Wintersend Gifts

[madame_de_fer]

WHO: Vivienne and YOU
WHAT: Giving out Wintersend gifts
WHEN: Wintersend (backdated to Feb 1st)
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: If you have a shred of positive CR with Vivienne, or happen to be someone that would be considered a key political ally to have, gifts are forthcoming.

Shoot me a message and I'll set you up a subthread. Come get your goodies!

Comments

[madame_de_fer]

"Think nothing of it, my dear. I recognize the enormity of the work you do here." A little mess is honestly nothing. Now if they got the public areas of Skyhold adequately situated with sheets of marble and gold shingles on the roofing, then she might begin work on the working spaces of the advisors. There are other obstacles to overcome first. No more crumbled walls, members who don't look like ruffians fresh off the streets. One thing at a time, she supposes.

Still, Leliana gets a smile from Vivienne. "Indulge me a few minutes of your time? I've something for you." She holds three boxes in hand, tied with cheerful satin ribbons. "It will do you good to take a moment for yourself." She works herself as hard as Cullen and Josephine, which while admirable and necessary, also puts their heath and well-being at risk.

[fightingale]

She enjoys it, in a way. The balance of tact and gloss and directness that Vivienne manages with each turn of phrase. It is possible to spend a long while considering her words and weighing them up, looking for truth and the barbs woven into them. A compliment of that nature, it resonates as genuine, and if it has further meaning or is meant to curry favour, Leliana can consider it later on.

"Of course." Leliana is busy, as she is always busy, but this is a visit she will not rush. "You honour me," she starts, spying the boxes in hand. "But please, I have something for you, as well. I only apologise that you had to come here for it to be delivered."

Though her desk has papers to hand, they are carefully stacked and organised, and with nothing sensitive at risk of being seen, she gestures for Vivienne to claim a seat as she moves to a locked cabinet nearby. "Can I get you a drink, while you are here?"

There is an attendant present, and he can scurry to the kitchens, if she should need anything. For now, she draws a cord from around her neck and uses one of the keys attached to it to unlock the cabinet so she can grab the two boxes she holds, as well. Not quite so impressive as three, visually, but the hopes the content will make up for that.

[madame_de_fer]

"I would love one, if it's not too much trouble."

Vivienne can see the attendant there and knows accepting the drink should prove no problem whatsoever. It also will find an excuse to remove them so that Sister Nightengale may receive her gift in privacy. If as she suspects, the Inquisition's spymaster seldom gets time to herself. A difficult balancing act for one whose work relies on lurking in secrets and shadows.

Still, it seems that Leliana is not the only one who hears whispers and acts upon them. The first and smallest box contains lute strings, someone mentioned in passing that Sister Nightengale never played her lute for lack of new strings. The second box contains dainty blue dancing slippers trimmed in seed pearls. Nothing too outlandish, especially coming from an Orlesian, but then it'd not do at all to have whispers of a secret lover slipping outlandishly bejeweled shoes.

The third box holds the masterpiece of the gifts. It is something of a hint. People who have known, or known of, the bardess for any length of time, have noted that she no longer sings or plays. Whether it's from matters of the heart, lack of good lute strings, inability to find the time, or an unsatisfied craving for something new? Who can say. Vivienne, however, is doing what she can to address as many of those as she can.

Inside the final box is a collection of compositions from Empress Celene's court composer. They've been bound in gilt Antivan leather, pages crisp and pristine.

Yes, it would be best that Vivienne accept the drink and create a small pocket of privacy, just in case it's needed.

[fightingale]

"No trouble at all." She turns to the page, who stands at attention, eager to oblige. "Kozra, if you could?" The young dwarf nods, and sets off to another room. She likes to think of it as a nice test, a way to try and gauge the political leanings of her agents and how well they recognise different Inquisition members. Others, of course, always try to get the best they can, more a reflection that they want the Nightingale's impact to be positive.

Always worth considering, these little details. He returns quickly, nodding very respectfully to Vivienne, and offers a tray with two glasses. The wine itself is quite beautiful, rich and fruity, and Leliana accepts her glass only after Vivienne takes hers. "Ah," she starts, smiling a little, before raising her glass to Vivienne and taking a sip. Well done, Kozra.

But, wine aside, Leliana can't quite help a mixed lurch of her old, childish glee at gifts, and her more wary, cynical analysis of each item, the hidden judgments and disdain they might conceal, the clues to her person that she or others might have given away. Accepting the gifts with a respectful nod, Leliana opens each carefully, a crooked smile at the lute strings (bittersweet, that) and it widens and brightens with the shoes, and she picks one of them up carefully, touch light as she turns them. "These are beautiful," Leliana murmurs, examining them with a rare glimpse of the bright, energetic girl that she was before she was drawn back into this web of intrigue.

The final box is the true master stroke, and Leliana's inhales sharply when she sees it, carefully working away her gloves and picking up the bound work. Antivan leather reminds her of Zevran, always, but she is slowly turning the pages, studying the music with something close to hunger. "This is exquisite," is what she finally manages, and though Leliana never struggles to speak, that is not a luxury allowed those who play the game, she does have to allow herself half a second. "Thank you."

And now Leliana's gifts. The first box is simple, but the contents specific - a bottle of a very fine wine, the vineyard located near Valence, and the preferred one of Divine Justinia, for those in the know. It is a favourite of hers, and a good year. A gift of indulgence, yes, but of respect as well. Fine taste to be well appreciated by all. The second box contains six glass bottles with glass stoppers in different colours and blown to look like flowers. Each contains a mixture of spices, flowers and fruit oils, three designed to relax and soothe, and the other three more invigorating, though each has its own nuance. They are suited for application to the skin, or to a bath.