foxsays | ooc: inbox/plot with me

Araceli? It's Herian. Are you... well recovered?

[Recovered is a stretch. Too many things cast in too sharp a focus, the way the world is muffled and too bright after a pistol fires off right in the ear.]

The office looks as if a storm ripped through it, I don't know what I was thinking or what I was doing, if anything makes any sense-- I need to clean it before I can let anyone in. Is Cosima well? Are you?

In truth I've a favour to ask, but it can wait until things are better settled for you. Can I offer you help in the cleaning?

( She does not address the matter of whether she is well or not. She doesn't feel well, or steady, in many ways. The core of her feels as though it has been burned through and there is only the outer shell of her still standing, false as she knows that to be. If it had, perhaps she would feel a little less. )

Cosima is... no longer sick, though I imagine there is still some road to recovery. It was an exhausting event for spirit, as much as body.

( Hi yes big guilt about constantly forgetting her nearest and dearest. )

I'd rather die than have another soul clap eyes on this that hasn't seen it already. [How serious is she being here Herian? It's difficult to tell from that too-forced cheer in her voice but if she does find out who took her to quarantine out of this office then they silence might be bought.] A favour I can see to, when it comes from a friend.

There are things I've been through that I swore I'd never want to happen again that I'd take a hundred times before I lived another minute of that. [And yet hadn't she had the lyrium burning through her once already? Part of her wants to scream at the unfairness, the rest of her wants to do what she did then: lock it in a box, move forward, have her hands find a new habit she forgets about until she can't forget.] Last time I slept so long after they-- after, I think I was still a child.

Dire, indeed.

( She's not totally sure how to respond. Unseen, she awkwardly rubs her knuckles against her neck, trying to figure it out. )

I cannot begin to imagine. The physical effects alone, even before those you are most dear too could not recall you— I am sorry you endured such.

( Returning to the topic of the favour is... tricky, sort of. ) I— what I had hoped to speak with you about is a matter I hope to proceed with using some discretion. I've no desire for it to become a matter of debate inside or outside the Inquisition, at least not in its fledgling stages.

[A soft noise escapes, unasked for, unbidden. People might want her to talk about and she can't. She already knows that with a sickly as of panic settling over her.]

It was no one's fault, you have nothing to apologise for. [And didn't I know some piece of it already and want to hide it away under the floorboards of my heart of hearts?]

Anything that has to stay between you and I can stay that way, not even Korrin would know if it. Is something...is there some sort of trouble? Forgive me, I don't want to jump to conclusions but I don't know how else to take this right now.

Nothing troubling, I hope. I simply do not wish it to be a matter of attention.

My— my hope is to try and find some ways to improve things for the people of the alienage, and Darktown. I do not imagine to be able to attend and fix all, but I thought presenting tools and opportunity might help make greater differences in the long term. Reading and writing lessons, trying to link the willing to those that might offer them apprenticeships they'd otherwise not have access to, within the Inquisition. I thought perhaps— I thought it might be a matter of some interest. Swimming lessons, if you've the time, or... should the Inquisition move to start building a fleet, perhaps opportunities to learn more of ships and their construction?

Ah, I see! Apprenticeship is common at home, especially for trades or on the ships, I can understand the desire to keep it away from too many eyes although... everyone talks. People know Inquisition agents, on official business or not but a chance to do things without it being tied to the politics would make a change.

[A polite lie; everything is political, everyone will read what they wish to from this.]

The weather is changing, swimming won't be so awful va prospect and it does the body good. That and I've been looking to organise new boats being built for if we ever need to rescue folk at sea. It might be a good learning experience. It's good of you to organise this Herian.

I understand. I am not ashamed of the work, and I believe it can be done so it will draw no negative attention to the Inquisition - especially if human children are amongst those being taught - but I wish not to render it, or of any potential students, as spectacles. Subtlety will allow it better chances of success.

( She clears her throat, a little awkwardly. )

It is what is right, and no more. ( Don't praise her for basic decency, she may implode. )

Nothing in Thedas will improve without education. It's the only way to change… [A sigh, unseen to Herian that Araceli forcibly rolls her shoulders back as she gathers up loose sheet music to set by her lute, a quiet shuffle of pages.] Many things. More people working together, cooperating, lending skills--

It'd be good. For a lot of people.

Hopefully so.

I will not keep you from your work. Thank you for your time, and I will keep you appraised of developments going forward.

If you should change your mind on the offer of aid?

( She is here, ready to help. Just let her know. )

ooc: inbox/plot with me

crystal; post sickness. (zero rush on this)

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