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[icasm]

crystal ⚔ action ⚔ correspondence

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a survey;

[heirring]

[Shoved under Loki's door is a packet of papers with a handwritten (distinctly lovely handwriting at that) questionnaire. The following instructions are pinned to its cover: 'Welcome to Riftwatch! Please fill out the following survey to the best of your ability and return it to the Project Felandaris offices, to the attention of Madame Wysteria de Foncé. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out for clarification. Best Wishes, W.A. de Foncé, Research Division.'

The following survey is...expansive.]

Questionnaire Section A
Of and Relating Specifically to the Rifter Population in the Gallows (Kirkwall, The Free Marches, 9:47)

Question 1A. Conceptually, how familiar are the Fade and the Veil to you? Are there similar phenomena (however minor the resemblance) in the place from which you came?

Question 2A. If yes, is energy drawn and/or emitted from or through it? Do cognizant beings (spirits, full bodied manifestations similar to a Rifter, and so on) pass through it?

Question 3A. Does "magic" exist in your world?

Question 3A.(i). If "magic" exists in your world, is it somehow tied to or sustained by this other space?
Question 3A.(ii). If "magic" exists in your world and there is no such alternative dimension as referenced in Question 1A., from where does it originate?

Question 4A. Given the opportunity to objectively estimate your own physical conformation and comeliness against the general populace of the world from which you came, where on a scale of one through ten might you be ranked (for the purposes of this survey, please consider the numerical score of five (5) as average for your home world)? Disregard. This question has been deemed inessential.

Questionnaire Section B
Rift Anchors, with Respect to All Who Presently Possess Them

Question 5B. How long have you had your rift shard? Irrelevant; it is assumed you received it upon arrival through the Rift. However, you are welcome to detail any notes you may have on it here.

Question 6B. Are you able to perform any supernatural acts with the power of your rift shard beyond closing Rifts? If yes, please detail these abilities. Irrelevant; recorded with your personnel file. Please update W.A. de Foncé should your rift anchor develop any additional effects.

Question 7B. Do you have any other abilities, such as mage talent? If so, has the presence of the rift shard or your time in Thedas affected your ability whatsoever (please note whether this is a negative or a positive effect)?

Question 8B. At what point would you take surgical measures to rid yourself of your anchor shard?

Question 8B.(i). Would you permit scientific observation of the process?
Question 8B.(ii). Would you permit samples to be taken from the limb?

(PLEASE NOTE that the authors of this survey do not advocate for preemptive amputation unless strictly recommended by a trusted medical professional.)

[icasm]

[ Loki's handwriting is very neat and precise. It would seem that he either has experience writing with a quill or practiced before finishing this survey to turn back in to Wysteria. It is folded neatly within a wax-sealed envelope that has been placed in her inbox. ]

Question 1A. Conceptually, how familiar are the Fade and the Veil to you? Are there similar phenomena (however minor the resemblance) in the place from which you came?

While I have been doing some reading on the Veil and the Fade of Thedas, there is only the understanding that energy (or consciousness) is compelled to move along to a different realm of reality after the body has died. It does not have a physical presence in the world I am from as the Fade does in this one.

Question 2A. If yes, is energy drawn and/or emitted from or through it? Do cognizant beings (spirits, full bodied manifestations similar to a Rifter, and so on) pass through it?

Not that I am aware of but there is a great deal I am learning I am not aware of, so it is not impossible by any standard.

Question 3A. Does "magic" exist in your world?

Yes, definitely.

Question 3A.(i). If "magic" exists in your world, is it somehow tied to or sustained by this other space?

As in the separation between free consciousness and those that are imprisoned within a body? I don't know.

Question 3A.(ii). If "magic" exists in your world and there is no such alternative dimension as referenced in Question 1A., from where does it originate?

There are a number of theories about where magic comes from, including but not limited to magical objects themselves, one's own sense of self and ability, and the heart of various stars.

Question 7B. Do you have any other abilities, such as mage talent? If so, has the presence of the rift shard or your time in Thedas affected your ability whatsoever (please note whether this is a negative or a positive effect)?

