[ OPEN ] Now I need to grease a palm

[fleurdesel]

WHO: Adelaide LeBlanc & You
WHAT: Letters & a Loot Crate
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Political Pandering

[ Courtyard ]

The letters she'd expected more or less. Those from her family she certainly expected. The note from Baron Jean Bonnot less so- but she might as well see if there was anything particularly terrible that was worth mocking in the latest note. When she was asked to sign for something Adelaide grew concerned, but did so. And found herself in the possession of an unwieldy crate stamped with her family crest- at least the courier was kind enough to leave her a crow bar before shuffling off for a hot meal and a quick rest. Stacks of letters in her hands she hasn't even gotten around to reading but this? Needs investigation. She can be found attempting to pry the lid off the crate and failing due to a lack of proper leverage. Assistance would be lovely.

Once open the contents of the Crate are as follows:

• A small case of horn balm
• Assorted carvings of Halla
• Assorted carvings of griffons
• An hourglass with heavy templar/chantry iconography
• A set of ornate pens
• A bagged pipe in Plaidwave
• An assortment of small bottles of Orlesian Wine
• Contracts for litters of Mabari from the Lowell family
• Assorted small fine cheeses
• A box of assorted chocolates
X2 - 1 remaining
• Assorted stationary & inks
• Assorted oils for leathers & Polish for armor
• A tome on Magical Theory
• A few small bags of coffee beans
• Maps for the Inquisition & Trade Agreements with the branches of the LeBlanc family
• Rifter Care Packages containing:
  
  
  • Tins of biscuits
  • Packets of bagged tea
  • A written pamphlet 'Welcome to Thedas- a primer' a basic rundown of races, countries, the chantry, some loose and very simplified notations on mages & templars; all biased heavily by Orlesian sentiment.
  • Salve for the aching hand
  • Woolen knit socks
• A smaller package wrapped separately for Adelaide alone.

Adelaide will spend the remainder of the afternoon distributing the tokens of support from the branches of her family to their intended recipients, Dalish, Vashoth, Qunari, Templar, Mage, Scholar, Rifter, etc. Afterward she will take the case for herself and get a much needed drink to read her letters.


[ Tavern. ]

Once everything is distributed to her satisfaction or at least to the best of her ability, Adelaide spends a well earned evening in the tavern, glass of wine at her elbow, looking over a series of letters from her family and from the Baron, catching up on news of the world beyond Skyhold, why she received a crate of what was effectively sanctioned bribery, and trying to decide if opening that last little case is worth the trouble.


[ ooc: Loot for the loot god- swing by and grab swag. ]

Comments

[judgemewhole]

"Perfect. I shall be glad to do so." He smiled warmly, and cheerily, as he nodded at Adelaide. "As always, a pleasure, Lady LeBlanc. Please let your family know we appreciate their generosity."

He turned to leave, then paused, "Lady LeBlanc ... the Mage Council does realize that we only held our first meeting in private to iron out the details, correct? We will be making our decisions known to the entire Inquisition that we are all part of."

[fleurdesel]

"I shall write your thanks into my next letter." Which would be due by the end of the day, her mother would wish to know immediately what was thought of the gifts, their reception, what might come of her position as dispensing them. If she used it to her advantage.

Adelaide turned back to the crate, to pick through for the next set of particular gifts when he spoke again. Honestly she attempted to put it from her mind. The idea of templars meeting in secret- it touched far, far too close to home for her. Enough that some of her earlier cheer frosted over in tense memory. "I cannot imagine why a secretive meeting such as yours might be looked upon with trepidation. It is not at all as though such a thing preceded several...unfortunate events in various circles in the past year."

How she managed to keep her voice even, she wasn't sure- but it was better than giving into the frustrating urge to snap. He was making the attempt to be kind. She would not undue the progress she'd just gained with the hour glass and contract. "...There have been concerns expressed, Knight-Commander, that these councils will distract from the Inquisition's true purpose. This is something of which we all must be mindful."

[judgemewhole]

Oh, now that was a direct hit right between the shoulder blades, and he visibly winced before he took another few steps back from her. Every single time a mage looked at him like that, or said something like that - he felt as if he had done whatever horrible thing they were imagining. If she had snapped he would have mumbled an apology and just left. "...As I said, we will be making all of our opinions public."

He nodded his head, "Of course. Which, ah, is why I wanted your help. Or rather, yours and Madame Vivienne's, if you can spare the time."

[fleurdesel]

"In what manner?" Norrington was...sensible. Stable. Solid. He reminded her much of what she thought Templars ought to be before she'd ever learned what they actually were. That if nothing else had her folding her hands in her lap with great care, shoulders tense. Wary, but willing. Helping templars had not gone well the last any mage outside the Inquisition attempted it.

[judgemewhole]

"The Templars are now part of the Inquisition." He tapped his armor. "Which means this? Has to go. We do not need new armor ... but we do need new overcoats." He cleared his throat, "And - frankly - I am not ... I have rarely worn anything that was not given to me, outside of some simply made clothes. You and Madame Vivienne are both fashionable and sensible. I was hoping perhaps you could help."

[fleurdesel]

"..." She couldn't quite repress the incredulous snort of laughter that accusation caused. Carefully, as though speaking to a child she murmured. "Simply because I am of noble blood and Orlesian does not mean that I am fashionable."

Case in point, the rather simple blue woolen kirtle she was wearing, much like those she ever wore. Practicality above all else- wearing fine silks and brocade when dealing with blood and bile was asking for trouble more often than not. For fashion they would need to lean desperately upon Vivienne's expertise. "But I am certain Vivienne would be delighted to assist and I shall see if I cannot temper her...aesthetic so it does not clash with your Temperance."

[judgemewhole]

And ... Norrington would now be taking another step back. If he kept going he would be half-way across the courtyard before she could pin him with one of her Withering Glowers.

"...if it would be an issue, Lady LeBlanc, I shall talk to her myself." Was his rather stiff, and thoroughly embarrassed answer. Yes, his ears were bright red. "I am sorry I have troubled you."

[fleurdesel]

The step back got a quirked brow- what was he afraid of? "Not an issue. I am vaguely aware of most fashions though I do not have the time or patience to indulge in them myself. Vivienne would be your best bet for a striking image and I will do what I might for practicality. Though the idea of the new templar order wearing horned hats is terribly striking I do not think it to be what you are after, yes?"

Probably a call back to the older stages of the order might be what they needed. So long as she stepped back to look at it academically it would not discomfit her so much. "You have not troubled me at all, Knight-Commander. I do thank you for your reassurance regarding the new Order under the inquisition. It is appreciated."

[judgemewhole]

She ... was not glowering at him. In fact, she was being downright civil. What was happening? This was not supposed to be happening. Norrington felt like his world was slightly off-kilter now as he arched an eyebrow at her. "... Honestly, I was just looking for a new, ah, insignia. This is clearly - " He pointed to the sword on his chest, " - going to fill people with dread."

He frowned, deeply as he looked down at his chest, then up at her. He did not need to go into how he wanted to find something that would fill people with confidence. "Since we are part of the Inquisition, perhaps their symbol instead. Change the colors as well."

Er. Not that she was ... interested. Right. "You are welcome, Lady LeBlanc. I hope to continue to reassure you of our intentions in the future." He bowed, tucking the hourglass under his arm, and went to leave.