Katherine Amell (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
boundinblood) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
calling_net2016-07-31 11:02 pm
boundinblood) wrote in calling_net2016-07-31 11:02 pm
Entry tags:
[CALL] Video; UN: wardenka
[It was an odd device. A tiny seam down the middle was the only indication it was manmade at all, it seemed so alien. Flawlessly smooth black material that, alarmingly, she didn't recognize, a glossy panel on the front that lit up and showed her things when she touched it. Spoke with a voice she couldn't speak to and showed her visions without once reaching into the Fade.
It introduced itself, in a way. A "CALL device", a means to communicate with places unimaginable. A means to go places unimaginable, if that label marked "TRANSPORT" did what it said it did. Song without singers or instruments, music captured somehow. Portraits straight from reality, with no painter's bias. Visions with no warping, events preserved exactly as they happened, a journal of sight and sound. Speech and writing across distances unreachable.
Somehow.
She touched the screen as instructed, opened a video post. If she understood right, it would be the closest to in-person interaction. She didn't want to hit that button just yet. She'd sensed no disturbance in the Veil (and Alistair would have sensed it before he left if she hadn't), so she doubted it was a demon's work. But all the same, what if something went wrong? She wanted to test first.]
[The camera looks up on a woman clothed in crimson, curious eyes searching the frame. A huge brown mastiff looms over her shoulder (showing her to be seated on the ground), watching the recording with equally inquisitive eyes - equally discerning.]
...Have I done it right?
[The dog whines curiously.]
I might as well, at worst nobody hears me. Um... [She clears her throat.] This is Warden-Commander Katherine Amell of Ferelden. This device said it could be used to communicate with others who had another one. Oh, like a tiny eluvian... [she murmurs in sudden realization, before remembering herself and focusing on the screen again.] ...Anyway, is anyone hearing this? ...I see myself on the screen, is anyone seeing the same?
It introduced itself, in a way. A "CALL device", a means to communicate with places unimaginable. A means to go places unimaginable, if that label marked "TRANSPORT" did what it said it did. Song without singers or instruments, music captured somehow. Portraits straight from reality, with no painter's bias. Visions with no warping, events preserved exactly as they happened, a journal of sight and sound. Speech and writing across distances unreachable.
Somehow.
She touched the screen as instructed, opened a video post. If she understood right, it would be the closest to in-person interaction. She didn't want to hit that button just yet. She'd sensed no disturbance in the Veil (and Alistair would have sensed it before he left if she hadn't), so she doubted it was a demon's work. But all the same, what if something went wrong? She wanted to test first.]
[The camera looks up on a woman clothed in crimson, curious eyes searching the frame. A huge brown mastiff looms over her shoulder (showing her to be seated on the ground), watching the recording with equally inquisitive eyes - equally discerning.]
...Have I done it right?
[The dog whines curiously.]
I might as well, at worst nobody hears me. Um... [She clears her throat.] This is Warden-Commander Katherine Amell of Ferelden. This device said it could be used to communicate with others who had another one. Oh, like a tiny eluvian... [she murmurs in sudden realization, before remembering herself and focusing on the screen again.] ...Anyway, is anyone hearing this? ...I see myself on the screen, is anyone seeing the same?
no subject
[She gets the general idea he may not fully understand it, either, at his young age, but at this point she's curious. She absorbed all she had to learn on the Dalish beliefs when she encountered them, even if she didn't believe in them, and has respected other religions' altars in her travels - at the very least, their "gods" could be spirits bound to or watching the altars, after all, and she would like to avoid starting unnecessary fights.]
no subject
Has thou never known the wonder of the thespian arts hitherto? The delicacy of drama? The wicked mother fuckin righteous wonder of the theater? This blasphemy shall not transpire no more as it is within my power to enact its revision! Preach, I had meant to, that true preaching as vocation shall follow only this, but now an issue far more dire has surfaced!
no subject
[For a moment, she is completely caught off guard. She couldn't imagine anyone would be so ready to interpret what she said as not knowing what "thespian" meant at all. But then again, if it's so entwined in this religion of his...]
They're just...not seen as something the Maker would wait for us to finish when he returns.
[Or maybe he would? If there's any such return coming at all, that is.]
no subject
[No being should have to go without theater.
Yet as she continues, he looks a little guilty.] A maker is not known to me. Messiahs, I presume thou must mean. The Messiahs take great pleasure in that which brings mirth. Comedy and tragedy joined together harmonious speak to the duality of our Lord and Lady!
[But...]
Procured of pan an idea that I might preform as the greatest have done, before pledging eternal to the work of the church. I am to persist vital for a fair mother fuckin age and so imbecilic I saw not the treachery. [His hands fold together and his eyes close and his head bows.] I have proven weak, irresolute. Oh Messiahs, may thy holy powers purge me of this corruption that I may serve thee forever free of sin. Rain down the righteous unmercies that I may learn from split and spill. I shalt not disgrace the blood of the family.
no subject
...Isn't asking for punishment for a simple misunderstanding extreme?
[...Maybe this other religion isn't as nice as it seemed at first.]
no subject
[But then he hesitates.] ...Of others, it is little consequence. To them I offer only the open arms fit of the family. However, this mother fucker must prove myself worthy, for I am descendant to the Grandest and have been chosen by Messiahs to receive the messages of the age.
no subject
[Thunder barks agreement beside her. She glances over at him with a wry, mock-deadpan:] Thanks.
[He barks again, oblivious, and she turns back to the device.]
Sorry - anyway, as I was saying, I doubt they're expecting you to be perfect. Nobody is. Nobody mortal, anyway.
no subject
That distraction ends fast though, for she continues and he finds her assessment difficult to swallow. Perfect, of course he's not perfect, but...]
But... is it not a dire mother fuckin negligence to strive for anything but the best?
["Even the Empress is mortal," His ancestor had said once and her words call upon that. It's hard to squirm away from the weight on it. What if his only way of achieving a mere good is through aiming for perfection?]
no subject
Of course you should strive to be the best. But wishing punishment on yourself for every failure isn't the same as acknowledging you need to do better.
In magical studies, that kind of thinking usually just makes your next attempt worse.
no subject
...Oh.
[It is less than eloquent a response, but he truly had not consider that he might be making things worse.]
... I should proceed then only with most legit intentions to correct and improve.
You are wise, Sister Katherine.
no subject
It took burning my eyebrows off with my own fire three times before I accepted there were some things I couldn't let myself get dragged down by.
no subject
I presume thee to be one of great skill then in the drawing of eyebrows.
...Thank you, sister Katherine.