suitable with you, Lady Lakshmi." A quick nod to Lakshmi, face carefully blank. "If you would prefer to test it on another, as long as the other party consents...?"

Here, she gives a glance back at the other Division Leaders, to see what they think about giving immortality potions to whatever random person Lakshmi might pick.

[dashing]

Herian gaze narrows at Beleth, at her eagerness to test the liquid. Perhaps unfair, perhaps rooted in her own history and hatreds. Perhaps entirely merited, because she just volunteered to drink something that had effects so dramatic that it made Herian think uncomfortably of blood magic.

First thing's first;

"I will take responsibility for Lakshmi," she says, voice soft as the drag of silk over stone. "She is of my Division, and holds a position under my supervision. If it will satisfy the other Division Heads, I am willing to accept her word and her honour, but in return the execution of all duties, Diplomatic or otherwise, will require my approval and my overseeing."

A pause, to exhale. "As for testing whether this... elixir is effective on those of us of Thedas or other rifters and determining whether that aspect of it is a threat, I think that is a matter that will require some further discussion. It could even prove to be a danger, rather than a cure. We should not risk your expertise so readily, Scoutmaster."

Quiet, and yet there is a faint crispness to the words.

[shri]

Here - here Lakshmi for once found herself in agreement with the Knights of the Order. She frowns, intent on looking over Beleth. Not for Herian's reasons or any other. But with her lips pressed together, she takes her time to give herself pause for once, watching how Herian and Beleth spoke to each other. Strange that, not something she'd noticed earlier.

Leaves her quiet for it. Small mercy no doubt.

"This is not a dress you simply put on. The time it gives you is no novelty. It is to swear yourself to a higher purpose, beyond even your own people. I only took it up after my own people thought I was dead in battle." Her head bows, the one respectfully. "Would you be willing to walk away from everything you know, Scoutmaster?"

[rowancrowned]

He looks at Herian, waits until she catches his eye, and then dips his head in acknowledgement. It is good enough for him, but then again, between the four of the division heads, he supposes himself the most likely to have the fewest concern about this particular knot they’re tangled in.

“Herian is correct, Beleth,” he says. “If it proves to be a poison, we cannot risk losing you.”

They’ll just have to strike the correct balance between ‘worth being trusted’ and ‘won’t be missed if dead’. But they’ve done more difficult things. To Lakshmi, next, his hands clasped before him, easy and smooth.

“Is there a compulsion to serve this ‘higher purpose’, or are those simply the traditional vows sworn by those who drink it?” He shrugs his shoulders elegantly. “You did not mention such a thing when you outlined what we might have to fear from it.”

[shri]

"The traditional vows, of such a thing, but more than that. One day, everyone else you love will be dead. All of them. The cities you know will fade, the people you love will not even be remembered by those around you. You will stare at ghosts of things that never will be seen again."

It's measured - and wrong of course in the tone she takes with it, little known to her is the sheer amount of people who are far older than they look in this room.

But, she carries on as she is. "Death is a gift we seldom appreciate as often as we should. Facing an eternity... you must know something more. You must choose something greater when you lose everything else that once gave your life meaning."