You are requesting my assistance. You are aware of who I am. You would not ask me on something that could harm my people because you know I would move against you, and you would not ask me on something trivial because you do not like me.
[It seems fairly straightforward, in his opinion.]
Therefore my skill set is needed in something regarding the war effort. If you wish to tell me more details I would not turn them down, but I am also prepared to wait for a briefing. I have been at war before. I have lead at war before. Not every mission requires a deep discussion before it sets off. Does this one? I have time.
Edited (I am sorry for all the edits) Date: 2019-04-12 12:13 am (UTC)
[ very clearly, john hears madi's assessment of him: no one prepared you for this. it seems that still holds true. ]
I was prepared to do some convincing.
[ but. ]
In the interest of fairness, I'll tell you what I've told the others. I'd like to circulate some rumors to discredit Grand Cleric Gertruda and her supporters. We can discuss the finer details once we're underway.
[The false Divine thing really doesn't matter to him. To tell the truth, he can't remember which woman that was. But if the Inquisition is allowing a group to act against her, then she probably stands to be a thorn in the war effort.]
Officially, of course. But they have a vested interest. They have someone they feel would be best, and someone they feel would be the most detrimental. No matter.
[A short beat. He'd made an assumption that is proving inaccurate, but he'd already agreed to go. He will not break his word now.]
Who is she that you wish to move against her? What is it that one is doing?
Apart from her ideas about the Inquisition as a whole? I don't think it serves me at all to have someone ascend the Sunburst Throne with such...unyielding viewpoints.
[ this is actually a fairly honest statement, if obscuring certain key points. ]
There are other candidates who are less hostile towards our purpose here.
[He's quiet for several moments. As much as Thor likes a good fight, he's not the biggest fan of war. It's a waste. If a flexible person wound up as the false Divine, though, maybe there will be a break between the wars.]
There is a rift opened over our island, and a Venatori madman terrorizing our people with a force too great for us to fight on our own. Our hope was that the Inquisition could assist us in removing both.
[ john takes a breath. ]
I know you and I differ on what should come after that. But I hope you believe me when I tell you my people are suffering.
[It's the first time he's heard what pushed the pirates here other than potential opportunity for allies against Tevinter. Fighting the Venatori for one's people strikes very close to home, unlike the other, and he nods. A moment after the nod he remembers that whole deal about how you can't see someone over the crystals.]
Mine are as well, and at the hands of the Venatori.
[The enemy of my enemy. Also still his enemy... but maybe not directly. Definitely not to the extent that the people who killed his mother are.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-04-11 11:42 pm (UTC)[ maybe ]
I'd like you to come to Ostwick with me and a few others. You can hold your own in polite company, can't you?
no subject
Date: 2019-04-11 11:56 pm (UTC)One does not survive to be adult and heir in one of our houses if they cannot. When do we depart? I will be ready.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 12:00 am (UTC)Within the week. I need to round up a few more people, but we should be departing promptly.
[ so.. ]
You aren't going to ask me anything else about this? Just trusting me to explain the rest on the way?
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 12:12 am (UTC)[It seems fairly straightforward, in his opinion.]
Therefore my skill set is needed in something regarding the war effort. If you wish to tell me more details I would not turn them down, but I am also prepared to wait for a briefing. I have been at war before. I have lead at war before. Not every mission requires a deep discussion before it sets off. Does this one? I have time.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 12:18 am (UTC)I was prepared to do some convincing.
[ but. ]
In the interest of fairness, I'll tell you what I've told the others. I'd like to circulate some rumors to discredit Grand Cleric Gertruda and her supporters. We can discuss the finer details once we're underway.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 12:24 am (UTC)Gertruda.
[The false Divine thing really doesn't matter to him. To tell the truth, he can't remember which woman that was. But if the Inquisition is allowing a group to act against her, then she probably stands to be a thorn in the war effort.]
The Inquisition does not like that one, then?
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 12:27 am (UTC)[ john doesn't like her. ]
I believe the official stance is that the Inquisition is impartial.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 12:35 am (UTC)[A short beat. He'd made an assumption that is proving inaccurate, but he'd already agreed to go. He will not break his word now.]
Who is she that you wish to move against her? What is it that one is doing?
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 12:57 am (UTC)[ this is actually a fairly honest statement, if obscuring certain key points. ]
There are other candidates who are less hostile towards our purpose here.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 01:21 am (UTC)What is your purpose here?
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 01:49 am (UTC)There is a rift opened over our island, and a Venatori madman terrorizing our people with a force too great for us to fight on our own. Our hope was that the Inquisition could assist us in removing both.
[ john takes a breath. ]
I know you and I differ on what should come after that. But I hope you believe me when I tell you my people are suffering.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 01:59 am (UTC)Mine are as well, and at the hands of the Venatori.
[The enemy of my enemy. Also still his enemy... but maybe not directly. Definitely not to the extent that the people who killed his mother are.]
I will help you take down Gertruda.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 02:16 am (UTC)Thank you.
[ and because john knows not to push a good thing past the breaking point— ]
I'll let you know when we're shipping out.
no subject
Date: 2019-04-12 03:14 am (UTC)