At first just once or twice a week? I don't think I even noticed the first ones, it wasn't until it kept happening that it stood out. Now it's... I've had three today. And now it's paralysis, too. I was just writing a letter and suddenly couldn't move at all for a full ten seconds.
[ She's not freaking out--Nell doesn't really do that, in his experience--but this is getting worrying. ]
[ There's shuffling, footsteps. He's on his way. It isn't very far, but he leaves the crystal connection open, because she's a little freaked out, and so's he. ]
Could it be the plague? When did it— [ He pauses, and adds in quieter Nevarran, not to her but to a wisp he's leaving behind, ] Stay there, do not move, just watch.
I will enjoy the authority while I have it, don't be jealous just because your Division Head is still able.
[ But good question. She ignores his wisp-whispering and considers. ]
I'm not sure. When it was just dizziness, my magic flickering, I thought maybe. It's a part of why I supported the quarantine. But it seems different, and the paralysis is unlike anything I've heard of others suffering.
[ There's more wispering in the hallway before he appears in the door and crosses without comment to the nearest window, for additional wispering, leaving an adorable little ball of light hovering on the sill. ]
It could. [ Nell is perched on the edge of a desk, arms crossed tightly against her chest, one hand raised to press knuckles against her mouth. She doesn't pay the wisps any mind. ] I don't remember the precise timing, and I don't know when this illness started exactly. It could be. What else? Who would bother to hex me from the other tower?
[ The qualification makes Kostos close his mouth before he can start listing people—though it would have been a short and high-level list, as he doesn't know many of their names, given the circumstances—so he's silent while he leans against the edge of the desk next to her, shoulder to shoulder. ]
We'll find out.
[ He manages to make it sound fairly ominous and threatening, for a man who would in that case most likely just be holding Nell's earrings. ]
You should keep talking, or working. If you stop moving again I can try to dispell it.
[ Holding her earrings and watching her back when she neglects a barrier to better tear whoever did this apart. That shouldn't be discounted.
She intentionally bumps his shoulder with hers before she pushes off the desk, stepping around to retake her seat behind it. She pushes paper and the inkwell toward him. ] Alright. But while I do paperwork and wait to be paralyzed, you can help me come up with a team for Tantervale.
[ He's not far behind her in moving away from the desk, turning so he can stand and watch her. His line between I'm staring at you because I'd like you to die and I'm staring at you because I'd like you to live could probably stand to be less thin. ]
[ Even Nell can't really tell the difference, but thankfully there are context clues. Like that he's looking at her. ]
Well, since we didn't find anything to bring her down with we have to make something. So we're going to ambush the shipment of tithes and donations making their way to her and then plant them in her residence. We'll make sure either that they're seen or that word of it gets to her rivals, and they'll do the rest.
Isn't he the Man? And your parents? [ Nell's eyebrows grow only more skeptical. ]
If there's some reason you think he might actually be useful, say so, because all I have seen from him thus far is wining and whinging. But of course I didn't know he even existed, so I defer to you on his abilities.
And the Rifters... I suppose, perhaps. Have you met any that can fight? And blend in?
[ Kostos makes a supplicating gesture, palms up and hands spread near his sides. His family is his family. ]
He is an assassin. That's why they left Nevarra. [ And Kostos, though left is too active a verb for being pulled out of bed in the early morning and transported in cuffs with no explanation. ] As I understand it—and given that he has survived Antiva all this time—he is much better at it now than when he was nineteen. We do not need to kill the Revered Mother, of course, but the planning, the ambush, the planting. If he agrees with the cause, he will not be useless.
[ As for rifters who can blend in and not be useless... ] Prompto, from Northern Powers. He's done reconnaissance work. Perhaps the one who works for Madame de Cedoux. Or—no. That's it.
He's an assassin? [ Sorry, Kostos. At least she doesn't quite laugh. He seems serious about it, and after a moment, she spreads a hand, a shrug contained in the flip of her wrist. ] Very well, if you think he will be useful.
