fade rift contact

[tactical_alert]

[For all your Seeker Squinty needs.]

Comments

Speaking of...

[justice_is_blond]

I believe I owe you thanks.

[It's said a little awkwardly. He's never thanked a Seeker before.]

[tactical_alert]

Is that so? [If he sounds surprised and confused, that's because he's surprised and confused.]

[justice_is_blond]

You loaned me your dog. Without him... I'm not sure that I would have survived. Narcisse came to my defense, but before he did I may have been killed.

[His life has been saved by a dog. By a seeker's dog. Not even Varric could make that one up.]

[tactical_alert]

I don't regret not going with you, but perhaps if I had, you wouldn't have been in the midst of such a fight of impossible odds.

Milady is a good dog. She does as she's told. She may be no mabari, but she's loyal and smart in her own right.

delivered by someone or another

[limier]

[ Well, this is a shit idea. But her other leads are thinner, and Wren wants to put off talking to Samson as long as she might. At least she and Reed are ostensibly on the same side. ]

Seeker Reed,

This is Knight-Lieutenant Luwenna Coupe, late of the White Spire. It is my understanding that you were present for the Annulment of Dairsmuid's Circle.

[ She’s done her due diligence, of course. She prefers not to stroll into the lion’s den blind if she can help it — and the Inquisition owns a pocketful of seekers, harbors at least two war criminals, crawls with apostates; it’s lions all the way down. ]

If you permit, I would be grateful for the opportunity to speak. To discuss certain aspects of the events which unfolded would be of great assistance in an ongoing investigation.

I hope you will forgive my brevity; such [ Atrocities? No, be politic. ] solemn proceedings crowd the edges of a page, and leave little room for smalltalk. I would not impose upon you if I did not believe the matter of importance.

[ That it's mostly of personal importance is wiggle room. ]

Respectfully,

— Ser Coupe

[tactical_alert]

Ser Coupe,

[So you did your homework. That's really unfortunate.]

As the events which unfolded are of a sensitive nature, I must ask what kind of investigation requires delving into the details. Surely the Chantry's records on the matter are more accurate than my own memory.

Regards,
Seeker Reed

[limier]

[ here we go ]

Seeker Reed,

I have reviewed those reports made available to members of the Order and the Clergy.

Were this a matter of figures, the Chantry's version would suffice. However, events of a sensitive nature are seldom captured fully by numbers on a page. I'm certain you will agree that the accuracy of a memory, and the truth of it, are often not so neatly bound.

Ser Niles Bergier was knighted six years ago, to the Spire. He was later transferred to Rivain, upon my request. Records indicate that he attended Dairsmuid's Annulment. However, neither he nor his body were accounted for.

[ Which may only mean that it wasn't easily recognizable, she is not deluded upon that score. ]

An ally has supplied evidence that he may live. If he does, I intend to find him.

Respectfully,
— Ser Coupe

[tactical_alert]

Ser Coupe,

I understand. [And he does, he really does.] How trusted his this ally and their evidence? How solid is this lead?

I will, of course, do whatever I can to help find your missing comrade. I cannot promise any enlightenment on his condition or whereabouts, however.

If it so suits the Knight-Lieutenant, I will have a room in the easternmost tower cleared for private conversation immediately, barring better suited accommodations.

Regards,
Seeker Reed

quietly pulls the trigger on this since i'm assuming he'll know about TTT anyway w/e w/e

[limier]

Seeker Reed,

During the recent expedition to Haven, we came across intelligence of potential import to your Order. It may already be known to the Seekers, but the matter is not one which I will chance to assumption.

At your earliest convenience, I should appreciate the opportunity to speak in confidence.

[ She's not super inclined to look Aleron in the eye at the moment, and Skyhold — blessedly — does not overflow with Seekers. ]

An aside: Bergier’s brother has been located.

As his employers, and considering the potential implications of any contact he may have established, an Inquisition representative should attend the discussion. Do you wish to be present?

Respectfully,
— Ser Coupe

wibbly wobbly etc etc

[tactical_alert]

Ser Coupe,

Same place as before. [It provided enough confidence for them at the time, certainly.] I've business to finish up, but should it suit you, I will be there by sunset.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I would like to be present, although I imagine you will lead any questioning given the importance to your quest. [A side-quest, if you will! A character quest? A...loyalty mission?]

