judgemewhole (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
judgemewhole) wrote2015-12-20 06:31 pm
judgemewhole) wrote2015-12-20 06:31 pm
The Desk Of Knight Commander Norrington
Notes and IC journal conversations can go right here
Very ... cute. [He sighed softly.] Merrill, sometimes you drive me mad.
Well, he is. [ And it's easier to focus on the tiny fluffy predator and how cute he is than all the people she couldn't save. ]
... [A deep, deep sigh.] You should be getting help soon. I informed the Nightingale immediately after receiving your message.
[ ...okay so not ignoring that shitshow. Okay. She can do this. ]
Thank you.
[ Pause. ]
I don't- I wish we could have done more. I feel like there had to be a way, but I just-
At least we saved the griffons.
Thank you.
[ Pause. ]
I don't- I wish we could have done more. I feel like there had to be a way, but I just-
At least we saved the griffons.
Merrill ... you were ten people against hundreds of wardens and demons. You did everything you could. Now -- well. Now we shall see. Just get home safe, yes?
[ That helps. Merrill takes a breath and tries to let some of her worry go. ]
That should be easier than the rest, at least.
That should be easier than the rest, at least.
[He exhales in turn, before his lips moved up into the corners.]
I can certainly hope so.
I can certainly hope so.
letter, delivered via raven (unless he's in Halamshiral, in which case it's delivered by hand)
eviscerates
2016-08-05 01:58 pm (UTC)(link)
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. )
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. )
[ 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
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
Edited 2017-01-26 19:53 (UTC)
Re: delivered by someone or another post-winter palace | just lmk if anything needs changing!
judgemewhole
2017-01-29 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
[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
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
Commander,
Thank you. In such times as these, it is heartening to know that one's cause rests in capable hands.
[ Hands unlikely to hare off with a private army. But then, no one would have thought Lucius or Lambert candidates for betrayal. The price of power must always include scrutiny. ]
If it will not pose a disruption to the morning drills, I would be grateful for the opportunity to observe the New Order in action before our talks. It has been some time since I last sparred with a brother in arms.
[ Who wasn't bright red and foaming mad. ]
— Ser Coupe.
Thank you. In such times as these, it is heartening to know that one's cause rests in capable hands.
[ Hands unlikely to hare off with a private army. But then, no one would have thought Lucius or Lambert candidates for betrayal. The price of power must always include scrutiny. ]
If it will not pose a disruption to the morning drills, I would be grateful for the opportunity to observe the New Order in action before our talks. It has been some time since I last sparred with a brother in arms.
[ Who wasn't bright red and foaming mad. ]
— Ser Coupe.
Knight Lieutenant,
Well, in these difficult times, we should come together, as Andraste bades we should.
[If one considered his army consisted now of three to four Templars, well then yes, he was truly to be feared.]
Oh, please feel free to come and observe. I am running the new Inquisition recruits through how to kill demons. I would be interested in anything you could add to the lesson.
[You could always better understand your allies, and your enemies, once you saw them fight.]
- Knight-Commander Norrington
Well, in these difficult times, we should come together, as Andraste bades we should.
[If one considered his army consisted now of three to four Templars, well then yes, he was truly to be feared.]
Oh, please feel free to come and observe. I am running the new Inquisition recruits through how to kill demons. I would be interested in anything you could add to the lesson.
[You could always better understand your allies, and your enemies, once you saw them fight.]
- Knight-Commander Norrington
Commander,
For all who walk in the sight of the Maker are one.
[ How quickly some numbers might multiply, as the Inquisition gains legitimacy. Best to keep ahead of these things. ]
I look forward to it.
— Ser Coupe.
[[ beep boop i'm a log — if you're prefer to thread out the earlier parts that's totally cool just lmk & i'll edit! ]]
For all who walk in the sight of the Maker are one.
[ How quickly some numbers might multiply, as the Inquisition gains legitimacy. Best to keep ahead of these things. ]
I look forward to it.
— Ser Coupe.
[[ beep boop i'm a log — if you're prefer to thread out the earlier parts that's totally cool just lmk & i'll edit! ]]
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.
[ 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.
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?
[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?
[ What a telling little pause. ]
With respect, I feel it likely to proceed more smoothly if conducted without a Commander’s direct presence.
[ A more familiar form of request, more likely to set Cade at ease. The times have changed, their numbers have thinned: Now every knight is likely to report to top brass, if they haven't just been hurriedly promoted themselves. But there remains a certain comfort in the old structure — one which she hopes to bank on.
( She’d rather not dance the complicated jig of my-boss-your-boss-not-my-boss-at-all through a first impression. ) ]
I ask your leave as I am aware that he reports to you,
[ When he’s not playing Seeker secretary; a point doubtless worn sore. ]
And as I know there have been difficulties concerning his presence. If I am to keep ahead of any potential situations — [ His face bubbled with red ruin, the glint of ruby pushing up beneath his eyes, ] — I must get a better measure of the man, and allow him the same of me.
I have arranged the donation of certain supplies, for distribution to pilgrims along the road.
[ Light duty, an opportunity to gauge the way that he thinks. A quiet bit of public relations. ]
With respect, I feel it likely to proceed more smoothly if conducted without a Commander’s direct presence.
[ A more familiar form of request, more likely to set Cade at ease. The times have changed, their numbers have thinned: Now every knight is likely to report to top brass, if they haven't just been hurriedly promoted themselves. But there remains a certain comfort in the old structure — one which she hopes to bank on.
