inbox.

[dinadhal]

inbox.

Comments

crystal.

[murderbaby]

Pardon me, this is Mhavos Dalat from the library. In- in our last conversation, you mentioned prior experience as a mail courier?

Re: crystal.

[dinadhal]

Ah! Mhavos. Yes. This, I did for many years--and may do again.

[murderbaby]

In Kirkwall?

[dinadhal]

To and from, I might, if I like the place. Will you stay here?

[murderbaby]

I've no desire to go elsewhere. Do you find the place claustrophobic, after wide expanses of sand?

[dinadhal]

This, I have to decide. I like to go places. Do I like to stay in one place? I don't know.

So you would not, I think, go back to Orlais.

[murderbaby]

Orlais is a pit. Morally, as opposed to the literal, which I assume you are familiar.

[dinadhal]

Ah, but we have both. Tell me about this pit.

[murderbaby]

[Ugh-] What do you want to know? I only lived in Val Royeaux.

[dinadhal]

What you want to say--this, I would like. I have never seen Orlais.

[murderbaby]

It's very pretty, and nothing else.

[dinadhal]

[ A laugh, warm. ]

Pretty how?

[murderbaby]

Oh, gold statues, curved arches, bright colors, chandeliers. They keep the poor cordoned off carefully, so there's no need to worry you'll see anything unseemly. Or interesting.

[dinadhal]

Ah--Chantry beauty.

[murderbaby]

[A grim laugh.] Orlesian. We originated the style.

[dinadhal]

How good you have come away from it.

[heorte]

Aenor, aye? Who was speaking on Wardens with Sister Sara?

[dinadhal]

Yes. And you, you are?

[murderbaby]

...Yes, rather. I'm aware of my own biases. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I still lived there.

How are the Anderfels?

[heorte]

A Warden.

[ but also— ]

Ellis. I'd meant to thank you. And ask if you came here from the Anderfels directly.

[dinadhal]

With a few countries between.

[ Warm and a little teasing, and the same with-- ]

You are welcome, A Warden Ellis. You come from where? Not the Anderfels, I think.

[dinadhal]

Hmm.

Empty, most of them. Dust and mountains and wind, most of them. One river, it cuts through, and that is a good place, if you leave the cities alone. Those--ah! Hungry mouths and empty rooms for most, Chantry beauty for a few. The Anderfels, they're my home. But I pity the Wardens from far away.

[heorte]

Just Ellis.

[ around a breath of a chuckle. ]

No, I was born in Ferelden. It's been a few years since I was in the Anderfels, but I'd wondered—would you tell me how you recall it?

[ how wrecked is it ]

[dinadhal]

Dry. Far dryer than here. [ Look at all this snow. ] What do you remember of it? Where were you?

[heorte]

Before I was here?

[dinadhal]

In the Anderfels, yes.

[heorte]

Aye, I take your meaning now.

[ saved from discussing the deep roads on a technicality. ]

I'd traveled from Weisshaupt Fortress. But I'd accompanied my brothers north, years ago. I've seen some. Not as much as you, I expect.

[dinadhal]

Ah--we must have missed each other! Weisshaupt, I sometimes went there. When was this?

[murderbaby]

Do you think you'll ever want to return?

[dinadhal]

That, I think, depends on Riftwatch. Do you recommend it?

[murderbaby]

I hold it in very high regard, yes. A valuable institution, if one wishes to belong to an institution.

[dinadhal]

What is it you like of it?

[heorte]

Years ago. Before the Rifts, more regularly. What brought you there?

[murderbaby]

The quality of conversation.

[dinadhal]

Deliveries--always deliveries. No wardening for me, with all the trouble that seems to come with them. But some things, they cannot travel by raven.

You, though, you were there for wardening.

[dinadhal]

[ With a laugh-- ]

Better, I think, than many places.

[heorte]

Aye, I was there for Warden duties.

[ something that can be left vague. ]

It was kind of you, to speak on our behalf that way. Even if it were only over the crystal.

[dinadhal]

It's half a life I've spent among you. I would be a fool, I think, not to see what you give up. More a fool--to hear it told should be enough, without sight.

[ Vagueness might suit them both, frankly. ]

And Kirkwall, do you like it?

[heorte]

[ ah. breezing past that statement, mostly for his own inability to formulate a gracious answer. ]

I've gotten used to it. After so much time on the road, I'd forgotten what it was to live in a city. It's not so bad now. The library is very nice.

[ a glowing review ]

[dinadhal]

The city life, it has never been for me--but for now, I don't mind it.

[ Good company and all. ]

Tell me of this library. What is it you read there?

[heorte]

Whatever Mhavos Dalat tells me is worth my attention.

[ any opportunity to plug mhav's book recommendations. ]

Are you interested in books, or are you asking out of politeness?

[dinadhal]

Ah, Mhavos Dalat. A good man.

[ Pleasant, at least. Dutiful. And he seems as though he might have a sense of humor beneath all that studiousness.

And, with no effort to hide her amusement: ]

Neither. I like to hear of others. If the library, it interests you, then I am interested as well.

[heorte]

I understand that. Maybe I'll see you there. I can pass along one of the books Mhavos passed on to me.

[dinadhal]

No, no, it would have no use for me. I read to deliver mail, not more.