![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[ I'm assuming they've been introduced in the past at least in passing in the office, and that he's been informed about her appointment. ]
Enchanter Averesch-- the meeting of the Magisterium in Vyrantium. Do you have any plans to send a team? It seems like an opportunity for influence, or at least information-gathering.
I also have some thoughts related to field-readiness training.
Enchanter Averesch-- the meeting of the Magisterium in Vyrantium. Do you have any plans to send a team? It seems like an opportunity for influence, or at least information-gathering.
I also have some thoughts related to field-readiness training.
You do not have to call me that.
[ Weary, because he’s said it so often, and because he means it only reluctantly. ]
Vyrantium is on a list. Somewhere. [ Not actually that disorganized, only perpetually putting out fires, or at least trying to dispatch people to figure out what caused the fires and how they might hypothetically be put out—anyway. ] What did you have in mind?
[ Weary, because he’s said it so often, and because he means it only reluctantly. ]
Vyrantium is on a list. Somewhere. [ Not actually that disorganized, only perpetually putting out fires, or at least trying to dispatch people to figure out what caused the fires and how they might hypothetically be put out—anyway. ] What did you have in mind?
[ Mortalitasi has, as anticipated, raised a few eyebrows around the Gallows, but one such eyebrow had come with a complaint Ilias hadn't expected -- about having enough stinking dead things already, thanks. It takes a little doing to connect any of that to Averesch and Hostile Powers but after Casimir he'd needed a project like some need a stiff drink.
So eventually, there's a grey-robed figure darkening the project office doorstep. Squinting. Averesch. The name had rung familiar in a vague sort of way, but the face -- a bit more filled out, a bit better beard, but--
Ah. In the crypts. There's a wince, but he rolls it into an amiable smile. ] Kostos, wasn't it?
Ilias Fabria. [ In case Kostos's memory isn't any better. ] Forgive the intrusion. I heard someone was keeping a few of the dead around.
So eventually, there's a grey-robed figure darkening the project office doorstep. Squinting. Averesch. The name had rung familiar in a vague sort of way, but the face -- a bit more filled out, a bit better beard, but--
Ah. In the crypts. There's a wince, but he rolls it into an amiable smile. ] Kostos, wasn't it?
Ilias Fabria. [ In case Kostos's memory isn't any better. ] Forgive the intrusion. I heard someone was keeping a few of the dead around.
[ The office Ilias is looking in on is fairly neat, but the desk, specifically, is verging on a disaster—the sort of disaster that comes from being overwhelmed but also unwilling to let go of anything, to return a book that likely isn't useful to the library in case it might be, to set something aside for later instead of keeping it at hand.
Things aren't as bad as they look; Kostos has yet to fuck up anything that he clearly should not have fucked up, and he still makes time to get into trouble. But they do look bad, and he only looks up for a second. ]
One.
[ One dead human. Several dead animals, now, but Ilias will take his new undead Disney sidekick army from Kostos' own cold, dead hands. ]
I know who you are.
[ Knows who he is. Knew he was here. Did not seek him out on purpose. ]
Things aren't as bad as they look; Kostos has yet to fuck up anything that he clearly should not have fucked up, and he still makes time to get into trouble. But they do look bad, and he only looks up for a second. ]
One.
[ One dead human. Several dead animals, now, but Ilias will take his new undead Disney sidekick army from Kostos' own cold, dead hands. ]
I know who you are.
[ Knows who he is. Knew he was here. Did not seek him out on purpose. ]
Edited 2018-10-14 04:04 (UTC)
I've a request. [ and it's going to sound fucked up so just... bear with him here. ]
Admittedly, I know little of this world's alchemy. In mine, we would train our commandos with an elixir of varying herbs. It caused unimaginable, internal suffering and agony that increased the longer it went untreated, but could be washed away in a moment's time if the appropriate antidote was applied. It left no lingering physical damage.
[ it was torture training, if you haven't guessed. ]
Do you know if any in Thedas have the means or knowledge to create something similar?
