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]

"Indeed. Though I'd fear a sudden spill ruining a good gown."

Vivienne applies herself to her writing desk for both a pen and an inkwell. Laurent will adore the gift, and she will be all the rage in Val Royeaux for having attained such an elusive autograph. The writing implements are offered over with a pleased smile.

"I dare say you have just confirmed the validity of the book, though I do wonder, how did you come across a copy of such a valued tome?" Knowing she had some book which sparked conflict with the Qunari in Kirkwall was one thing, the story behind how she came into possession of said book was not included, and almost guaranteed to be thrilling.

[easternseaqueen]

"A girl can't give away all her secrets," she says, a glitter in her eyes. "But let's just say I learned young how to convince people to leave their valuables insufficiently attended, and that those who do are just asking to have someone else take them."

Still, she signed the book with a flourish.
"I do hope he enjoys it."

[madame_de_fer]

"He will. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't rush here if he finds out how I came into such a valued autograph." She suspects Laurent might have a mild crush based solely on the book, nothing to worry about, but she also wonders if it's for the characters or the thrill of celebrity that comes with them.

Vivienne's not going to encourage Isabela's thievery in any way by admitting that she'll keep locks that much tighter on her vault. She's fairly convinced the Rivani would consider it a personal challenge to overcome.

"Have you found yourself the subject of much attention since Varric published it?" And does that make sticky fingers harder to pull off?

[easternseaqueen]

"Then you'll have a story for him, I don't doubt."

The pirate shrugs amiably.
"Oh, not really that much more than usual. Though, I do get a small cut. And I have few creditors breathing down my neck, which is always nice. But I had my reputation long before Varric started writing it all down."