001

[viran]

Who: Mahna Lavellan
Broadcast: Fleet-wide
Action: Marsiva, if you'd like
When: Pre-shuffle

[By the time he's sorted out that he's no longer in Thedas, Mahna's patience has all but run out. The silence had woken him and the continued lack of birds chattering or insects buzzing unsettles him far more than he expects. Instead, inane music plays under his strained voice.]

I am Lord Inquisitor Lavellan and it would serve you well to return my companions to me.

[He hates titles, hates formality, but if it gets his comrades back, he'll throw them around as much as necessary. Nevermind that he's in a foreign place where 'Lord Inquisitor' might just as easily put a target on his back. If Corypheus is behind this, he won't run and hide.]

I was traveling with three others and a ram: Dorian of House Pavus, Lady Mai Bhalsych of Korse, The Iron Bull of the Bull's Chargers, and Lord Woolsley of Redcliffe. If any harm has come to them, I can assure you it will be repaid in kind.

Comments

[viran]

[This is at least delightfully familiar and Mahna can't help but his lack of remorse, though he does make an effort to swallow down his smile.]

Cassandra. May I take this as a sign that you are well?

[openhands]

Well enough.

[But still so very clearly displeased with all of this. Still, that's not going to stop her from also getting to somewhat of the point.]

You should know that I don't know you.

[viran]

[Mahna's unfortunately heard that several times today already, but the blow hurts the same. His eyelids drop to halfmast as he looks away for a moment.]

I see. [He's not about to push the whole Inquisitor thing in anyone's face if they don't want. After all, as far as he's seen here, he doesn't need to be the Inquisitor either.] You needn't call me Inquisitor; I am Mahna.

[openhands]

[Cassandra has a very slight and wry smile for a brief moment. At least one thing seems to be consistent; the Inquisitors remain ever humble and modest. Jove had said a very similar thing to her when they first spoke.]

Although you are not the Inquisitor I am familiar with, I would not take that title from you any more than I would take it from Jove. [A beat.] But perhaps for the sake of simplicity and clarity?

[Otherwise this is about to become probably a very absurd Who's On First? situation.]

[viran]

Simplicity and clarity are fine reasons. [Whatever floats your boat, Cassandra! Mahna's not too picky, considering the circumstances.] Whatever title you call me by makes little difference.

[openhands]

I suppose not. [She hesitates a moment before she asks,] What is it that you remember last?

[viran]

[Mahna swallows, his adam's apple bobbing in his throat, but if the matter weren't important, Cassandra wouldn't waste her breath to ask.] I... was helping villagers in Redcliffe after the events of the Winter Palace.

[openhands]

[So not only does she not know him, she's from a later point in the timeline than him. Assuming, of course, that all versions of Thedas follow the same timeline. Jove had asked not to be told anything. She wonders if Mahna would prefer the same and decides to err on the side of caution.]

What happened at the Winter Palace?

[viran]

[Another nervous swallow from his end. This is all so foreign, so strange, to need to inform Cassandra of anything; she aways seemed to have it far more together than him.]

The Empress survived. [Briala reconciled, and Mahna put his dagger in the throat of Gaspard. No big, right?]

[openhands]

[So. It would seem that much is remaining consistent across the Inquisitors. Or at least the Lavellan Inquisitors at any rate. She couldn't speak to the Cadash that Cole knew or whatever other variations exist out there.]

[Maker, she's going to start needing a chart at this rate though.]

It seems there are some...similarities then.

[viran]

That should make it easier for you. [He scratches at the back of his neck, nervous habit and all.] Cassandra...

[His head buzzes from everything he's learned, from everything he's seen, and it's far too easy to push it all away for now.] I will be here if you need anything, that will not change in the slightest.

[openhands]

I appreciate that, [she says, with complete sincerity.] And the same goes to you, Inquisitor. There are others here who have been here longer than I have that might be of more help, but if there is anything I can do, you only have to ask.