inbox.

[assistente]

written correspondence preferred. please don't leave complaints here.

Comments

[skulltasm]

KIND OF HARD TO MISREAD BEING PLACED IN SOMEONE'S BED AND TUCKED IN ALL SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG, SALLY.

[ The skull tilts, almost cutely. ]

I SUPPOSE I COULD LIE TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER?

[assistente]

No. I don't want a lie, I only want--

[He puts his head in his hands. It does not help or--do anything, really. Muffled:]

How does this happen? To me?

[skulltasm]

PERHAPS BECAUSE YOU’RE JUST SO CUTE.
[ aka easy to needle ]

[assistente]

[He huffs a laugh, also muffled.]

Please.

[Wallowing only a moment, Salvio pushes his thumbs into his eyes and rubs them. The sensation of squashing his eyeballs is pleasantly painful. Then he sits up.]

In any case, now that we have... [??] solved this mystery. Of how you came to be here. Is there somewhere, I might, um-- take you?

[skulltasm]

ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HERE OR THE LATRINE WILL DO FINE, DEAR.

[heirring]

Behold, a package left on in his chair. It is exactly that last thing she does before running down to the ferry slip to catch her boat and go capering off to Nevarra. Hopefully nothing terribly happens, or this will be a truly bitter Satinalia gift indeed.

This, as it just so happens to be beneath the plain paper wrapping, is a cushion meant for whatever chair is most convenient but ultimately sized for the one it has been left in. It's a pale color, more blue than grey, and features a simple embroidery pattern of flowers. They are not espcially botanically correct, but they are very sincere. The note says:

Seneschal—

Please take this opportunity while so many of us are away to sit down and put your feet up on the spare stool while I am away. Happy Satinalia!

Best Wishes,
Ms. W.A. Poppell

P.S. I've re-indexed all the reports from 9:42 using a more streamlined filing system, detailed in the attached twelve pages. Please let me know how you care for it.

[tender]

Also deposited on his desk prior to the Nevarra expedition—

A package, neatly wrapped in brown paper and bound with twine, containing an encyclopedia on insects in Thedas, a wooden desk puzzle of moderate difficulty, a small bottle of dark Antivan rum, and a soft, exceptionally warm woolen shawl in varying shades of gray. A small bouquet of embrium is set on top of the package, with a little note. unsigned:

Happy Satinalia, Seneschal. I hope at least one of these items is to your liking.

letter.

[luaithre]

Seneschal Salvio,

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marcus Rowntree, former Senior Enchanter of the Starkhaven Circle. I have recently committed myself to Riftwatch's cause and preside now in the Gallows as a part of the Forces division.

I am writing you with the intention of making myself useful to the organisation between such times when my combative skills might be of use. As a ranking member of a former Circle, I have adequate experience in tending to the needs of a diverse organisation of individuals. In the past, this has manifested as basic education (both children and adults), holding personal counsel with troubled individuals, and creating opportunities for merriment and/or liesure.

As Seneschal to Riftwatch, I imagine you best placed to understand the current needs of its populace and suggest how those needs could be met by someone such as myself.

I anticipate your response gladly.


Many thanks,
Marcus R.

a letter, in return

[assistente]

Senior Enchanter Rowantree,

It is with great pleasure that I read your letter and it is with great pleasure that Riftwatch receives you to our number. We are bolstered by the presence of any new member. Those that take interest in our work are appreciated. Those that come to our ranks with a keenly developed interest such as your own is greatly encouraging to our cause as well as to me, as seneschal of Riftwatch.

As to your specific inquiry and set of skills: I can think of many uses and many ways in which you would be an asset to this organization. In particular I will say that Riftwatch has established a position of 'morale officer'. This officer holds responsibility for the organization and operation of activities, events, and opportunities for members of Riftwatch to find merriment and leisure and to create a more cohesive atmosphere of teamwork and camaraderie among our number. I see opportunity for teaching within the scope of this work.

I hope in reading this meager description you understand the great importance of this position and the work that it would manage and do not take any offense at this suggestion. I would be pleased to speak more with you on the matter and to answer any question, either by corresponding as we are now or in conversation. I may be found in the base operations office and would make the time to have such a conversation, should it be preferable.

And there is much work to be done so if the position that I named does not interest you, please express this thought in whatever method you prefer and I will provide a list of others.

