openish ☓ i see god in birds and satan in long words

[libratus]

WHO: Ilias, Max, & maybe you???
WHAT: A catch-all post for November
WHEN: Firstfall, pre-Ghislain
WHERE: Various
NOTES: Warning: dead bodies & dissection etc. in the mummy thread. Feel free to toss a wildcard starter on, or hit me up on plurk or PM if you want to hash something out! Ilias's October prompts are still roughly applicable, as are the hooks in their respective info pages.

Comments

[doneisdone]

"A Fabria, by your colors," Teren replies levelly, "no, we've never met." She doesn't seem all that surprised or upset to be approached, likely having been expecting it.

"What brings a mortalitasi to Kirkwall?" The question is not a friendly one.

[libratus]

Ilias nods assent. He has the impression of being sized up, measured and fit in a way he seldom is these days outside his family, and his expression chills for it, but only a touch, stubborn in his courtesy.

A broad gesture. "The Inquisition has need of extra hands, does it not?" Why shouldn't he be here?

[doneisdone]

Courtesy is always their shield... until it isn't. But Teren won't push him that far, not today, there's no reason to-- she's got bigger fish to fry, but that doesn't mean the catch can't be laid out and organized.

"I'd imagine a fair share of extra hands need the Inquisition more," she replies, arching an eyebrow. "But play coy all you like."

[libratus]

"Then it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement." And no harm to anyone. (Or, you know, the opposite, but at least he seems more cautious than ill-intentioned, even if his grandmother is another matter altogether.)

"Ilias," he offers her, along with a hand. Courtesy can be a lever, too. "And yourself?"

[doneisdone]

Teren takes his hand, her grip like a hawk's talons. "Warden von Skraedder," she says gruffly, not bothering to offer her first name; no one ever really cared to know it, but one can't be too cautious. As far as Ilias is concerned, she's always been a Warden.

She withdraws her hand after a moment. "Here's hoping the benefits outweigh the risks, for all involved." Still as humorless as before, prepared to see through any pleasantries.

[libratus]

Ilias nods, not pressing for more. If she is her titles first, that's her choice. He'd rather be more than a family name, himself. His handshake is firmer than he looks, if not exactly talons.

There's a pause, wherein he considers leaving it at that; certainly remaining opaque is the smarter move politically, but-- "I don't believe I do pose a threat to the Inquisition, if that's what concerns you." Himself, his family's reputation, maybe, but not that. "My grandmother's machinations are not mine."

[doneisdone]

A pause, then a slight quirk at the corner of her mouth: a threat to the Inquisition, yes, that's the concern. Let him think that all he wants.
"Isn't that always the way," Teren replies, neither accepting nor refuting his assertion. "I'll see you around, Ilias."

That sounds less friendly than perhaps it normally would. She turns to go.

[libratus]

With a curt nod and a gesture, Ilias makes no move to waylay her.

Well. At least he has a name to go with the face he seems to have offended, if very little else.