faderift | Wintersend Gifts

Vivienne's already grudgingly accepted that she and Korrin will never see eye to eye on a great many things of importance, such as the necessity of the Circles or the proper use of Templars. However, the mercenary mage is now directly under her tutelage and therefore most important to Madame de Fer. They might all be engaged in a war against a corrupted darkspawn magister and a hole in the Veil, but there's still a need to acknowledge those important for Wintersend.

And she's got just the gift waiting.

Remembering that Korrin complained of the blandness of the food, the Iron Lady has gone to great lengths to compile a basket brimming over with the most flavorful imports she could arrange. As well as a broad range of spices and herbs, pungent and fiery. Not only that, she's deigned to deliver the gift personally rather than holding court on her balcony.

To say that Vivienne has gone above and beyond for Norrington's gift this Wintersend would be an understatement. Not that she sees it in that light in the least. He will more than appreciate and understand the intent behind what Madame de Fer has for him.

It is an enchanted ring which will turn his foes to ice when struck with his blades.

She personally oversaw the enchantment of the ring, knowing that such gifts are only given to those of particular dearness to the mage in question. Now she is looking for him around Skyhold to deliver her gift without the proxy of a messenger to fetch him.

Of all the people in the Inquisition, Kallian happens to be one that Vivienne quite dotes on. She cannot quite put her finger on it, but that is neither here nor there. And she's just the gift planned for this favorite of hers:

A silk dress lined in lace and ribbons. But not just any dress. One that's made in the colors that coordinate with her mother's mask brought from Orlais.

It is not an out of step move. Clearly Kallian has no direct service with the house from whence it came, but matching attire to masks is simply done. She intends to put the young lady in touch with the house, if she so chooses, knowing it to be one in full support of the Inquisition's efforts.

Wintersend remains one of Vivienne's favorite holidays. Aside from the thrill of waiting to see which marriage alliances will be made, there's the matter of giving and receiving gifts. Of course, for one who plays the Game, the gift and the giver must be given all due consideration. They are statements. Still, it certainly keeps things fresh and exciting and never fails to provide mountains of new information on all the players.

Is Viviene playing by gifting Dorian this Wintersend? Well of course she is, and she knows they are both aware of it. But in this instance, there isn't malice intended with the giving and she's chosen carefully.

A messenger is sent to fetch the Tevinter mage from his prodding through the Inquisition libraries while she finishes touching up the ribbon tying the gift.

When Vivienne arrives early in the morning of Wintersend, it appears to be solely for the benefit of Adelaide's young students. She's so terribly fond of them and many a most promising mages. Gifts are distributed with warmth and smiles: warm cloaks for them all, boxes of sweets as well, books, dresses for the girls, warm tunics for the boys. Frankly, Madame de Fer is spoiling the whole lot of them and she's not the least bit repentant for it. The poor darlings deserve something nice in their lives. She doesn't even flinch or pull away when one of the darlings glomps her for an impulsive hug. Vivienne has become the doting auntie and quite likes it.

Once the excitement of gifts has turned into a whirlwind of activity, trying things on and shoving treats into eager mouths, Vivienne turns her attention to Adelaide. There's a large box waiting to be opened, held in reserve just for her.

"This one is for you, darling."

Gift giving is such a joy. Certainly there are the political aspects to a well-placed Wintersend gift, but sometimes there is pleasure just in the giving. And in finding the just right item. This time, Vivienne feels she's landed on perfection for Sister Nightingale.

Madame de Fer climbs the tower stairs to seek out Leliana with her gift for the Left Hand of the Divine. There is a respectful acknowledgment for the woman's position and her skill with the Game, but also for a shared appreciation of quality footwear. Maker willing, that will someday be conveyed to the barefoot Dalish running around Skyhold.

Much of the day has been spent delivering gifts to friends and potential allies within the Inquisition, including the other members of the Mage Council. Lady Thevenet is the last remaining Councilor to be seen to and that is for good purpose. Vivienne's extended a dinner invitation so that the ladies might enjoy some quality company for the evening.

