The Desk Of Knight Commander Norrington

[judgemewhole]

Notes and IC journal conversations can go right here

Comments

Sending Crystal, second week of guardian

[fleurdesel]

[ After this announcement ]


Knight-Commander-

James. [ The first she's used his name, but her voice is weary and somewhat, even to one that does not know her well, strained. ] I have- concerns.

Re: Sending Crystal, second week of guardian

[judgemewhole]

Lady LeBlanc -- Adelaide. [There is a pause, before he states quietly.]

What is wrong?

Sending Crystal, First Week of Drakonis

[equanimiti]

[Shortly after this announcement, James recieves a message via crystal.]

...James?

[His tone lacks the usual Orlesian zeal he's known for and instead been replaced by something akin to gloom. A similar gloom that gripped him not too long ago in Emprise du Lion.]

I was a fool. Here I was promising this "Detlef" a safe haven at Skyhold while unknowingly inviting the devil himself to our doorstep.

[He sighed heavily.]

I wear the mummer's mantle too well. I've been had the entire time by that disgusting beast and I didn't even realize it.

Re: Sending Crystal, First Week of Drakonis

[judgemewhole]

Alayre?

What are you - hold on this crystal is blinking all over the damned place --

[A moment or two of pause.]

...Great Maker, Alayre! Tell me - tell me you didn't offer him our protection?

Action - After the ill, before Antiva

[ombranera]

It is no note he sends, nor message on the crystals- Norrington had been quite open with his invitation and Zevran? Quite sincere in his intention to take the man up on it. Even with the confused jangling of his mind and heart an uncomplicated tumble is just that. An uncomplicated tumble.

Thus he approaches, pitching his voice low and honeyed with promise as he sidles up to Norrington at his desk. "In the long hours of the night
When hope has abandoned me,
I will see the stars and know
Your Light remains."

Re: Action - After the ill, before Antiva

[judgemewhole]

Well, Norrington is glad to be uncompllicated for someone. Especially since he has been catching up on missives sent out from other templars in the field all afternoon, so as the sun stretched across his desk in the courtyard, Zevran's voice was a welcome one.

He looked up from his reports, green eyes brightening in appreciation, before he responded in kind. "And His Word became all that might be:
Dream and idea, hope and fear,
Endless possibilities."

sending crystal.

[trouvaille]

Knight-Commander - this is Lady Vauquelin, we spoke once before. You might have seen that the project I mentioned has come to fruition.

( and she is terribly pleased with herself about it, but she restrains that. )

I have a related request, if you might entertain it a moment.

Re: sending crystal.

[judgemewhole]

Ah yes, Lady Vaquelin. A pleasure to speak with you again. Yes, I was quite pleased with your accounts of templar life here. Thank you so much for your support.

[A pause, and then a slightly more cautious.]

Please, tell me of what you have in mind.

[sending crystal/early Bloomingtide]

[madame_de_fer]

[Norrington quite possibly knows Vivienne well enough to recognize when her temper is roused but she is holding it back. Always polite. Even when furious.]

My dear, would you happen to be available. It seems like forever since we've last spoken and we simply must rectify that at once.

Re: [sending crystal/early Bloomingtide]

[judgemewhole]

[He does know her well enough to know that her tone held something else than warm affection for him. He frowned, but answered quickly enough.]

For you, Madame Vivienne, always. Where shall we meet?

Handwritten note

[justice_is_blond]

[It comes a few days after the note given him, on a piece of parchment whose other side was already used for notes; observation and a little investigating says the notes are from the recent plague and theorized causes, all of them crossed out lightly. The handwriting on the note itself is very practiced.]

Norrington,

I accept the apology. I apologize in turn for my anger.

I do not feel that mages on the whole need forgiveness. Most are as anyone else - people seeking a life until it was torn from them, and then seeking survival at any cost. They have done nothing wrong. I do not claim that for all. I do not claim that for myself.

