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contact part deux
if this were modern times byerly would probably make you listen to total eclipse of the heart before you were able to leave a message
[ Bastien’s tittery grin subdues. ]
You are my heart.
[ It’s true. But if it were the entire truth, he wouldn’t be asking for this, would he? Or he would have withdrawn the request the moment he noted the reluctance and worry. He would lock the both of them in a vault.
He doesn’t say it. He doesn’t hide it, either; he looks reflective, a little troubled, when he pulls By down further to press their foreheads together for a moment. ]
What about you? Are you satisfied?
You are my heart.
[ It’s true. But if it were the entire truth, he wouldn’t be asking for this, would he? Or he would have withdrawn the request the moment he noted the reluctance and worry. He would lock the both of them in a vault.
He doesn’t say it. He doesn’t hide it, either; he looks reflective, a little troubled, when he pulls By down further to press their foreheads together for a moment. ]
What about you? Are you satisfied?
Hah. So, nothing?
[ He smiles dryly, then shakes his head. ]
I will confess that it has been a bit...difficult, seeing the division all but collapse after my departure from leadership. Not enough to make me wish to go back. But. I cannot help but feel some guilt.
[ He smiles dryly, then shakes his head. ]
I will confess that it has been a bit...difficult, seeing the division all but collapse after my departure from leadership. Not enough to make me wish to go back. But. I cannot help but feel some guilt.
Edited 2024-07-05 13:43 (UTC)
My ass is too bony to endure a chair all day.
[ Less facetiously: ]
I miss being able to enforce my will, I think. The anxiety of power is great, but there's a sort of release to it, as well. Knowing that you don't need to convince your subordinates to do anything - just tell them to do it.
[ And: ]
I suppose I also miss having enough money that we don't need to stretch our food budget by making stews in summer.
[ Less facetiously: ]
I miss being able to enforce my will, I think. The anxiety of power is great, but there's a sort of release to it, as well. Knowing that you don't need to convince your subordinates to do anything - just tell them to do it.
[ And: ]
I suppose I also miss having enough money that we don't need to stretch our food budget by making stews in summer.
[ Bastien laughs—but it is very hot in here. ]
If the novelty is wearing off, we could eat in the Gallows more often.
[ They’re not banned from the free food. It’s only less convenient, and a little less charming—to him—than chopping and stirring alongside each other in their miraculous little house.
He’ll circle back to the boss thing in a second. ]
If the novelty is wearing off, we could eat in the Gallows more often.
[ They’re not banned from the free food. It’s only less convenient, and a little less charming—to him—than chopping and stirring alongside each other in their miraculous little house.
He’ll circle back to the boss thing in a second. ]
[ A good answer, which Bastien rewards by biting Byerly on the shoulder and crawling his hands up his sides, affectionately pinching all the way.
Once he's removed his teeth, ]
You did have to convince us, though. We are like your Freemen—we might have gone to another lord.
Once he's removed his teeth, ]
You did have to convince us, though. We are like your Freemen—we might have gone to another lord.
Not for love. If you treated me that way I wouldn't have fallen for you in the first place.
[ This alternate reality doesn't deserve much contemplation. It's ridiculous. He extents a single finger to press the tip of By's nose up and give his skeptical expression a bit of a pig snout. ]
Maybe for some other reason, if I had one. Maybe if I were planning to kill you.
[ This alternate reality doesn't deserve much contemplation. It's ridiculous. He extents a single finger to press the tip of By's nose up and give his skeptical expression a bit of a pig snout. ]
Maybe for some other reason, if I had one. Maybe if I were planning to kill you.
Hah.
[ He wiggles his face so the tip of his nose moves around on Bastien’s fingertip. ]
I could still go mad at any time. Never forget that. I’d cordially request a cute little assassination then.
[ That’s said lightly, despite the grimness of the sentiment. ]
[ He wiggles his face so the tip of his nose moves around on Bastien’s fingertip. ]
I could still go mad at any time. Never forget that. I’d cordially request a cute little assassination then.
[ That’s said lightly, despite the grimness of the sentiment. ]
[ Bastien wiggles By's nose back before he drops his hand and shakes his head to register his protest: By isn't going to go mad. Bastien isn't going to kill him if he does. Even if it were somehow the only remaining option—someone else would have to do it.
But By's tone was light, so even as he's shaking his head to establish his disagreement with the premise, he says, ]
How would you like it done?
But By's tone was light, so even as he's shaking his head to establish his disagreement with the premise, he says, ]
How would you like it done?
Noted.
[ Bastien’s snappy and eager about pulling over their salt dish and sprinkling in a few pinches. There’s more finger-rubbing than necessary. He likes the feeling of the grains—like a little massage for his string-callused fingertips. ]
But you are never going to be wicked. Even if you went mad—even if someday when we are old you lose your faculties, it will the kind where you think your hat is a bird or you forget you put any clothes on before you go to the market.
[ Bastien’s snappy and eager about pulling over their salt dish and sprinkling in a few pinches. There’s more finger-rubbing than necessary. He likes the feeling of the grains—like a little massage for his string-callused fingertips. ]
But you are never going to be wicked. Even if you went mad—even if someday when we are old you lose your faculties, it will the kind where you think your hat is a bird or you forget you put any clothes on before you go to the market.
[ He smiles easily. (This is not an easy topic for him. But this terror has been so public - an easy source of torment for any Fereldan who knows anything about his family and wants to get in a jab at Byerly - that he's polished and practiced with seeming comfortable. Even in front of Bastien.) ]
You sound so certain.
You sound so certain.
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