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To be completely honest with you? I do not know the Scoutmaster's character in order to say what her intentions are. I could tell from the look she gave me that she does not like being called out for her behavior, but as she did not argue with me about it and swiftly moved on, I think she can focus on the situation at hand and not fall prey to squabbles. That said, she did turn me in to my superior instead of confronting me directly, which shows she has no wish to examine her behavior and possibly thinks her position makes her beyond reproach.

[ She pauses to take a breath. ]

The Knight-Commander I have worked alongside before plenty of times. He said nothing to Ashara at the time and though I cannot know his inner mind, I think him the type to brush these matters off. I thought her behavior disrespectful towards him as the leader of our expedition, and disrespectful towards all those lives destroyed by red lyrium.

Scoutmaster Ashara took the correct approach. Just as you would go to Skyhold if you wished to make a complaint about my behavior, the Scoutmaster went to your superior.

[ he sits up, hands folded neatly in his lap. ]

The issue here is not what she said, or how you may have taken it- though given the situation, I am taking that into account- but that you demeaned and spoke over the highest ranking member of the Inquisition present during a crisis. You are a healer. You know what can happen if soldiers doubt a superior in the middle of battle, if they hesitate. Your remark sowed discord, even if you did not mean to.

[ thranduil looks away to pull a sheet of paper from his desk, and to slide that and an inkwell towards her. ]

If you wish to register a complaint about her behavior during the expedition, I would recommend writing a letter to Spymaster Leliana. I welcome you to make use of my office to do so. We have several ravens that could take such a letter to Skyhold today.

[ he has no intention of discouraging her, only informing her of all of her options. ] But if you do so, the matter is out of my hands.

[ Christine weighs his words carefully, and finds that his observation about following a superior no matter what is flawed if that superior happens to be as immature as Beleth. Her dirty look was one thing, but Christine can easily imagine Beleth the type to stick out her tongue too. If Thranduil can't see Beleth's character, then perhaps she's skilled at hiding it and presenting a mature face to her fellow division heads. That would also mean she does the same to Leliana, since she was chosen as Scoutmaster in the first place. Hmm, wording a complaint will be tricky if that's the case, but Christine has to try.

Scooting her chair closer to his desk, she accepts the quill. ]

I appreciate it.

[ With that said, she writes her letter, pausing several times with the quill held off the paper as she ponders how best to word things. It's possible bringing her emotions into this will only hurt her in the end. The Spymaster is impossible to read, as is only right and necessary in her position, but Christine does her best and sets down her quill when finished. She's in an odd state of understanding when it comes to Thranduil's position, but at the same time, she wishes she could have his support on this matter. To her, respect goes up and down. Subordinates shouldn't be disrespected and stay silent, and Christine doesn't regret saying what she did. ]

[ he waits until she's in the midst of writing the letter to go to the door and flag down a runner. he waits there, foot holding the door open, his back to christine. the runner returns with a raven, which thranduil takes and coaxes into perching on the back of his chair.

he waits until he stops hearing the quill scratching on the paper before turning back around, careful with her privacy and the contents of the letter. another sheet- this he's careful to let her see-

Spymaster,

Attached is a letter from Madame Delacroix who wishes to file a complaint regarding an incident involving Spymaster Ashara, which I commend to your attention and intervention.

Sincerely,
Thranduil
Head of Research, Kirkwall

he takes her folded letter and wraps his own around it before spilling wax over it and affixing his own seal, then securing it to the raven. ]

Madame Delacroix, would you be so kind as to open the window?

[ Despite her wish that she wasn't verbally reprimanded, everything Thranduil is doing now is more than she expects. He's helping her file her complaint against his fellow division head, and she greatly appreciates it. She has no issues with rifters being in these positions (the fact she's dating one shows she thinks them ordinary people), but she had no idea how someone from outside this world would deal with running a division focused on research in this world. It's clear Thranduil is used to leadership and issues of protocol. ]

Of course.

[ She moves towards the window, knowing the raven won't be spooked by her. After opening the window, she turns and gives the bird an almost searching look. Her relationship to birds is very deep and involved, as she considers the Avvar belief that the souls of the departed return in the form of birds to be true. Looking at this one, she wonders if it's one such person. ]

My thanks in taking the time to do this for me. I know it is your duty to manage those under you, but I wished to say so anyway.

Thank you, [ he murmurs, and sets the raven free. it quickly becomes a dot on the horizon, then a speck, and soon enough he would rather not strain to see it, and so minds christine as he closes the windows. ]

There are obligations between us. I expect your to do your job to the best of your ability, and in return, it is my duty to make sure you are provided with what you need to do that job, Madame Delacroix. I would hope you would be comfortable enough to approach me with anything you need.

[ Christine watches too, though it fades from her sight far sooner than his. She loves watching birds fly. But she turns back when addressed. ]

I would.

[ Before today, she wouldn't have known one way or the other if she could be comfortable, but now she knows. ]

Is there anything else that needs to be said? I would not take you from your work with small talk if we are finished here.

Good, [ thranduil says, and shakes his head, palms spread, gesturing, before folding his hands before him. ]

No, nothing more. Thank you for your time, Madame Delacroix.

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