So would I, if I had the power to do so. But how would you ever make your mind up, of what form it would take? A snake is very good. I quite like snakes--it's true!
[The assurance is for Ribbon. Not that she seems particularly nervous. As placid as ever, she winds around his wrist, hiding her little spade-shaped head behind his wrist. Val smiles and turns his hand so he can look at her again.]
But I quite like every beast. Think of how marvelous it would be to have, say, a hawk made of enchantment.
My thoughts were closer to a finch or a sparrow. Something easy to overlook and rather sneaky because of it. [A pause; her writing resumes.] And also I suppose because I am rather fond of finches.
—And snakes, of course.
[As they are being so mindful of giving Ribbon her due.]
And snakes, [Val agrees, gallantly, with a nod to Ribbon.]
A finch is a very fitting choice for you. I see it plainly. I suppose for myself, I am thinking of a creature that would be more showy and obvious. I like something that makes a statement. Snakes do that often on their own. But a hawk would do it quite nicely. Or an eagle. Or a griffon. Think of it!
[A few more scratching lines of the pen. Without looking up from her notation—]
You know, as it would be an arcane construct in entirety and clearly its habits could be gently modified—as I suspect that most snakes are rather less keen on direction than our friend—, you might very well have yourself a dragon.
[Val looks around at her, with a glitter in his eye that close friends of his would recognize as a sign of his genuine and true interest. She has said one of the magic words.]
But of course this is all theoretical. So there is no use in excitement. Do they have dragons? In-- [exaggeratedly,] Cal-Vahd?
We do not. Neither have we dracolisks or nugs or druffalo or indeed a great many of the animals which you do in Thedas.
[She glances up from her writing, setting her chin thoughtfully on her knuckles as she regards Ribbon curled about his hand. A last note is made in her book and then the pen is tucked behind her ear and remains there visibly (for what else would it do?).]
Perhaps one of the Nevarran mages would have some insight as to her nature. They are rather well acquainted with the subject of animation.
How sad and lonely your skies must be. And your ground. I suppose they at least have snakes.
[This, again, to Ribbon, with great fondness. Val twists his wrist again to follow her path, which is now going up his arm. His shirtsleeve is rolled and tucked and shoved up over his elbow; she slides against it, inquisitive.]
Which of the mages do you favor for this task? Our sampling is something. I think Nevarra is such a strange country. It breeds strangeness. I do like the mummies. Do they have mummies in Kale-Vahed?
Kalvad [is a correction; that's far too much mustard on the thing, de Foncé] has very few serpents, in fact. But the Imperial Continent has all kinds of animals, and I must assume a great many varieties of snakes and lizards who would find the island less pleasant. As for mummies, I have heard there are a few in Iugul, and that Alexander Pugh brought one back with him after a summer spent campaigning, and that it now lies in state in some capitol gallery. But I had never seen one there.
[But that hardly matters. The point is--]
I suppose it would have to be Enchanter Averesch, although Speaker Fabria would naturally be my preference give his connection to the Mortalitasi. Averesch has some knowledge of spirits, I grant. But of sustained possession?
Kal-vad, [Val repeats quietly, obediently, and with too much relish. He twists his arm to give Ribbon even ground to move across.]
We could show her to them both, separately, and then give the better answer some award. I can think of some things that would be suitable. Which do you prefer personally? I can't say that have held a sustained conversation with either of them for very long, if at all, so I would need to base my opinion upon mere impression.
Enchanter Averesch is a lecherous boor, but I have found him to be perfectly knowledgable if not agreeable on the subject of the Fade, and spirits, and so on. Speaker Fabria seems the picture of professionalism and would be most desirable, though I gather him to be rather more taciturn when it comes to discussing questions related to his work - a side effect of the Order, perhaps? More likely tied to his position with Project Haven and a desire not to discuss any subject with someone who might loudly repeat it and be misunderstood out of context. That is my impression of him from observation at least, for we have only spoken once or twice directly about nothing in particular.
Leander [—a first name, how very shocking—] might also have thoughts on the subject, though I gather his specialties to be rather more related to glyph making than working directly with spirits.
[With her chin propped on her hand, she studies the line of his arm - or rather, the snake curiously traversing it.]
Have there been many studies done on animals and how they perceive the Fade?
[He scoffs lightly, not enough to startle Ribbon as she coils along his upper arm.]
I have little interest in the Fade, mademoiselle. But at a guess? I would say very little study has been done. Without language to report the perception, the research would prove daunting. And what would be its end goal? Besides which to say that the popular opinion would be that an animal does not possess the same awareness and soul that a human would. Why waste the time?