My time in Thedas thus far has dictated that I relearn many of my magical capabilities, while others remain out of reach and inaccessible to me at this time. Overall this is a negative effect.

Question 8B. At what point would you take surgical measures to rid yourself of your anchor shard?

At the point in which the anchor shard posed a real and present threat to my life.

Question 8B.(i). Would you permit scientific observation of the process?

No.

Question 8B.(ii). Would you permit samples to be taken from the limb?

Definitely not.

delivery

[acreage]

At some point after Holden's return from the newly besieged Tantervale, from the dark caverns where Astarion and Barrow and Tiffany had been hiding —

Loki will find a stack of books outside his door. They're fairly dry basic histories of Orlais, and Ferelden, a primer on the Chant for children. With them comes a note:

There are some books I've found helpful for getting up to speed around here. When you're done with them, you can drop them off at my room on the fifth floor of the old mage tower.

— Jim

[icasm]

[ Loki is gone to Antiva City immediately following Holden's bestowment of books; so it's a few weeks before Loki can read through them, much less return them.

He does eventually do the latter, climbing the many stairs (mentally grumbling all the while) to the fifth floor and carrying a box wrapped in paper on top of the stack of books.

His ass is going to look fantastic by the end of the year. Not that it didn't already, but. Still.

The books, and the box with it's contents are set down on the floor in front of Holden's door; Loki knocks, but if no one answers after the count of twenty he's heading back down. ]

action; on his return from Antiva

[coquettish_trees]

[ It is strange perhaps, to return from being away and be greeted by the sound of your own voice.

Barely there at first, a little louder on the approach to his room whence it seems to come. And through the door there is Alexandrie, in his bed beneath the sheet with her hair braided for sleep, curled around the crystal that glows for itself beside the moonlight spilling over the bare paleness of her shoulders and softly sings for her an old Asgardian lullaby. ]

[icasm]

[ He's unsure, at first, of what he's hearing. A man's voice in the apartment? He considers summoning his dagger and waits to see what he might find if he goes further in.

Hopefully not an ambush or anything of its ilk.

Loki pauses in the doorway when the singing reaches his ears. He knows what he's hearing, now, and can make out Alexandrie's shape in the bed. This would be their night together, he realizes, and he wasn't supposed to be home for another half a day, but fair winds have him home now, in the late hours of the night.

He sets down the backpack with his clothes in it from the trip just inside the doorway, and crosses the room, sitting down on the bed lightly before reaching out and pressing his palm against her bare shoulder. ]

Alexandrie.

[ In her hand, the crystal continues its lullaby. ]

crystal;

[armd]

(do you ever open up a line of communication and then abruptly realise the person you're contacting is most definitely going to laugh at what you have to say. there's audible silence, the brief crackle of pre-conversation, as abby takes a breath.

and resigns herself,) Can I ask for some advice.

[icasm]

[ For a moment Loki is concerned that this is either some sort of pocket dialing situation (Is that even possible? It seems unlikely...) or that something has gone wrong. When he hears Abby's not exactly a question he lets out a breath he doesn't realize he's been holding and then chuckles a little. ]

Certainly. What about?

crystal, sometime after romain's party.

[cozen]

You gave me an idea, Monsieur Loki—do you have a moment?

[icasm]

An idea?

Certainly. What do you need of me?

action; some time after skeletonalia (but more importantly, after a nice show)

[coquettish_trees]

[ Loki tries so hard to not let Alexandrie notice that he wakes, but there is a difference between the heavy lassitude of his true sleep and this. His eyes are closed, yes, and his breathing purposefully crafted to mimic the deep long inhales and exhales of sleep, but they wind so closely around each other during their nights that Alexandrie can feel the minute ebb and flow of tension as it tightens his body slowly until, presumably, he notices and makes himself relax again.

She doesn't always wake along with him, but this time she does. And when she does, she often pretends herself back to rest too out of deference to his efforts to not disturb her, but this time she doesn't. This time she is tilting her head to press lips softly to the side of his throat and make his name a question there in a sleep-muzzy whisper, because it feels a little more pronounced this time. ]

Loki?

