bringspeopletogether: ([misc] in another life)
Alistair ([personal profile] bringspeopletogether) wrote2018-06-23 09:32 pm

[sandbox]

The letter he finally sends is maybe a little more impolitic than it ought to be, but if he doesn't send something now, he'll still be writing when his Calling arrives.



Fiona,

Ivette Cousland is looking for you. The name might ring a bell. Hero of Ferelden? Slayed the Archdemon some years ago?

Anyway. She's not having any luck, so I thought I'd try my hand at getting in touch.

Cousland's been searching for a cure for the Calling these past five years or so; she even retired as Warden-Commander of Vigil's Keep so she could pursue her research better. She knows your leaving the Wardens wasn't like mine. You didn't just walk away from Weisshaupt: you managed to un-Join somehow, with no ill effects. You're our last, best lead on the matter, so you can understand why she's rather eager to speak to you. It's very likely she doesn't have much time left, what with it being almost a decade and a half since her Joining and living through a Blight.

Frankly, I don't expect I have much time left, either.

Cullen and I are in South Reach these days. I'll always know where to find Cousland, if you'd rather speak with her directly. For all our sakes, I hope you'll be in touch.

--Alistair






Two weeks later, a raven knocks its beak against their window frame.

This is a matter best discussed in person, says the note attached to its leg. I can be to South Reach by the end of the month.

It's signed only with the letter F. Alistair spends the next few hours talking up a nervous storm, hands digging in his hair, half anxious, half furious. (This is exactly what he didn't want: for her to read this as an overture. For her to think she could have any claim to Alistair's time, Alistair's space, outside of giving him and Cousland the information they needed.)

Then he writes a letter to Cousland and sends the raven on its way.
highnever: (Default)

[personal profile] highnever 2018-08-08 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
Ivette looks up from where she's poking at a pot of some leafy vegetable at the fire, and claps Alistair on the shoulder as she passes. "That's what comes of being domesticated," she says, cheerfully enough. "Awareness is the first thing to go. Shall I answer it?"
highnever: (Default)

[personal profile] highnever 2018-08-09 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
Ivette ruffles Gru's ears briefly and reaches for the latch.

The figure on the other side is her own height, which comes as a small surprise. The hood obscures the face, but the staff poking over one shoulder is obvious enough.

Ivette does manage to resist the urge to fold her arms, but she also doesn't move out of the doorway. It's definitely to keep Gru from being overly enthusiastic at strangers. Definitely.

She does let a small smile escape, though it doesn't linger. "Grand Enchanter, I presume?"

If it's not Fiona... well. This was going to be interesting no matter what.
highnever: (Default)

[personal profile] highnever 2018-08-09 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Ivette, approximately five foot nothing, stands in the doorway like one of the very best of the Hundred Pillars.

She glances over her shoulder briefly at Alistair, and makes a decision: time to take command.

"You must have had a long journey. Can we offer you refreshment?"

Some lessons her mother was able to instill. Some. Hospitality is vital is one; when you choose a side, make it clear all the way to Tevinter is another.
highnever: (Default)

[personal profile] highnever 2018-08-10 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
"Water? Wine? Tea would take a moment, but we can certainly manage. -- Gru, my darling, let her come inside before you sniff her to death. -- and might I ask what title you'd prefer us to use?"

Because they'll be keeping things on a formal level, if Ivette has anything to say about it. Formality is a shield; it's one Alistair can use as well, with -- just a little guidance, maybe. She gently nudges Alistair's shoulder as she leans down to restrain Gru, and then shuffles them out of the doorway. Out of Fiona's way.

(Of course she thinks of her parents. Of course she does. But when one's been in the west, living rough for a long time, the life of a teyrn's daughter, or sister, seems like a tale someone else made up.

And yet she can't help but feel the specter of her mother settling on her shoulders like a cloak. A welcome one.)
highnever: (Default)

[personal profile] highnever 2018-08-10 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
"'Of a sort?" Ivette says, deeply indignant, mouth twitching. "That's the last time I try to feed us, then. Of a sort. Enchanter, as one might expect -- "

She releases Gru, right on time. Let Fiona have her hands full for a few seconds, to give Alistair some time.

