[Color Tav continually confused, especially as she keeps speaking at such a clip. At long last, she ends on a note he can respond to and takes a deep breath, offering a smirk before forming his response,]
One, who is Doctor Strange?
Two, I’ve been in prisons enough times, this is a step up.
[Rather abruptly, something in the young woman's face shades toward suspicion. For the first time, her attention flicks past Tav toward the room beyond, and then back again. There are only a few kind of people who spend a great deal of time in prison, after all.
Though when she speaks, it is in a high and cheery tone as if there were nothing the matter at all.]
Oh, well. I'm pleased to hear it's an improvement. As for Doctor Strange, he is the head healer of the Gallows infirmary. He is a rifter as well. Like yourself.
[No, thank you. She will stay right here in the hallway.
She does however snap her fingers at the little white dog, who has made his way around the room and now looks to be contemplating the possibility of jumping into the bed. It draws the little animal's attention promptly. With a spring and a wagging tail, he trots back to join her.]
Yes, I imagine he needs all the assistance he can get. You might consult him on the matter directly, however, as I know nothing at all in the subject. —Well. Very little, in any case.
Very good. [Sorry for your new convict recruit, Doctor.
Her pasted on smile persists even as she takes an oh so casual step backward. Is she distancing herself from Tav? Maybe just a little.]
You know, [soooo casual! Weird how this factoid has just randomly occurred to her! It has nothing to do with him having seen inside numerous prisons, apparently.] You won't have been the first criminal to arrive here. We've had any number of thieves and assassins. And then of course there are the pirates. And we once had a known murderess.
[As soon as Wysteria mentions criminal, Tav's gaze flicks back up. Upon murderess, Tav swallows and puts himself at the back of the room.]
How do you know about that?
[He doesn't bother defending against the accusation. Not while the Urge, no, his other self-- the Bhaalspawn-- continues to live on. It's a constant danger to others and yet he somehow woke up here.
He sucks in a breath.] I need to keep a cell here, should the Bhaalspawn take over again. That or a lot of rope if I'm out on an expedition.
[Tav beetles backwards. In the hall, Wysteria does the same. It paints a comic picture, the gap between them having widened considerably to the point that Wysteria must now raise her voice slightly to pretend to keep speaking completely and totally casually and not like a person, say, concerned about the possibility that a violent criminal may be among them.
He is familiar with the inside of prisons? Requires a great deal of rope? What's a respectable young lady to think.]
A cell, you say. I'm certain that Captain Rowntree—he is the officer of the watch here who oversees matters of Gallows security—would be happy to assist.
Or if it is a particular affliction you're suffering, perhaps the infirmary staff might be able to assist. It's not catching, is it?
[Bhaalspawn sounds like a very unpleasant sort of illness and a moment ago they were stood rather close.]
[He could argue that the Bhaalspawn is not who he used to be any more, but considering what Gortash recently told him and the quiet (and not so quiet) urges that still exists…
Tav sighs.] Sometimes when I fall asleep, I become a murderer, exacting and terrible. Sometimes when I’m awake, I still have these murderous urges, but on a much smaller level.
[Like his current fancy to split her dog in two and return it to Wysteria in pieces.
No, he doesn’t do that any more, he won’t succumb.]
[Oh good. He is some kind of mage as well. That will certainly make everyone very understanding of certain murderous impulses.]
It's not unheard of that otherworldly users of magic find their abilities somewhat altered by their travel to and presence in Thedas. I'm led to believe that the qualities of the Veil which separates this world and the Fade—that is to say, the origin of magic here in Thedas—acts as a sort of moderating power over certain rifters.
[She's rambling. When this occurs to her, she straightens by a faint degree and clears her throat with a forceful ahem.]
Well, I'm pleased to hear you're doing so ['well' is not the correct word.] decently. I'm certain the rest will all come with time. Perhaps you might— [No, she can't recommend that he seek out the Seneschal to assist in choosing a division; what if he were to harm Julius? She would feel terribly.] Only wait a few more days, and I'm certain all will fall into place.