Of course-- [and as Ribbon reaches his shoulder, Val squares up, holding steady to continue to keep from startling,] this is not my opinion. In contrast, I will say that I personally much prefer the company of snakes and nugs and dogs and dracolisks and any manner of creature to nearly any person. Nevarran, Orlesian, mage, elf, Rifter. So to the choice of mages, I cannot say I have much of a preference. They are all rather the same to me. Except perhaps physically and in personality.
Then I will refer the matter to Speaker Fabria, and see if he can be convinced to discuss the concepts.
[She takes her pen back up, though her attention doesn't drift back to the page.]
I think it would be an interesting study to conduct - how the fade or even lurium might effect animals. It might be an interesting development to the red lyrium problem or in discerning where the Veil is thin and in need of repair if, say, a dog could be taught to find such things without risking the animal.
[Thoughtfully--] We could always bribe him to discuss. That is a form of convincing. No, I am sure you will do splendidly, of course you will, you are very deliberate, no one would say anything less of you--but bribery is a second option.
[He was looking at Ribbon as he said all of that, too interested in her progress. Only now does he cast a glance toward Wysteria.]
How would you know whether or not your trial was a risk to the dog?
I suppose there would be only one way of being certain.
[But she knows he is somewhat squeamish about these things - recalls with stark clarity some difficulty over the very reasonable act of saving their lives by striking a dracolisk with a bucket -, and so neglects to elaborate.]
What sort of bribe would you suggest? In case it becomes necessary.
[Val's hearing and comprehension is selective, but not arbitrarily so. His eye narrow as he inwardly deduces what methods might gain that certainty of which she speaks.]
No bribe that would harm any dogs, if that were to be of any concern. Money is the universal currency. Mages are, I think, used to little of it--that is the impression that I get from them--but they did come of circumstances before, so perhaps less impressive to certain of their number.
Perhaps instead... Well, he is Nevarran. We could find him a skull. Not the Skull, it is quite its own. But a different skull, a good one.
Oh, size, I would think. General intactness and wholeness. In every skull, that small bit of bone that is where the nose is, it is so prone to breakage if you are not careful. A certain desirable width between the eye sockets. The jawbone will have likely come detached, but it should have the jawbone with, I think, or else half of its story is missing, ah--
[--And this musing is interrupted as Val laughs suddenly. Ribbon is at his shoulder now, her tongue tasting the air that is too close to his neck. He does not flinch, lest he disturb her, but puts his hand out as a shield, and so that she might crawl upon it instead.]
Ribbon, little treasure, you cannot. Please. The mademoiselle is right there.
[She is listening as he goes on and on, thinking despite herself that she might rather enjoy the challenge of finding such an intact selection of the skeleton—from where? Who knows. Under what circumstances? Inessential to the imagining—given how he makes it sound so much like piecing together a puzzle or choosing the right fabric for the making of a fashionable new shirt, two rather satisfying pastimes indeed.
Val laughs, and her smile flexes in answer and—
Wysteria actually hears what he has said, and the abject mortification of their current circumstances finally reaches her. She goes very still, and very hot up the back of her neck (which is invisible due to the indignity of her unpinned hair), and feels a piece of her wither and die with embarrassment. It is late, and of all the places Val de Foncé should be, her bedroom is not one of them regardless of the hour.
She hurriedly sets aside her pen again without having written anything since fetching it up.]
Yes, well. I agree that this has been more than revealing enough, thank you. Perhaps we should think over all of this business of skulls and bribery and so on again in the morning at a more reasonable hour. We might attend then to the question of where one might hope to find such a pristine artifact, for example.
—Time permitting, of course. There naturally being so much to accomplish for our other work.
[Val casts an unbothered glance in her direction. Ribbon is now wrapping herself around his other hand, saving the two of them from scandal.]
What is unreasonable about this hour? We are all three of us awake. And I find this a very productive time of day besides, when everything is very quiet and no one is around to make irritating sounds. Present company excluded, of course. Now--
[He sinks down to sit upon the floor, Ribbon held aloft for a moment. Her head raises quizzically, peering around with her blackseed eyes, her thin tongue tasting the air. Then Val is seated, and he carefully lowers his hand to a more reasonable level.]
If I were to search for a pristine skull, I suppose I would first consult a dig site. Or a private collection, should I choose to be very boring about the process, but the dig is the best part, yes?
[There is a perfectly good chair just there by the desk. Why always this fascination with the floor--
Is strictly not the direction she has any interesting in veering toward, and so she pinches her mouth shut until the urge passes which allows de Foncé more than enough time to wax poetic about digging bones out of the ground.]
Yes, I imagine that it is. You recall last August when the Veil was so thin here in Kirkwall and we discovered the Rift beneath it; the exploration of the cave system and the ruins can have only been improved by the presence of bones. Be that as it may, [is very firm, undercut slightly by the self aware tucking of her hair behind her ears] I happen to have an early appointment tomorrow. It wouldn't do for me to entertain for much longer.
