![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[ A wince and laugh together, for poor little lopsided Yseult. ]
Good thing it grew back, or you would have a lot more trouble escaping notice, ouais? Everywhere in your wake, reward posters for the one-eyebrowed woman.
But eleven—that seems like a good age. My partner, Ines, [ a statuesque and cold-eyed blonde who Yseult may have met, if only briefly, during their first encounter all those years ago, ] she was six. I think that's what made her so scary.
Not that you aren't scary, of course, in your way.
Good thing it grew back, or you would have a lot more trouble escaping notice, ouais? Everywhere in your wake, reward posters for the one-eyebrowed woman.
But eleven—that seems like a good age. My partner, Ines, [ a statuesque and cold-eyed blonde who Yseult may have met, if only briefly, during their first encounter all those years ago, ] she was six. I think that's what made her so scary.
Not that you aren't scary, of course, in your way.
( unlike certain gremlins, petrana makes an appointment ahead of herself to request a portion of yseult's time to appraise her of an opportunity and development, though she does so by crystal and not more than hours ahead of the time she agrees upon. she is expected, therefore, when she raps politely on the door of the scouting office and waits a courteous amount of time to be given leave to enter, at which point:
enter she does. though she might dress with a certain flair when she strolls the streets of hightown, her habitual appearance in the gallows is a more modest one; most of the dresses she wears here are plain things in blues and greys, sewn from surplus gallows bedding, laced neatly. today is halfway between, in presentable but practical traveling clothes, still fresh from the road — she must have called ahead before they'd even navigated kirkwall. )
Madam, ( she says, politely. ) I've come directly from conference with the Grand Enchanter Fiona, regarding Starkhaven.
enter she does. though she might dress with a certain flair when she strolls the streets of hightown, her habitual appearance in the gallows is a more modest one; most of the dresses she wears here are plain things in blues and greys, sewn from surplus gallows bedding, laced neatly. today is halfway between, in presentable but practical traveling clothes, still fresh from the road — she must have called ahead before they'd even navigated kirkwall. )
Madam, ( she says, politely. ) I've come directly from conference with the Grand Enchanter Fiona, regarding Starkhaven.
[ Having taken the trouble to call ahead, she is rewarded with both prompt admittance and, once she has taken a seat in one of the armchairs before the office hearth, a cup of freshly-brewed tea. Yseult has one of her own still steaming on her knee and the skirt beneath it is a shade of plain grey not dissimilar from Petrana's chosen palette, but her blouse is a deep and brilliant emerald. She lifts her cup from its saucer and requests with a nod, ]
Go on.
Go on.
My career over before it began, [ she slips in, about the prospects of the one-eyebrowed spy, before he makes her laugh. ] In my way.
Six is young, [ she agrees, with a wincing note ] there were a couple like that with me. Too young to remember anything before the training. I envied how easily some lessons came to them, but there was always something--. [ She cants her head, and waggles a hand. ] In the eyes.
How old were you?
Six is young, [ she agrees, with a wincing note ] there were a couple like that with me. Too young to remember anything before the training. I envied how easily some lessons came to them, but there was always something--. [ She cants her head, and waggles a hand. ] In the eyes.
How old were you?
Myself, Captain Rowntree and Mademoiselle Derrica—
( it is a constant source of aggravation, how many people in riftwatch don't have surnames, no one understands the formal life struggle, )
—attended Grand Enchanter Fiona with a proposal that she rally her mages to Starkhaven's cause. Provided that we are prepared, in turn, to lend what aid we deem within our means to this end, she is willing to approach Prince Sebastian with such an offer.
( it is a constant source of aggravation, how many people in riftwatch don't have surnames, no one understands the formal life struggle, )
—attended Grand Enchanter Fiona with a proposal that she rally her mages to Starkhaven's cause. Provided that we are prepared, in turn, to lend what aid we deem within our means to this end, she is willing to approach Prince Sebastian with such an offer.
[ Yseult takes this in from behind the smooth arc of her teacup, rising from knee to lips, a moment paused in the air thereafter, and then lowered again to the saucer balanced on her knee and set back in its place with only the faintest clink of china. ]
And what would you—or she—have us deem within our means?
