[Open-ish]

[excelsus]

WHO? Hei dipolar Dorian excelsus and maybe you!
WHAT? Dorian has an obligation to Hei whether he likes it or not
WHEN? Post Dorian's fail!kidnapping and Noctis's real!kidnapping
ANYTHING ELSE? Possible descriptions of violence, will update as necessary! Also top levels!

Comments

[excelsus]

[Dorian is only too happy to be spared the details as Chiron is happy in sparing them, it's mutual relief.

As for the potential Dorian sees in his country?]

Ah, there's intellectualism, we don't stifle academia. Our magical expertise outstrips most of Thedas because we are allowed to do things with magic, wondrous things with it, that the rest of the world fears and forbids. Some magic is to be lamented, this is true, but transgressors ought to be properly punished and for the proper reasons. Our architectural achievements are also worth preserving and the fact that we have an electoral government is good in theory, in practice it could do with changes to permit a more equal society.

[And yes, Dorian would sort out the arranged marriage business as well, just another aspect of Tevinter society he balked at.]

No, not at all, had we been married it would have looked much the same as my own parent's marriage. Trading coy insults a parties, civil only in the most respectable company, avoiding one another at every opportunity, living in luxurious despair. [Needless to say he knew the woman his parents picked out and they didn't get along in spite of their sharp tongues. The only thing they really had in common was their magical talent and their proclivity for the same parts.] We have that in common, my mother too had little interest in taking care of me. Why should she when there were nannies to do it for her...oh, she was the material sort, winning affections with gifts and things of that nature, but only as motherly as her position permitted her to be.

[Meaning when eyes were on the Pavus family they had to act like a family and she had to act like a doting mother.]

I do what I can, my dear.

[horsepowered]

I see. And I can see why you would fight dearly to ensure it's survival, with appropriate changes to make it an even more ideal version of itself. [Chiron smiles faintly at the description, and there's nothing but approval in all that he's heard.] What do you believe can be done in your lifetime to put those changes into place? You strike me as a skillful politican.

[That...is not a happy family. At all. Luxurious despair is a fantastic description of it, and something Chiron files away for his own use. Among Dorian's many talents is that he can turn a phrase. This is perhaps one of his favorites.] I fear if I say anything about my own experience, this might become a morbid sort of one upmanship. But I follow you, an am sorry that was a part of your childhood.

[excelsus]

A skillful politician? I suppose I could be when I've a mind to actually debate, I'm more interested in books and research than politics...but a strongly worded letter and viciously rearranging a library is no way to bring about change. Change doesn't always fall merrily into your lap, sometimes it involves the will to act...the will to do the things that no one else will do, and sometimes that means fighting. [People getting hurt, people dying.] I suppose I would put an end to corrupt magical practices and slavery, that's something I would like to see an end to in my lifetime. I would like Tevinter to be an example of a mage society that can endure without the use of corrupt magic and mages working together with Templars to police mages that would abuse magic instead of using it to serve. Also abolishing slavery would put us in good standing, perhaps better standing than the rest of the world where alienages exist.

[People look down on Tevinter for slavery, but the irony is that everywhere across the world there is some form of slavery or other.]

Oh, you needn't feel sorry for me, look at how well rounded I am! Such talent and remarkable charm and need I remind you of these incredible looks? [Dorian is tilting his face now, one must show off their finer features when prompted. The last thing he wants is to be pitied, however, his childhood was what it was and he knew it could have been worse.]

[horsepowered]

And you don't believe your ability to charm wouldn't act as an advantage as well? [Chiron looks genuinely surprised by that.]

Tell me this. All of these hopes and dreams and ambitions you have for Tevinter. Do you believe that there's enough power within your current form of government to make them so? Or is there a need for a larger push and more capable individuals to work at the highest levels to enact them?

[Chiron tilts his head slightly.]

It is as you say. Strong letters and libraries don't make for change. And it is easy to sit far away from the world and judge it. That much I can say wit experience.

[Living on a mountain is great, don't you know.]

You need not. I need only add that while you are well rounded, you have very sharp angles as well.

[He is trying to joke. Trying.]