" -- the fare is plain, but perfectly acceptable."
highnever: (Default)

[personal profile] highnever 2018-08-12 06:50 am (UTC)(link)
Ivette, occupied getting water from the jerry-rigged pump, lets her gaze flick between Fiona and Alistair. He's talking. He's trying. She can back off just a little, let him do what he's comfortable with doing.

In the meantime, she places a cup and a small ewer on a tray, and carries them over to the chairs by the fire. "Water whenever you'd like, Enchanter."
highnever: (Default)

[personal profile] highnever 2018-08-13 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
"Not at all," Ivette says, carefree.

Another day closer to death, she thinks. None of it makes its way to her face.

(And it's remarkably uncharitable of her, anyway, given her pause for a dalliance with Nathaniel before she came to South Reach.)

She moves back to the kitchen, produces a bowl, and begins to ladle the vegetables (and soup) into it. "I expect you'd prefer to wait until the morning to review our findings?"

Unless Alistair says otherwise, Ivette is figuring not to give them downtime for anything remotely resembling chatting.
highnever: (Default)

[personal profile] highnever 2018-08-14 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
"With all respect to his considerable talents," Ivette says, bringing the bowl to Fiona, "this isn't one of his areas of expertise. Which I'm sure he'd be the first to tell you."

She stands upright, hands on her hips. "Besides -- I'm not sure how familiar you are with the lay of the land here in Ferelden, but this is farm country, and he's got quite a task helping his brother in setting new fence on land they've acquired." This said cheerfully. "Now. Have you a place to stay? I've set my bedroll in the stable and find it quite comfortable."

Meaning either go to the tavern or come with me, but when you've eaten we're getting out of Alistair's hair.
highnever: (Default)

[personal profile] highnever 2018-08-14 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
"You've come to our assistance," Ivette says mildly, leaning back against a wall, arms loosely folded. "We're grateful for it."

If this isn't how it's going to go... best to find out now.
highnever: (Default)

[personal profile] highnever 2018-08-14 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
Ivette relaxes slightly, and doesn't much care if Fiona notices.

(She figures Alistair won't.)

"In which case, you'll be happy to know that despite being a stable, it smells of sweet grass far more than horse -- "

She can keep the chatter up as long as she needs to, so Fiona can eat, and so Alistair doesn't have to look up.
howtoactfereldan: (the loyal shield)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan 2018-08-14 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
Still: it's only about ten minutes after the stables have gone quiet before there's a splash outside.

Cullen has, in a fit of exhausted pique, upended a (small) rain barrel over his head in lieu of a bath. It was hot work today, but he just... doesn't have the patience.

At least he takes his boots off before coming inside, so he doesn't squelch that much. His weariness bleeds into his voice as he sets his boots by the door. "Alistair?"

(His shirt sticks to his skin. He probably should've taken it off first. Ah well.)
howtoactfereldan: (the one who repents)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan 2018-08-14 10:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"One I caused," he says, wry, and dripping a little. "Just... seemed like a good idea at the time."

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-15 00:13 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-15 00:23 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-15 00:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-15 00:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-15 01:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-15 01:21 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-15 22:48 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-15 23:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-15 23:56 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-16 00:06 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-16 00:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-16 00:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-16 00:54 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-16 01:08 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-16 01:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-16 01:41 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-16 01:51 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-17 02:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-17 02:40 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-17 02:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-17 03:03 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-17 03:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-18 17:26 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-18 18:40 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-29 23:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-30 02:34 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-30 02:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-30 02:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-30 10:34 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-30 18:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-08-31 20:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-09-04 03:02 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-09-05 02:36 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-09-05 03:28 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-09-05 23:19 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-09-06 00:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-09-06 00:20 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-09-11 04:47 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-09-12 01:58 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-09-12 02:16 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] howtoactfereldan - 2018-09-12 02:24 (UTC) - Expand