O1 ♚ I'M IN NEED OF AN ANSWER

[slaveking]

WHO: Marcel Gerard & you
WHAT: A vampire chillin' in Thedas gets a log with both open and closed starter options. Running on rooftops, hanging at the tavern, murder practice, the usual.
WHEN: December
WHERE: Various throughout the fortress Skyhold
NOTES: Up to PG-13 for language, will note more in subject headers as they arise

See comments for starters!

Comments

[salvatore_underfoot]

"Mm. Fairly close." He offers a shrug to the other comment, not entirely sure what was meant by "his people". The people of Nevarra, or the the people of Perendale? Or the mages? Whatever the case, he can't recall anything happening in the time he lived in the Circle - nothing that would have concerned him. It was true the mages of Nevarra enjoyed more political leverage than those in other regions, but he figured that was a Nevarran trait, not a result of living close to the Imperium.

He shifts forward in his seat a bit more. "Italy?" He tries the name out, repeats it. That's fascinating. Brow furrowing, he shakes his head slowly. "It's ... maybe I've heard something similar, but, no. That sounds like something you might hear farther east, maybe? I'm afraid I'm not well-versed in languages and their regions. I've spent most of my life indoors."


(OOC: Been trying to figure out what Nevarra is based on. I have found nothing~)

[slaveking]

Marcel watches, thinks, and observes that his understanding to Tevinter tensions has slightly missed the mark this time. It's not the end of the world, obviously; better to err on the side of sensitive than the opposite, where politics are concerned. He supposes that will take more learning. It's nice, though, that Salvatore has a similar sort of humility, makes Marcel feel a little less ignorant.

Most of his life indoors?

"Sure," he says, nodding. "If you don't mind me asking, what kept you inside so long? I figure if you were sick, you probably wouldn't be up here." Marcel gestures at the doorway, the expanse of mountainside just outside the tavern doorway.

[salvatore_underfoot]

Unfortunately, Salvatore's political knowledge is greatly hindered by how much he absolutely detests politics. Dozing off through most of his classes and only skimming through the books on the subjects didn't help. He's only now starting to pick up a vague interest, but still finds himself drifting off during council sessions.

He laughs a little. "No, no. I wasn't sick. I'm a mage." He brings a hand up to reach behind him before remembering he hadn't brought his staff with him. "Do you know anything about the Circles? It's a bit of an explanation."

[slaveking]

"Circles with a big C? I don't think so," Marcel answers, cocking his head curiously. "But I know there's a Council, and some category of Tevinters. And I've seen some of what you folks can do."

A beat.

"I probably should've asked Sam more about it. Or is that a Nevarran thing?" he drags his drink closer to himself. "The Circles, and uh." Being imprisoned or otherwise restricted from the outside world, he means, but he isn't sure how to put that in a way that sounds non-judgmental. Nothing in Salvatore's demeanor suggests he's angry or particularly dogged by the experiences of his past.

[salvatore_underfoot]

He nods. "We've formed a Council here. There is a Tevinter among the mages. Not on the Council itself, but vocal. And honestly, if they're here to help, I don't care where they're from."

A shake of the head. "It's a Thedas thing." Though he thinks Tevinter also has Circles - just not in the same way. "Most countries have one. Or more than one. Nevarra has two, in Perendale and Cumberland. Some were better than others. Perendale wasn't a terrible place to grow up. The mages and Templars got along fairly well, I think? There was a sort of balance. But..." He shrugs uncomfortably, gaze shifting to his drink. "No matter how you dress it up, all the perks and training and books and education... It was still a prison." He sighs, smiles a bit as he looks back to Marcel. "Not every mage will agree. There are those who are for the Circles, would even like to see them restored."

[slaveking]

Right at the end, Marcel's eyebrows hike all the way up. Surprised. Not as raw and unfiltered as it might be under different circumstances-- he's being careful, and very little he's doing is unpremeditated. Still, a grain of sincerity always sells the facade, and for him, this is more than a grain. He once bought his freedom with thrown stones and a near burning at a stake.

"How about a toast?" he asks instead. Willing to keep it light. Salvatore looked uncomfortable when he walked in, and he doesn't look much better now. He raises the tankard. "To freedom and-- you pick something."

[salvatore_underfoot]

He relieved, and it shows, though he tries to cover that with a smile as he lifts his mug. There's sometimes no telling how some people feel about mages and Templars and Circles and all the issues surrounding them, unless they come right out and say something. And who knows what people have been telling the rifters, or what their own experiences with magic are like?

"I'll drink to freedom. And a long life to enjoy it."