inbox.

[assistente]

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

Comments

[sulahnan]

Well it's not lung fever yet, [ She does sit, after carefully moving a stack of papers and folios in its exact arrangement to an adjacent surface. She drapes one leg over the arm of the chair and tucks her other underneath herself, in true bisexual disaster fashion. ] And if she'll stop toddling down the halls wearing a blanket like some aging King, we might keep it that way. She agreed to bed-rest in exchange for me getting her stuff to read.

I'll probably take her some orange marmalade to drink in hot water, too. If I can find some.

[heirring]

No. I developed a proposal for Rutyer, which he is in full support of.

[It's vital that point be clear even before she begins to unwrap the jam packed folio, its various mismatched contents - wrinkled old receipts contrasting sharply with heavy, official looking documents - rapidly unspooling across the desk. Salvio's afternoon work is rearranged accordingly to accommodate it all.]

I have inherited a bit of Hightown property. It is all evidently perfectly legitimate, as you can see here in this sealed statement and here, in this copy of the initial filing documents. That said, I have very little personal use for a mansion in Kirkwall. I suggested to the Ambassador that it might be donated - metaphorically speaking; unfortunately it has been stipulated by a host of clerks and my solicitor agrees that if I were to attempt to divest myself of any bit of the property or its contents that the sum would default to the city - that it might be borrowed by Riftwatch for the purpose of hosting guests and special events and so on and so forth. Personally, I would have a great interest in having scholars and lecturers use it as a place where they might speak. There is a wall that might be taken out to elongate the parlor into a proper hall. Mr. Stark and I have already decided it isn't structurally vital.

All of this would be infinitely more possible, of course, with just a little financial assistance from Riftwatch. There are fees, you see. To the Viscount's office and a half dozen lower magistrates and the like, and some minor material costs for the renovation— In any case [she says, producing at last a carefully earmarked ledger] Ambassador Rutyer said you are to review and approve the expense.

[assistente]

Lung--

[Maker. Salvio clutches close the folio he had just extracted from the cupboard.]

If she is-- Where is she walking to? When she--walks?

[sulahnan]

To the library and back.

[ She gestures blithely with the book she still holds. ]

I intercepted her on her way to return this one and get more, so I took her back to her room and told her to let me handle it.

[assistente]

[Salvio has learned: there is little point in attempting to talk over Poppell when she gets going, or indeed to break in to the conversation with any contribution. It is more a lecture.

As she talks, Salvio sifts through the jumble of papers and forms and envelopes which contain papers and forms of their own, lifting each one in turn as she mentions it to skim, briefly, the contents. Some are weighed down on the corner by heavy wax seals. Most of the receipts are lighter, like the skin of an onion. There is a certain overwhelmed air to his presence. Then again, when is he ever anything but overwhelmed?

And he is listening, earmarking the names that she mentions and the titles which he cross-references to names. Sketching out the scaffolding of this project. At the end of it, he is still looking at a page, this one a very densely-written letter from the person that must be Poppell's solicitor--there is something about the writing that gives it away as a solicitor--but he remarks--]

This is very thorough. I, um. How... How minor?

[heirring]

I believe, for the most part, that the property is quite fit structurally and it largely warrants no more than a truly thorough scrubbing. The benefit, I suppose, of stone. Mr. Ellis and myself [mostly the former] have been going through in stages. But the former occupant had very little interest in either neatness or fashionable appointments and there are a series of minor repairs - broken latches, old floorboards, signs of rot in the stair rail, and so on - which I believe would be in good taste to resolve prior to opening to place to any sort of public. Here. I have marked the sum out of these lines with the items of highest priority leading. It might be taken in stages, and I believe I might find volunteers for most of the labor if it were to be made a somewhat legitimate project.

[Taken altogether, it is not an inconsequential sum. The administrative fees - and by the Maker, how can anyone afford the inheriting of property - make up the highest allotment.]

[assistente]

Oh. Yes. Better to be in a bed, but I--

[He looks down at the folio he is crushing to himself, and forces himself to relax his grip on it, and transfer it to the desk. Then he goes back to look for more. The title of the one he'd first selected is picked out in plain black script on the cover page: NOTTES ON THE INSECKTS OF NEVARRA.]

Have you... suffered from the grippe, yourself?

[assistente]

[Beginning with the highest priority items which (perhaps to be expected) are largely the highest sums. He rubs his fingers in his eyes and looks at them again.]

This is an industrious proposal, Poppell. One very thoroughly researched, and itemized. For this, I commend you, sincerely. And I see the... the attraction, of such an undertaking, and find it admirable that you would--

Our budget is quite, quite small. Is the-- the thing of it.

[sulahnan]

Nope.

[ She cranes her neck and leans, trying to get a better look at the folio, but only gets as far as NOTTES ON THE INS- ]

Glad of it, too, seems fucking miserable.

[heirring]

[Her hands, fingertips having been set in anticipation at her side of the desk, are very carefully repositioned into her lap. Still, all the hallmarks of resolute good temper are there - all flashing smiles and light temper as below the edge of the desk, sshe fusses with her cuticles.]

Yes, of course. I'm quite aware, Seneschal.

[katabasis]

A note will be perfectly adequate. [The last thing he's interested in is another bit of paper to sign and file in relation to this entire charade. And very nearly without pause, he follows with--] Would you not prefer a room with a window?

[assistente]

Yes. I quite agree.

