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[loversinverted]

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[acreage]

It's in the library — maybe a week or more after the Satinalia attacks — that he finds Diabhall, and not entirely by design. He's a not infrequent visitor to the place, himself; and he's gone about this endeavor less by actively looking for people and more by taking opportunities as they come to him. This is one such time.

There's a book in his own hand as he sits near the elf, speaks a hello in a low voice. He asks,

"What are you working on?"

[loversinverted]

It's been a little time since Diabhall has had a proper conversation with Holden. He finds the other man to be a pleasant and amiable fellow, but work is work - and Diabhall isn't notoriously social.

So it may come as a bit of a surprise that when he is greeted, pulled from focus in the book he is reading, he looks...startled. It passes quickly, a momentarily jolt, a widening of the eyes; once the elf is aware of who is greeting him, he immediately calms, expression leveling out.

He doesn't look as though he's been sleeping well, however.

"Hello, Mister Holden. I'm just doing a bit of transcription, information for materials for the shelters." Idly, he taps his pen nib against the page of his ever-present notebook. "Finally getting back to more of it, after...everything."

crystal; late firstfall

[icasm]

Hello, Diabhall.

I was wanting to check in with you, see how you're doing? And thank you for the wine. I take it that the recently uprisen undead didn't cause you too much trouble?

[loversinverted]

Ah, well met, Mister Laufeyson.

[The tone is still dry as Loki may remember it - but perhaps just a hair less devoid of feeling, the tint of exhaustion and something else dragging at the corners.]

You are very welcome. It was the least I could do, given my initial conduct. I...well, I took my knocks, I suppose. But it's back to work now. And you?

[icasm]

Your initial conduct wasn't as terrible as all of that. You were disoriented and surprised by my behavior, or at least that's all it seemed to me.

[ So don't feel bad, is Loki's point, though: does Diabhall feel bad? Hard to say. His note implied it though. ]

I suppose I should ask if you prefer Diabhall or Mr. Minett? [ Apologetic. He'd hate to be considered rude at this juncture. ]

I don't live in the Gallows; I've an apartment in Hightown, so I managed to avoid much of the chaos. [ Like the attempted bombing or whatever the hell on Satinalia. ] Have you taken up with Mr. Stark in the Research department?

[loversinverted]

Ah. Well, it is past now either way. I hope the wine was decent, I have spent less time studying the local grapes than the local masonry.

[It's hard to say whether he feels badly about it or not - he couldn't even tell you, at this point, now could he? Troublesome. He would sooner let it lie.]

Diabhall is fine. Forgive me - would you prefer I stand on less ceremony as well? Old habits die hard.

Fortunately for you. I wouldn't have wished it on anyone. [He suppresses a shudder at the memory of those crystal-laden skeletons.] I have, yes. As well as aiding with updating some of the shelters for the refugees.

[acreage]

"Sorry," he offers, for the startle.

Not surprising that Diabhall might be on edge lately, he thinks. First the attack from their own ranks, and then the large-scale skeleton invasion...well, who wouldn't be tense? He's been no different.

The sound he makes is wry, acknowledging. Everything, in the tumultuous time it's been lately. There's something apologetic to it as he goes on,

"Do you have a minute? There's something I want to talk to you about."

[icasm]

It was lovely; I enjoyed it quite thoroughly.

No. Not that I mind, per se, and to be quite honest I don't think anyone has called me Mr. Laufeyson...ever, really. [ A beat, and Loki sighs. ] It's a long story.

[ 'I'm adopted' is a long story, Loki? ]

But I would be very honored if you would call me just Loki.

Both of those are good works to be involved in. [ He and the Provost might not get along but he can admit the man is good at inventions, amongst other things. A bonafide 'hero'. ] How are you finding Thedas otherwise?

[loversinverted]

The apology is meant with a vague wave of a graceful hand - it doesn't matter. He'd rather not acknowledge being startled in the first place, if he's perfectly honest. It's been a nuisance, being jumpy again. It would be pleasant to go back to his stillness.

Not that it seems likely to ever happen.

At the question, he turns his full attention to Jim, closing his little book over. A task. Good. "Of course. What can I do for you?"

[loversinverted]

Good.

[There is a little hum of acknowledgement - it is hardly his place, and he is not the sort to pry unless it seems like key information.]

Very well. Loki.

They are a place to begin. I find a bit more fulfillment in working on the housing, but it is closer to my field, at the least. [The sound of a long breath, drawn in and exhaled.]

Strange, but all in all, not dreadfully different from where I am from, when one broadens their gaze enough. My lack of magic has been an adjustment, as well as...other changes I have undergone, but little I would consider insurmountable.

[icasm]

Is being an elf here very different from being an elf where you're from? I would imagine so, even without the... [ Loki pauses, looking for the right words, ] political implications of that birthright here in Thedas.

I've found myself somewhat suddenly made human, after being a creature with a much longer lifespan than those; it's been, ah, strange also, to say the least.

But hopefully your work with those fleeing the war into Kirkwall will net something more permanent in terms of getting your name out there amongst the architects of the area.

[acreage]

He shakes his head.

"It's more something I want to do for you." If he frowns at himself, it's mostly because that sounds like a line right out of a politician's mouth. He really means it though, is the thing. "Has anyone told you about the interest Venatori have in anchor-bearers?"

[loversinverted]

Extremely. High Elves like myself are ordinarily incredibly long lived - it is strange to feel as though my time has been cut so sharply short. I've made my peace with it for now...but it sounds like you are experiencing the same. Beyond that, some...physical changes. Among other things. [Things that he is still puzzling out, at that. There is a note of discomfort in his droning voice.]

That's my hope. I should like to to get more opportunities for larger work.

[A beat - and then he backtracks.]

May I ask what you were, then, before? Would I know of it?

[icasm]

I am. [ Loki sighs. ] It isn't comfortable to consider that I have a handful of decades left where there have been centuries spread out before me in the past.

Perhaps, but I'm not sure. There are a variety of elves where I'm from, you see, but I don't know that there are what would be considered or called High Elves in specific.

I was a frost giant. Jotun. But I was raised amongst the Asgardian people and didn't know myself different from them for centuries. They both have very long lifespans compared to humans.

[loversinverted]

"For me?"

Diabhall blinks placidly at that, processing the comment a moment. He has no doubt of Holden's intent - he has already deemed him to be a good man; so at the question, he simply shakes his head, long white hair rippling about his shoulders.

"Not in detail. Upon arrival I was met with much information, however."

[acreage]

"I remember how that is."

A blur of information, even with the two weeks to digest it. Just the blow of you're in a new world and you can never go back is hard enough to swallow.

"They're fascinated by anchor-bearers. They're interested in kidnapping us, experimenting on us to find out how we work. They've succeeded at least once — but it was years ago, and those rifters were rescued. There's some evidence they're monitoring rifts too, to grab people as soon as they fall out. It's why Tony's ARRIVED system is so important. The better we are at finding rifters first, the fewer fall into enemy hands.

It's maybe the biggest reason why it's important that you're careful who knows about your anchor and where you come from, outside of Kirkwall."

[loversinverted]

It is a unique type of unsettling, to be sure.

Fascinating. Similarly, there are frost giants where I am from, but I highly doubt they bear any similarities to your lineage.

Asgardians. Not a term I have ever heard before, but I certainly don't deign to know everything.

[A beat, and then-]

Perhaps we might continue this conversation in person? Over tea, or wine, perhaps?

[icasm]

I would not be opposed to either of those options. When are you next free?