Log

[lessthanaman]

It'll be nice to get cleared to go back to coffee or standard teas, instead of various herbs and lawn clippings. The meetings seem to do better than breakfast, but I think some of that is due to Mr. Kenway's excellent baked goods. Perhaps I should try something with a bit more sugar and carbs before aiming for something healthy?

Master Ffamran is supposed to be arriving soon, along with a group of other people. From the sound of it, he's accompanied by a Balthier who is also heavily injured. I was worried about the Bunansa siblings, since their father showed signs of madness. He talked to thin air, and grew more and more fixated on deifacted nethicite and his own invention of manufactured nethicite.

The fact that he forced his children into the army far too young - that is not uncommon, but it was worrying.

Comments

[tevinter_redeemer]

Parents force their children into all sorts of unreasonable things that SEEM like a good idea to them at the time, no? Careers, apprenticeships, romantic preferences...Really, someone OUGHT to draw the line.

[lessthanaman]

Thankfully, I never heard Dr. Bunansa talk about marriage when his children were still in their teens.

Unlike his plans for the military with them.

I suppose I should not draw the line for others, but still - I've spent too long as a Judge to not eye situations and frown. Far too long as an orphan to consider what my mother may've wished.

What of yourself? Has the line held as you wish?

[tevinter_redeemer]

That is a relief. It may be just Tevinter where they try to organize these things from conception, what with the charts and spellwork and the...honestly, it's all a bit too crazy of a mess for me to be involved.

Ah, there's where I was lucky. Followed my own interests to my apprenticeship. I can't say it boded very well for my teacher in the end, but then, Alexius made his own choices with his own good reasons.

And I've been too long an exile to do the same. Luckier for the chances left, but I very much doubt they're coming.

The line is constantly shifting about, the way I'd like it. Keeps me on my toes.

[lessthanaman]

There's charts in Archades. Stars and familial lines since they have the wit to be aware that too many cousins gets you less children. Spellwork, on the other hand, is not so common. Baubles, perhaps. Pendants with protective spells, or that sort of thing.

I fear I know nothing of Tevinter houses. I was usually a bodyguard if we visited, which meant my lines were reduced to "no," "yes," and "that's not possible" with varying levels of politeness. If it was a pleasant visit, I might have the chance to take the helm off for more than a few minutes.

Ah, as you can see I am off my toes. The split lip is not as bad as it looks. The doctor said it should heal fine.

[tevinter_redeemer]

At least SOMEONE's worked out how to do that sort of thing, we may need to take notes to forge our picture perfect magespawn who'll bring the Imperium to glory and honor.

Or words to that effect.

Ah, there's a mistake, taking off any protection you could find THERE. Never, ever show off an advantage to a Tevinter. We can smell that a mile off.

Will it? Good. It'd be a shame to mar a lovely face.

[lessthanaman]

The cousins are better issue does pop up? That's unfortunate. I think Archades prefers to have parties where everyone has a chance to meet in favor of letting your cousins needle your crush's sore points and practice banter.

Or something along that line. Mostly the helmet was because some people were very curious if I was human. Everyone thought they had a new way to bring it up. They did not.

Lovely? Average, if you're being kind. And right now, average with a side of bruising, I fear. Though I suppose if that's how you like your company, it is not mine to question.

[tevinter_redeemer]

The clever among us learn banter in our cradles. And to hide our blades until the moment's right. The poison and the backstabbing and other party games are fun as well at ours, of course. I'm not particularly close to any cousins, I think we may have had those murdered off, but don't go take my word for that .

Ah HAH. That does explain it. Not so human can be an adventure, surely. Along with all the tactful guessing games and the asides. You need a Bingo Card for those, I'd say.

Not half so average, though bruises mar things up a bit. Any chance of a dashing scar Those can be so much fun.

I like my company enthralled by me, of course. So far, you seem to be working.

[lessthanaman]

Alas, most of my scars were from the military, less dash and more clash, I suppose, if I wanted to play with words.

Tevinter sounds like an interesting place to grow up, though it does not sound like you particularly miss going outside of it.

Ah, the question on working is on what. My name's Noah. You may've seen my twin around. The doctors said it wouldn't hurt to mingle a bit, so long as I dutifully ate something and carried a mug around with me. What about yourself?

[tevinter_redeemer]

Oh I like you! And it depends. I appreciate a strapping hero I can stand behind.

Tevinter's...It's complicated,actually. I miss it more than I can say, but not the way that she is now. I miss what she could be, what she will be, if I do my work the right way. It was nowhere that I could stay, but someday, when it's changed...