[And presumably this means that she is safe to continue to speak to, so, Salvio continues to rummage around and add more pamphlets and folios and slim cheaply-bound books upon the pile of the desk. He produces about ten, and on the eleventh, pauses, and looks down at the one he's holding, then puts it back into the cupboard, and closes the door.

Then he considers the stack once more.]

Does that... seem adequate?

[assistente]

Yes. Um. And--

[And because they are friends (? or something similar), Salvio hazards a very personal confession:]

I would approve it. If it were up to me, and to me alone.

[He looks down at the page again.]

And I think... if we begin in a small way. Perhaps-- one item of priority. And complete this item, and pay for it, completely. And then move to the next, and--and leave nothing outstanding before moving on. And if you agree, that should we, as an organization, find ourselves very-- very wanting for funds, this will be the first project that is paused--

[assistente]

A note. Yes. I'll, [he's mumbling to himself, scratching out a note to make a note, which he will attach to the form, which will be placed before the pages Flint has just given him, and cataloged, and filed--and then the question abruptly comes, and--] What?

[What? He looks over at the wall.]

A window. I-- No. I don't think I would, no. Windows are--chaotic.

[sulahnan]

[ She swings her legs down off the arm of the chair and levers herself up to standing, picking up the stack before answering. ]

I'll be back for more if it isn't. I still have to get regular book-books from the library, anyway.

[heirring]

Ah.

[Well. It is not an unreasonable proposition, though here she is doing some depressing math first in her head and then--] Might I just? [--taking back that top sheet so she might do that math on paper, a pen found somewhere from on her person (who can say where) and now scratching at the margins.]

I will need to discuss it with the solicitor and the offices of the Viscount. It is possible that there may be some arrangement that might be made to satisfy them. Perhaps taken as a lump sum, we might look at these lines all together and tackle them by a percentage. And naturally, I will have to see what can be done to put a certain appropriate and matching portion of the asset into Riftwatch's hands should something most unforseen and tragic occur with regard to my person. Perhaps...

[She sets the back of the pen against her lower lip, contemplating the new figure. It seems rather modest, and she has the nasty suspicion someone with a wax seal will find it rather wanting. But it will be better than no alternative whatsoever, she decides, and so finally returns the mark ups to him.]

Would that be more appropriate, do you think? It doesn't satisfy the single item thought exactly, but perhaps the spirit of the thing. And naturally there would be no commitment whatsoever. Only perhaps we might have the terms in writing. Just in case.

[badbeliever]

Once the Grippe has passed and covering extra duties is passed, I should have the funds for five hens (no cockerels) and enough to purchase materials for the hutch.

Whoever would be able to help me construct it will have share of the first eggs.

[assistente]

Oh. Yes, of course.

[He turns around to close the cupboard, quickly.]

Has the sister given you a-- a list, of requests? For the library?

[sulahnan]

Yep.

[ She looks up as she rattles off the titles and authors, as if reading them off the ceiling. ]

So basically the whole library.

[assistente]

[Having leaned forward just slightly to see what it was that she was changing--and then, having realized the rudeness of that, and leaning back again--Salvio now leans forward once more to take back the piece of paper and look at it.]

Well. Yes. This is-- The, um-- If not item by item, then, yes, the lump sum and then taking the cost--the costs--as a, a percentage would be helpful. Yes. I think, for this project, this would be more possible for our budget.

And perhaps some--specifics, on the sorts of events and talks, that would be held in this place. Of course that is very premature, but it might help to inspire a, a backing of the proposal. And its cost. It is, or it could be, a very interesting idea if it is presented correctly. [Er.] Not--that you have not presented it well. That is not what I mean.

[assistente]

That is a very generous offer of payment. I am sure it will inspire participation.

I have examined and reviewed the floor and ground plans, and the list of unoccupied/occupied spaces, and believe there is an area in the small courtyard adjacent to the main kitchen that might suit. There is space enough for a yard for exercise and feeding, but the northmost wall does not get overmuch sunlight and has a natural protection from the slight overhang of the roof. I shall mark down now that there are plans to construct a chicken coop in this place and will file the necessary paperwork.

When the time comes, please feel free to post notices or write in the book to request your assistants.

Thank you again for your forethought on this matter. It is my sincerest hope that the epidemic ends soon. I am thankful for your work.

- Seneschal Salvio Pizzicagnolo

[assistente]

Oh.

[Salvio looks at the stack of folios. He rubs the fingertips of his right hand together, a compulsive movement.]

Um. Present the books to her first, if you will. I think they may be more... more interesting to her.

[sulahnan]

Hmmm...nah, I don't think they would, actually. She knows the stuff I'm getting her from the library, but everything from you is like a little surprise.

[heirring]

[No offense taken.]

Yes, of course. In fact, I have already solicited abstracts from two scholars from the university in Markham who have said they would be delighted to present something. Here, you may have the copies, as well as this leaflet from a gentleman who recently spoke in Ostwick regarding his expedition to study the ruins of the Hissing Wastes. Did you know that - apologies; I don't know his surname - Monsieur Bastien brought a printing press with him? I didn't hear it from the man myself, but I have seen the machine and evidently he is its owner. It would be very simple to produce leaflets like this one.

[A further torrent of papers occurs.]

But naturally, as Riftwatch would be an interested party, I would be quite open to suggestions should you have them.

[assistente]

That's-- exaggeration. A bit.

[Is that the word for it? Sort of. It gets at what he means, at least.]

They're only papers. Pamphlets. I would not want to--oversell them. And I do not know the, um, well, we've had conversations, but that is not to say that I am, entirely, wholly informed as to the-- to her tastes. The sister's, that is.