I and Riftwatch thank you for your interest and your presence here with us, and look forward to your response to this letter.

-Seneschal Salvio Pizzicagnolo, of Riftwatch

a note;

[badbeliever]

Seneschal,

I am Sister Héloïse recently come to Kirkwall from Orlais and informed by Sister Sara that you are the person to direct my query.

I wish to procure some hens. To ensure I have eggs for trading since eggs are a valuable commodity to, please forgive my words here I have been running about in the small hours, unscrupulous merchants charge small fortunes for basic goods and things such as eggs are then more valuable to them, without having to deplete our own stores. Is this a thing that would be allowed? I wasn't sure of the rules in the Gallows when it comes to these matters.

a note, in return

[assistente]

Sister,

I hope this letter finds your accommodations within the Gallows, and that you are well.

I will submit your query of hens (some) and will see that the paperwork is processed on the usual timeline. I do not see why any objection to their purchase would be raised.

To clarify: from our offices, you require:

- allocated space in which to build hutch/yard,
- small sum to purchase the chickens
- materials with which to build hutch/yard
- some combination of the above

Please select one of these and enclose with your reply. Please detail within your reply the number of hens, previously referred to as "some". You might also find a form within the Base Operations office to complete this request.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, as is your forethought to ledge this query with the Base Operations office.

- Seneschal Salvio Pizzicagnolo

action;

[katabasis]

[Riftwatch's Commander turning up in the middle of the day, unannounced and looking grim, is probably nothing to be concerned over.]

Seneschal.

[assistente]

[Salvio, midway through his reach to grab his ink bottle, fumbles so thoroughly that he knocks the ink bottle over. Against all odds, he knocks it toward himself. A great black bloom of ink spreads over the page that he had been writing, and he jumps to his feet as if scalded, knocks his knees against the bottom of the desk, jars the whole scene as he stumbles back.

And all this before a second word from Commander Captain Flint.

Good thing there's nothing to be concerned over.]

I-- Yes. Sorry. Let me just-- [Fall in a hole and be buried alive--with frantic haste, Salvio grabs for the inky page and folds over the end, trying to contain the blotch.] Um--yes? Cap, um, Commander? How may we assist?

[katabasis]

[It's fine; he'll wait.]

You're familiar with Leander, correct?

[There is a packet under his arm. Once the spreading ink is contained, Flint transfers it to some preserved corner of the desk.]

[assistente]

I-- Yes.

[Fingertips pressed to the inky page to keep it in place, Salvio apprehensively watches the transfer of this packet to the corner of the desk. He looks down at the inky page again. It seems as if it will hold, so he removes the pressure he is placing on it, wipes his fingers on a nearby cloth that he keeps on hand for typically smaller ink spills and stains, and takes the packet from where it has been placed, so that he can look at its contents.]

Not intimately. Um. I mean, personally. It is a professional familiarity only. Very limited, in that capacity, even. What... Um, why-- why him, specifically?

[katabasis]

Because he specifically is to have his pay cut and funneled into the Riftwatch clinic's pocket. There is a sum he is expected to pay down. You'll find the details there. If any grief comes from the arrangement, his division's head is to be made aware.

[Flint doesn't pause in speaking to look about the room, though he certainly does it - assessing first the general contents of Salvio's desk, then the state of the office.]

[assistente]

[Salvio is looking very hard at the pages before him, completely blind to anything else. The office that stands around him is disastrous and tidy by turns. A worktable stacked with pages and folios and forms is butted up against a worktable with a spotless surface. Cupboards and bookshelves and drawers line the room, crowding in, all stacked with more pages and forms. Some of the drawers and doors have locks on them. One of the walls is studded with pegs, and a variety of cloaks and coats hang from it, a kind of lost and found. A stick is leaned up against that corner. Or maybe it's a staff. Who can say.

There are other people that work here, presences told by personal affects. Empty clean mugs that weren't clean when they were abandoned. A hat on a chair. Someone's thick work gloves left on a small desk.

Salvio is still staring down at the packet of papers, trying to make sense of what he has just been told. He finishes his movement, his reach for the pages.]

Oh. Yes? Um, wh, [no, what is he doing,] w, um. Leander has a--debt? That is--not exactly a question, only a-- a surprise, he seems--

[Who asked Salvio? He rubs a hand over his face. Maker's breath.]

