The Desk Of Knight Commander Norrington

[judgemewhole]

Notes and IC journal conversations can go right here

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

[A couple of days later he replies.]

I find he has been an ass to more than a few mages, and I'm left with myself as the only willing mage. I cannot see that passing scrutiny, so I must withdraw the request.

I do request he be given more a chance to bathe, however. That's something that's been denied to him that should not be.

[judgemewhole]

[A long pause, before his mouth twists.]

Do you think he would object to a templar going with him? Just waiting outside, of course.

[justice_is_blond]

[Anders snorts.]

That's how the baths are set up. Who would dare trust a mage to take a bath without Templars present? The soap might be too tempting.

[judgemewhole]

Anders ...

[Now, his voice was the one what was calm.]

Whatever happened in the past - is no longer appropriate to where we are now. I suppose I should put it more formally - do we have the mage's permission to be there to guard the Tevinter?

[justice_is_blond]

[He becomes serious again.]

At this moment we do not have the unity to permit or deny it. You can't ask that, because I can't answer it. Or rather, I can't answer it in a way that doesn't set a precedent the mages cannot afford.

You will do as you've been assigned to do. Until there are enough people who aren't me willing to work with Benedict, there can be no weighing in.

[judgemewhole]

...Very well, I will see to it myself, personally.

[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?

[arlathvhen]

Oh. Oh no! You were asleep. I'm sorry. It wasn't important, and sleep is important, so you should do that, instead. I mean, of course it's important. That's why we do it. If it were just a hobby, I guess people would still do it...just not for eight hours a day.

[ Apparently, that was hilarious, because she bursts into a fit of giggles. ]

If it were a hobby, there could be contests. Sleep contests.

Oh--I'm still keeping you up, aren't I?

[judgemewhole]

[Sleep-roughed voice as James chuckles softly at the babble. It is, Maker help him, adorable.]

It's all right, I'm awake now. Besides, you called me by my middle name. Must be important.

[arlathvhen]

I like your middle name.

Right. I had something important to say. Very...pressing matters. Um--

How...is Nevarra going for you? Going, like, do you like it. Not...going anywhere. I don't think it can do that...?

[judgemewhole]

...I ... thank you. It is my uncle's name.

[He waited for a moment, his green eyes narrowing slightly in confusion.]

Oh, well enough. I've been trying to keep myself busy with the local Chantry matters, all that. How about you?

[arlathvhen]

I had an uncle. He was a twin, too.

[ She giggles, again, because apparently that’s hilarious. ]

I’m doing great! Super good. My room is amazing, and my roommates brought all this wine, and a pipe, and it’s all so nice, especially the wine.

—And the roommates! They’re nice too! Nicer than the wine. Really.

[judgemewhole]

...Twins are very prevalent in your family, I see.

[Slightly dry, but more warm than anything. Which is followed with low laugh.]

Beleth, just how much wine have you had?

[arlathvhen]

I guess...? It was on my father's side, and he's from a different clan, so I don't know what his family tree was like. Maybe I could ask at the next arlathvhen...But I haven't talked to any of them before--

[ Pause. ]

--Wine? Just a few glasses. I'm fine, I'm barely buzzed. [ She says, lying. ]

[judgemewhole]

[James's smile can be heard through the crystal.]

I think it's been a few more than that ... regardless. Did you call me to talk about my middle name? Or, are you just calling to tell me how much you like Nevarra?

[arlathvhen]

[ She has to think on this. Why did she call him? It had seemed like a good idea at the time. ]

I just wanted to see how you were doing. That you hadn't died and been stuck in the Necropolis yet, you know? That'd be gross.

[judgemewhole]

[You can't see it, but you can hear the warm smile responding to that.]

So you were worried about me, a little? No worries, Beleth, I will not be going into that death trap of ... literal death.

[A slightly longer pause.]

When you are free ... I would like to buy you another drink.

[Very Very Cautiously offered?]

[arlathvhen]

I'm free right now. But I think another drink might not be wise right now.

[ Another quiet giggle. ]

Maaaybe another time? Like--um. Later?

[judgemewhole]

I think you are quite correct.

[A quiet smile.]

Sounds like a ...cate.

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.

[exequy]

[ They’re probably questions about kittens! Rainbows! Flowers! ]

Abominations.

[ Nope. ]

What you have seen them do. What it took to stop them.

[judgemewhole]

[Oh Come On. No one is ever going to ask James about Kittens. Or Rainbows. Flowers ... all right Merrill probably would.

Abominations, however? Yes, that was in his wheelhouse.]

I have seen them tear mages limb from limb. I have seen them set squads of Templars ablaze, leaving nothing but ashen stains on the ground.

[He paused there, considering the second part of the statement, and then stated simply.] The most effective way I have ever used to kill an abomination is to call upon my faith, and tear the creature's ability from them, then rend them with the Maker's Holy light.

[exequy]

[ It isn't like hearing about his people being torn apart. By the time they're possessed, they're already dead. But it is a little like hearing about their bodies being torn apart after the fact—more of a trial for a Nevarran than most, perhaps—and unclenching his jaw to continue isn't easy. ]

How many men would you need to deal with one?