Never let it be said that Vivienne is not almost entirely self-serving with everything she does. Sometimes she is generous just to be generous, but she is such an avid player of the Game, that almost never happens. Which is not to say she is not entirely thoughtful in her choosing to indulge others. This particular gift she's very pleased with, even if she does have something of a plan in mind with it as well.

During the day, a messenger is dispatched to invite Beleth up to her balcony for a visit. When she is not occupied, of course. On arrival, it will be terribly obvious that Madame de Fer takes her Wintersend gift list quite seriously from the sheer quantity of boxes with bows she's stockpiled.

Sometimes there is just someone who you click with because there are similarities which are too great to ignore. Even when by all outside appearances there is not one thing alike. Isabela is one such person and Vivienne finds her company positively delightful. Perhaps she would not invite the pirate queen to a musical salon at Bastien's estate in Orlais, but she couldn't imagine it'd be enjoyed for anything but a potential snatching grounds regardless.

Most of the day, Vivienne has spent seeking out friends and allies, bestowing gifts, and stealing a small snatch of time to catch up with everyone. Most days Skyhold is so busy that it's possible to go weeks without being in the same place. With it being a holiday, however, she's confident that Isabela should be present and she dispatches a messenger to find her.

Much of the day has been spent joyfully giving, and receiving, gifts. The collection of new treasures Vivienne has acquired is nearly as large as the stack of those she's given out. This one, however, she knows will possibly kick off a minor battle of wills. One which she is determined to win.

Because Cassandra simply does not know how to take a break.

Calmly, Madame de Fer makes her way to the training dummies where she knows the Seeker is most likely to be training. Or possibly trying to hide her addiction to passionate literature, which Vivienne plans to indulge a little further herself. The box in her hands is not too large, though part of the gift cannot be packaged.

To say that Kain is a contradiction to Vivienne would be a terrible understatement. Once she determined that the impressive spear fighter in the dragon-like armor was the same man as she found wandering Skyhold in that wretched fashion disaster? Well it boggled the mind, but sure enough, it was quite true. After that, she'd determined to have him outfitted with quality attire for more casual days. Truly, it's her contribution to the Inquisition to see that their people are not gouging out their eyes to the atrocities that is plaidweave and rifter fashion.

She doesn't do this to be unkind, however. Vivienne's remarkably curious about someone who can soar to such heights without the use of magic. So with a large box tied with a blue ribbon waiting for his arrival, she sends a young messenger to fetch the dragoon.

Commander Rutherford is another one of Vivienne's intended gift recipients which she's expecting to have to wage a little battle with. Not for the gift itself, but for the intangible gift that she intends to enforce to go with it: the gift of time off.

Realizing her chances of pulling the man away from his office are practically nil, Madame de Fer crosses the courtyard with purpose, armed with two boxes and an expression of set determination. More than one worker squeaks as she passes, worried that something frightening and magical is about to happen. They could be right.

Answer your door, Commander, and do try not to be too stubborn, if you please.

Regardless of her personal disapproval of Pel's departure of the Council, Vivienne is still remarkably fond of the Dalish mage. That much shall not change. And it is within that spirit of warm familiarity that she's gone to the lengths she has for this particular gift. Indulgent and thoughtful in two parts.

Rather than send someone to fetch her intended recipient, she seeks out Pel in the place she feels is the most likely location: the library. There are two boxes in her hands, both tied with green silk ribbons in intricate bows. (They are both long enough to be easily repurposed for braiding into her lovely silvery hair.) One box is notably smaller than the other, which is close to the size of a thick book.

Now here is another of Vivienne's favorites, though it might prove something of a challenge to draw that admission out of her. She's actually an avid fan of Varric's work, and is privately nursing a hope of getting a sneak peek of his next book. He's all the rage in Orlais and having that delicious little bit of a spoiler to dangle over the court is so tantalizing.

Marvel of marvels, she abandons her balcony to seek out the dwarven author, armed with a gift for him. Tied with a smart silk ribbon.

