OPEN - Rooks, Pawns, Bishops and Knights

[madame_de_fer]

WHO: Vivienne and OPEN
WHAT: Catchall post for Madame de Fer to get to know the players great and small in the Inquisition.
WHEN: Wintermarch, all month
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: There's a specific bit for the Council members, but the remainder is open to everyone. Anyone who's been wanting CR with Viv, feel free to assume your character got one of the vaunted invites and tag in!

For the Council
Early in Wintermarch, all members of the Council receive a gilded paper invitation. No impersonal sending crystal for this message. The contents invite all the Councilors to join Madame de Fer at the hot spring for a day of relaxation and massage. To her mind, this is no frivolous social gathering meant to impress or irritate the others. (Though if either of those become true, that is useful as well.) There needs to be a dialogue enough amongst them that they do not dither away precious time and resources having to renegotiate their relationships upon meeting. That and none of them are any use to the Inquisition if they are tired, weary, and not well taken care of.

Some of her most comfortable chairs and lounging couches have been brought to the hot spring, and tables set with with a full tea service, both sweet and savory, and a few bottles of champagne. There's even imported Antivan cheese wheels, for the eyes, not for snacking. She is determined not to be caught out letting any of the others languish behind in attending to the important business of self-care. Anyone who brings up anything of a political or divisive nature, however, will find that they are most unwelcome. Relaxation and learning more is the point, not to posture and jockey. Not today.


For the Advisors and Companions
All the advisors and previous companions of the Herald likewise receive Spa Day invitations, albeit the day after the Council. Thank the Maker Sera is not around to make a mockery of such generosity. Knowing that Cullen is most likely to be the most stubborn about leaving that musty office of his, Vivienne plans to drag him along by the ear like an errant child if he dawdles too long in arriving.


Open to All, All Month
Before everyone can scatter to the four winds on business following the start of the new year, Vivienne sets out to some business of her own. She needs to know as much as she can about anyone within the Inquisition who might be a considerable piece in the Game, whether they are aware of such or not. Invitations to join her at her balcony begin to go out to anyone of interest: mages, templars, second sons of minor nobles, people from out of the rifts. For those whose invitation falls in the mid-afternoon, it is to join her for tea. Others receive invites for drinks, well after the dinner hour, but clearly with the intent of having uninterrupted time for getting to know the other better. As much as anyone is allowed to learn more about the Iron Lady.

Comments

[madame_de_fer]

Immediately, Vivienne decides she quite likes this young man and will continue to do so until there is cause to think otherwise. He is polite, deferential, and charmingly enough has come in his best armor, which her sharp eyes note has been admirably polished for the occasion.

She's apprised herself of the members of the Inquisition who were once Templars, or still are, as she is still loyal to Thedas first. Well, second, her loyalties to herself are first, but one can hardly be held accountable for that. Still, it is no secret she is as pro-Templar as she is pro-Circle. Especially when Templars remember their duty. This one seems to in spades.

She rises to her feet, a concession of manners, and motions to her plush seats. "Knight-Lieutenant, do come in and make yourself comfortable, my dear."

[onlyhymns]

Cade smiled mildly, with what might have been relief. The Grand Enchanter was from a world he understood, in which he knew how to act, and he was unexpectedly grateful for it.

"It is an honor, my lady," he said quietly, and went to sit where she'd directed. Not that this armor was the greatest for sitting in-- it was mostly for standing around looking imposing, maybe marching if that was the order of the day-- but here he was.

"You expressed a desire to meet the Templars of Skyhold, my lady," he explained, his voice quiet and a bit hoarse as though not often used, "I came to put myself at your disposal."

[madame_de_fer]

"I did indeed. I know a few, but I feel it's important for us to foster good relations among those we do have with us." Eventually it's her goal to persuade those stubborn hot-headed rebels to see reason and accept that Circles are still the best solution for peace in Thedas. One thing at a time. "I cannot tell you what a relief it is to know that we have devoted Templars who remember their duties so well."

That is one of the highest compliments she can pay, especially when so many have either turned to the red or stomped off in a sulky fit about recognition.

While they chat, Vivienne pours the tea, and makes a mental note that the poor chap seems most uncomfortable sitting in his armor. It'd be kind if she arranges for something less formal for him for when he is not on duty and makes a note to see to that in the Undercroft today.

[onlyhymns]

It's not that he doesn't have the more comfortable armor! He just got gussied up to meet the Grand Enchanter, as one does. Not that he'll say no to another set, just for her.

Cade seems to glow in her appreciation, looking for all the world like a person who isn't perpetually wracked by nerves and self-doubt. "My lady," he says quietly, in acknowledgment. "I am privileged to be worthy of your regard."

[madame_de_fer]

What a perfect darling. Vivienne's sharp eyes note how much he perks with her appreciation and considers that he is perhaps deprived of such on a regular basis. Whatever her personal grumbles with Templars who have been sulking and stomping their feet for attention, going so far as to abandon Val Royeaux in their snit, she does understand and sympathize with men and women, like him who go utterly unappreciated for their service.

She promptly makes up her mind that she intends to bestow as much kindness and acknowledgment as propriety will allow.

"It's a delight to have you, darling. If I may, how are you settling in? Is there anything I could do to assist your transition? Maker knows this is a far cry from life in the Circle and the differences can be both astonishing and disconcerting." Not for her so much as others, but she's aware the change of lifestyle can be enough to rattle anyone.

[onlyhymns]

Cade considers her questions, his expression becoming more troubled. "If... I may speak candidly, my lady," he says softly, "I fear the Templars of Skyhold are lacking direction." He flinches automatically, as though anticipating being roared at, and when it doesn't happen he reluctantly continues. "We are scattered, disorganized, given no command from the Inquisition proper, and often without purpose now that the mages reject us." This, of course, is the most troubling factor of all: with mages governing themselves, who knows what could happen?
"I... am concerned for the safety of those we swore to protect."

[madame_de_fer]

Vivienne's face falls in sympathetic understanding. These issues trouble her deeply as well. She considers the mage council a stopgap from outright anarchy, which seems to be the preferred flavor amongst the rebel mages, but a far cry from what's needed and necessary.

"Of course you are, my dear. It speaks well of you to make that admission." Though she disagrees that all mages are rejecting the templars. The Iron Lady can see all too well how the majority of them seem to be. It's distressing to watch as everyone throws off a thousand years of a carefully created system. "I should very much like to take your concerns to Commander Rutherford and Seeker Pentaghast. Chaos within the ranks cannot serve to restore order at large."

[onlyhymns]

Cade manages a faint smile of relief and inclines his head to Vivienne, grateful for her praise. "You are too kind, my lady," he says quietly, "...please, if there is any way I can help, it is the least I can do."