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

[theproperglove]

Josephine is no stranger to opulence, but many months of living in freezing ancient structures has done much to lessen her familiarity with her previously lavish lifestyle. She becomes somewhat flustered as the plate is presented to her, as though she is not entirely sure where she ought to begin. It takes every fibre of her being to restrain from wringing her hands. It would simply not do to appear too overwhelmed in the presence of such a formidable woman. "It is nothing, Lady Vivienne, I vowed that I would dedicate myself wholly to the Inquisition, and intend to be my very best to uphold that promise." So what if her 'very best' very often resulted in burning the midnight oil? The Inquisition deserved nothing less.

She helps herself to some of the nibblies, choosing some of the cheeses and candied fruits to start with; it's an interesting combination, certainly, but she's simply gone with her favourites. When she looks up at Vivienne again, she continues, "Even with all the work we have ahead of us, it would be remiss of me to ignore a invitation from the Madame de Fer, would it not?" Josephine lets a smile play around her lips then. She is mostly joking. Mostly.

Her gaze now returned to the food she has chosen, she still looks as though she can scarcely believe her eyes. "I must say, I'm impressed with the selection you have acquired. Well chosen." There is an unspoken question on her tongue: do you have some secret culinary connections, Vivienne?

[madame_de_fer]

"Thank you, my dear. I have a dear friend in Val Royeaux who has been eager to expand his interests in imported viands. I'll be certain to pass on your appreciation of his offerings." That would be the answer to Josephine's unspoken question, and an invitation for the ambassador to make inquiries for additional foodstuffs should she choose.

Before Josephine can ask for a name though, Vivienne holds up a hand. "But that's a task for another day. For now, we should attend to your rest and relaxation."

She'll give up the name and happily so, but not right now. No work today.