Eyes are finally being opened to the fact that it is wrong to imprison and slaughter those whose crimes are merely those of birth, whether they have a stronger connection to the Fade or ears that are pointed. People are people, no matter the times. It has never changed, only awareness has. I pray the awareness continues to spread and that fear does not halt its progress.

Pel has been kind. I could do no less, and I need no thanks for it.

Sincerely,
Anders

Sending Crystal, While in the Fade

[fleurdesel]

[ It takes a fair while to creep through the veil, and when it does? Adelaide's voice is muzzy, distant. Occasionally overwhelmed by the sighs and screams of other Fade creatures. ]

James- I don't think I'm going to make it back so I'll keep this short. _{Roul has a letter for you should, well, this happen.} Things I intended ^{to do, that I meant to write} _{or say-} it doesn't matter. Ask him for it. And keep your boys alive, yes? We need decent templars in the world.

Re: Sending Crystal, While in the Fade

[judgemewhole]

[James jerked from where he was standing outside of where the rift once stood, his jaw tight as he looked down at the message crystal hooked to his sword belt. He snatched it up, his voice firm as he called back into it.]

Lady Adelaide LeBlanc, I do not accept your damned death message. You get back here right as quickly as damned possible, or I'm coming in there after you, and you don't want to see what a Templar Knight Commander will do to the Fade! You are to stay alive, do you hear me?

backdated to late on the 28th | sending crystal

[chainlightning]

[ She had promised to keep him updated, hadn't she? There are few places to be alone, but Merrill manages to sneak off for a little bit in order to call him. ]

We're heading into Weisshaupt in the morning. The Wardens say the Calling has stopped.

[ She's nervous, enough that she doesn't say hello -- she imagines James will forgive her. ]

Did something happen there?

Re: backdated to late on the 28th | sending crystal

[judgemewhole]

[Oh Thank the Maker. James grabs up his crystal, his tone sounding slightly rushed.]

At least fifty or more members of the Inquisition fell into a Rift, and they just started to come out of it again. They apparently killed the Nightmare demon ... and according to the Wardens here, that stopped the Calling.

and then the very next day.

[chainlightning]

[ Sounding both nervous and like she's trying not to be overheard: ]

We're in the fortress and being allowed to stay. The First Warden is away, visiting the King. There's a man here who is probably Venatori. The Warden mages are still bound to demons.

[ Facts first, quick and each important, and then a sigh. ]

I'll be safe. I'm with Anders and Nathaniel and Mal, and his mabari. But it's- things are not right here, James. I don't think it's just your Templars that Corypheus reached, but I also don't know if these Wardens even realize it.

How's the desert?

Re: and then the very next day.

[judgemewhole]

Maker's Breath.

[And this is James hissing out, trying to be as quiet as he can himself.]

Merrill, that is very bad -- have any of you spoken to Ser Kief? She's a Templar - she should be able to take out the Venatori safely and perhaps find a way to disconnect the mages without ... without them turning into abominations.

[A pause, then a sigh.]

They've made it out of the Rift. All of them, including the other Wardens. They are .... bruised, and battered. But they are alive.

crystal;

[eviscerates]

( There's rain in the background, because Hello from the Fallow Mire. )

Hi, Knight Commander? My name’s Ruby.

Uh, sorry to contact you kind of out of the blue, but Councillor LeBlanc and I have been working on an idea for a sort of… Inquisition team building morale boosting… thing… and I wondered if it might be of interest. To you.

( She is really out of practice with this stuff, wow. Snow was usually the talker. Princesses, man. )

crystal;

[judgemewhole]

[Winds are blowing from Skyhold, when Norrington plucks up his crystal and frowns at it.]