[icasm]

[ He's suspected, from time to time, that he manages to wake her even when he tries his hardest not to. It makes sense. Probably. He's never had someone sleep with him as often as Alexandrie does. Or be as involved in his daily life. Which are both great and excellent things, to be quite honest.

He knows how to lie and keep people at arm's length. He doesn't know how to lie and do this. This...thing, which is actually very important to him.

Maybe that's not so bad. ]

Can't sleep, [ he admits quietly. A hand comes up to rest between her shoulders. ] I'm sorry if I woke you.

Crystal; a day or two after returning to Kirkwall

[apocalypsegrown]

Loki?

[ it’s asked with really no fanfare. She’s at that point of soreness. ]

Tell me whatever fancy place your shacked up in has a bathtub.

[icasm]

[ Things Loki doesn't say: The apartment belongs to Alexandrie's family, actually. Or you know there's a bathhouse equivalent in the Gallows, right? She wouldn't be asking if she didn't mean it. ]

It does, yes. Even comes with someone who will fill it with hot water and isn't me, if you're amenable to that.

[ Are you coming over? Item three for the list of discarded responses. ]

Should I meet you at the ferry on the city's side?

crystal

[armd]

(If she was ever going to tell anybody it would be Loki... read: she knows that if Loki finds out after the fact, he will definitely hassle her for not saying anything at the time and she can't be bothered with that.

So:) Hi.

(As awkward on the crystals as ever,) Have you got anything on today?

[icasm]

Hello, Abby. [ Forever amused at her awkwardness tbh. ]

No, [ he drawls out a little. ] Should I be making time for something specific?

A message, mid afternoon

[apocalypsegrown]

Loki I’m coming over in 10, unless you have other pressing matters. There’s something I want to try.

[icasm]

[ At least he's awake, but the sound of his name coming through the crystal is startling anyway. ]

Oh? Alright. I'll be here. Do you need anything? Lunch?

couple weeks after the gift/also post canon update eyyy; crystal

[favoriteanalyst]

Hi, Loki. It's Mobius. [Is someone learning that they should introduce themselves when one can't be seen??] I wanted to say thanks for the thoughtful present--unnecessary, I think, actually, but it's nice! Haven't drank it all yet. Moderation, you know, and savoring.

Are you still free midweek-evenings? For dinner. And drinks, but not excessively. If that's something you still have an interest in.

[icasm]

[ There's an inhale while Loki gathers himself after the voice through the crystal startled him badly. Someone wasn't expecting this. ]

I'm glad it's nice.

Yes. [ He clears his throat. ] To both the scheduling freedom and the interest. When, exactly?

the night of the canon update in question; early drakonis

[icasm]

[ Loki wakes with a start.

It's late. Or early, perhaps; the dawn is far off yet, either way. The room is dark and for a moment Loki has no idea where in the hell he is.

Then Alexandrie, at his side in the bed, shifts, and he stares at the outline of her in the dark for a moment before raising his hands and pressing the palms against his closed eyelids. ]

[coquettish_trees]

[ Such a small movement, his startle, but it wakes her. She wakes easily these days, half because after Val Chevin and their ordeal with the spirits there is little depth to Alexandrie's sleep, half because she has trained her body to Loki's nightmares and will often wake when he does— even if only enough to rest a gentle hand on him and speak some small reassurance in the language of her people, drifting back into darkness if he relaxes beneath her touch.

It is so now: there's a rustle of cloth, and a moment after Loki presses palms to eyes there are light fingers at his shoulder and Alexandrie's soft sleep-rough murmur of reminder that wherever he'd dreamed himself, he is there no longer. ]

Sécurité, mon coeur.

crystal;

[illithidnapped]

So.

[Heavy-hung, that word. Comes with a click of his tongue.]

Someone's been keeping themselves busy as of late, I've noticed.

Are the blonde hairs on your shoulders decorative? Or....

Practial.