And what would you—or she—have us deem within our means?
[ He nods—in the eyes—and then tilts his head and shrugs. ]
I'm never sure. I think... fourteen, fifteen? Old enough to know better. But she bought be a chicken. I mean—
[ Two cupped hands held apart to indicate the size. ]
—a whole roast chicken, and she didn't make me share it. So.
I'm never sure. I think... fourteen, fifteen? Old enough to know better. But she bought be a chicken. I mean—
[ Two cupped hands held apart to indicate the size. ]
—a whole roast chicken, and she didn't make me share it. So.
[ She makes a sound at fourteen, fifteen, a sort of audible wince. That is old. But she says ] A whole chicken? [ There's a laugh in the breadth of her smile, the height of her brows, but understanding, too. ]
Food was how I ended up at the orphanage, among other things. But with the trainers it was that they caught me balancing on top of the fence and weren't angry. But no one's ever given me a whole chicken.
Food was how I ended up at the orphanage, among other things. But with the trainers it was that they caught me balancing on top of the fence and weren't angry. But no one's ever given me a whole chicken.
Edited 2023-01-05 03:00 (UTC)
[ He has, thankfully, outgrown being sensitive about it. Mostly. Certainly in any way that would make him take her sound of dismay personally. Instead he raises his eyebrows in silent agreement, like tell me about it.
Anyway: ]
Now I know what your Satinalia present will be next year.
But you should have been an orphan in Orlais. Your fence balancing and your sweet little face? [ Which he has seen, courtesy of the Crossroads. ] You would have been drowning in chicken. And two feather mattresses, probably, stacked on top of each other.
Anyway: ]
Now I know what your Satinalia present will be next year.
But you should have been an orphan in Orlais. Your fence balancing and your sweet little face? [ Which he has seen, courtesy of the Crossroads. ] You would have been drowning in chicken. And two feather mattresses, probably, stacked on top of each other.
Made from the feathers of all of my chickens. [ Obviously.
She strokes the backs of fingers down the line of her jaw. ] A sweet little face has its downsides, especially when one is little enough to be stuffed in a sack. But it taught me to climb and served me well while it lasted. I miss how easy a face like that makes some things.
[ Yseult twists to squint at him thoughtfully. ] You could almost still play it now if you shaved.
She strokes the backs of fingers down the line of her jaw. ] A sweet little face has its downsides, especially when one is little enough to be stuffed in a sack. But it taught me to climb and served me well while it lasted. I miss how easy a face like that makes some things.
[ Yseult twists to squint at him thoughtfully. ] You could almost still play it now if you shaved.
[ He laughs and affectionately smooths his mustache down. ]
Ouais, that's what it is for. To balance out my personality so I am taken half seriously instead of not at all.
[ And speaking of serious. ]
It is a problem, the ear. In a fight. In general. There are things I will not be so good for anymore. So anything I can do to make up for that—I would really like for us to win this war soon.
Ouais, that's what it is for. To balance out my personality so I am taken half seriously instead of not at all.
[ And speaking of serious. ]
It is a problem, the ear. In a fight. In general. There are things I will not be so good for anymore. So anything I can do to make up for that—I would really like for us to win this war soon.
Not a problem I've ever had. [ What's a personality? ]
[ His concerns she doesn't entirely brush aside, but there's a shake of her head as he speaks them, a turn of her wrist, that suggest she might. ] Fighting is far from your only contribution. And think, if you put it about that you're half deaf, people will be even less concerned you might eavesdrop.
[ But. A pause and tip of her head stands in for the word, the slightly late shift to fully match his seriousness. ]
It would be helpful. Any edge we can find. The prospect of another four years here is--.
[ His concerns she doesn't entirely brush aside, but there's a shake of her head as he speaks them, a turn of her wrist, that suggest she might. ] Fighting is far from your only contribution. And think, if you put it about that you're half deaf, people will be even less concerned you might eavesdrop.
[ But. A pause and tip of her head stands in for the word, the slightly late shift to fully match his seriousness. ]
It would be helpful. Any edge we can find. The prospect of another four years here is--.