... I am always interested in building more trust within the ranks of the Inquisition. [He stated slowly, but if Adelaide was behind it, he was less inclined to be wary.] What did the two of you have in mind?

backdated to when everyone is running from weisshaupt;

[chainlightning]

[ Her voice is somewhere between terrified and simply distraught, breath coming in gasping pants. She's on the move, doesn't have much time to talk, but she promised. ]

We had to leave. We have griffon hatchlings and Corypheus might be here and-

The First Warden put the king in the dungeons. [ human politics, pls fill in the proper terms, James ] The Wardens are fighting among each other about it, some of the mages are being overtaken by the demons. I don't- I don't know where the others are, it's just me and Mal and Anders and Nathaniel and the Roostmaster, and the thirteen hatchlings and Mal's dog and horse and Anders' cat-

[ A deep, sucking breath. ]

Tell Leliana, she has to know about the Anderfels. And- and I'll talk to you again when we're clear.

[ Should James respond, he won't get a reply for a while, until after the Inquisition reinforcements have driven back their pursuers and the teams have regrouped with each other. ]

backdated to when everyone is running from weisshaupt;

[judgemewhole]

Maker's breath ...

[Is all he says as he gets the message, before he is slamming a message to Leliana, then Ingrid, then to Mal, and then back to Merrill.]

If you are dead, Merrill, I swear I am going to have the Maker and the Creator haunt your existence for all of days, woman!

letter, delivered via raven (unless he's in Halamshiral, in which case it's delivered by hand)

[eviscerates]

Dear Knight Commander Norrington,

Thank you so much for leading Team Goldenrod. You guys were all amazing.

As well as having a tab all organised at the tavern for when everyone is back from Orlais so you can all catch up and relax, please find enclosed an extra prize. It should keep you safe from any nasty chills, and give your attacks a little extra oomph. Everyone in your team is getting one, so you can always remember that you’re all a lot cooler than the rest of us. Sorry it took so long to get it to you, I needed to visit this place in Orlais to get it organised.

Stay awesome.

Best regards,

Ruby


( Enclosed there is a silver ring, with a yellow band running through it that looks like it could be crystal and catches the light.

The ring is cool to the touch, and provides a little boost to ice attacks, or adds an ice element to any weapon wielded while the ring is worn. The ring will also add some protection against cold attacks. It isn’t a super duper powerful ring, but it will give a bit of an edge in a fight, or just make any future snowballs hella hardcore. Damn, son. )

delivered by someone or another post-winter palace | just lmk if anything needs changing!

[limier]

[ If she's wary of Norrington, it's not without reason.

The man's by all accounts a prodigy, but he’s also barely thirty, a northerner, and accustomed to solving problems with a branch and a rope. A good Chantry boy, is what all the intel says. A good, angry Chantry boy.

As though there were any other kind.

The request she brings is a simple one, but its true intent is introduction, a means to test the waters. He's an ally they can't afford to alienate. It’ll be a delicate balance to strike: the propriety of deference, and the silent implication that she wasn’t sent to take his orders. ]

Commander,

This is Knight-Lieutenant Luwenna Coupe, late of the White Spire. I attend the Inquisition at the behest of an alliance of Chantry Mothers wishing to support its efforts against Corypheus.

If your schedule permits, perhaps we might discuss the events which recently unfolded at Halamshiral. I am given to understand that a Red host aided the Freemen; if you or your men have identified any bodies, it may be of assistance to an ongoing investigation and to the notification of their kin.

Respectfully,
— Ser Coupe

Re: delivered by someone or another post-winter palace | just lmk if anything needs changing!

[judgemewhole]

[Norrington read the request, then rolled up the parchment. Tapping the roll against his lips, he sighed quietly.

So the Mothers had sent their own agent. Troubling, but understandable. So it would be in his own best interests to keep the peace and offer her whatever help he could.]

Knight-Lieutenant,

Good afternoon. I would be pleased to speak with you about the events of Halamshiral. My schedule is rather full, so I would have to schedule you in a gap between the morning and afternoon trainings.

Respectfully,
Knight-Commander Norrington

crystals; post-ttt

[limier]

Commander.

[ Brief greeting, and — ]

May I borrow Ser Harriman? Half a day, perhaps.

