open | cloudreach

[hassaran]

WHO: Yseult + others to come
WHAT: A catch-all for open prompts and maybe some closed starters
WHEN: Roughly now-ish, or backdated throughout April
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: If you'd like something in particular ping me on plurk/discord to discuss!

Comments

office hours.

[rezni]

"Beg pardon," comes a voice, preceded by the rasp of the door on it's hinges, swinging forward to reveal—

"Nikolai Lantsov," he says, one gloved hand lifting to his chest briefly.
I was told this was where I could find the Scoutmaster, and prevail on her for a few moments of her time?"

No point in asking if he's interrupting. She's seated at a desk, there is what looks to be a significant amount of paperwork at hand, Nikolai is certain he's interrupted her at something. He doesn't intend to prolong the conversation, only to take the measure of her, make a good impression, and leave while it's still intact.

[hassaran]

"A moment," Yseult replies, having no more inclination than he does to pretend he isn't interrupting, though it has no impact on the politeness of her tone. "Have a seat."

She is making markings on a map unrolled across her blotter, with reference to some letter or report at her elbow. It's only a minute or two before she apparently completes that work, loosely rolling the map and setting it aside on the floor to dry, quill returned to its rest. She fixes her attention instead on Nikolai. "What can I do for you, Serah Lantsov?"

[rezni]

I'd like to see that map, to begin, is on the tip of his tongue, but—

Serah Lantsov. What a novelty. All the names and titles, and this is all he has claim to now.

Settling into the designated chair, Nikolai lifts one ankle to set upon opposite knee before answering, "I've been in the process of getting my bearings, but I am very interested in making myself useful to the efforts of this organization."

Surely a sentiment she hears all the time, but.

"So I should say the real question is what I could do for you, and for Riftwatch."

[hassaran]

It is not a sentiment she hears all the time. And as far as opening lines go, he could certainly do worse. But even for those who might purport to share the intention, the meanings of 'useful' and 'the efforts of this organization' have proven remarkably multifarious. So Yseult's smile remains, as before, polite.

"A question you are currently best suited to answer. What would you propose?"

[rezni]

"I've submitted myself to your Research Division," Nikolai tells her. "I'm interested in the development of technology that can be put to use in your work here, but what I would consider a help in the field is likely vastly different than what you might envision, considering our differing backgrounds."

Thedas is not Ravka, though Nikolai has very quickly picked up on the unending tide of complications and bad news. But familiarity with the sense of being saddled with an uphill battle doesn't give him any idea of what that battle looks like.