I find that when I have an early appointment--which I so rarely do, being clever enough to schedule my appointments in such a way to guarantee no earliness is expected of me--but when circumstances do not at all allow for this, then my preferred style is to come to them very tired. It creates a certain air of importance, yes? And mystery. [He affects a scratchy posh voice:] What has she been up to? She must be a very interesting person. And we should not take up too much of her time, and so on, and then your appointment is mercifully short and you are able to get on with truly interesting things.
Which, speaking of things more interesting--I did forget about that time! I was so interested in seeing shades and spirits and I never did get to see one. I wonder what is still down there.
[Frowning, she makes to draw her shawl tighter about her shoulders. A look is turned about the room as if in the vague hope that she might land on something which might be used to drive him from it. Her preference would be to show up to all appointments, no matter how early, appearing shockingly well rested and vibrantly good looking as a result.]
Then perhaps you might arrange an expedition of your own, de Foncé. Sooner rather than later, lest the flooding there be more severe during the winter months. In fact, I might lend you my notes on the subject if you think it would be of some assistance.
[He leans back, supporting his weight on his one free hand. His other hand he holds halfway to aloft, so Ribbon might wind her way down his forearm. It is a very casual pose.]
--If you were planning an expedition of this sort, would you accept my notes on the subject, if I had made those note and had them available for you to review?
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[He gives Ribbon an apologetic look. Nothing personal. She seems unperturbed, and considers him in return with a friendly sort of stare.]
So you would not build for yourself a snake of magic? If you had the power to do so.
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Perhaps not a snake specifically. But I might experiment with something conceptually similar. If I had the power to do so.
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[The assurance is for Ribbon. Not that she seems particularly nervous. As placid as ever, she winds around his wrist, hiding her little spade-shaped head behind his wrist. Val smiles and turns his hand so he can look at her again.]
But I quite like every beast. Think of how marvelous it would be to have, say, a hawk made of enchantment.
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—And snakes, of course.
[As they are being so mindful of giving Ribbon her due.]
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A finch is a very fitting choice for you. I see it plainly. I suppose for myself, I am thinking of a creature that would be more showy and obvious. I like something that makes a statement. Snakes do that often on their own. But a hawk would do it quite nicely. Or an eagle. Or a griffon. Think of it!
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[A few more scratching lines of the pen. Without looking up from her notation—]
You know, as it would be an arcane construct in entirety and clearly its habits could be gently modified—as I suspect that most snakes are rather less keen on direction than our friend—, you might very well have yourself a dragon.
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But of course this is all theoretical. So there is no use in excitement. Do they have dragons? In-- [exaggeratedly,] Cal-Vahd?
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[She glances up from her writing, setting her chin thoughtfully on her knuckles as she regards Ribbon curled about his hand. A last note is made in her book and then the pen is tucked behind her ear and remains there visibly (for what else would it do?).]
Perhaps one of the Nevarran mages would have some insight as to her nature. They are rather well acquainted with the subject of animation.
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[This, again, to Ribbon, with great fondness. Val twists his wrist again to follow her path, which is now going up his arm. His shirtsleeve is rolled and tucked and shoved up over his elbow; she slides against it, inquisitive.]
Which of the mages do you favor for this task? Our sampling is something. I think Nevarra is such a strange country. It breeds strangeness. I do like the mummies. Do they have mummies in Kale-Vahed?
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[But that hardly matters. The point is--]
I suppose it would have to be Enchanter Averesch, although Speaker Fabria would naturally be my preference give his connection to the Mortalitasi. Averesch has some knowledge of spirits, I grant. But of sustained possession?
[She sounds doubtful.]
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We could show her to them both, separately, and then give the better answer some award. I can think of some things that would be suitable. Which do you prefer personally? I can't say that have held a sustained conversation with either of them for very long, if at all, so I would need to base my opinion upon mere impression.
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Leander [—a first name, how very shocking—] might also have thoughts on the subject, though I gather his specialties to be rather more related to glyph making than working directly with spirits.
[With her chin propped on her hand, she studies the line of his arm - or rather, the snake curiously traversing it.]
Have there been many studies done on animals and how they perceive the Fade?
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I have little interest in the Fade, mademoiselle. But at a guess? I would say very little study has been done. Without language to report the perception, the research would prove daunting. And what would be its end goal? Besides which to say that the popular opinion would be that an animal does not possess the same awareness and soul that a human would. Why waste the time?