Welcome back.

Regards,
Seeker Reed

[limier]

[ Psh. What is this? A Bioware franchise? ]

She’s the one to wait this time, arms folded behind her, back to a wall, jaw gritted against itself — as plainly agitated as she is plainly attempting to smother it. A marked contrast to the composure of their last encounter, but again there's no uniform. This, too, isn't a business which she cares to advertise.

Through the little window, the light dies green and ochre, casts the room in dim warmth. Someone’s lit a lantern on the table, a token gesture to the coming night.

"Seeker," Acknowledgement, a slight bow of the head; the words are steady where the rest of her isn’t. If she blinks, she imagines she can still see it behind his eyes: an ugly migraine of a colour. So she doesn’t.

"Thank you for coming. I am aware your schedule taxed of late."

Oh boy, is she real fucking thrilled about the reasons for that.

[tactical_alert]

Her agitation is loud and clear compared to her placidity that had garnered even the remotest modicum of trust. But then, if she found information on Seekers, it's likely not the best news.

Of course, the entire outing, the mission gone sideways, helped even less, he's sure. At least he chooses not to comment on either one--her agitation or the mission--for now.

"Better to have a full plate than whittle the hours away with nothing better to do." He draws himself up to his shorter height, hands clasped behind his back. "What have you got for me?"

SIX MILLION YEARS LATER

[alankazam]

[ At some point, when the Kirkwall base is a little more established, a letter is forwarded from Skyhold: Slightly water-stained in places, almost singed in others.

There's an accompanying note in much finer condition explaining that certain boxes of correspondence have been delayed or waylaid, etcetera, etcetera, and which addresses it to 'the Seeker with the dog (?)'.

The letter itself consists of a short message of gratitude for the return of a daughter, and for the Inquisition's actions at Halamshiral. The language is that curt sort of formality that speaks to a desire to avoid trouble.

The child's drawing on the back is more honest: The scribbled indications of what, in a year or so, might become stick figures — another scribbled mass low at their sides. A work of art, just for Mal. ]

Early Justinian | Written Note (to start)

[lifeofendurance]

We need to discuss Harimann. There has been another incident, in which he does not remember his behavior or what motivated it.

-A




((Immediately following this))

[tactical_alert]

I presume it was a violent incident again? My stance on the matter remains the same as it was when the matter was first brought up to the Templars ages ago. Something more permanent needs done with him, no matter how we may feel about him as a person. He is a danger when he isn't too busy being an extremely depressed burlap sack the rest of the time.

-Seeker Reed

[lifeofendurance]

I concur. If he cannot remain in enough control of his faculties to recall what he has done or why, he cannot be allowed to serve in any capacity. The question remains, do we consider him gone rogue or simply mad? Either way, mercy has not been beneficial to anyone. Least of all him.

[tactical_alert]

There are those who are going to protest handling this with a heavier hand. We might entertain the option of sending him away somewhere, but that poses several problems in itself.

What precipitated the incident? I know he can turn into a bloody berserker under the right circumstances, such as fighting Red Templars, but I can't imagine that's who he was directing his particular brand of reckless endangerment toward.

PARTY TIME

[onlyhymns]

As commanded, Cade has not left his room since he last spoke with Aleron. He hasn't been sleeping or eating really, but he has done exactly as instructed otherwise, wallowing in the situation and looking all the worse for it.
When the Seeker steps through the door, Cade hops lightning-quick to his feet, straight to soldier's attention.

[tactical_alert]

If Seeker Reed feels any remorse or even disappointment for the news of this meeting, he damn well doesn't show any. Cade had been troubled since he'd heard of and met the lad, but he'd shown such promise. Now and again. If only things had been as simple back then as he'd suggested they be.

Things can't be simple now, either, simply for the fact that the Inquisition has an image to keep up and responsibilities to maintain. But Aleron's suggestion is perhaps the best workaround they can agree upon.

"Cade Harimann. You understand why you are here, rather than attending to your duties." It isn't a question. "Your ability for tremendous violence against yourself and others paired with your inability to recall these moments has put you on dangerous footing for some time, but you were granted mercy. And mercy shall be granted again. However. You cannot go unpunished for putting others at unnecessary risk.

