ipseite: (113)
𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊 𝖆 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖓𝖊 ([personal profile] ipseite) wrote in [community profile] faderift2021-04-15 09:13 pm

it is my duty to inform you that we took a vote all us women ( open )

WHO: Petrana + ?
WHAT: Nuggalope training.
WHEN: Current-ish.
WHERE: The Gallows.
NOTES: No content warnings currently applicable. You are not hallucinating, this post does look familiar; it was originally posted end of last year, but mod plot took precedent so I have deleted the untagged original post and am recycling it for reasons.




It is rare, for much of the Gallows, to see Mme de Cedoux out of her office. Rarer still to see her out of her office and not presently engaged in being on the way to an office, possibly hers. Their respective obligations mean that more often than not, it is Enchanter Rowntree who takes Vysvolod for his constitutionals; her outings tend to be more Hightown-oriented than not. If she does take her nuggalope—yes he is named the Black Divine, no she doesn't see anything at all wrong with it—out for his constitutionals, it is typically somewhat further afield than merely nearby the stables and the docks.

And yet.

The physical exercise has done her a world of good, much as it has taught the Black Divine skills that she hopes will never be necessary and knows the sense in hoping; she is sufficiently confident, after some months, in both her own ability (less rusty than it had been) and his (unlikely to cause a catastrophe in front of an audience). So there is no need to take him as far as she's accustomed to doing for the sake of keeping both their hands in, and anyone nearby the dockside stables can,

if they so desire,

be treated to the unusual sight of Mme de Cedoux, in full skirts and corset but sans her sensible shoes, standing at her full five foot height atop the back of a saddled nuggalope, instructing him apparently by subtle shifts of her weight, and

there is a flurry of skirts. A running leap—and nothing beneath her bare feet but the opportunity that decent people will ignore to get a glimpse of knees and ankles until she lands hard and upright on her mount, beneath her at precisely the right moment, and precisely the right angle.

Very good.”
acreage: (} 008.)

[personal profile] acreage 2021-04-15 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Well — he'd been headed to the stables, but it's hard not to notice or be distracted by the sight of a nuggalope, and Petrana doing, apparently, tricks atop one. He changes course to head in her direction, stopping some safe, short distance away.

With amusement,

"Is this what you do in your free time?"
acreage: (} 010.)

[personal profile] acreage 2021-04-16 02:46 pm (UTC)(link)
He has to drop his head, briefly, as a smile overtakes his face — practical, of course, is the word he'd use for practicing tricks in fancy dress atop a nuggalope. And yet he is absolutely sure that, if pressed, she'd have a frighteningly reasonable explanation for why she'd need this skillset.

"Well, I know what you'll be doing if cryptography doesn't work out for you."
inkindled: (35)

[personal profile] inkindled 2021-04-17 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Matthias, leaving the stables, has the urge to cover his eyes. This very much feels like something he's not supposed to be seeing, though--if pressed--he wouldn't be able to say why. She isn't doing this practice in some out-of-the-way spot, so it's not as if he'll be punished for observing--it's a free Kirkwall, a free stable--and he has eyes, and she's leaping on the back of a nuggalope, he's bound to look, even if just by accident. But even so.

He has his hands full--a big heavy ledger book, a satchel that mostly contains pencils--and while he might juggle these things so he could cover his eyes, he won't. That would be stupid. He also won't stop and stare. But is it strange to say nothing? Probably. He doesn't want to look like a weirdie, certainly not in front of Madam (Madame? Lady?) de Cedoux, so--

"I've never seen a nuggalope," is the thing Matthias comes up with to say, and immediately feels an idiot. "Er, so-- Yeah. Well done, as well."
acreage: (} 164.)

[personal profile] acreage 2021-04-18 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
There it is.

Clarifies, "Nuggalope tricks. You could put on a real show if you wanted to."
Edited 2021-04-18 00:14 (UTC)
acreage: (} 100.)

[personal profile] acreage 2021-04-18 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you, Petra, he really needed a reminder today that he hates Thedas. There was a time of his life when he'd never heard of a nuggalope, he thinks wistfully.