( She’d rather not dance the complicated jig of my-boss-your-boss-not-my-boss-at-all through a first impression. ) ]
I ask your leave as I am aware that he reports to you,
[ When he’s not playing Seeker secretary; a point doubtless worn sore. ]
And as I know there have been difficulties concerning his presence. If I am to keep ahead of any potential situations — [ His face bubbled with red ruin, the glint of ruby pushing up beneath his eyes, ] — I must get a better measure of the man, and allow him the same of me.
I have arranged the donation of certain supplies, for distribution to pilgrims along the road.
[ Light duty, an opportunity to gauge the way that he thinks. A quiet bit of public relations. ]
[Right. Well. How could he put this ... at all, delicately?]
Very well.
[Have yourself another telling pause.]
He reports to me directly. He is my personal secretary.
[If he is doing errands for Cassandra or Malcolm, he has not heard of it.]
He has been through a great deal. I ask that you keep that in mind when you speak with him. He was ... at Kirkwall when it fell. [So do with that as you will.]
Sounds like perfect light duty.
[However.]
He is not chatty. He will not converse with you at great length.
Very well.
[Have yourself another telling pause.]
He reports to me directly. He is my personal secretary.
[If he is doing errands for Cassandra or Malcolm, he has not heard of it.]
He has been through a great deal. I ask that you keep that in mind when you speak with him. He was ... at Kirkwall when it fell. [So do with that as you will.]
Sounds like perfect light duty.
[However.]
He is not chatty. He will not converse with you at great length.
[ A Marcher trying to delicate. How... curious, itself.
He was at Kirkwall when it fell. All the more reason to have this done with now, before an inglorious homecoming. ]
Thank you. I promise I shall not return him, [ With a broken writing hand? With secret orders to embezzle office supplies? Alright. So maybe she’s the one a little sore at what he’s been set to, ] Any worse for wear.
[ If Harriman does not belong in combat, clerking is an excellent solution — rationally, Wren knows this. But she's still grateful that Norrington cannot see her expression across the crystals. ]
He was at Kirkwall when it fell. All the more reason to have this done with now, before an inglorious homecoming. ]
Thank you. I promise I shall not return him, [ With a broken writing hand? With secret orders to embezzle office supplies? Alright. So maybe she’s the one a little sore at what he’s been set to, ] Any worse for wear.
[ If Harriman does not belong in combat, clerking is an excellent solution — rationally, Wren knows this. But she's still grateful that Norrington cannot see her expression across the crystals. ]
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?"
"Can I come in?"
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.
"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.
She sits, wrapping her shawl tightly around her. She doesn't look at him, which could be a sign that she's more upset than she's letting on.
"I lost a friend today. He was probably the first real scholar I made friends with. He considered me a peer and our ideas sort of...bloomed, when we talked about them with each other. He was engaging, and we were inspired by each other. But we only ever spoke on the crystal. He didn't know I'm an elf."
"I lost a friend today. He was probably the first real scholar I made friends with. He considered me a peer and our ideas sort of...bloomed, when we talked about them with each other. He was engaging, and we were inspired by each other. But we only ever spoke on the crystal. He didn't know I'm an elf."
"Ah." His face became sorrowful in turn, before he went to sit next to her on the bed. He held out his hand - she could hold it, or tuck herself underneath it, or wave it off. He would not press on her - this much he had learned.
The other part of that, was him not saying anything, but listening.
The other part of that, was him not saying anything, but listening.
She winds up tucked underneath his arm, feet under her as comfortably as she can manage.
"This isn't going to get easier," she says softly. "You won't be able to take me to fancy parties, or to meet important people. My daughter will never inherit a copper from you; you might as well leave everything to a horse."
It's a pessimistic outlook; Marquise Briala has already gone several months without being assassinated, and in all likelihood, it's her children who will inherit her position. But things always get worse before they get better, if they ever do get better.
"I don't know what future a knight-commander can have like that."
"This isn't going to get easier," she says softly. "You won't be able to take me to fancy parties, or to meet important people. My daughter will never inherit a copper from you; you might as well leave everything to a horse."
It's a pessimistic outlook; Marquise Briala has already gone several months without being assassinated, and in all likelihood, it's her children who will inherit her position. But things always get worse before they get better, if they ever do get better.
"I don't know what future a knight-commander can have like that."
He kisses the top of her head, curling her up close. One corner of his mouth twisted slightly, before he sighed. "Do you know that a Seeker is about to marry a Grey Warden mage? In the Free Marches, by Orlesians. Things will change. Besides, I loathe fancy parties."
He rested his forehead against her hair, "Beyond that, I'll rise up from my grave as a terrible wraith if they try to take a copper from Sina. She gets a future, damn whomever says otherwise." A pause, a longer one, and a heavy sigh. "There is no future for Knight Commanders who keep taking lyrium like I do, Pel."
He rested his forehead against her hair, "Beyond that, I'll rise up from my grave as a terrible wraith if they try to take a copper from Sina. She gets a future, damn whomever says otherwise." A pause, a longer one, and a heavy sigh. "There is no future for Knight Commanders who keep taking lyrium like I do, Pel."
That's what she needed to hear. Her head rests against his shoulder and she releases a long breath. And nudges him.
"You have lots of future left. Plenty of old farts still serve as proper Templars."
"You have lots of future left. Plenty of old farts still serve as proper Templars."
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