Firstly and primarily, to coordinate her negotiations with the Prince. He is in need of allies, and we have existing familiarity with the situation— we may escort her to Starkhaven for these purposes, and perhaps, offer our assistance in a support capacity. The griffons, for instance, offer an advantage to tactical coordination.
( petrana doesn't imagine that yseult won't see what they have — that there is an opportunity for the rebellion's standing to step into the gap that has been left by starkhaven's fruitless petitions to the divine for aid — but judges it not the lever to lean upon.
it is not the only factor, by any margin, even aside from the simple and obvious benefit of aiding starkhaven, of being in a position to facilitate that aid when they can't offer it as directly themselves. for riftwatch to broker such an alliance—
they are often buffeted by shifting political landscapes and public opinion. if this were to be a success, and she is so certain that they can claw some measure of that, the long-term benefits of for once leaning their finger upon the scales have a great deal of potential. a coup, if they can pull in the same direction to achieve it. )
We are able, with those and our crystals, to provide intelligence that could allow more strategic deployment of the forces at their disposal.
( petrana doesn't imagine that yseult won't see what they have — that there is an opportunity for the rebellion's standing to step into the gap that has been left by starkhaven's fruitless petitions to the divine for aid — but judges it not the lever to lean upon.
it is not the only factor, by any margin, even aside from the simple and obvious benefit of aiding starkhaven, of being in a position to facilitate that aid when they can't offer it as directly themselves. for riftwatch to broker such an alliance—
they are often buffeted by shifting political landscapes and public opinion. if this were to be a success, and she is so certain that they can claw some measure of that, the long-term benefits of for once leaning their finger upon the scales have a great deal of potential. a coup, if they can pull in the same direction to achieve it. )
We are able, with those and our crystals, to provide intelligence that could allow more strategic deployment of the forces at their disposal.
Edited 2023-01-09 08:33 (UTC)
Even with a contingent of mages the enemy will greatly outnumber them. But if Prince Vael thinks it a plan worth pursuing, I see no reason we could not provide such support.
[ Easy enough. Her head cants and her mouth tilts with it, into a smile of gently wry amusement. ]
It might have been more efficient if you had asked this before visiting the Grand Enchanter. Where are Messeres Marcus and Julius right now?
[ Easy enough. Her head cants and her mouth tilts with it, into a smile of gently wry amusement. ]
It might have been more efficient if you had asked this before visiting the Grand Enchanter. Where are Messeres Marcus and Julius right now?
[The expansive map in the war room is the most convenient option for this sort of review, and presumably they'll soon be joined by Rutyer and Stark. But in the interim—
Flint, scowling down at the carefully drawn lines of Starkhaven. Their collection of markers arrayed about it, both allied and otherwise. A stack of old reports drawn out of storage lays scattered over the table for ease of cross reference. He has seemed sullen since Yseult joined him, but this instant]
If they manage this, it will be fucking miraculous.
[is the first time he's actually verbalized any disapproval.]
Flint, scowling down at the carefully drawn lines of Starkhaven. Their collection of markers arrayed about it, both allied and otherwise. A stack of old reports drawn out of storage lays scattered over the table for ease of cross reference. He has seemed sullen since Yseult joined him, but this instant]
If they manage this, it will be fucking miraculous.
[is the first time he's actually verbalized any disapproval.]
( petrana inclines her head to the point of efficiency, acknowledging it without necessarily agreeing beyond the limitations of might. it certainly could have done,
or not, but the thing is done now, either way. )
They and Mademoiselle Derrica are with your colleagues, having this same discussion, ( she says, instead. ) Upon our return to Kirkwall, we appraised Enchanter Julius of our journey and its results and he is speaking with the Ambassador.
( but no, he had not been involved up to the point where all three of them had said not it to talking to rutyer. )
or not, but the thing is done now, either way. )
They and Mademoiselle Derrica are with your colleagues, having this same discussion, ( she says, instead. ) Upon our return to Kirkwall, we appraised Enchanter Julius of our journey and its results and he is speaking with the Ambassador.
( but no, he had not been involved up to the point where all three of them had said not it to talking to rutyer. )
[ Yseult sips her tea, in a literal way. But it's possible that the crinkling at the corners of her eyes is because there is a momentary smile hidden behind it and not just at the pleasure of hot caffeine. ]
Yes. Perhaps they expect Prince Vael to decline, but with gratitude for the offer.