But that doesn't mean he can't appreciate the skill she's demonstrating, whether or not she's ever thought about the circus.

"I'm not kidding," he says, offers a brief round of applause. "What you're doing is impressive." But she's not, he thinks, one to linger on compliments, so — "Is he yours?"
inkindled: (25)

[personal profile] inkindled 2021-04-18 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I dunno," is what Matthias begins to say. He only manages up to du when she's back properly in the saddle, and then it seems too late to protest. So, this is happening, then.

He looks around and finds a nearby barrel, and ditches the ledger book and satchel there. Presumably he'll need to give the nuggalope a hand to smell or something. That's what you do with animals, right?

"You're even good at riding." Because she is, thoughtlessly graceful. "I'd as like fall off as not."
acreage: (} coffeesip.jpg)

[personal profile] acreage 2021-04-18 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm assuming you named him that, but tell me if I'm wrong."

He crosses his arms loosely, eyes bright with humor. It's possible, of course, that she got her nuggalope from an Orlesian with a very particular sense of humor. But even if she did, she's the one who chose to keep the name.
hornswoggle: (084)

[personal profile] hornswoggle 2021-04-19 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
In the course of his time in Kirkwall, John's become accustomed to weathering a certain amount of unexpected circumstance. When confronted with the ever-expanding oddities of Riftwatch, he's more or less ceased to be surprised.

However, to round the corner with a pair of saddlebags over one arm and find Madame de Cedoux performing acrobatics on the back of a nuggalope exceeds all John's expectation. His eyebrows raise, momentarily caught off guard before he thinks to clap, just once, before drawing closer.

"I had no idea this is what you got up to in your off hours," John tells her, pausing to sling the saddlebags over one of the partitions and so increase the ease of his movement. "It's very impressive."
archademode: (In the minute)

[personal profile] archademode 2021-04-20 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
Unusual, perhaps, but for a man still so unused to everything that surrounds him, there's hardly a way to describe the sight he takes notice of in passing the stables: horses as proper mounts had been steep enough to adjust to, but this. Those bare knuckles rise from muddied soil, hindquarters buckling in a leap as her own slight weight shifts in unison.

He aims to catch her—

He finds he has no cause to.

The beast is neither ferocious in nature (despite all strange, unsettling appearances), nor is she in any danger of falling from its back, as it seems. Still, it leaves him perhaps a touch too close to the grounds beyond gating, gauntleted fingertips tentatively outstretched, his posture keenly angled in her general direction in obvious concern.

Perhaps she's taken no notice, and he'll be able to slip away as silently as he'd arrived.
inkindled: (61)

[personal profile] inkindled 2021-04-21 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
Matthias gives a startled laugh. He was caught off-guard by that name. There's nothing else for it but to laugh. It's not a loud enough laugh to entirely interrupt Madame de Cedoux. He's spared that embarrassment at least.

"Wouldn't know," he confesses. "I've only spent more time around horses 'cause they're common. Riftwatch is the most riding I've ever done. And I'm not as like to be doing any tricks, even if they are only practice."

He pulls himself up a bit to stand taller in the presence of the Black Divine. Which, even thinking of that, is funny. A grin pulls at the corner of his mouth.

"Can I ask--well, what's with the name, m'lady?"
archademode: (This is my crown)

[personal profile] archademode 2021-04-22 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
“Your gratitude is undeserved. I’ve done nothing to warrant it, save for my own unnecessary intrusion.”

Still, all the same, he takes a single step back— in part because he’s yet uncertain of her (wow so very large) chosen mount, and in part to offer up the formality of a bow: something of an apology for all caused trouble.

If her finery and poise is indicative of anything, he would be remiss to not make amends.

“Forgive me.”

