I. MAPS, MAPS, MAPS [Somewhere inside the Gallows there is a room filled with maps, and Louis has found it. There are cities detailed here, countries delineated by careful black borders, continents showing rivers and mountains. It's familiar enough- except that he knows nothing of value. If all he's been told is true, then it's imperative he learn as much as he can of their position in the world.]
Explain these to me. [There's not even a suggestion in his voice that this is a request.]
II. GOOD MORNING, KIRKWALL
[The first time he is jostled he is surprised, but does not react. Expectant stillness settles over him, ready for-
-but, the guard does not come, of course. The uncouth man is not led away for so disrespecting his royal person and stumbles away down the street. Again he remembers where he is.
Each time he is jostled in the crowd he remembers faster. Each time he reaches to pick up a craftsman's wares and his hand is slapped away, he remembers. The knowledge stings worse than the jostling or the slap to his hand. But there's nothing he can do with that bitterness, there's no purpose it can serve him here. He sets it aside.
When he spies in the crowd a face that he recognises as a fellow inquisitor, he approaches and greets them.] Kirkwall is a busy town.
[Etiquette may not be the order of the day here, but it's a hard habit to break. Make small talk before bringing up more important matters.]
IV. CRYSTAL CLEAR
[The magic has been (vaguely) explained, but Louis still starts when he hears a voice coming from the stone around his neck. He's hesitant to use it to contact others, but there's nothing which prevents them from speaking with him through it.]
Repeat yourself. [Eventually he'll grow used to it. He hopes.] Please.
King Louis XIV / Versailles / Rifter
[Somewhere inside the Gallows there is a room filled with maps, and Louis has found it. There are cities detailed here, countries delineated by careful black borders, continents showing rivers and mountains. It's familiar enough- except that he knows nothing of value. If all he's been told is true, then it's imperative he learn as much as he can of their position in the world.]
Explain these to me. [There's not even a suggestion in his voice that this is a request.]
II. GOOD MORNING, KIRKWALL
[The first time he is jostled he is surprised, but does not react. Expectant stillness settles over him, ready for-
-but, the guard does not come, of course. The uncouth man is not led away for so disrespecting his royal person and stumbles away down the street. Again he remembers where he is.
Each time he is jostled in the crowd he remembers faster. Each time he reaches to pick up a craftsman's wares and his hand is slapped away, he remembers. The knowledge stings worse than the jostling or the slap to his hand. But there's nothing he can do with that bitterness, there's no purpose it can serve him here. He sets it aside.
When he spies in the crowd a face that he recognises as a fellow inquisitor, he approaches and greets them.] Kirkwall is a busy town.
[Etiquette may not be the order of the day here, but it's a hard habit to break. Make small talk before bringing up more important matters.]
IV. CRYSTAL CLEAR
[The magic has been (vaguely) explained, but Louis still starts when he hears a voice coming from the stone around his neck. He's hesitant to use it to contact others, but there's nothing which prevents them from speaking with him through it.]
Repeat yourself. [Eventually he'll grow used to it. He hopes.] Please.