inbox.

[heirring]

[action + written + crystal]

Comments

[heirring]

Or a woman, yes.

What exactly is it that you're proposing, Mr. Stark? I don't think my Riftwatch stipend covers experimental rune enchanting.

[Also she's broke, but that's neither here nor there.]

[propulsion]

guy is a gender neutral term on earth we're very progressive
Riftwatch can cover it
we should pitch your thing + get them to fund it
I know you want the live demo but you've been sketching this out for how long now

[heirring]

I have devised a plan for funding the assembly of a prototype. If you would like to subsidize the effort in exchange for sharing whatever contacts I acquire, you would be perfectly welcome.







And I have not simply been reiterating sketches. The concept has required the development of theory and rather a lot of research.

[propulsion]

you know it's crazy but becoming a project head didn't actually come with a massive pay raise
you want money from me before you share Whatever Contacts You Acquire?
not very sporting of you Ms Poppell

[heirring]

Nonsense. Or rather, I was referring to Riftwatch's investment. If the fundraising to be independent, it makes far more sense to work together to raise a greater independent sum that might be split between our interests, and to share the same list of contacts.


In any case you should know that Riftwatch's budget is rather tight. Without the Provost's express approval, I don't know there would even be the resources to allocate to this. The Scoutmaster's interest does very little to alter the fact that she has an entire division to run with what she has been allotted.

[propulsion]

o.k. whatever you want
food for thought: #1 customer is riftwatch
and considering how twitchy they get about rifter b.s. they might rustle up some gold for
a.) weapons to contribute to the war effort (w/ or w/o provost permish - we just need 3/4 right?)
b.) us not flaunting crazy things in front of independent investors
c.) third thing

the thing with investors is they want to see return on their investment

[heirring]

a.) The Ambassador has no great affection for me was not impressed when I showed him initial concepts.

[It's hard to tell, but that period has the flavor of being jabbed there.]

b.) I have no intention of flaunting anything in front of anyone outside of Riftwatch. De Foncé and I's scheme does nothing to compromise the project's secrecy.

c.) I seem to recall you suggesting we pursue this effort one step at a time, beginning with Orzammar. May I ask what has caused the change of heart?

Regards,
W.A. Poppell

[propulsion]

what happened with the Ambassador

[heirring]

He and I have been at odds since my arrival in Thedas. It would be difficult to describe just one occasion.

- W.A. Poppell

[propulsion]

but you're so charming?

- T.E. Stark

[heirring]

Evidently the Ambassador feels differently on the subject.

- W.A. Poppell

[propulsion]

weird
what does the A stand for

[heirring]

Anathyme. It's my mother's name.

What does the E stand for?

[propulsion]

Eagle



just kidding it's Edward which was my granddad's name
do you miss your mom

[heirring]

Edward is very dignified. I see why you don't use it often.


(I am joking.)

But, of course. However, I was already well committed to being away from her, and so the separation is hardly so distressing as all that. She is an infrequent writer of letters at the best of times and I doubt I would have had much mail from her while abroad there either.

I assume there are people from home that you think of as well.

[propulsion]

thanks I laughed
all 3 of yours sounds like a bouquet

what about your dad
somepeople & sometimes

[heirring]

[Do they? That's charming. But nevermind that. An underline appears under 'somepeople & sometimes.']

My, how mysterious.

My father's given name is Theophilus.
Or is that not what you were asking?

[propulsion]

I was asking if he is a voracious writer of letters and also if you would call your relationship with your parents secure and affirming

I'm meant to be marrying in ~5 years

[heirring]

[A long pause.]

Is your wife to be also a scientist?

[propulsion]

Pepper Potts
no
she is chief executive officer of Stark Industries
which means she runs the joint
we moved into the malibu place like 2 months ago before rift time so that's been

I can't believe you are using my personal information to deflect from talking about your own conflicted feelings w/r/t family and home btw

[heirring]

You mistake my intention, Mr. Stark. There is, frankly, very little to deflect from. My family is well. If Madame de Cedoux's theories are to be believed, they have no reason to even be concerned over their daughter's disappearance. Meanwhile, I have the opportunity to explore an unknown land beyond the understanding of Imperial theory.

There is very little to be conflicted about.

Miss Potts sounds lovely.

[And SOMEONE seems sensitive about this whole 'home' line of thought.]

[propulsion]

[ This reply takes longer. I assume that the sending crystal kind of flashes in a way that suggests she needs to slip it into the book's spine to activate its messaging, and when it does; ]

you would like her
I'll send a message when focus is ready for a demo
will need a pair of hands to hold a fire blanket

[heirring]

[Her reply is almost immediate.]

I will happily provide support for your fire blanket, Mr. Stark.

[And then, added after a long interval - so depending on how long he lingers over the message he'd sent, the pause is either noticeable or it isn't—]

If Madame de Cedoux's theories are incorrect, I'm sure Miss Potts misses you very much.

- W.A. Poppell

[propulsion]

thanks

[ And after some internal debate, he adds; ]

x2

[heirring]

You're most welcome.