Edited (typos everywhere it’s a bloodbath) 2021-04-23 03:35 (UTC)
inkindled: (41)

[personal profile] inkindled 2021-04-23 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
Matthias manages to think, and not say: Oh, shit. Enchanter Rowantree. The little map in his mind now has a line drawn, making a connection between Madame de Cedoux and Marcus Rowantree. The line is bright red, to denote its importance. It's no surprise that Madame de Cedoux has manners enough to put a title before his name. That doesn't invalidate a connection, only adds respect to it. Naturally: it's Enchanter Rowantree.

"Not a single one, no." Firm agreement. "You look born to it. I reckon it's as you said--you were, sort of. Still, it's madly impressive."

Carefully, Matthias extends a hand toward the Black Divine, to coax the nuggalope nearer and give it its chance at having a smell, if it wants. His limited understanding of what animals care about places a great deal of emphasis on smell.

"I didn't know you knew Enchanter Rowantree," he says, as casually as he can. The title has twice the appropriate amount of reverence to it, probably; that can't be helped. "He's brilliant, I think."
archademode: (Embrace sweet chaos)

[personal profile] archademode 2021-04-24 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
"Your instincts do you no injustice, I am indeed."

It is a relief, in some ways, to speak with someone who holds herself well. Who he does not need to strain to comprehend, nor shift himself to alter his own proclivities in any way for the sake of comfort (that he does, of course, is a matter of camaraderie amongst allies, and he'd have it no other way when necessary— but it is exhausting all the same).

"Perhaps it is not my place to ask, but the beast you so favor..."

what is it though
acreage: (} documentary)

[personal profile] acreage 2021-04-25 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
He casts a critical gaze back over the nuggalope, and her on it, as perfectly coordinated as the centaurs he used to read about as a child.

"We can hope the other Black Divine's as even-tempered as yours."
acreage: (} idiot)

[personal profile] acreage 2021-05-03 12:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"If anyone could do it, I'm sure you could."

He says it with a wave at her Black Divine. Like, she already has a great track record, clearly. Barring that, he knows from experience how well her Stern Tone can put the fear of God into people, so there's a two-pronged strategy here.
Edited 2021-05-03 12:32 (UTC)
inkindled: (18)

[personal profile] inkindled 2021-05-07 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Matthias, standing very straight and tense but trying not to look like he's standing very straight and tense, tenses up even more when the Black Divine's nose comes close. He was prepared for this. He is still tense.

He was not prepared for Mssr Rowantree lives with myself and Enchanter Julius. His attention shifts abruptly to Madame de Cedoux, his eyes very round and his mouth dropped open. His arm flags in its rigidity.

"You," he says, "live with Ench-- with, like-- re, really?"

He heard the rest of that as well. Probably.
inkindled: (33)

[personal profile] inkindled 2021-05-11 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh," Matthias says, first, then, "Yeah?", followed by, "Good," because it is good, isn't it, if she says suitable arrangement, 'suitable' is good, and so, yeah: good.

Meanwhile, the little map in his mind has sprouted several more lines between Madame de Cedoux and Marcus Rowantree and several strings of ???? and even ??!??!? ?, and more lines pointing to Enchanter Julius, who Matthias hasn't spared much thought for--up until now, at least, and now he will be sparing very many thoughts, and looking at him closely next time he sees him.

Roommates, she must mean. Surely. If he momentarily pictures, say, a kiss-- But he wouldn't. That would be weird of him. Roommates, surely. Those can be a suitable arrangement.

"Good," he says, again, and realizes that his hand has raised unconsciously to pat at the Black Divine's neck. Oops. But the great nuggalope hasn't taken his hand off, so, good at that as well. Different good.

What was he saying before all of--this?

"Did he, erm. Did he really tell you that? That he doesn't like to be called Enchanter?"
inkindled: (29)

[personal profile] inkindled 2021-05-12 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
In some ways, this is firmer ground for Matthias. He can toe his way back to the shore of Mage Politics and Debates, leaving behind the uncertain waters of Relationships and Connections. Less firm is applying these thoughts to Marcus Rowantree, who Matthias would build a statue in honor of. He turns over her words carefully.

