That sounds -- [ potentially deadly, like something Riftwatch would discourage, like a good way to get more giant tentacle eels with human eyeballs ] dangerous, [ he decides, diplomatically. Scientific theory dictates at least a dozen follow-up questions about variables, controls, safety protocols, etc etc etc.
Richard says more quietly, and with greater intent: ]
[Something spark of victory lights visibly in her face. She lowers her voice to match.]
Not as of yet. But I am, as you must know, one of the Seneschal's assistants and a great many inquiries come through the office there. Were a likely candidate be reported, it is very likely it might be one of the first to know.
We would need to do some work prior to direct experimentation in any case. I might suggest, for example, the consultation of one of those aforementioned necromancers. Enchanter Averesch. Or Master Pavus and Mistress Thenevet. Or perhaps even Speaker Fabria, although I admit he would be my last choice. For entirely diplomatic reasons, I assure you. I am confident he is a far more appealing individual than one or two of our alternatives, [KOSTOS] but as lead of the Haven project he might find being in possession - if you will pardon the pun - of the idea somewhat difficult.
[ He doesn’t have to look too deeply to see that she is serious about filtering through reports for Rifts to tamper with. The ambient wuah wuah wuah of her roster dims around his read. Time slows while he considers the extent of his duty as the mom friend in this plane.
All told he’s done very little work in that area since he arrived.
Wysteria could die. That would be upsetting. Mostly for other people but a little for him also. Distraction caught in his craw keeps his brow furrowed, and steers his eyeline to the brazier -- through the coals, into the earth on the far side of it. ]
Why is Averesch your first choice?
Edited (u kno what) Date: 2020-11-11 07:54 am (UTC)
[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.
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. ]
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.
Edited (I cannot be held responsible for this) Date: 2020-11-18 07:48 am (UTC)
[ 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.
[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.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2020-11-10 07:12 am (UTC)Richard says more quietly, and with greater intent: ]
Do you have a Rift in mind?
no subject
Date: 2020-11-11 06:21 am (UTC)Not as of yet. But I am, as you must know, one of the Seneschal's assistants and a great many inquiries come through the office there. Were a likely candidate be reported, it is very likely it might be one of the first to know.
We would need to do some work prior to direct experimentation in any case. I might suggest, for example, the consultation of one of those aforementioned necromancers. Enchanter Averesch. Or Master Pavus and Mistress Thenevet. Or perhaps even Speaker Fabria, although I admit he would be my last choice. For entirely diplomatic reasons, I assure you. I am confident he is a far more appealing individual than one or two of our alternatives, [KOSTOS] but as lead of the Haven project he might find being in possession - if you will pardon the pun - of the idea somewhat difficult.
no subject
Date: 2020-11-11 07:43 am (UTC)All told he’s done very little work in that area since he arrived.
Wysteria could die. That would be upsetting. Mostly for other people but a little for him also. Distraction caught in his craw keeps his brow furrowed, and steers his eyeline to the brazier -- through the coals, into the earth on the far side of it. ]
Why is Averesch your first choice?
no subject
Date: 2020-11-11 03:37 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2020-11-13 08:54 pm (UTC)[ 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. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-11-16 06:51 am (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2020-11-18 08:19 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2020-11-28 09:39 am (UTC)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.