[When Norrington does arrive, he'll fine Madame de Fer frowning intently at a book sitting on her desk as if it has blasphemed the Maker by merely resting there. Closer inspection however will reveal scorching on the edges and the cleave mark of a blade, probably an axe. The book itself is most likely ruined entirely.
Her arms are folded over her chest and she is tapping her foot in irritation.]
[It is a little known fact about Norrington that he is, in fact, a closet bibliophile. All Templars are well-educated, but James had always loved pushing his studies out further. Sacrilege to a book? Is rather like sacrilege to Andraste.
He makes a quiet noise, as he puts the bottle of wine done and goes to the book.] What in the name of the Maker - who did this?
[If she knew, the person would at best be a permanent block of ice. As it is, the fool who tried to peddle this book to Vivienne is probably facing the problems from frostbitten fingers.]
I found it in the store of some flea-bitten Antivan slug passing for a merchant. Hawking it for a pittance like so much trash. A treatise on proper protection of etheric energies when working with the Fade, dating back to the Divine Age... being peddled by a greasy mongrel like a used up toothless whore.
[Absolutely disgusting.]
Clearly it was stolen from the Circle, but how it got to that shack, I couldn't discover no matter how hard I pressed. It came to him like this. The wretch actually tried to upsell me on the price until I threatened to give his name to the authorities for attempted sale of stolen property.
[James frowned as he turned to her, looking at her as she ... well, vented out her frustration. He can imagine the merchant - with stolen merchandise no less - yelping like a whipped dog when Vivienne tore a chunk out of him. Which was no less than he deserved.]
... If it came to him like that, then whomever he purchased it from probably knows someone who worked in the Circles themselves. Perhaps a tranquil, or another mage? It could have even been a templar.
[Her lips purse in disdain for the whole situation, and yet somehow manages to make it look attractive. But it's difficult to miss that she's mightily put out.]
I like none of those options. A Templar least of all.
This was the only copy known to the Circle and it had been stored in Tantervale, which I suppose gives us a place to begin looking if we're to bring the thief to justice.
[And oh how she'd like to exact that justice herself.]
It makes me ill to think of over a thousand years' worth of knowledge in the filthy hands of bandits.
[He folded one hand behind him, his frown deepening as she continued with the facts.]
Nor do I. Especially considering that Tantervale was and is, the city of my birth. I knew the Templars in that city ... I will reach out to them, see if I can get more information.
[He nodded his head.]
I will have it retrieved for you, as soon as I am able, Madame Vivienne.
You have my regrets as well, Madame Vivienne. I know how much of a violation this must be for you.
[He could also reach out to his uncle - the Norringtons were a respectable family with not many ties in the Underworld, but the theft itself would be well known.]
I will do just about anything to ensure that Circle knowledge is not lost. We will need it in the future, when the new Circles are reformed, both inside and out.
[He smiles back at her, before he rolls his cup in his hand, looking thoughtful.]
As a student of history, I can tell you that we are doomed to repeat it if we do not learn from it. I think what has happened recently is an all too real view of what happens when one side holds too much power over another, going in either direction.
[He sipped his wine again, leaning against the wall.]
Balance is only achieved when we share what we have learned, after all. And not sold it to the highest bidder.
[Taking up a glass of wine, Vivienne takes a long, savoring sip. Thank the Maker for Norrington. He's going such a long way to soothe her anger.]
And only if people can be shown how to be reasonable and sensible as you have. As we see with the chaos now, no one is well served by refusing to look at the full picture.
[Norrington nods his head as he shifts his glass as he speaks, careful not to spill any on the carpet.]
The more I see, the more I understand how this happened. And it horrifies me, Madame Vivienne. My brothers and sisters losing their way, the desperate acts of mages pushed to madness -- [He shakes his head again.] It was there, all the time. Tumors that needed to be removed.
[He looked over at her, green eyes firm.] We have a chance to remove them now, so that when we sew up Thedas again, the Circles and the Order will be healthy and whole again.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
[Sending Crystal]
Date: 2016-05-14 09:36 am (UTC)I shall be there directly, then.
