contact part deux

[bouchonne]

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

Comments

crystals;

[dissolving]

[ the dream hadn't told him anything new. not really — nothing rutyer hadn't said already, in so much vague implication: some homes you leave. sometimes, you even choose to. so maybe, it'd be kinder to look aside of it. sure believe it's what he'll want.

but, ]

You going to th'Necropolis?

[ but there's leaving, and looking back. ]

delighted to see that face

[bouchonne]

Mmhm.

[ An easy sort of affirmation. ]

My wife is Nevarran - I'm visiting her and a few other relations. What of yourself?

[ He sounds casual. Like he's talking to someone who doesn't know where some of the vulnerabilities in his armor are. ]

pinches moustache

[dissolving]

[ wife ]

Dodged a ring so far. Her folks got a crypt down there?

[bouchonne]

[ He’s puzzled by the question a moment, then laughs once he catches the meaning. ]

Oh, Maker, no - I’m not going to visit their corpses. They’re alive - or as alive as one can be in Nevarra City. No offense.

god sorry idk where NINE DAYS went

[dissolving]

Yeah, I hear Denerim's life of th'party.

[ suppose it's a relief — or oughta be — that he's not a widower. the particular geometry of a living arrangement, that's not immediately his business. ]

If you get a moment, oughta come down. Could use a hand for shaking. [ gela's not going, and fuck knows cedric won't get far with the mournwatch; not having killed one. a slight pause, ] There's something I mean t'see done.

at the end of nine days you're another nine days older

[bouchonne]

[ There is no pleasure greater than being asked for a favor. (Byerly thinks he feels this way because there is a ruthless advantage in having a person in your debt. He actually feels this way because he loves feeling helpful, especially to a friend.) ]

You're in luck; I have both my hands, and all my fingers on them. What are you after?

now youre just trying to hurt me

[dissolving]

[ you give folks something to do. showing a bit of weakness, it can make someone else strong. or just makes 'em busy. spreads the cards out smoother, anyway — helps even the score —

(cedric dreamed, as well. he knows that no one saw. knows it, because standing in the vigil room, he'd stood there alone. because eventually, a hand had pressed to his mind and whispered: look.) ]

'M putting my Ma down there. [ says it, before he can take it back. ] Not a body. Don't got one, dunno what they did with the ashes. But there's a name needs settling.

[bouchonne]

[ That's...a more intimate sort of favor than Byerly was expecting. Hauling some things, shaking someone down, sweet-talking someone - Yes. Providing emotional comfort - Not so much.

But he's been to funerals before. Even Navarran funerals. One had certain duties as Ambassador; he knows how to observe the rites. ]

Of course. I'll be there. Would Bastien be welcome?

[dissolving]

Sure. [ arrangement that's not his business now shuffled to include taking the boyfriend to meet the wife ] Thanks, I —

[ comes out a bit too fast: like if he says it sure enough, it'll be less fool a notion. ]

— Mostly, I need a distraction. Mortalitasi got opinions on letting knights in. Gonna have eyes on me. And 's not, I mean. I can't pay for it.

[bouchonne]

Oh.

[ Oh, thank the Maker. That's so much better than providing emotional support.

Far less stiffly - ]

Now, that suits my very particular set of skills very well. Particularly if Bastien is involved. How much time will you need?

[dissolving]

Fifteen minutes, maybe? Out in... there's gardens.

[ the plants there don't grow by sunlight and water. but these days, he's not sure the vhenadahl does, neither. the acorn will take, or it won't. ]

Pretty open area.

[bouchonne]

And what's the level of risk here from our dear necromancers, if you were caught? Would potential violence be more of the verbal sort, or would they go physical?

[dissolving]

Reckon they'd just kick me out. [ which would cause some immediate problems for diplomacy. ] But there's a lotta old spells on the place. So if I start screaming, or I come out seeming extra-cursed —

[bouchonne]

What's your baseline level of cursed?

[dissolving]

Theologically? 'Least half. [ ha ha. ] Anyway, thanks. Owe y'one. Bastien, too.

[bouchonne]

He's a lover of coffee, if you ever want to thank him properly.

[dissolving]

Uh-huh. And you?

[bouchonne]

Me? Hm. Well, I’m a lover of secrets, if you come across any of those.

crystal; sometime in Cloudreach

[thereneverwas]

Hey, mate.

[there's a weary rasp that wasn't there before,]

Prudie said it was you who came for her. ...Thanks. For doing that.

[bouchonne]

[ Byerly's scoff is easy, cheerful, and not in the least sentimental. ]

Nonsense! It was a pleasure. She's a delightful woman, to the point where I must question whether you're actually related.

[ His tone is jocular rather than cruel. ]

[thereneverwas]

[Jocularity notwithstanding, Barrow has a hard time matching it; his resulting laugh sounds a little forced, drained of energy.]

[bouchonne]

[ All right. Byerly changes tacks. ]

How are you doing?

[thereneverwas]

Well, [dismissively,] you know. [Fine, fine, everything's great,]

didn't work. [and he's feeling sooooo normal and healthy about it]

[bouchonne]

[ Byerly hesitates. ]

Meaning...You still require...?

[thereneverwas]

Mmhmm.