Inbox - Fade Rift

[nonvenomous]

Book/crystal/correspondence/action/whatever you desire.

Comments

[heirring]

[The speed at which she wrinkles her nose in distaste is impressively reflexive. She must not realize the extent to which her distaste show on her face, for Wysteria makes no effort to smooth it.]

More than anything? Because I am most familiar with his work. We were in the field together on some business in Orlais—

[She pauses so abruptly that a thought must have occurred to her, so invasive as to yank her attention from the task of disparaging Kostos Averesch—a feat indeed. But after a moment's lapse, she continues.]

And because he is so argumentative that I imagine he can be trusted to raise the right sort of objections to see that the thing is done properly.

[nonvenomous]

Does he know either of us are capable of exerting influence over the Fade?

[ An important question, posed too hot on the heels of Wysteria’s distaste for him to be giving it much credence. Are their elbows still linked? He shrugs absently under the weight of her arm, adjusts the angle into something less formal. ]

We could approach it from a purely hypothetical angle of concern, [ he offers, after a beat spent steeped in deeper thought. ] Insinuate a belief that an unknown agent might be responsible for coaxing an increase in unusual phenomena from Rifts by engaging with and calling to them directly.

Reproducing a similar event under controlled conditions would prove it possible.

[ He looks back to her from the brazier with an arched brow, uncertain of the viability of his own bullshit. ]

[heirring]

Of course not. I gave you a most solemn oath, Mr. Dickerson. [--is her immediate response, mitigated almost immediately with--] Although I have sometimes been in his company and made mention, in a most indirect fashion, to certain instincts that I might or might not have. I doubt he has taken any notice whatsoever, however.

[Anyway. How closely Kostos Averesch may or may not being paying attention to her is, clearly, immaterial in Wysteria's opinion for she vaults smoothly to:]

That said, I agree entirely with your suggestion that we approach this in a purely hypothetical fashion. Let us be seen as overly cautious, and I suspect that any number of people within Riftwatch might indulge our... paranoia, let's say. If only due to an abundance of caution that such suspicions might escape the Gallows and reach the ears of the general populace or, Maker forbid, the Chantry.

[nonvenomous]

[ She did give an oath -- Richard forgets himself in his acknowledgement, and opens his mouth to assure her, only to catch on the doubt of Averesch’s awareness, and further still in recognition that Wysteria -- inevitably -- has much more to say. ]

Is it paranoia? [ He waits to ask. ]

Individuals or entities deliberately exerting influence over Rifts is a more logical explanation than a random evolution of the phenomenon, and has less dire implications than widespread, worsening destabilization as an inevitable progression of the root cause never being resolved.

[ A doom spiral. ]

Personally I think it’s an appealing possibility. Manageable.

[heirring]

[She opens her mouth to respond immediately-- and then pauses, a rare look of genuine consideration passing over her face. She does not get quite so far as closing her mouth completely, but it's a shockingly near thing.]

I suppose I cannot say for certain. But certainly if that were the case we would have documented-- [She pauses again. How much does trust the continuity of Riftwatch's record keeping? She has been working in the Seneschal's office for a great deal of time, and there are

let us say generously

gaps.

Wysteria frowns. There is something troubling in the implication of that, a whole mountain of possibilities waiting to be unearthed. And then, briskly, she dismisses the lingering discomfort and steers solidly back on course.]

Well. It should suit for reasoning with the man in any case.