Yes. Perhaps they expect Prince Vael to decline, but with gratitude for the offer.
Edited 2023-01-21 16:16 (UTC)
[Flint makes some low scoffing noise from out of the back of his throat as he slides the pages of a report under the corner corresponding set of markers. As far as scoffs go, this one seems to largely be without a sense of irony.]
If this plan relies on anyone having the means to call the bluff, then someone's miscalculated.
If this plan relies on anyone having the means to call the bluff, then someone's miscalculated.
[That warrants a glance cutting up from the map in her direction and a certain narrowing of Flint's features as he reflexively tries to judge whether she's including him in that someone. Flesh that's already been bruised stings guiltily when jabbed.]
The only possible way this works to winning and keeping Starkhaven is by shaming a larger allied force to action. We should suggest using all this noise as latitude to prepare sabotage of the city's defenses should there be some delay and Tevinter takes it in the interim.
The only possible way this works to winning and keeping Starkhaven is by shaming a larger allied force to action. We should suggest using all this noise as latitude to prepare sabotage of the city's defenses should there be some delay and Tevinter takes it in the interim.
[ She studies the map, seemingly oblivious. Someone could be anyone. ]
If any of them were moved by the shame of inaction they'd have been so already. A symbolic failure and they will say they chose right.
[ She touches one the spare pieces at the edge of the map, flipping a little wooden marker between fingertips. ]
What did you have it mind?
If any of them were moved by the shame of inaction they'd have been so already. A symbolic failure and they will say they chose right.
[ She touches one the spare pieces at the edge of the map, flipping a little wooden marker between fingertips. ]
What did you have it mind?
[Oblivious his ass.]
Readying to cut ballista springs. Seeing that storehouses are set to be burned and gatehouse chains jammed. Prepare to do as Tevinter did in Montfort. If our own mages don't, then someone among the rebels will have some notion of glyphs for sabotage of the city's most useful infrastructure.
[These are reasonable suggestions.]
And there is the shield recovered from Val Chevin.
Readying to cut ballista springs. Seeing that storehouses are set to be burned and gatehouse chains jammed. Prepare to do as Tevinter did in Montfort. If our own mages don't, then someone among the rebels will have some notion of glyphs for sabotage of the city's most useful infrastructure.
[These are reasonable suggestions.]
And there is the shield recovered from Val Chevin.
[ She actually did mean it generally, but she's not about to ruin the entertainment of watching Flint insult himself for her. ]
Griffonriders could get to the ballistae and the chains, but Prince Vael's involvement will be necessary to ensure the right moment. He may be reluctant to destroy stores or risk more lives within, even if the city is surely lost.
Griffonriders could get to the ballistae and the chains, but Prince Vael's involvement will be necessary to ensure the right moment. He may be reluctant to destroy stores or risk more lives within, even if the city is surely lost.
[A small exhale through the nose. Flint rights some wooden marker, laid over by an errant cuff: a bull pawing the ground to dispense with its frustration.]
Then we propose containing the sabotage to the administrative buildings and wealthiest estates. Whatever stores remain in the city are likely negligible to begin with. Our concern should be first with making the city as indefensible as we're able to and then with what Starkhaven's coffers might fund.
Then we propose containing the sabotage to the administrative buildings and wealthiest estates. Whatever stores remain in the city are likely negligible to begin with. Our concern should be first with making the city as indefensible as we're able to and then with what Starkhaven's coffers might fund.
True. By all accounts they shouldn't have more than a month of grain left, and that's if it's been strictly rationed all along.
[ The wealth is a point she hadn't considered, and she steps around the table toward the smaller, detailed map of Starkhaven itself. She looks at it for a long moment, then tilts her head. ]
If they take the city, you would expect their leadership to use the palace?
[ The wealth is a point she hadn't considered, and she steps around the table toward the smaller, detailed map of Starkhaven itself. She looks at it for a long moment, then tilts her head. ]
If they take the city, you would expect their leadership to use the palace?
Edited (it said "the city" three times. three!) 2023-01-23 04:44 (UTC)
Page 45 of 55