In Search Of...

[salvatore_underfoot]

WHO: All Welcome, ATTN: Taashath
WHAT: Seeking mages and a certain qunari
WHEN: First two weeks, following this conversation
WHERE: Around Skyhold, Herald’s Rest
NOTES: He’s screening mages and looking for a handful who will be willing to join him in meeting with the Templars to present their side of Things. Non-mages welcome.

Salvatore has a mission. A responsibility. He wasn’t an altogether responsible person. Not usually. But this was something that mattered. To him. Maybe to others as well. He hopes. He just has to find mages with opinions, and voices ready to be heard.

He can be found in every corner of Skyhold, finding various excuses to interact with whatever mage he bumps into. He starts in the library and steadily makes the rounds, offering assistance in trade for conversation. Need some boxes moved? Tents pitched? Training? He can spar and talk! Need help with gardening? He can dig holes! Healing? …He can dig holes! (By the way, how do you feel about feel circles?)

He does take up the Knight-Commander’s suggestion and heads down to the Herald’s Rest as soon as it is prudent to do so. Maneuvering around people and tables, he’s less concerned about getting a drink and more concerned with his objective. How hard can it be to find a “behemoth”, as Sauveterre put it?

Comments

[salvatore_underfoot]

"To be honest, I've never met a qunari before this moment," Salvatore admits. Stories, sure, some, but his focus had largely, always, been on other things. Those things rarely had much to do with outside cultures. He's not at all bothered by his own ignorance on these matters. "I'm afraid I don't know anything about your mages."

A troubled look crosses his face. "You can't. What do you mean you can't be unbiased?"

[quietblade]

If the kid doesn't know, he's not about to tell him. No need to upset him and have some magic accidents, after all. You never knew just how good control they had, and Taas... well, that was the point of all this, wasn't it?

"I'm not comfortable with magic, and thus not with mages. It's a cultural thing that still sticks with me even after I left the Qun." He explains calmly. "That lingering feeling of unease makes me biased, and therefore not a good mediator. I can only make sure your groups don't fight, not get involved with the discussion."

[salvatore_underfoot]

"I ... see." Sal's not quite sure how to process about this information. The Knight-Commander hadn't warned him of this. He feels foolish now. "I certainly can't change the way you feel, not in any reasonable amount of time. You wouldn't have to be involved in the discussion, but I still had hoped for someone without a preference. I do thank you for your honesty."

[quietblade]

"There's no need. I'm not here to deceive anyone." The large warrior smiles slightly, clasping the mage on the shoulder with a meaty hand. "I do not believe the Knight-Commander is at fault for this, so please do not blame him. He put more faith in me than I can return, and for that I am only honored."

Taas inclines his horns slightly. "If you seek an unbiased person, may I suggest someone from a diverse group? Those who have grown up with mages and not exposed to templars, or having favorable relations with both. I'm certain there must be some here." The qunari scratches his beard slightly.

"...either way, I'm still willing to make sure nobody kills anybody." He couldn't hear the discussion, but damn if he didn't know the signs of someone about to snap. That could be helpful.

[salvatore_underfoot]

He tries valiantly not to stagger under the weight of that hand. And regardless of what the qunari says, he does still blame the Knight-Commander. He's too upset still to let it go just yet. There will be words.

"There are a diverse number of people here, I'm sure." Sal nods his thanks for the suggestion, but seems apologetic at the same time. "Equally sure, as you may or may not know, many mages are not altogether worldly. Ah, but I'm sure a little conversation can cure that?" If he looks a uncertain, it's a trick of the light.

"It's not what I was hoping for, but... I will keep you in mind. If nothing else, you seem honorable."