[ Cade's reputation as a problem child is, to a certain degree, public knowledge. She's held back thus far, but after what they've seen? Knowing what it means for the days ahead? ]

It seems prudent to make an introduction; I believe that would be best done outside Skyhold’s walls.

[ There are refugees along the road, delivering aid is as fine an excuse as any. Let them be remembered a little better in their absence. ]

There will be no risk of combat.

Re: crystals; post-ttt

[judgemewhole]

You want to borrow ... Cade.

[Why in the world would anyone - ]

Well. All right. So you would like me to introduce you to Cade, so you can take him off to do ... what precisely?

backdated to Cloudreach

[mythalenaste]

There's a gentle knock at James' door late at night. Pel is wearing a nightshirt and shawl, her hair in a braid, looking contemplative. Her voice is sad.

"Can I come in?"

Re: backdated to Cloudreach

[judgemewhole]

James jerked awake at the knock on the door, before he made a noise and pushed himself up to his feet.

"Yes ... yes hold on." He pulled on a shirt, and unlocked the door, stepping back to let Pel in. He looked at her saddened expression, and his own became concerned, "What's wrong?"

Closed the door behind her, gesturing for her to sit on the bed.

[crystal]

[arlathvhen]

[ This is probably something that ought to be done in person, but Beleth is pretty sure if she tried to do this face-to-face, she'd wimp out. Or worse, she'd get so flustered that she'd start rambling like an idiot.

She's not entirely sure she'll avoid it, even like this. ]

Hello, James? I--um. Have you seen the announcement that we posted? The division leaders, that is. Regarding the Hightown party. I was wondering if you would like to attend. But...I was, ah. Hoping that you'd like to attend...with. Um. Me. Specifically.

Re: [crystal]

[judgemewhole]

[James answers the crystal without thinking as he's finishing up dressing - and then his shirt doesn't seem to make it on as he is now staring at the crystal with surprise. His mouth opens, then closes, then opens again.

.... oh. Right. He needs. To answer that. So. He should answer.

Uh.... I mean. I. Yes. I mean, I would be pleased. To attend. With you. [Wait a moment.] Is this for a diplomatic, er, purpose?

Crystal

[justice_is_blond]

[His voice is wary.]

I need to know if you taunted the little apprentice in the dungeons with the thought of Tranquility.

Crystal

[judgemewhole]

If you mean, did I tell the future blood mage magister that he was lucky that we did not practice Tranquility, then yes, I did. I also told him that the Inquisition did not believe in such barbarity.

If you are going to level a complaint at me, you should also know that I magically purged the area around him so he knew what a Templar could do the next time he tried to kill one of my people in a maddened escape attempt.

[crystal, during the nevarra thing]

[arlathvhen]

[ It's late in the night when Beleth calls James, her words just a little too slurred together, voice a little higher than normal, and far too many giggles. ]

James. James. James Lysander.

[ Of course she knows his middle name, she has files on everyone. ]

Hey, are you awake?

Re: [crystal, during the nevarra thing]

[judgemewhole]

[And from that voice ...]

Hmmm?

[Squinting, yawning at the crystal.]

...Beleth?

action, sometime.

[exequy]

[ Wherever James works these days, he’ll at one point find Kostos hovering outside, looking surly—because surly is his version of unsure—and immediately launching into, ]

I have questions for you.

[ Introductions are for the weak. ]

Re: action, sometime.

[judgemewhole]

[James jerks his head up at the statement - because that certainly wasn't a question. He narrows his gaze suspiciously, quill half raised from the inventory report he was writing.]

I might have answers, if I know what the nature of the questions are.

A note sent to James' office, shortly after the return from Tevinter.

[mousquetaire]

Knight Commander,

My apologies for the delay in contacting you. None of us expected what happened at the end of our visit, and it's taken me some time to return to Kirkwall.

Please do not think that means I have forgotten you. I hope that you are faring well and that your escape from that place was easier than mine. If there is any way that I can help you, please let me know.

Yours,

d'Artagnan.