While Vivienne still holds private reservations about the rifters, their behaviors, and yes sometimes their choice in atrocious fashion, she never voices them. Well, never out in the open and not to someone whose ear she doesn't trust to stay disassociated from their lips. However, her reservations about Martel are not nearly so intense as they were when first they met. In fact, she's come to enjoy his company, the occasional quiet evening of drinks talking for hours.

It's for this reason that she's so looking forward to the holiday. Being generous is certainly a way of buying favor and influence, but in some cases it's just plain delightful to be generous for the joy it will bring the recipient. Thus she waits with anticipation for her messenger to have him brought up to visit, outside of the evening drinks hour.

Now of all the Templars floating about Skyhold, Cade is one of them that Vivienne likes quite a lot. He's polite, unassuming, and most importantly to her, he's got a good fix on what his duties are. It's rather refreshing to meet a Templar who isn't deep into a temper tantrum about not receiving enough attention and recognition from the Chantry like a spoilt child demanding its mother's attention. There are others as well, she knows, but Cade has stood out by being especially polite. And just that proper level of deferential she prefers.

She sends out a messenger to fetch him, but only if he's not otherwise engaged with other important business. Awaiting him on her balcony is the gift she's arranged especially for him.

Bruce retains a special and fond place in Vivienne's almost icy heart. It's certainly true that she seldom allows people in, not terribly close anyway. There are many degrees to her affection and openness, and somehow the man has wiggled in a bit deeper than others. It's the tea time spent together, for starters, coupled with his genuine efforts in assisting her with reagents for her alchemy dabbling. It gives her hope that she'll strike the right balance in the potion to restore Bastien to full health.

She hasn't quite arrived at telling the truth about what she's really looking to create.

What she is prepared for is to spoil him, just a little bit, with her intended gift for Wintersend. She oversaw the enchantment process herself and is pleased, like a cat in the cream, at the result. Not waiting for the process of sending someone after him, she instead travels to the Skyhold gardens hoping to find him there.

Ever since their first sudden and unplanned meeting on the balcony, Vivienne has made a point of having this remarkable elven woman for tea and long discourses over the nature of magic. Certainly a fair amount was self-serving. Madame de Fer needed to know all that she could and should know of these people from out of the rifts, especially as pertained to their magic. She would consider it due caution and adequate research. But more than that, she is is intrigued by the only person she's met who has such an air of authority and command. It rivals her own.

She doesn't tell Galadriel in advance that this is a holiday. Vivienne is rather hoping to surprise her with the gift, having the strong idea that accomplishing any sort of surprise would be a remarkable feat. She's spent weeks filling her gift list and carefully storing the items out of sight so as not to ruin the surprise with tell-tale evidence something was coming.

Tea has been set, and the Iron Lady is ready to see if she's succeeded.

Few people delight Vivienne so much as Katniss manages to do. The Iron Lady finds her frightfully delightful, sometimes for reasons she cannot quite put her finger on. Some days that elusiveness gives her pause, but not often, nor today. Perhaps its the way Katniss manages to balance vulnerability with iron will determination, without even trying. Utterly charming in her own unique way.

Whatever the reason, Katniss has favorably drawn Madame de Fer's attentions. And Vivienne has been looking forward to the holiday just for the perfect occasion it provides to spoil her favorites. During the day, a messenger will hand off a small note on fine stationary: Do come see me when you've the chance, darling.

Emmeline gave out very few gifts this year. Mostly one for Garris, a few others, and mainly she managed to get sweets and give them to others. Honestly, it was the thought that counts. But for Vivienne, someone she could honestly say reminded her of what home was like, she needed something quite special.

So, like any other Orlesian would, she pulled in a favor. She still has a few, thank the Maker, despite what her parents might think.

She hopes to catch her up in her balcony, and she climbs up the stairs quietly. "Madame Vivienne?"

Korrin

Norrington

Kallian

Dorian

Adelaide (and her students)

Leliana

Benevenuta

Beleth

Isabela

Cassandra

Kain

Cullen

Pel

Varric

Martel

Cade

Bruce

Galadriel

Katniss

For Viv!