exsilium | video;

[There's a certain dog snuffling at the communicator when it turns on. In fact, his nose actually turns the device off and onto audio for several moments, the sound of his heavy breathing filling the microphone.]

Off, you lush. I need that.

[The mic is covered by something - fabric, actually, in an attempt to clean off the device - and then it switches back to video. A woman with red hair can be seen looking over the communicator critically, looking for scratches and cracks. The dog is gone and she settles back. It's easy from this angle to see the Warden-Commander's crest on her armor, even if it's partly covered by a curtain of hair.]

I wish to speak to whomever's in charge of bringing recruits here. They have no authority to conscript a Warden in any way, not without first making an appeal to Weisshaupt. If I cannot have an audience with the leader of this outpost - [or whatever it is] - then I would speak with anyone else who carries a position of authority.

[She knows her stuff, clearly. She frowns into the camera, tapping it once. She sighs, glancing at her dog. The commanding aura nearly vanishes, replaced by exasperation.]

...I'm speaking to myself, aren't I?

[Elissa glances back to the device, fussing with it once more. It turns off.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[oh no you didn't

Elissa's voice is smug and mockingly sweet.]

Which ones? The Qunari, the mages, the assassin, the golem, or the bard?

You wish me to choose just one?

More that I wish for clarification regarding which of my companions offended your sensibilities.

I suppose I cannot say I am particularly offended at the notion of knowing bards and assassins on friendlier terms [seeing as nobility make themselves rather acquainted with these sorts of people to get their dirty work done

also Anora had been convinced that Erlina was an Orlesian bard at one point when she was young and foolish and believed her father's stories]

Seeing as you were referring to magic, then it would only be logical to assume I was referring to your mage companions, though only one was particularly...

[she's searching for the right words herp derp. of course she's talking about morrigan because wynne is a typical circle mage.]

Questionable.

[Oh, Anora, you don't know the half of it.]

She was a strong companion and without her, I would not be here today.

[heh]

But I suppose she was unconventional. Her clothes, her mannerisms... Do you frown on mages, then, or just apostates?

[TEMPTATION TO SAY THAT MORRIGAN DID A SHIT JOB AND SHE'S NOT SURPRISED.

BUT

she won't.

there's a wry smile.]

It is only natural to be wary of those who hold a great deal of power, is it not?

Even if that very power is something we use and exploit on a day-to-day basis?

[wow, she sounds a little too strong there. woops.]

If we are to be wary of mages, then we should also be wary of the noblemen and politicians, who also hold power. Wouldn't you say that's wise, Anora?

The guards at the palace are not simply for show, Warden. I was common-born, you realize, my acquisition of the throne was not entirely welcome even when Cailan was alive.

[KNOWING LOOK

c'mon elissa.]

Were you not raised as a noble since birth? Surely you know that it is difficult to trust anyone save for family and a close few. And even then, as you have so hopefully learned, it is uncertain.

I was always able to to trust in my family and the people of my house.

[Howe is an exception but even he wasn't, you know, Loghain. Fathers killing husbands is still a little over her head. She hopes if her father still lived to see her ever marry - ha ha - that he wouldn't betray her husband unless it was under extreme circumstances.]

I don't think I could ever have brought myself to be wary of my own family, especially my parents. The other nobles never interested me but, for the most part, they seemed to support our household. Many thought my father should have been king.

Edited 2012-07-20 23:35 (UTC)

[a frown. SHE THINKS YOUR TRUST IS CHILDISH AND NAIVE SORRY ELISSA.]

What seems to be is not necessarily what is, Warden. There is no black or white, only uncertainty, which is why it is best to remain on your guard. Perhaps one day you will understand.

There are nobles who would support a simple stable boy's supposed claim to the throne if they thought it would benefit them in some selfish way.

[a not-so-subtle jab at Eamon oh snap.]

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