[icasm]

[ Loki, in what is probably the most comical should anyone be watching, spins in a rapid circle in the middle of the street he'd been walking down when his crystal lit up. ]

They're a trophy if you must know.

Where are you right now?

Offline;

[notathreat]

[It's been months since she started doing this and it started out as a stupid game.

Loki caught her that first time, going across the rooftops. So every time she goes past she's taken to stacking a white pebble from the grounds in the flowerpot on the corner of the balcony.

It's both a playful gesture and a way of thumbing her nose at him. This is how many times you haven't seen me. He's caught her placing them once or twice, but more times than not, she's gotten away with it.

There's a little stack there now.

Ellie's hesitated since coming back from Antiva. Since the very public bullshit with Abby. But roughly a week later, she heads towards Astarion and Fenris' place to crash out for the night. She pauses on the rooftop for a moment, before deciding, fuck it. She can't chicken out.

So she heads down the trellis to the grounds, scoops up one of the pebbles, and climbs back up, throwing one leg over the balustrade.]

[icasm]

[ It's the sound of her return that gives her away. The first time he hears it, the noise of someone climbing the trellis, Loki chalks it up to any number of things it could be. His imagination, maybe. Birds. Some other thing that is not any of his business. Presuming it is someone invisible at his second-floor window seems... excessive, for one series of sounds.

When that series of sounds comes back, however. Then Loki steps out of sight with his own power, before sliding through the crack in the open doors to the balcony and then appearing, suddenly, once both of Ellie's feet are firmly on the floor as it were. ]

Hello there.

action; at an appropriate timeline juncture (pre-truth-soup)

[coquettish_trees]

[ She's very quiet. Still, with her head tucked beneath Loki's chin, looking off into the dark of the room. She'd clung to him with a particular fierceness earlier; more teeth, more sound, the crescent moons of her nails dug harder into shoulders, arms, a thing of blazing passion, like she wanted them to burn brightly enough together to leave an afterimage lingering to see any time they closed their eyes.

And now quiet. The kind that means she has something in her mouth, she just hasn't said it yet.

A few breaths later, before he can ask, she does: ]

I have to go home. To Val Fontaine.

[ Her fingers find his collarbone, stroke it gently with their tips. Slow, repetitive, something her nervous hands can do. ]

I received a letter from Maman. Papa is ill. He did not wish her to tell me, but she did.

[icasm]

[ He knows he should ask. Knows that the intensity of earlier bodes towards change, but... he's afraid of whatever it is, whatever it means, and tired due to the overall lack of sleep, and fairly comfortable in this moment. Part of him simply doesn't want to know.

The rest of him knows she will tell him when she's ready.

I have to go home, however, was not even on the list of suspects. Loki's arms tighten around her without him even thinking directly about it. He draws a breath for a question, and immediately discards it. If she knew how long, she'd tell him. ]

Will you write? [ Is what he asks instead. ]

action; long enough after the attack that they can use the Research office again

[youwonscience]

[They'd been so close to organizing the office. It's the smallest of things to be upset about; Riftwatch had lose people in the field, and could have easily lost even more had they not disabled two of the three explosives. Still. Among the higher costs, it's irritating to have to sift through everything again.

When he arrives for their standing meeting, it's clear she's lost track of the time from the way she looks up.]

Oh -- shit, sorry. Take a seat, I just thought it was, uh. Still morning.

[She should have stopped for lunch at some point, but so it goes. She reaches for some notes she made earlier, shuffling the piles of paper on her desk.]

I'd offer you some tea, but I'm pretty sure that pot is cold by now.


[OOC: If you prefer prose, switch and I'll follow. I'm easy either way.]

[icasm]

No, it's quite all right.

[ The look on her face when he walked in told him all he needed to know about her tracking of time for today, anyway. ]

I didn't bring tea but I did bring some things. Namely... [ And with this he procures a lump wrapped in a handkerchief from his pocket, which he sets on the table before revealing the cheese and dried fruit wrapped inside. ] Eating on the run, and all.

How goes it, today? Anything pressing?