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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
( She laughs as well, even as she feigns indignation: )
My point of reference for interviews and diplomacy is largely bad entertainment and dating apps. Yeah.
Come on, it doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect insights, just— whatever you’ve got.
My point of reference for interviews and diplomacy is largely bad entertainment and dating apps. Yeah.
Come on, it doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect insights, just— whatever you’ve got.
Edited (oh my god brain ) 2021-09-10 03:50 (UTC)
Well, I've lines around my eyes and gray at my temples. And there's a war on.
[ His hands come up to squeeze Bastien's knees none-too-innocently. Not, of course, that what he says is really all that lewd - in fact, it's rather sweet. ]
And yet I find myself alarmingly happy.
[ His hands come up to squeeze Bastien's knees none-too-innocently. Not, of course, that what he says is really all that lewd - in fact, it's rather sweet. ]
And yet I find myself alarmingly happy.
Well -
[ A thoughtful frown as he considers what answer would be the most diplomatic. ]
I actually think the answer to both questions is precisely the same. A lack of knowledge of this world. Rifters' ignorance of the customs and norms here creates enormous conflict with people at all levels of society - and yet it also allows them to examine our world with fresh eyes and generate new ideas.
[ A thoughtful frown as he considers what answer would be the most diplomatic. ]
I actually think the answer to both questions is precisely the same. A lack of knowledge of this world. Rifters' ignorance of the customs and norms here creates enormous conflict with people at all levels of society - and yet it also allows them to examine our world with fresh eyes and generate new ideas.
And… I’m guessing people from other worlds means other beliefs, other deities, and that’s not going to fly with the Chantry. Especially when there’s the stuff about the conversion to the Chant of Light being necessary to earn the Maker’s forgiveness. People come in from another world, we aren’t the Maker’s creations and we’re either more difficult to convert or actively talking about other gods or saying religion is stupid.
( She has been Reading. Doing homework. Being a nerd.)
Our new perspectives and even the knowledge that’s helping in the Research department— that could make people worried or be fodder for some shitticket to use as an argument for why we suck and why they should be given support, so they can shout louder about why we suck.
Is that… the bulk of it?
( She has been Reading. Doing homework. Being a nerd.)
Our new perspectives and even the knowledge that’s helping in the Research department— that could make people worried or be fodder for some shitticket to use as an argument for why we suck and why they should be given support, so they can shout louder about why we suck.
Is that… the bulk of it?
[ A bit dryly: ]
Converting nonbelievers is not the highest item on the Chantry's list of priorities right now. They're rather more concerned with simple survival.
[ But - ]
But it certainly doesn't smooth the path for - say - diplomatic efforts, no.
Converting nonbelievers is not the highest item on the Chantry's list of priorities right now. They're rather more concerned with simple survival.
[ But - ]
But it certainly doesn't smooth the path for - say - diplomatic efforts, no.
No, of course, but I mean— the people who are most fanatical or follow more radical interpretations of any religion are going to keep hammering on something even when there’s a whole bunch of other stuff going on. Or— blame natural disasters on non-believers and sinners or say things are tests or punishment.
( She takes a second, clears her throat. That got a little too Real, for a second. )
If the rest of the Chantry isn’t to stressed about conversations right now, it’s the best chance we have to change the perception, if… I don’t know. We can try to mediate or do damage control with the extremes.
( Not that she has any ideas, mind you. )
Do you think a cake would work?
( She takes a second, clears her throat. That got a little too Real, for a second. )
If the rest of the Chantry isn’t to stressed about conversations right now, it’s the best chance we have to change the perception, if… I don’t know. We can try to mediate or do damage control with the extremes.
( Not that she has any ideas, mind you. )
Do you think a cake would work?
[ Bastien’s smile stretches wide and pleased, but he doesn’t look up from his letter. ]
Alarmingly… happy… [ as he copies it down, ] and alarmingly… handsome…
[ He extends a leg and hooks the back of his ankle behind Byerly’s neck to draw him in, like a very ungainly arm pulling him down for a kiss, except crotchward. ]
Married—so he owes me five royals. He didn’t want to bet against it, but I bullied him into it.
[ Gently, as he does. ]
Alarmingly… happy… [ as he copies it down, ] and alarmingly… handsome…
[ He extends a leg and hooks the back of his ankle behind Byerly’s neck to draw him in, like a very ungainly arm pulling him down for a kiss, except crotchward. ]
Married—so he owes me five royals. He didn’t want to bet against it, but I bullied him into it.