[Action]
Date: 2016-05-14 09:46 am (UTC)Her arms are folded over her chest and she is tapping her foot in irritation.]
Re: [Action]
Date: 2016-05-14 09:51 am (UTC)He makes a quiet noise, as he puts the bottle of wine done and goes to the book.] What in the name of the Maker - who did this?
[Action]
Date: 2016-05-14 10:13 am (UTC)[If she knew, the person would at best be a permanent block of ice. As it is, the fool who tried to peddle this book to Vivienne is probably facing the problems from frostbitten fingers.]
I found it in the store of some flea-bitten Antivan slug passing for a merchant. Hawking it for a pittance like so much trash. A treatise on proper protection of etheric energies when working with the Fade, dating back to the Divine Age... being peddled by a greasy mongrel like a used up toothless whore.
[Absolutely disgusting.]
Clearly it was stolen from the Circle, but how it got to that shack, I couldn't discover no matter how hard I pressed. It came to him like this. The wretch actually tried to upsell me on the price until I threatened to give his name to the authorities for attempted sale of stolen property.
Re: [Action]
Date: 2016-05-14 10:26 am (UTC)... If it came to him like that, then whomever he purchased it from probably knows someone who worked in the Circles themselves. Perhaps a tranquil, or another mage? It could have even been a templar.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-17 10:18 am (UTC)I like none of those options. A Templar least of all.
This was the only copy known to the Circle and it had been stored in Tantervale, which I suppose gives us a place to begin looking if we're to bring the thief to justice.
[And oh how she'd like to exact that justice herself.]
It makes me ill to think of over a thousand years' worth of knowledge in the filthy hands of bandits.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-17 06:31 pm (UTC)Nor do I. Especially considering that Tantervale was and is, the city of my birth. I knew the Templars in that city ... I will reach out to them, see if I can get more information.
[He nodded his head.]
I will have it retrieved for you, as soon as I am able, Madame Vivienne.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-24 09:16 am (UTC)[Theft originating in one's birthplace must be extra distressing. Or so Vivienne supposes having no memory of where she was born or her parents.]
I do thank you for going to the trouble, however, darling. It means a great deal to me.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-24 03:20 pm (UTC)[He could also reach out to his uncle - the Norringtons were a respectable family with not many ties in the Underworld, but the theft itself would be well known.]
I will do just about anything to ensure that Circle knowledge is not lost. We will need it in the future, when the new Circles are reformed, both inside and out.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-01 12:30 am (UTC)You're quite right, my dear. When the Circles are restored, we shall need every shred of history and knowledge we can possible preserve.
I daresay a great deal of our current problems lie with forgotten history and information.
[And people selfishly looking to their own benefit alone but such is humanity.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-01 01:18 am (UTC)As a student of history, I can tell you that we are doomed to repeat it if we do not learn from it. I think what has happened recently is an all too real view of what happens when one side holds too much power over another, going in either direction.
[He sipped his wine again, leaning against the wall.]
Balance is only achieved when we share what we have learned, after all. And not sold it to the highest bidder.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-01 03:29 am (UTC)And only if people can be shown how to be reasonable and sensible as you have. As we see with the chaos now, no one is well served by refusing to look at the full picture.
[Yes. She is still salty about Anders.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-01 03:53 am (UTC)The more I see, the more I understand how this happened. And it horrifies me, Madame Vivienne. My brothers and sisters losing their way, the desperate acts of mages pushed to madness -- [He shakes his head again.] It was there, all the time. Tumors that needed to be removed.
[He looked over at her, green eyes firm.] We have a chance to remove them now, so that when we sew up Thedas again, the Circles and the Order will be healthy and whole again.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-01 04:19 am (UTC)[If only repairing what ailed Thedas were as easy as painting that metaphor, apt though it is.
For that matter, if only it were so simple to restore Bastien... Her face falls ever so slightly at that thought.]
So, my dear, where shall we begin with reshaping a healthy Thedas anew?