"Henceforth, you are stripped of your Templar status entirely and will be made a ward of the Inquisition."

[onlyhymns]

The Seeker's words are first greeted with a dutiful "yes, ser," and then a sequence of nodding. But it quickly turns into standing stock still, then shaking his head, Cade's thin resolve to be professional already crumbling.
"Ser," he whimpers, his mind racing, searching for any argument he could use to prevent this catastrophe. Surely he can make it right.

[tactical_alert]

"You are restricted," he continues with no apparent reaction to Cade's faltering expression, "to secretarial duties such that you remain under Inquisition employ, at least until something more sutable is found for you. You no longer answer to Norrington nor any other Templar directly. You have no rank. Arrangements will be made so that you may continue to take lyrium."

crystals;

[limier]

[ dryly, and without preamble: ]

To lack for an arborist,

[ hi malcolm. if she’s still pretty pissed about how this mess with harriman’s been handled, she’s willing to extend reed some benefit of the doubt in it. what choice is there? you work with the people that you’ve got, and there are few enough seekers; they need at least one. reed continues to be the more prudent option.

(whether she trusts him? immaterial. no purpose to examining that particular, clouded point.) ]

It looks worse for us if this took us by surprise, no? [ the tapping of fingers on a table. she’s been trying to plot this out, the pros and cons of each option. neither's good. you work with what you've got, ] Better that we did not ask permission of the city, than that we’ve apostates running wild.

[ incompetency or botanical tyranny. she wants his feedback in this. ceallach and ashlock know the city, but if she’s being perfectly honest — well. clouds, again.]

[tactical_alert]

Better that we suggest we got some of the Inquisitions mages and deliberately turned the garden into a patch of forest in the middle of the city?

I suppose the Inquisition has done stupider things...and the last we want is a civilian panic and hunt through the city, burning the alienage down I'd imagine. Call it an accident, that it wasn't intended to grow a forest. But that we can certainly make good use of the situation while it still stands.

Free lumber, after all. And should anyone outside the Inquisition want for work, give a little food and pay to those who are willing to help clear the area. Unless our mages know of a way to reverse this.

It's the nicest thing I've ever seen blood magic do, at least.

[limier]

An accident. Maker.

[ uncontrolled magic in the middle of the city. even better. still, it's plausible enough. very well: a planned endeavour that got out of hand, one the inquisition in its excitement had neglected to ask after, ]

I imagine that most reversals would accompany talk of fire, but I am speaking with Madame Morrigan — [ a pause, a small i know ] — And will raise the question. Pay might suit us better regardless.

If we've the capacity to divert Inquisition members to the Alienage, however temporarily, they might keep an eye to it. No obvious soldiers, however. Not so soon after we've overstepped our welcome.

We do not know that it is blood magic, [ but neither of them's an idiot. ] In the absence of evidence? The Veil is thin here. There may have been multiple parties involved, or some artifact. Madame has suggested lyrium unlikely; I am inclined to agree.

I would sooner not startle the Dalish into closing ranks, but the origin of the casting is clear, and they will know we are investigating soon enough. This Pel — a mage — heads research into their artifacts. I will keep you appraised of the discussion.

If there is assistance that I might render from afar, please inform me. I will return soon enough.

[tactical_alert]

We could call it deliberate, but...garden and woodland forest are quite different. If we leave it as is, it gets elves on our side, and while there's nothing inherently wrong with some growth as a gesture to the Maker--we also know that's not what this was. To do nothing gives those who did this a sense of accomplishment, and they might grow even bolder than to vandalize charitable efforts, even if the result isn't necessarily harmful.

Madame Morrigan [because that's an...unusual title, but perhaps it suits an unusual woman] might well be our best hope of understanding the wilds brought to the city without upsetting certain parties. She is, in her own way, still something of an outsider, is she not?

So long as no one outside of the Inquisition--and more to the point, outside those few that know what little evidence was found--breathes of blood magic, then the burnings should be kept to a minimum. We fix the issue, however we can, with as little fuss as possible. Keep the Chantry happy, or as happy as they are capable of being at us, keep the people settled, let it be known that future attempts to alter sacred ground safe for mere gardening purposes will not be tolerated.