Ah yes, With the hair, of course. Dorian, of House Pavus, at your service. An unimpeded as fortune may have it. Quite delightful!

[lessthanaman]

Sorrowing after a home you wish existed can be a dangerous path. I still miss Landis, but I could not tell you the layout of my house or my favorite meal. They would not recognize the cant of my words if I returned, and assume I wasn't a local. I would not be welcomed where I was as a child because I am no longer that child.

Change for a better future is not a terrible thing, but it is also not terrible to find a place to exist, even if that place is constantly moving.

A pleasure to meet you, Master Dorian of House Pavus. I fear your flattery will get you nowhere, if you find my brother merely as the one with the longer hair. He is a better man than I.

[tevinter_redeemer]

It can, be, yes. It's hard not to allow it to consume you,the idea that everything is foreign. It's been...recent for me, after a few things changed to make it too much to sit by and await my time to make a change. Better to save Tevinter by destroying her, making her what she ought to be. The libraries, the knowledge, and the glories, those all matter. The corruption, the infighting, the lack of anyone's agency unless he or she is willing to defend that with backstabbing, petty thefts, and murder...

Well, I can hope that when the time is right, I should have that chance for myself, the one most other people do not get. And I suppose it's not. I've got a bit of one, for now. I've carved it out a little, but it's mine. Big Bad Tevinter though I am. My father must be proud.

But I DO love flattery, both dealing and receiving. It can all be so much fun. ...Truthfully I AM a terrible flirt and from the distance that CAN be hard to gauge. So you're the evil twin? I thought those weren't real.

[lessthanaman]

I suspect that the Archadian Empire would argue that their spread is destruction for the sake of a better future. The average man may not think the same.

I am a twin, and in the end, for all my goals, I committed evil. You can put reasons and assumptions on it, but it does not change the fundamental facts. I am lucky that the brotherhood took me in. Had they not, I would likely be dead.

[tevinter_redeemer]

I suppose that from that point of view, it COULD be seen this way. Dismantling the worst parts of an Empire to make it better though,. does that change the equation any? What's there to be argued in the case of so much corruption? It feels like lancing a wound to ME, of course, arrogant enough to think that I might impact the future.

Well. There's a tale you don't hear every day. My family owned slaves, if that's any balm to the conscience.

[lessthanaman]

Let us say you go to Tevinter. You mostly peacefully strip the corruption from the country. Now, the Archadian Empire wants to conquer Tevinter while it is weak. In fear, Rozarria also begins to move. How many people die?

It is rarely simple, when you point at something and say it needs to end.

Did they own slaves? That must be - difficult, if you do not support it, since I suspect they don't understand your convictions.

[tevinter_redeemer]

That IS why the changes must be made so slowly, so...ideologically. It's the work of lifetimes, but I've got my own to put the idea forward, and some allies on my side. I think someday we're going to have a way. It's important, the work, and gaining allies, in the meantime. Depending on the people, if we don't count innocents, I wonder that the count wouldn't be somewhat worth it.

All the good things never are. It's like pastries. you know, *pakhlava takes forever to be made, but when it is...perfection. There are worse goals than that. *

*It's funny. I didn't ever realize it was something wrong until I left. It was the rest of what's going on there, but, now I've actually talked to people, saw the error in having some conviction but not others...More a sign of the disease there was,I think. *

[lessthanaman]

And some convictions are not for you, though you do not stop others from holding them. An urchin on the streets fears things I have not had to fear in years, and would gladly do things to survive that I would say should not happen.

And yet, it is not their fault to be cold and hungry.

You're a good man, Master Dorian. It is not easy to weigh your own heart and decide that it may be wanting in things. If Tevinter ate their own as easily as you say, it must not be easy to casually say you'd like someone to flatter you.

[tevinter_redeemer]

Ah another good point. I have seen so many elves so badly treated that it seems so different from how some of the people in Tevinter treat their slaves, for instance. Neither way is right, but I would have once argued that the first was by far worse, condemning them to live in slums and such,and also that is not their fault.

Oh you would be surprised what you must do there to survive, what of yourself you lock away. But...thank you. That is surprisingly comforting to hear.

[lessthanaman]

It is odd, isn't it, when you discover something which you've rationalized to normal.

For example, in the Archadian army, medical care was fast and - impersonal. I did not know the names of half the people that crossed my path, and probably could've had a complaint every single time. I was a terrible patient.

And yet, I said it was fine, because they had to move quickly and triage things as efficiently as possible. Here, I've had medical care that was just as fast, but entirely different.