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

[el_tybs]

Sam's brows raise in amusement at the way the other mage snaps his fingers as if it will help him remember. "Samouel," he offers, "and yes, I believe we have seen each other around. We haven't formally met though. And you are?"

[salvatore_underfoot]

"A shame, that. We mages should stick together." His smile broadens. "Salvatore." He settles back, getting more comfortable. "So, what do you think of this place?"

[el_tybs]

"Salvatore. It is nice to meet you." He doesn't comment about the part about sticking together. It is important, but he doesn't want to feel like he's in the Circle again, mages just being with mages.

"Oh the library is pretty great. Has a lot more texts about subjects that I'm interested about." At that he leans over a bit to see what Salvatore is reading, and raises a brow. "Trying to challenge yourself there?"

[salvatore_underfoot]

Don't ruin his pitch, Sam. He had a whole thing planned.

"Well, I meant... Yes, well, the library is pretty great." He meant Skyhold as a whole, but all he's trying to do is warm up to conversation, so that's all right. He looks down at his own volume and grimaces. "Oh, uh. If I say yes will you believe me?"

[el_tybs]

Sam has a habit of throwing a curve ball into people's expectations. Mostly unintentionally.

"Normally, no, but if you let me read it after I'm sure I didn't see anything." Even upside down Sam caught the word 'dragon' in the text. He was now curious what the book was about. "I take it you aren't talking about the library."

[salvatore_underfoot]

"You can have it now, if you wish." Sal flips the book shut and passes it to Sam. "I'm not. I wasn't. But we can if you want. I'm adaptable."

[el_tybs]

"Ah, yes. Because I like nothing better than to talk about my love for aged parchment and worn leather." Amused sarcasm. Not that he hates the library, but he doesn't find the need to actually talk about it.

Sam accepts the book graciously, fingers tracing over the spine as he placed the book over the one in his lap. "Probably best if you bring up what you wanted to talk about."

[salvatore_underfoot]

Free of the book and his flimsy excuse for coming over here, Sal stretches out his legs, though he looks somewhat put out at having his elaborate (it really wasn't) plan thwarted.

"There was a lead-in, you know. I worked really hard on it." He sighs, as if this is a huge imposition for him. "Very well. I wanted your opinion on circles."

[el_tybs]

"Really hard on it, huh? Well I wouldn't stop you from going on with your plan." There's a chuckle as Sam shifts in his spot to face Sal better. "They're very important geometric shapes. Can't draw a perfect one for my life though."

Sam chuckles again at seeing how put off Sal is getting with his joking around. A very serious subject then. "Sorry," he says seriously though the smile doesn't leave. "You'll have to be more specific when you say 'your opinion'. Exactly what part of the Circles did you want me to you an opinion about?"

[salvatore_underfoot]

"You're hilarious," Sal deadpans.

It is a serious subject. As serious as Sal can make it. He's trying. "Let's start with this: Are you for them, against them, think they should be re-established?"

[el_tybs]

"Hey, sense of humor is important." Sam nods a bit sagely before closing up his book and setting them both on the floor next to him.

Very serious subject indeed. "All and none?" He pauses a moment before giving a long sigh. "You might want to consider starting with something a bit easier to start off with. Very well." Leaning back against the bookshelf, Sam hums, rubbing his chin a bit. "I am not fond of the Circle. I hated feeling like I was trapped, only having stone walls to look at, and being watched every second. But at the same time the Circles are important. I learned how to control my magic because of them. Having peers and mentors, and having safety measures while you learn a dangerous subject is very much needed. The only way I would consider having the Circle to be re-established would be if it is considered more of a school. A place to learn safely, but not a prison. Have board for those who need a place to live, and lets the others come and go for classes. It's just like this library; mages are more willing to come and learn, to better themselves if given the chance and see it as a refuge instead of a place that will punish you for stepping over a minor line."

[salvatore_underfoot]

"It didn't seem like a hard question in my head," Sal defends, puffing up a bit, though he's not really offended. He sighs. "I'm sorry, then. This is the first time I've done this. I'm testing the waters with you."

He listens, nodding along at parts, more to show he's hearing what's being said than because he agrees, though the idea has merit. "I hadn't considered that. A school." He was so hung up on the idea of prisons, he never considered the idea they could reconstructed into something else. "And templars? What of them?"

[el_tybs]

Maybe 'hard' wasn't quite the word Sam was looking for. Challenging maybe? It wasn't a bad question, just not something a lot of people wanted to get into depth upon first meeting. Oh well.

Sam doesn't look all that surprised that Sal brought up Templars next. Whenever someone brings up the Circles, questions about Templars aren't far behind. "Ah... I can't say I love them, but I can't say I hate them either. The idea of what a Templar is supposed to be, a protector to everyone, is tarnished by what a lot of Templars end up being. Jailers, punishers... executioners." Sam smiles lightly despite his last words, remembering his most recent meeting with a certain fellow. "They all aren't bad though. Just another corrupt system."

[salvatore_underfoot]

"No. Not all of them." Perhaps they're thinking of the same certain fellow, though Sal is withholding his judgement until he sees how things pan out. Templars are one thing; Templar leaders are another. "I agree. The system has done more harm than good, I'd say. But it was the Templars that got me and mine out of a tough bind, so I can't fault all of them."

He shifts some, so he's better facing Sam. "I don't suppose you would be interested at all in expressing your thoughts to other interested parties?"

[el_tybs]

That actually surprises Sam. Normally questions like these lead to someone asking you to join their cause or if you qualify to be part of their group. Being asked to come and talk about his thoughts on the matters? That's different.

"I don't actively go around talking to people about what I think. Too many do that. If people actually want to know my opinion I'll give it gladly. I'd be willing to voice my opinions to other parties who want to hear or discuss them."

[salvatore_underfoot]

"Fair enough." Sal has no ulterior motives, no causes or gangs to join. Although... A mage gang...? No. No gangs. Stupid idea.

"Once I have a where and when, I'll be in contact. Thank you for letting me bother you." With a smile, Sal gathers himself up and rises. "Do let me know how the book turns out?"

[el_tybs]

Sam raises said book with a nod. "Will do. You're better off finding me at the forges or the tavern if you come looking for me personally."

[salvatore_underfoot]

"Ah, yes. The forges. Where else would one find a mage?" Though Sam has the build for it, Sal still makes the most disbelieving face. "No, sorry, sorry. I was leaving, wasn't I? Another day, you'll explain it to me, though, alright?"

[el_tybs]

Sam grins at the question, which only grows wider when Sal looks like he wants to hear an actual answer for it. "Another day then. I'll see you around, Sal."

[salvatore_underfoot]

Sal waves and leaves before he can take back his farewell. He's got work to do damn it.