[She fidgets there in the corridor, her artificial smile slipping and then resetting. Well.]
I highly recommend perusing the contents of the Gallows' library should you need some activity to occupy your thoughts. To say nothing of the fact that it is quite helpful, I think, to learn as much as one might about Thedas. If you like, I can recommend a number of introductory titles— [She catches herself.] Or rather, I would be most happy to write a list and leabe it in your pigeon hole in the dining hall. I'm certain one will be assigned to you if it hasn't already. But I didn't mean to stay very long, [she lies poorly] and we should be on our way. Many appointments, you see. Much work to be done.
[Any cheer Tav may have had before Wysteria entered his cell disappears when her smile drops. He blows out a breath and his shoulders slump as he nods. Books. Gale had certainly been a purveyor of books. Perhaps Tav should store a few here, to help stave off some of the loneliness.]
Of course. [Tav is well-acquainted with the little diplomacies that come with working with every day people.] I would not delay you. Thank you for your kindness.
[Doubtless, Tav will soon learn there are people in Riftwatch who are kind and thoughtful individuals who might take this clear downswing of mood as the thing it is—a kind of disappointment, a longing for company, the loneliness of a stranger in a strange world with few friends—and extend some offer of charity or companionship.
Unfortunately for all involved, Wysteria de Foncé is not that sort of member of Riftwatch. She pastes her smile back on, so bright that it must be false, and says,]
Of course, it was nothing at all. I'll see that list made, and the books given to you. It was a pleasure, of course, to make your acquaintance. Come along, Tab.
[This is, evidently, for the little white dog. He springs back to all four feet, whirling to catch up with his mistress' heels as she gives Tav a last too braced smile and the scuttled hurriedly away. She glances back over her shoulder only once, more nakedly discomforted now given some distance, and then skitters along with a clack of boot heels and little dog nails. An instant later, the pair of them vanish around the bend of the corridor and are lost from sight.]
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no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 12:56 am (UTC)One, who is Doctor Strange?
Two, I’ve been in prisons enough times, this is a step up.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 01:16 am (UTC)Though when she speaks, it is in a high and cheery tone as if there were nothing the matter at all.]
Oh, well. I'm pleased to hear it's an improvement. As for Doctor Strange, he is the head healer of the Gallows infirmary. He is a rifter as well. Like yourself.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 01:27 am (UTC)I’ve had my share in my time. This is quite nice.
[Tapping his chin in regards to Dr. Strange,] And he might want an herbalist?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 01:42 am (UTC)She does however snap her fingers at the little white dog, who has made his way around the room and now looks to be contemplating the possibility of jumping into the bed. It draws the little animal's attention promptly. With a spring and a wagging tail, he trots back to join her.]
Yes, I imagine he needs all the assistance he can get. You might consult him on the matter directly, however, as I know nothing at all in the subject. —Well. Very little, in any case.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 01:51 am (UTC)I’ll reach out to him to see how much help he truly needs. Hopefully quite a bit.
[He’d rather wander the lands than be confined to this prison much longer.]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 06:39 am (UTC)Her pasted on smile persists even as she takes an oh so casual step backward. Is she distancing herself from Tav? Maybe just a little.]
You know, [soooo casual! Weird how this factoid has just randomly occurred to her! It has nothing to do with him having seen inside numerous prisons, apparently.] You won't have been the first criminal to arrive here. We've had any number of thieves and assassins. And then of course there are the pirates. And we once had a known murderess.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 12:19 pm (UTC)How do you know about that?
[He doesn't bother defending against the accusation. Not while the Urge, no, his other self-- the Bhaalspawn-- continues to live on. It's a constant danger to others and yet he somehow woke up here.
He sucks in a breath.] I need to keep a cell here, should the Bhaalspawn take over again. That or a lot of rope if I'm out on an expedition.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 05:13 pm (UTC)He is familiar with the inside of prisons? Requires a great deal of rope? What's a respectable young lady to think.]