[ As for Rifters, and in general: ]
Someone who can swing a sword wouldn't go amiss. I think for the ambush we pretend to be mercenaries and a company of just mages and assassins will look strange.
[ She’s actually a Vashoth and he should know the difference, whoops—but anyway.
He thinks if you tell the chevalier the money is for peasants she should have no issue with taking it, in a mental voice that sounds a bit like Nikos’, but doesn’t say it. ]
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[ She's not freaking out--Nell doesn't really do that, in his experience--but this is getting worrying. ]
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Writing where? [ A pause. ] If we can catch it happening we can see if it can be dispelled.
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[ ok she's a little freaked out ]
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[ There's shuffling, footsteps. He's on his way. It isn't very far, but he leaves the crystal connection open, because she's a little freaked out, and so's he. ]
Could it be the plague? When did it— [ He pauses, and adds in quieter Nevarran, not to her but to a wisp he's leaving behind, ] Stay there, do not move, just watch.
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[ But good question. She ignores his wisp-whispering and considers. ]
I'm not sure. When it was just dizziness, my magic flickering, I thought maybe. It's a part of why I supported the quarantine. But it seems different, and the paralysis is unlike anything I've heard of others suffering.
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[ There's more wispering in the hallway before he appears in the door and crosses without comment to the nearest window, for additional wispering, leaving an adorable little ball of light hovering on the sill. ]
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[ A pause. ]
Who here?
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We'll find out.
[ He manages to make it sound fairly ominous and threatening, for a man who would in that case most likely just be holding Nell's earrings. ]
You should keep talking, or working. If you stop moving again I can try to dispell it.
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She intentionally bumps his shoulder with hers before she pushes off the desk, stepping around to retake her seat behind it. She pushes paper and the inkwell toward him. ] Alright. But while I do paperwork and wait to be paralyzed, you can help me come up with a team for Tantervale.
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What exactly are you planning to do?
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Well, since we didn't find anything to bring her down with we have to make something. So we're going to ambush the shipment of tithes and donations making their way to her and then plant them in her residence. We'll make sure either that they're seen or that word of it gets to her rivals, and they'll do the rest.
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Would you laugh if I recommended my brother?
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Why? Drinking wine and glowering won't be of much use and if they were, I have you.
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[ rip all his shirts. ]
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I'm not sure that Melys likes us much. But she also doesn't seem like she'd be precious about the Chantry. Maybe.
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[ He glances toward his window wisp to make sure it hasn't wandered off. ]
The rifters, if they survive—on the whole they do not seem to have any love for the Chantry.
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If there's some reason you think he might actually be useful, say so, because all I have seen from him thus far is wining and whinging. But of course I didn't know he even existed, so I defer to you on his abilities.
And the Rifters... I suppose, perhaps. Have you met any that can fight? And blend in?
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He is an assassin. That's why they left Nevarra. [ And Kostos, though left is too active a verb for being pulled out of bed in the early morning and transported in cuffs with no explanation. ] As I understand it—and given that he has survived Antiva all this time—he is much better at it now than when he was nineteen. We do not need to kill the Revered Mother, of course, but the planning, the ambush, the planting. If he agrees with the cause, he will not be useless.
[ As for rifters who can blend in and not be useless... ] Prompto, from Northern Powers. He's done reconnaissance work. Perhaps the one who works for Madame de Cedoux. Or—no. That's it.
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[ As for Rifters, and in general: ]
Someone who can swing a sword wouldn't go amiss. I think for the ambush we pretend to be mercenaries and a company of just mages and assassins will look strange.
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[ muscles. ]
I think most of the very large humans are Templars, but we do have a Tal-Vashoth.
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He thinks if you tell the chevalier the money is for peasants she should have no issue with taking it, in a mental voice that sounds a bit like Nikos’, but doesn’t say it. ]
Not personally.
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At least that means you haven't slept with the chevalier, I might be forced to be jealous.
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