Admittedly, I know little of this world's alchemy. In mine, we would train our commandos with an elixir of varying herbs. It caused unimaginable, internal suffering and agony that increased the longer it went untreated, but could be washed away in a moment's time if the appropriate antidote was applied. It left no lingering physical damage.
[ it was torture training, if you haven't guessed. ]
Do you know if any in Thedas have the means or knowledge to create something similar?
Edited (TOOK OUT THE MAGIC BIT BC WE DID MORE RESEARCH ON IT AND DECIDED HE DON'T NEED IT) 2018-10-12 22:12 (UTC)
Kostos Averesch, leader of the Hostile Powers project.
[It's half an inquiry, but one said with great confidence. Darras doesn't care about titles, except (a sin of pride, small among his many others) his own, and he wouldn't know the proper title anyway, so he leaves it off.]
I'm Captain Darras Rivain. And I've got a proposition for you.
[wink but really it's work related sorry]
[It's half an inquiry, but one said with great confidence. Darras doesn't care about titles, except (a sin of pride, small among his many others) his own, and he wouldn't know the proper title anyway, so he leaves it off.]
I'm Captain Darras Rivain. And I've got a proposition for you.
[wink but really it's work related sorry]
[ Of course it's work related. It would be TOO MUCH TO ASK for something (someone) to actually go right for him this month. ]
Captain of what?
[ A barely-interested sort of drawl. He has access to some of Beleth's information, and thus an idea what Darras Rivain might be Captain of, but something something getting a read on people by making them explain themselves something. Or: he just doesn't like to flatter people by knowing who they are. Unless knowing who they are would be more unflattering because they expect him not to.
It's a very complicated system of anti-flattery. ]
Captain of what?
[ A barely-interested sort of drawl. He has access to some of Beleth's information, and thus an idea what Darras Rivain might be Captain of, but something something getting a read on people by making them explain themselves something. Or: he just doesn't like to flatter people by knowing who they are. Unless knowing who they are would be more unflattering because they expect him not to.
It's a very complicated system of anti-flattery. ]
Have you read Coupe's report about candidates for the Divine? She's managed to concoct a reason to disqualify the only one who doesn't want to immediately throw us back into circles. We can't let people just accept these choices of hers.
I had an interesting conversation with one of the bookkeepers today.
[ —is how he starts, in a tone that might pass for casual if Ilias were not here in the Hostile Powers office personally, if he hadn't shown up specifically when Kostos was alone, or if he wasn't closing the door neatly behind him as he says it. That Kostos's position comes with an office where he can easily be found (and less easily avoid conversations he doesn't care to be having) is a fact Ilias doesn't often take advantage of. Better not to test whatever uneasy coexistence they've managed. But today, it seems, is an exception. ]
About a number of items requested for Berenike's care.
[ —is how he starts, in a tone that might pass for casual if Ilias were not here in the Hostile Powers office personally, if he hadn't shown up specifically when Kostos was alone, or if he wasn't closing the door neatly behind him as he says it. That Kostos's position comes with an office where he can easily be found (and less easily avoid conversations he doesn't care to be having) is a fact Ilias doesn't often take advantage of. Better not to test whatever uneasy coexistence they've managed. But today, it seems, is an exception. ]
About a number of items requested for Berenike's care.
[ His jaw would probably clench even if nothing were going on, because it’s Ilias, in space that isn’t entirely Kostos’ own but more his than anyone’s, bothering him—
But it clenches a little harder than normal, and his pulse picks up, invisibly, while he continues to glare at the map and scattered array of reports currently spread across the desk. ]
The highlight of your day, I’m sure.
[ Talking to bookkeepers. Whereas Kostos’ has been thrilling, clearly, with the map.
At least being fired for misuse of resources will be interesting. Or killing Ilias and hiding his body in the floor. Kostos hasn’t decided which sounds better yet. ]
But it clenches a little harder than normal, and his pulse picks up, invisibly, while he continues to glare at the map and scattered array of reports currently spread across the desk. ]
The highlight of your day, I’m sure.
