wнen тнe мoυnтaιn тoυcнeѕ тнe valley. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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pullmeoutalive2014-06-27 11:45 pm
midvalley) wrote in pullmeoutalive2014-06-27 11:45 pm
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[ With a patient look, ]
It's quite alright if you do not approve, my dear boy. As I said, you are more than welcome to speak your mind.
It's quite alright if you do not approve, my dear boy. As I said, you are more than welcome to speak your mind.
The high level concept is this: usually, a client will reach out to me with work. Generally, they have one target in mind, though occasionally they get greedy and will ask me to add one or more to the list. Should I agree to their terms, I perform the necessary research -- what their security looks like, the best time to enter or leave, the usual things you might expect.
The job itself is typically planned down to the second, though there are hiccups, now and again. Occasionally there's violence -- as you might expect, most people don't take too kindly to strange men in their homes or vaults or what have you.
I'm not picky about my jobs, which means my work takes me from the planets on the upper crust, so to speak, veritably plated in gold, to the types of stations that look liable to fall apart at the barest touch. And due to the nature of what I do, people you might consider "innocent" are the ones who suffer, and occasionally may get hurt. Another unfortunate symptom of the work.
The job itself is typically planned down to the second, though there are hiccups, now and again. Occasionally there's violence -- as you might expect, most people don't take too kindly to strange men in their homes or vaults or what have you.
I'm not picky about my jobs, which means my work takes me from the planets on the upper crust, so to speak, veritably plated in gold, to the types of stations that look liable to fall apart at the barest touch. And due to the nature of what I do, people you might consider "innocent" are the ones who suffer, and occasionally may get hurt. Another unfortunate symptom of the work.
[ He allows for a small smile, tinged with good humor. ]
I would take care not to discuss it, mainly, but I won't be quitting or forcing you to leave, simply because we have a disagreement regarding my profession.
I would take care not to discuss it, mainly, but I won't be quitting or forcing you to leave, simply because we have a disagreement regarding my profession.
[ He nods, ostensibly in a sympathetic manner. If the boy can't handle theft, then Myriad's decision to not make mention of his actual professions was better thought-out than expected. Initially the lie had been for practical reasons -- who would ever accept help from an assassin so soon after a near assassination? -- but he'll keep up appearances, as necessary.
It's nothing he's not used to. ]
It's a difficult thing to wrap one's head around, admittedly. Aside from the legal repercussions, there are the moral issues one must contend with, as well. You'll find I do quite a lit of compartmentalizing, I'm afraid.
It's nothing he's not used to. ]
It's a difficult thing to wrap one's head around, admittedly. Aside from the legal repercussions, there are the moral issues one must contend with, as well. You'll find I do quite a lit of compartmentalizing, I'm afraid.
On the fringes as we are, one must take the work as it comes, I'm afraid.
You need your rest. I shouldn't keep you up much longer.
[ He lifts a hand, visibly hesitating before seemingly biting the bullet; he rests his hand lightly on Charlie's shoulder. ]
If you need me, I'm just a shout away, alright?
[ He lifts a hand, visibly hesitating before seemingly biting the bullet; he rests his hand lightly on Charlie's shoulder. ]
If you need me, I'm just a shout away, alright?
[ The contact is… a little surprising, but oddly not unwelcome. It’s comforting, in a way, and again Charlie finds himself with the urge to ask Myriad to stay. He swallows it down. The Changer has other things to do, he doesn’t need to babysit Charlie all night long, so in the end, Charlie just nods. ]
Alright. Thank you.
Alright. Thank you.
[ He stands, maintaining the contact a second longer. He squeezes his shoulder -- reassurance, probably -- and turns to the entryway. ]
Sleep well, Charlie.
Sleep well, Charlie.
[ Andrew Parker is sixteen years old. He's a junior in high school, incredibly bright with good grades, and a small but healthy circle of friends. His sense of humor is a little off-kilter, but he's liked well enough. Andrew is also training to become a Spiritualist. His integration into a healthy social life was mostly the work of his mother, who, while she loves her husband dearly, knows that Spiritualists tend to make themselves social outcasts by spending too much time communing with the dead. That's not a life she wanted for her son.
She is also the one to call Jacob when Andrew turns up missing.
Jacob had been introduced to the Parkers some time ago by Charlie, back when he was trying to get a feel for his powers and deal with the fact that he could see ghosts. They were a great help, and their son seemed fond of the detective, so of course Jacob promised to make Andrew his top priority. What disturbed Jacob the most was that Andrew had gone missing in the very same cemetery where the detective and Dorian had tracked down and captured a rogue Venatori mage who had been murdering people to power his own home-brewed portals to Thedas.
It could be nothing, but the coincidence was too great. Jacob had Charlie send word to Dorian via their magic mirror to keep an ear to the ground, because if the boy was in Thedas, he was likely in enemy hands, and therefore in great danger.