I understand. Yes. I will-- I will make note of the debt that he owes, and see that it is-- that his stipend is garnished appropriately. And the funds applied elsewhere, for now. When--the debt is paid, will you want a report?

action; etc

[sulahnan]

[ It's after a brief, dubious glance around the Seneschal's office that Athessa lets herself in. Had to make sure that manky old Skull wasn't around. ]

Seneschal, [ Far less familiar than her usual greeting. ] I've got a manuscript from the Sister for you, it's about uh...the establishment and upkeep of beehives. And since she's ill and bored, she's looking to read some of the newer scholarly papers we have and some books, too. Any recommendations?

[ She sets the manuscript on the desk, tucking the library book she's meant to return for Sawbones under her arm. ]

action, when it rains it pours;

[heirring]

[It is not irregular for Miss Wysteria Poppell to make an appearance in the Seneschal's office. She is, allegedly, and despite the occasional evidence to the contrary such as the radical sabotage (re-indexing!) of long established filing systems and extended (and often one-sided) conversation on matters that have nothing at all to do with the work in question, meant to be assisting. What is irregular is that she sweeps directly to Savlio's desk rather than her own overflowing table and promptly takes ownership of the chair across from him.]

Good afternoon, Seneschal. Are you well?

[assistente]

[Salvio surfaces from a deep sea of forms, blinking rapidly as his eyes refocus from page to person.]

Oh? Oh--yes. I see. Very-- very good, I-- um, your pardon-- [He casts about, then finds the little cloth that he was looking for, right beside his elbow. Quickly he takes it in hand and wipes the worst of the ink stains from his fingers, and reaches for the manuscript.] Very good. Thank you, Sulahnan. Um, the-- yes, I have some items that I have set aside. I will fetch them.

[But first, he has to take a moment to beam down at the manuscript. Very good.]

Have you read this?

a good rain

[assistente]

[So used to Poppell clattering in to the office and occupying herself, and so used to that personal occupation requiring very little, if any, of particular attentiveness from him, Salvio does not realize that Poppell is seated right before him until he happens to glance up from what he is reading, and--

Oh. She is quite close. Somewhat startled, Salvio leans back in his chair, and blinks owlishly at her.]

What? I-- yes. Good afternoon. [? afternoon ? He looks to the windows. Yes, there is the sun, warmer and oranger. Well.] What is... Do you need something, Poppell?

[sulahnan]

[ Athessa laughs at his brilliant joke before realizing-- ]

Oh, you're serious. No, I haven't read it.

[ She's only had it for barely a half-hour, not enough time for her to read anything more involved than a note. ]

And you can just call me Athessa, ya know.

[heirring]

As a matter of fact, I do Seneschal. I was just speaking with the Ambassadow - Mister Rutyer, I mean; the head of Diplomacy. Not such any old visiting representative, though I believe the last one left two days ago and that pair of busybodies from Starkhaven isn't due for at least another two days yet.

[Produced from somewhere beneath the edge of the desk - from in her lap, most likely - is a leather bound folio barely in control of its excessive contents thanks to a heavy lashing of a leather string. Wysteria judiciously clears some space on the desk and sets it between them.]

He suggested that I come make my proposal - or rather, our proposal, as he has all but signed off on the whole endeavor already - to you. Simply to verify the figures.

[assistente]

[Having looked up in brief surprise at the laughter, Salvio looks back at the manuscript. Ah.]

I see. Well. I can call you-- er, that is, yes, of course I can, but I prefer, um-- It is not important. The-- papers, for Sister Sara. I have collected some. A moment, please, if you do not-- mind? You may sit, if you like.

[There are chairs about, and only some of them stacked with papers and folios and files. Salvio gestures to them all at large before he turns toward a cupboard behind his desk.]

Is the sister-- quite unwell?

[assistente]

Ah. Yes. Starkhaven. Ferrier and Ruthven.

[Briefly distracted by the budget for this visit--numbers doing a horrible little dance across a ledger sheet--Salvio blinks again at the appearance of the folio. It remains quite still, and yet possesses a touch of threat.]

Rutyer developed a... proposal, with you? [Um.] That is... something.

Um, what is-- what is the, this endeavor, exactly?