"Not his preference means dislikes," he advises. And he shoots her a shy little smile, the corner of his mouth tugged up in self-deprecation. It's too direct to keep up for long, so, ducking his head, he turns his attention back to the nuggalope. Madame de Cedoux knows the creature best, so he tries to take his cue in the petting of the Black Divine by scrunching up his fingers and scratching, clumsily.

All of this buys him a moment of time to consider what she's said. "I don't like the Circles either. Obviously. Or being--beholden," her word, and it's as awkward as his attempts to scratch the nuggalope, "beholden, like, to the system. But--I reckon--people, mages, they earned those titles. Right? Even if it was in the Circle that they earned 'em, they still did it. Ench-- Rowantree--" He makes a little gesture, a wince, he's trying. "He definitely did. Not just 'cause of what he did in the Circles, more 'cause of what he did without. If anyone deserves a good title, it'd be him."
inkindled: (16)

[personal profile] inkindled 2021-05-15 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, right, yeah--and he ought to decide for himself, and if he really, really dislikes it--'Enchanter', I mean, as a title--then 'course I won't be calling him that."

Not now that he knows, anyways. Matthias' scratching at the nuggalope's neck has tapered off as he thinks his way through this. He shifts his weight, chews at the inside of his cheek, then blazes on.

"But--like, the way I think of it--even if the Chantry is the ones what made up the structure--er, strictures," not a word that he knows, but he'll go for it, "and the title itself, and how you earned it, and all--then using it now is sort of a pis-- erm, a way to say 'get out of it', to the Chantry. 'Course, you and he likely know more about it. Or I'd guess, anyway, 'cause you're next to a mage, aren't you."

Or so he reckons. If Marcus Rowantree is willing to give her the time of day, share a room with her (and--? no, move on), then--even if Matthias wasn't impressed with Madame de Cedoux on mere presence--that recommendation would be more than enough for him.
inkindled: (11)

[personal profile] inkindled 2021-05-16 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"Right, but--" Frowning as he parses all of this out, Matthias abandons petting the Black Divine so he can scratch at his own ear, a sure sign he's thinking hard. "But if we don't use the titles, 'cause people might think we're loyalists, then they get to keep 'em without a fight. The loyalists. If someone says, oi, call me enchanter, and incidentally the Circles are crap--that'd stick in your mind, wouldn't it? Not yours, obviously. I mean yours generally, like."

There's a lot to take in here. Witch, for one. The holy church. Enchanter Julius the loyalist.

"I don't know Enchanter Julius well," he confesses, "or at all, really. S'ppose I didn't much think of him. So maybe that defend your point better'n mine, 'cause if I knew he wasn't a loyalist, I'd have thought more of him."
hornswoggle: (186)

[personal profile] hornswoggle 2021-05-19 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"We've spoken, but I wouldn't call myself any particular acquaintance."

As he speaks, John comes carefully closer. There's no danger of her falling, so all John is really offering here is a hand should she choose to dismount.

There is some novelty, in looking up at her to carry on a conversation.

"Why do you ask?"
inkindled: (45)

[personal profile] inkindled 2021-05-23 02:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Matthias frowns. Then he frowns harder, and scratches at his ear again.

"Well, I reckon," he starts, but then stops, because he doesn't know how to answer the question. He thinks about the stale air of Tantervale, and the cold air in the mountains, when you'd wake up and crawl out of a tent swaybacked by heavy snow. Then it seemed like there were two different words for air. One was stifling and hard to breathe and the other felt good in your lungs. Even when there was blood on the snow, if you were still breathing after the battle, that was good enough.

So titles might be like that, then. The same thing in a word, but different. Only how did you explain that to someone who hadn't lived it? They couldn't know. Magic done with your head down, magic done to spite everyone, magic done to help--they're all different. They should be called by different things. That's what she means, maybe.

"I dunno," he admits. "I never thought much of what might come after. After the war, I mean. Not until recently." And because he cannot--cannot--think too long about what she's said, and he cannot wonder if that's something you might say of a roommate--then again, he hasn't got good roommates--but even so-- "What would come next, d'you reckon?"