And true enough, that's where he was. One such home-brewed portal in the cemetery had slipped through the cracks, and when Venatori agents slipped through, they chanced upon Andrew honing his skills, sending a restless spirit on to the next world, and they recognized the runes as similar to the ones the strange mage in the Inquisition had used. They spirited the boy away. Perhaps he could still be of some use to them.
It was only Andrew's natural aptitude for his magic that drew... something to him. A wisp. A spirit. Something. But it heard his cries for help, and drifted to look for people to answer those cries.
Help me, it said. I want to go home. Detective Randall, someone, anyone, please. Help me. ]
She is also the one to call Jacob when Andrew turns up missing.
Jacob had been introduced to the Parkers some time ago by Charlie, back when he was trying to get a feel for his powers and deal with the fact that he could see ghosts. They were a great help, and their son seemed fond of the detective, so of course Jacob promised to make Andrew his top priority. What disturbed Jacob the most was that Andrew had gone missing in the very same cemetery where the detective and Dorian had tracked down and captured a rogue Venatori mage who had been murdering people to power his own home-brewed portals to Thedas.
It could be nothing, but the coincidence was too great. Jacob had Charlie send word to Dorian via their magic mirror to keep an ear to the ground, because if the boy was in Thedas, he was likely in enemy hands, and therefore in great danger.
And true enough, that's where he was. One such home-brewed portal in the cemetery had slipped through the cracks, and when Venatori agents slipped through, they chanced upon Andrew honing his skills, sending a restless spirit on to the next world, and they recognized the runes as similar to the ones the strange mage in the Inquisition had used. They spirited the boy away. Perhaps he could still be of some use to them.
It was only Andrew's natural aptitude for his magic that drew... something to him. A wisp. A spirit. Something. But it heard his cries for help, and drifted to look for people to answer those cries.
Help me, it said. I want to go home. Detective Randall, someone, anyone, please. Help me. ]
[ Solas is the one to hear the spirit in his dreams -- a spirit of Compassion, much weaker than their Cole but strong enough to find him in the Veil, seeking Solas out specifically to fulfill its purpose. A boy from another reality, not unlike the tales he heard of the man who accompanied Dorian through the rift between worlds.
Solas is the one who informs Dorian of the boy's capture, assuming correctly that his paramour, as it were, would find the information of interest. He could hardly ignore a plea for help any more than the Spirit of Compassion could, and once the information had been passed, he assumed his part in the matter would be over, and that Dorian would do as he must.
Or this would have been the case, except the Inquisitor had rather abruptly called for an outing to Emprise du Lion, and with Vivienne occupied with business in Orlais, evidently the Inquisitor had flipped a coin to determine who would accompany her traveling party. Dorian, it seems, was the lucky man.
The two of them have little time before Dorian must depart, and he waits in his quarters for the detective's arrival, pacing and casting anxious glances in Solas' direction every so often. Solas, of course, is placid, serene, standing beside the door with his hands clasped behind him. Whenever Jacob finally arrives, Dorian steps forward, harried. ]
Change of plans, Detective. I'm afraid I'll be traveling abroad -- leaving soon, in fact. Can't stay to chat. I'll have to leave you in Solas' capable hands.
[ And it's then that Solas steps forward, regarding the man before bowing slightly from the waist. ]
A pleasure to meet you.
Solas is the one who informs Dorian of the boy's capture, assuming correctly that his paramour, as it were, would find the information of interest. He could hardly ignore a plea for help any more than the Spirit of Compassion could, and once the information had been passed, he assumed his part in the matter would be over, and that Dorian would do as he must.
Or this would have been the case, except the Inquisitor had rather abruptly called for an outing to Emprise du Lion, and with Vivienne occupied with business in Orlais, evidently the Inquisitor had flipped a coin to determine who would accompany her traveling party. Dorian, it seems, was the lucky man.
The two of them have little time before Dorian must depart, and he waits in his quarters for the detective's arrival, pacing and casting anxious glances in Solas' direction every so often. Solas, of course, is placid, serene, standing beside the door with his hands clasped behind him. Whenever Jacob finally arrives, Dorian steps forward, harried. ]
Change of plans, Detective. I'm afraid I'll be traveling abroad -- leaving soon, in fact. Can't stay to chat. I'll have to leave you in Solas' capable hands.
[ And it's then that Solas steps forward, regarding the man before bowing slightly from the waist. ]
A pleasure to meet you.
[ Jacob had heard about the Inquisitor's band of misfits from Charlie, so he's not entirely surprised to see an elf step forward. His surprise actually comes from the fact that Dorian isn't tagging along.
Just roll with the punches, he tells himself, and offers a small bow in response. The detective is dressed simply. His gun is holstered out of sight beneath a plain, brown leather jacket. On his belt are extra clips of ammo, hidden away in little punches, and there's a knife at his back. One of Charlie's, though it's a larger hunting knife instead of the smaller ones Charlie usually carries. At a glance, he almost blends in. ]
You as well. Charlie told me a bit about you.