Of course-- [and as Ribbon reaches his shoulder, Val squares up, holding steady to continue to keep from startling,] this is not my opinion. In contrast, I will say that I personally much prefer the company of snakes and nugs and dogs and dracolisks and any manner of creature to nearly any person. Nevarran, Orlesian, mage, elf, Rifter. So to the choice of mages, I cannot say I have much of a preference. They are all rather the same to me. Except perhaps physically and in personality.
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[She takes her pen back up, though her attention doesn't drift back to the page.]
I think it would be an interesting study to conduct - how the fade or even lurium might effect animals. It might be an interesting development to the red lyrium problem or in discerning where the Veil is thin and in need of repair if, say, a dog could be taught to find such things without risking the animal.
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[He was looking at Ribbon as he said all of that, too interested in her progress. Only now does he cast a glance toward Wysteria.]
How would you know whether or not your trial was a risk to the dog?
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[But she knows he is somewhat squeamish about these things - recalls with stark clarity some difficulty over the very reasonable act of saving their lives by striking a dracolisk with a bucket -, and so neglects to elaborate.]
What sort of bribe would you suggest? In case it becomes necessary.
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No bribe that would harm any dogs, if that were to be of any concern. Money is the universal currency. Mages are, I think, used to little of it--that is the impression that I get from them--but they did come of circumstances before, so perhaps less impressive to certain of their number.
Perhaps instead... Well, he is Nevarran. We could find him a skull. Not the Skull, it is quite its own. But a different skull, a good one.
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[Her intonation is impressively flat.]
How would you estimate a 'good' skull?
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[--And this musing is interrupted as Val laughs suddenly. Ribbon is at his shoulder now, her tongue tasting the air that is too close to his neck. He does not flinch, lest he disturb her, but puts his hand out as a shield, and so that she might crawl upon it instead.]
Ribbon, little treasure, you cannot. Please. The mademoiselle is right there.
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Val laughs, and her smile flexes in answer and—
Wysteria actually hears what he has said, and the abject mortification of their current circumstances finally reaches her. She goes very still, and very hot up the back of her neck (which is invisible due to the indignity of her unpinned hair), and feels a piece of her wither and die with embarrassment. It is late, and of all the places Val de Foncé should be, her bedroom is not one of them regardless of the hour.
She hurriedly sets aside her pen again without having written anything since fetching it up.]
Yes, well. I agree that this has been more than revealing enough, thank you. Perhaps we should think over all of this business of skulls and bribery and so on again in the morning at a more reasonable hour. We might attend then to the question of where one might hope to find such a pristine artifact, for example.
—Time permitting, of course. There naturally being so much to accomplish for our other work.
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What is unreasonable about this hour? We are all three of us awake. And I find this a very productive time of day besides, when everything is very quiet and no one is around to make irritating sounds. Present company excluded, of course. Now--
[He sinks down to sit upon the floor, Ribbon held aloft for a moment. Her head raises quizzically, peering around with her blackseed eyes, her thin tongue tasting the air. Then Val is seated, and he carefully lowers his hand to a more reasonable level.]
If I were to search for a pristine skull, I suppose I would first consult a dig site. Or a private collection, should I choose to be very boring about the process, but the dig is the best part, yes?
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Is strictly not the direction she has any interesting in veering toward, and so she pinches her mouth shut until the urge passes which allows de Foncé more than enough time to wax poetic about digging bones out of the ground.]
Yes, I imagine that it is. You recall last August when the Veil was so thin here in Kirkwall and we discovered the Rift beneath it; the exploration of the cave system and the ruins can have only been improved by the presence of bones. Be that as it may, [is very firm, undercut slightly by the self aware tucking of her hair behind her ears] I happen to have an early appointment tomorrow. It wouldn't do for me to entertain for much longer.
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I find that when I have an early appointment--which I so rarely do, being clever enough to schedule my appointments in such a way to guarantee no earliness is expected of me--but when circumstances do not at all allow for this, then my preferred style is to come to them very tired. It creates a certain air of importance, yes? And mystery. [He affects a scratchy posh voice:] What has she been up to? She must be a very interesting person. And we should not take up too much of her time, and so on, and then your appointment is mercifully short and you are able to get on with truly interesting things.
Which, speaking of things more interesting--I did forget about that time! I was so interested in seeing shades and spirits and I never did get to see one. I wonder what is still down there.
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Then perhaps you might arrange an expedition of your own, de Foncé. Sooner rather than later, lest the flooding there be more severe during the winter months. In fact, I might lend you my notes on the subject if you think it would be of some assistance.
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[He leans back, supporting his weight on his one free hand. His other hand he holds halfway to aloft, so Ribbon might wind her way down his forearm. It is a very casual pose.]
--If you were planning an expedition of this sort, would you accept my notes on the subject, if I had made those note and had them available for you to review?
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