[ Talking to bookkeepers. Whereas Kostos’ has been thrilling, clearly, with the map.
At least being fired for misuse of resources will be interesting. Or killing Ilias and hiding his body in the floor. Kostos hasn’t decided which sounds better yet. ]
Edited 2018-12-16 22:58 (UTC)
It's been suspiciously quiet. About the defectors. [ a beat, correcting: ] The traitors.
Here.
[ The Gallows are a weird bubble. Skyhold might have more to say about it. They should probably establish a contact there, if they don’t have one already, for this sort of thing. ]
There was at least one abomination, as well. I do not know how many people know. And the undead.
[ Not a great day for them. ]
[ The Gallows are a weird bubble. Skyhold might have more to say about it. They should probably establish a contact there, if they don’t have one already, for this sort of thing. ]
There was at least one abomination, as well. I do not know how many people know. And the undead.
[ Not a great day for them. ]
I like the sound of Sotiria.
[ hey what's up what dirt do you have on childhood enemies ]
[ hey what's up what dirt do you have on childhood enemies ]
[ as they continue to hide from ghosts ]
If you could only fuck elves, dwarves, or qunari for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
If you could only fuck elves, dwarves, or qunari for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
[ When Kostos wakes, he'll find that he's received a terribly mysterious invitation to an exclusive card game. Unknown to him, a stranger (terrible, mysterious) will also attend.
Kostos doesn't have to actually accept the invitation. Not intentionally. Should he ignore or otherwise attempt to circumvent its summons, a chain of coincidences (terrible, mysterious, you get it by now) and well-timed accidents will conspire to see him there.
The invitation is beautifully calligraphed, and includes a small gold-wax candle to present at the door. The game takes place in the basement of one of the cheaper Hightown houses, and already hosts a smattering of well-heeled gamblers lounging before the main event. Each of them has brought a candle of their own, lit and scattered about the room.
Then everyone leaves — except for the bartender. And a violinist. Who both regretfully explains that the door is locked from the outside, and that the four of them have no choice but to have a lovely candlelit dinner.
In exchange, the bartender (an enormous vashoth) will not break Kostos' legs.
OOC Note: Flint is played by Abby. Feel free to play out a thread, handwave things, or ignore it entirely, but check with each other first! ❤ ]
Kostos doesn't have to actually accept the invitation. Not intentionally. Should he ignore or otherwise attempt to circumvent its summons, a chain of coincidences (terrible, mysterious, you get it by now) and well-timed accidents will conspire to see him there.
The invitation is beautifully calligraphed, and includes a small gold-wax candle to present at the door. The game takes place in the basement of one of the cheaper Hightown houses, and already hosts a smattering of well-heeled gamblers lounging before the main event. Each of them has brought a candle of their own, lit and scattered about the room.
Then everyone leaves — except for the bartender. And a violinist. Who both regretfully explains that the door is locked from the outside, and that the four of them have no choice but to have a lovely candlelit dinner.
In exchange, the bartender (an enormous vashoth) will not break Kostos' legs.
OOC Note: Flint is played by Abby. Feel free to play out a thread, handwave things, or ignore it entirely, but check with each other first! ❤ ]
Edited (autofill my bane) 2019-02-13 06:46 (UTC)
Of course the Inquisition is going to remain neutral. Maker forbid this organization ever take a principled stand on behalf of half its fucking army.
[Coming off of this, he doesn't think to check the sender's name, and so sends a private message—]
Have you lost a bet?
Have you lost a bet?
[ this hadn't been brought up before, as iorveth didn't want to sidetrack the conversation about kostos and the circles, and clearly nikos and kostos aren't the same man, but there was still a deep curiosity that he just needs to get addressed. ]
I assume you realize there's a man with your voice speaking vastly differing opinions on the Chantry here, yes?
[ bro, what's that about?? ]
I assume you realize there's a man with your voice speaking vastly differing opinions on the Chantry here, yes?