[ To Dorian, he says ] Go on and go, since you're half out the door already.
Just roll with the punches, he tells himself, and offers a small bow in response. The detective is dressed simply. His gun is holstered out of sight beneath a plain, brown leather jacket. On his belt are extra clips of ammo, hidden away in little punches, and there's a knife at his back. One of Charlie's, though it's a larger hunting knife instead of the smaller ones Charlie usually carries. At a glance, he almost blends in. ]
You as well. Charlie told me a bit about you.
[ To Dorian, he says ] Go on and go, since you're half out the door already.
[ Dorian sighs, a hand going to his forehead -- almost as though he means to pull his hand through his hair, though he is far too stubborn to ruin his morning's work.
As it is, he steps back, giving Jacob a once over, nodding approvingly. ]
Passable. I was worried I would have to clothe you.
[ Solas clears his throat and arches an eyebrow at the other mage, tilting his head pointedly to one side, signifying the door. The Inquisitor could be an impatient woman, and considering Dorian had already delayed their leaving by a day in insisting he at least greet Jacob, she would hardly appreciate any further delays.
Dorian huffs out an exasperated breath, collecting his staff and traveling gear. As he's stepping out of the room, he turns back to look at Solas, then the detective, his expression solemn. ] Try not to be too miserable without me, gentlemen. And try not to get yourselves murdered, would you? The Inquisitor and Charlie would have my head.
[ And with that, he leaves, reminding Solas to lock up behind him when they depart. Solas merely sighs to himself before redirecting his attention to the detective. ]
I apologize for this, Detective. And for Dorian. He's quite anxious for this young man, considering what had happened to your mutual friend.
As it is, he steps back, giving Jacob a once over, nodding approvingly. ]
Passable. I was worried I would have to clothe you.
[ Solas clears his throat and arches an eyebrow at the other mage, tilting his head pointedly to one side, signifying the door. The Inquisitor could be an impatient woman, and considering Dorian had already delayed their leaving by a day in insisting he at least greet Jacob, she would hardly appreciate any further delays.
Dorian huffs out an exasperated breath, collecting his staff and traveling gear. As he's stepping out of the room, he turns back to look at Solas, then the detective, his expression solemn. ] Try not to be too miserable without me, gentlemen. And try not to get yourselves murdered, would you? The Inquisitor and Charlie would have my head.
[ And with that, he leaves, reminding Solas to lock up behind him when they depart. Solas merely sighs to himself before redirecting his attention to the detective. ]
I apologize for this, Detective. And for Dorian. He's quite anxious for this young man, considering what had happened to your mutual friend.
Of course. To lose one's will in service of another is a fate I wish upon no one.
[ He pauses, then turns, opening the door slightly and checking the wards, as Dorian showed him. ]
I believe the boy you seek is being held in the Dales, in an area known as the Emerald Graves.
Have you any experience riding a horse?
[ He pauses, then turns, opening the door slightly and checking the wards, as Dorian showed him. ]
I believe the boy you seek is being held in the Dales, in an area known as the Emerald Graves.
Have you any experience riding a horse?
Good. I'll have Master Dennet arrange mounts for us, then.
[ With the wards back in place, he holds the door open for Jacob to step through. Dorian's room opens up to a balcony overlooking the garden, and down below, Chantry sisters reciting the Chant of Light can be heard. ]
Come, then. We have little time to waste.
[ With the wards back in place, he holds the door open for Jacob to step through. Dorian's room opens up to a balcony overlooking the garden, and down below, Chantry sisters reciting the Chant of Light can be heard. ]
Come, then. We have little time to waste.
[ He offers a nod before leading them through the keep, down old stone steps and older corridors. Skyhold is a patchwork of masonry, with new stone nestled into walls along the old, though there is still much work that needs to be done before the fortress could reclaim its old glory. The grounds are abuzz with activity, soldiers and nobles and servants wandering to and fro with purpose, and Solas snakes through them with practiced ease. He spares a polite nod, here and again, when he spots other members of the Inquisitor's traveling party. Cassandra, in particular, quirks an eyebrow at Jacob as she passes, equal parts curiosity and suspicion.
Solas speaks with Dennet, and thankfully the Inquisitor had already given her leave to grant Solas two mounts -- sturdy, fast horses that would bring them to the Emerald Graves in good time. Solas leads the horses to the Detective, handing him the reigns to one of them. ]
The journey may be a difficult one, if we ride hard. I hesitate to do so, given that you're out of practice. You will be of use to no one if you're too exhausted from the journey to think clearly.
Solas speaks with Dennet, and thankfully the Inquisitor had already given her leave to grant Solas two mounts -- sturdy, fast horses that would bring them to the Emerald Graves in good time. Solas leads the horses to the Detective, handing him the reigns to one of them. ]
The journey may be a difficult one, if we ride hard. I hesitate to do so, given that you're out of practice. You will be of use to no one if you're too exhausted from the journey to think clearly.
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