A cell, you say. I'm certain that Captain Rowntree—he is the officer of the watch here who oversees matters of Gallows security—would be happy to assist.
Or if it is a particular affliction you're suffering, perhaps the infirmary staff might be able to assist. It's not catching, is it?
[Bhaalspawn sounds like a very unpleasant sort of illness and a moment ago they were stood rather close.]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 06:01 pm (UTC)Tav sighs.] Sometimes when I fall asleep, I become a murderer, exacting and terrible. Sometimes when I’m awake, I still have these murderous urges, but on a much smaller level.
[Like his current fancy to split her dog in two and return it to Wysteria in pieces.
No, he doesn’t do that any more, he won’t succumb.]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 10:29 pm (UTC)Meanwhile, Wysteria's very pasted on smile has somehow become yet more stiff and artificial.]
Oh. How very inconvenient. And I suppose you've informed your Division Head of this fact already, yes?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-31 10:34 pm (UTC)[Tav sits on a bench at the far end of the cell, trying not to look at the little dog.]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-01 06:04 am (UTC)Still. Someone ought to know.]
Tell me, who fetched you from the rift when you fell through it? I imagine you must have explained your situation to one of them.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-01 09:38 am (UTC)[Which rarely happens, he’d like to argue, but now hardly seems the time.]
Perhaps this Strange should be warned if I am to work with him as an herbalist.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-02 07:14 am (UTC)Yes, perhaps that would be best. It would be only polite. —You didn't hit your head, I suppose? When you lost consciousness.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-02 11:49 am (UTC)Don’t think so. Seems I just flopped over like a dead fish when I used up my power.
[Another pause.]
Though I’ve never had that happen before.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-03 02:00 am (UTC)It's not unheard of that otherworldly users of magic find their abilities somewhat altered by their travel to and presence in Thedas. I'm led to believe that the qualities of the Veil which separates this world and the Fade—that is to say, the origin of magic here in Thedas—acts as a sort of moderating power over certain rifters.
[She's rambling. When this occurs to her, she straightens by a faint degree and clears her throat with a forceful ahem.]
Well, I'm pleased to hear you're doing so ['well' is not the correct word.] decently. I'm certain the rest will all come with time. Perhaps you might— [No, she can't recommend that he seek out the Seneschal to assist in choosing a division; what if he were to harm Julius? She would feel terribly.] Only wait a few more days, and I'm certain all will fall into place.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-03 02:21 am (UTC)It’s been a long while since it happened. [Another pause.] Too long.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-03 05:05 am (UTC)[She fidgets there in the corridor, her artificial smile slipping and then resetting. Well.]
I highly recommend perusing the contents of the Gallows' library should you need some activity to occupy your thoughts. To say nothing of the fact that it is quite helpful, I think, to learn as much as one might about Thedas. If you like, I can recommend a number of introductory titles— [She catches herself.] Or rather, I would be most happy to write a list and leabe it in your pigeon hole in the dining hall. I'm certain one will be assigned to you if it hasn't already. But I didn't mean to stay very long, [she lies poorly] and we should be on our way. Many appointments, you see. Much work to be done.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-03 05:13 am (UTC)Of course. [Tav is well-acquainted with the little diplomacies that come with working with every day people.] I would not delay you. Thank you for your kindness.
[He sounds, if nothing else, resigned.]
no subject
Date: 2024-02-03 05:32 pm (UTC)Unfortunately for all involved, Wysteria de Foncé is not that sort of member of Riftwatch. She pastes her smile back on, so bright that it must be false, and says,]
Of course, it was nothing at all. I'll see that list made, and the books given to you. It was a pleasure, of course, to make your acquaintance. Come along, Tab.
[This is, evidently, for the little white dog. He springs back to all four feet, whirling to catch up with his mistress' heels as she gives Tav a last too braced smile and the scuttled hurriedly away. She glances back over her shoulder only once, more nakedly discomforted now given some distance, and then skitters along with a clack of boot heels and little dog nails. An instant later, the pair of them vanish around the bend of the corridor and are lost from sight.]