[ bro, what's that about?? ]
( A letter delivered by raven, and though the letter is in familiar handwriting, the brevity of the note is not his aunt Contanze's usual manner. )
Nephew,
We must speak, and some things should not be committed to ink and parchment. Can you and your brother come to Antiva?
This is a matter of urgency. If I must, I will visit you in Kirkwall.
C.
Nephew,
We must speak, and some things should not be committed to ink and parchment. Can you and your brother come to Antiva?
This is a matter of urgency. If I must, I will visit you in Kirkwall.
C.
[He's outside, he's walking from somewhere to somewhere else and taking stairs on the way, he's impulsively sending a message on the go:]
Averesch, darling. Are you in your office?
Averesch, darling. Are you in your office?
Averesch. Darling.
[His voice carries the distinctive quality of a person lying down.]
I've a question for you.
[His voice carries the distinctive quality of a person lying down.]
I've a question for you.
What were your circles like? I can't quite imagine the shape of what could create loyalists, but then Kinloch Hold did, somehow.
[He's the least suspicious.]
[He's the least suspicious.]
Messire Averesch. Mhavos Dalat; we met earlier. [He doesn't expect him to remember. He also isn't entirely sure which Averesch this is; they both bled into a single pyre of righteous anger in his mind.] A word?
[Kitty Jones - reliably outspoken, generally direct unless she has reason to avoid being so - is skulking. She has spent the past fifteen minutes beetling about the library in Kostos' general vicinity, pulling down this book or that scroll and replacing them after a few moments study, all the while winking and nudging and generally making efforts to tempt the mindless curiosity of one of the man's drifting wisps.]
[ One of them does, eventually, take an interest in Kitty Jones, and wanders near enough that, if it had discernible eyes, it would be using both of them to gaze directly into one of hers. It’s the one Kostos has been calling Markus, for the last few hours.
Not out loud.
Out loud, without looking up from his book, he says, ] Do not complain to me if it zaps you.
[ Zap is the technical term. ]
Not out loud.
Out loud, without looking up from his book, he says, ] Do not complain to me if it zaps you.
[ Zap is the technical term. ]
[If he wanted a meeting, it would be easiest to have a note passed - Mssr. Averesch, Make time to attend to the Forces office this afternoon. -, or a message could sent via crystal. What occurs instead is the invasion of a dice game going on in a cramped Lowtown public house. One moment there is a space at Kostos' right, and the next there is not.]
[ He gets a double-take for his trouble, but not a greeting.
Maybe luck is finite. Maybe his various gambling catastrophes are meant to balance out the lucky circumstances of his birth, or the fact that he survived the war. Maybe Flint’s appearance is meant to balance the fact that, today, he’s actually doing very well. Or maybe his appearance is a sign that the luck has already run out. Or maybe luck is fake and nothing matters.
Kostos tosses a coin into one of the piles accumulating while someone else rolls, and says, ] If I start slipping now—
[ Then he’ll be cross, that’s what. ]
Maybe luck is finite. Maybe his various gambling catastrophes are meant to balance out the lucky circumstances of his birth, or the fact that he survived the war. Maybe Flint’s appearance is meant to balance the fact that, today, he’s actually doing very well. Or maybe his appearance is a sign that the luck has already run out. Or maybe luck is fake and nothing matters.
Kostos tosses a coin into one of the piles accumulating while someone else rolls, and says, ] If I start slipping now—
[ Then he’ll be cross, that’s what. ]
It arrives the day before they're all meant to leave for Nevarra. Within the modest cloth wrapping:
An assortment of small to medium bones, cleaned and ready to receive decoration. A couple of the longer bones have been carved to look like they're twisted—no, actually, they've just been twisted. Somehow. Weird.
An assortment of small to medium bones, cleaned and ready to receive decoration. A couple of the longer bones have been carved to look like they're twisted—no, actually, they've just been twisted. Somehow. Weird.
Page 2 of 4