[OPEN]

[heirring]

WHO: Wysteria, Flint, & YOU
WHAT: Catch-all
WHEN: Fantasy!March
WHERE: Kirkwall/the Gallows
NOTES: Predominantly wrap-up/endcap threads for Wysteria and Flint before they ride off into the sunset. If you want something bespoke, feel free to wildcard me or reach out for a starter. Wysteria's impending departure is known, Flint's definitely isn't.

Comments

[ipseite]

In the full effect of her Hightown airs, Petrana's half wide-brimmed hat at its rakish tilted angle is threatening to take some of these carriage bounces amiss, though it has yet to be displaced— beneath it she is smiling, her hands folded in her lap, something about her expression nearly as if she is committing Wysteria to memory in this moment. They will, she has no doubt of it, see one another again,

nevertheless, it will not be so soon as she has been accustomed to taking for granted. Hearing her voice or quick step within the halls of the Gallows; listening on the crystal even to things she's not the slightest intention of weighing in upon publicly. Wysteria, in her office, pressing her case.

Perhaps they have not always agreed on its implications or consequences, but how lovely it has been to have someone who appreciates fully their position. Had she ever known Mademoiselle Bonaventura? It seems unconscionable to imagine that she might not have done, but that is not a line of inquiry she trusts herself entirely to pursue without becoming overwrought and so instead:

“It would have been unthinkable to allow you to depart otherwise. Besides, I rather think my requests for any dwarven language materials you might put your hands upon will be all the more compelling for being so delivered—”

is a joke, just lightly.

“Madame de Fonce,” after a moment, “you are a force. A most marvelous mind to which we inarguably owe a great deal. It is the very least that I might do, to offer you a small reprieve.”

[heirring]

Wysteria's scoff is more surprise than an actual commitment to disbelief and skepticism. Indeed, of all the scoffs she has ever scoffed (which amounts to a considerable number), this one must be among the most pleased sounding. What a surprise this is! And perhaps just a little mortifying, somehow, to be complimented so genuinely by inarguably the most refined woman in the company. But mostly just a surprise, and a dearly good one at that.

Suffice to say, this is not how she imagined her afternoon.

"Be that as it may"—she could hardly argue otherwise; yes, she is at least a little clever, isn't she?—"I still thank you for the thought. It's kindly done. And also I can't stand to watch wallpaper being hung for another hour. It makes me entirely too nervous."

What if the pattern edges don't match? Terrible.

"Give it only a few weeks, and all will seem as if it's perfectly ordinary once more. I assure you."

(They have no way of knowing that Wysteria will board a packet ship for Ferelden and in the following week, the Gallows will come tumbling down. But that's neither here nor there.)