littlemissfutility

[At some point during her quarantine, Beth is directed to the infirmary. It's here that she is first approached by a shortish, serious-faced elf in dark clothing, who nods a furtive greeting and clears his throat.]

My name is Brother Gideon. If you don't mind, I'd like to check your vital signs.

[He likely won't be too put out if she does mind, but it's all for science, after all.]

[ She still has stitches in her face. It's inevitable that someone might push her this way. When she's approached, though, she shakes her head. ]

I'm fine.

Please.

[His voice is quiet and not too pleading, the effort made nonetheless.]

It's for our records as much as your own health.

I just came here to see if my stitches are okay.

[A deep breath in, sighed out through his nose.

People can be so fussy.]

May I look at them?

[He'll have to come in closer to do so, and Maker knows what these Rifters are capable of.]

[ She nods, arms crossing in front of herself, and bends forward a little to make it easier. They can just do this over here, near the entrance to the infirmary, right? No point getting herded over to one of those beds. ]

It's been a couple days since I got 'em. [ A week or two? The hospital made it easy to lose track of time. ] I can take them out myself, just...I gotta know when.

[If there's a problem with where they are, Brother Gideon isn't about to voice it. He leans in a bit as well, narrowing his eyes.]

They're looking fine. Keep them clean, and come back again towards the end of the week so I can check again.

[All business, he doesn't crack a smile once.]

Oh-- here.

[Turning on his heel, he goes to a shelf of salves and tinctures, removing a small pot that he brings over to her.]

Put this on them, twice daily. Less chance of scarring.

[ Her eyes are on the little jar, but she doesn't reach out. ]

What's in it?

Extract of elfroot and arbor blessing. It will help heal and regenerate the skin.

[ She looks at it a little longer. She doesn't reach for it. ]

I'll be okay. But--thanks.

[He raises an eyebrow, but doesn't push it. Some people like the scars, he supposes.

A nod of, perhaps, dismissal as he turns back toward the shelves.]

[Shoved under Beth's door at some point during her enforced quarantine is a packet of papers with a handwritten (distinctly lovely handwriting at that) questionnaire. The following instructions are pinned to its cover: 'Dear Miss Greene, Given the excitement of our adventures together and during what I'm certain must be a great upheaval of your perception of the world (for it was so with me as well), I thought I might provide you the solace of paperwork. I find thinking about and answering questions so very relaxing, don't you? Please respond to the attached questionnaire and return it to my desk in the Seneschal's office. Warm Regards, W.A. Poppell, Research Division, Assistant to the Seneschal, Project Felandaris.'

The following survey is...expansive.]

Questionnaire Section A
Of and Relating Specifically to the Rifter Population in the Gallows (Kirkwall, The Free Marches, 9:46)

Question 1A. Conceptually, how familiar are the Fade and the Veil to you? Are there similar phenomena (however minor the resemblance) in the place from which you came?

Question 2A. If yes, is energy drawn and/or emitted from or through it? Do cognizant beings (spirits, full bodied manifestations similar to a Rifter, and so on) pass through it?

Question 3A. Does "magic" exist in your world?
Question 3A.(i). If "magic" exists in your world, is it somehow tied to or sustained by this other space?
Question 3A.(ii). If "magic" exists in your world and there is no such alternative dimension as referenced in Question 1A., from where does it originate?

Question 4A. Given the opportunity to objectively estimate your own physical conformation and comeliness against the general populace of the world from which you came, where on a scale of one through ten might you be ranked (for the purposes of this survey, please consider the numerical score of five (5) as average for your home world)? Disregard. This question has been deemed inessential.

Questionnaire Section B
Rift Anchors, with Respect to All Who Presently Possess Them

~~Question 5B. How long have you had your rift shard?~~ Irrelevant; it is assumed you received it upon arrival through the Rift. However, you are welcome to detail any notes you may have on it here.

~~Question 6B. Are you able to perform any supernatural acts with the power of your rift shard beyond closing Rifts? If yes, please detail these abilities~~. Irrelevant; recorded with your personnel file. Please update W.A. Poppell should your rift anchor develop any additional effects.

Question 7B. Do you have any other abilities, such as mage talent? If so, has the presence of the rift shard or your time in Thedas affected your ability whatsoever (please note whether this is a negative or a positive effect)?

Question 8B. At what point would you take surgical measures to rid yourself of your anchor shard?
Question 8B.(i). Would you permit scientific observation of the process?
Question 8B.(ii). Would you permit samples to be taken from the limb?

(PLEASE NOTE that the authors of this survey do not advocate for preemptive amputation unless strictly recommended by a trusted medical professional.)

[ The following is returned to Wysteria's desk, at some point when no one's there to see. Written down in a distinctly average hand is: ]

1. I don't really get what the Fade and the Veil are. I don't think we have anything similar.

3. Magic isn't real where I'm from.

7. I don't think I have the kind of abilities you're asking about. I'm a normal person.

8. Do we need to get rid of the anchor shards?

I'm pretty sure the rest of the questions don't matter.

-Beth

Left outside Beth's door:

A book of Marcher fairy tales, and a little pouch of mixed nuts.

Hi. Um. This is Beth.

[ Of course it is. She's noticed that there aren't a lot of people around here who sound like her--most people sound British to her. ]

I was wondering...[ asking feels kind of stupid, now that she's here, she's not sure why she thought Ellis was the right way to start this search. ] Somebody put something outside my door. I'm just trying to figure out who.

[ A pause, then, just to clarify— ]

Was it a book?

---Yeah.

[ Relieved. ]

And a snack.

Aye, and a snack. I thought it might be a comfort.

It was really nice of you. Thanks.

You're welcome. You can keep the book, if you like it.

Oh--cool. I will.

Are these the kinds of stories you grew up with?

Some of them, aye. If you like them, there's similar books from other countries than the Marches.

inbox.

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a survey;

Re: a survey;

special delivery.

crystal.

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