[ Gently, as he does. ]
[ And By, obligingly, plants several sweet, romantic little pecks right on Bastien's crotch. What sexiness there is in the gesture is somewhat undermined by the fact that those kisses are like what you'd deliver to someone's cheek. ]
Married to someone respectable, no less. Did you trick him into any extra money over me having a good marriage?
Married to someone respectable, no less. Did you trick him into any extra money over me having a good marriage?
[ Bastien’s silent chest-trembling laughter at the kisses obscures the length of his pause, but it’s long, before he says with sheepish reluctance: ]
No.
[ He wasn’t so starry-eyed about Byerly back then, as much he adored him. ]
Julia Bachelot— [ a singer of moderate disrepute ] —told me she would bag you eventually. [ When the Lady de la Fontaine won or grew tired of whatever game she was playing, that eventually means. ] I would have bet on her.
No.
[ He wasn’t so starry-eyed about Byerly back then, as much he adored him. ]
Julia Bachelot— [ a singer of moderate disrepute ] —told me she would bag you eventually. [ When the Lady de la Fontaine won or grew tired of whatever game she was playing, that eventually means. ] I would have bet on her.
She would have torn you to ribbons.
[ Said with admiration, not disagreement.
He releases Byerly from the grip of his leg—though he rests his foot on the arm of his desk chair rather than drop it entirely—while he adds to the letter. ]
But I am glad you saved yourself for Lady Rutyer. I like her. [ He likes everyone. But specifically: ] She always seems to have your back. And she helped me catch a runaway goose, a while ago, and she was very kind about how stupid it was.
[ Said with admiration, not disagreement.
He releases Byerly from the grip of his leg—though he rests his foot on the arm of his desk chair rather than drop it entirely—while he adds to the letter. ]
But I am glad you saved yourself for Lady Rutyer. I like her. [ He likes everyone. But specifically: ] She always seems to have your back. And she helped me catch a runaway goose, a while ago, and she was very kind about how stupid it was.
She's a very good lass.
[ He sets his chin on Bastien's thigh, and looks up at him, unintentionally but strongly giving a momentary air of a loyal hound gazing adoringly at his master. ]
And her family is full of fools. And it's so hard to resist adopting those little babies who are just starting to discover their queer little desires, isn't it? You just want to take them in and teach them all about the art of perversion.
[ He sets his chin on Bastien's thigh, and looks up at him, unintentionally but strongly giving a momentary air of a loyal hound gazing adoringly at his master. ]
And her family is full of fools. And it's so hard to resist adopting those little babies who are just starting to discover their queer little desires, isn't it? You just want to take them in and teach them all about the art of perversion.
There’s nothing perverted about it, monsieur aux beaux yeux, [ Bastien says cheerily with a glance and a smile, just in case that’s twenty years of Fereldan micro-aggressions talking rather than real delight.
But after signing his name to the letter, he relents: ] At least not about the basics. The other night, that was a little perverted.
[ Pen dropped, his hand is free to touch By's face, thumb on his cheekbone and fingertips finding the cherished threads of silver at his temple. ]
Do you think she would like to come out with us sometime?
But after signing his name to the letter, he relents: ] At least not about the basics. The other night, that was a little perverted.
[ Pen dropped, his hand is free to touch By's face, thumb on his cheekbone and fingertips finding the cherished threads of silver at his temple. ]
Do you think she would like to come out with us sometime?
[ true to her word, Margaery appears at his door with a whisper of fine silk - courtesy of her new relationship status with one Gwenaëlle Baudin - and perhaps a little more surprisingly, a flask of wine already nestled in her arms. ]
Ambadassador.
[ her smile is a touch shy; appropriate, as the last thing she wants to do is disturb while he's hard at work. ]
I hope now is a good time?
Ambadassador.
[ her smile is a touch shy; appropriate, as the last thing she wants to do is disturb while he's hard at work. ]
I hope now is a good time?
[ It was a bit of both - some real delight, some internalized unhappiness. So there's a flicker of wryness when Bastien strokes his cheek, a sort of oblique gratitude in his face for pushing back. ]
I think so. Especially since she now has a fine lady-companion to decorate her arm.
I think so. Especially since she now has a fine lady-companion to decorate her arm.
Of course.
[ No time is a particularly good time in this office, especially of late. But Byerly suspects - given some of the friendships and interconnected webs he's perceived here in the Gallows - that it would serve him well to make some sort of friend of Margaery. It might, in some way, Maker willing, make the mages' attempts to panic the Rifters a little slower and more difficult.
This war would be ever so much simpler if he was fighting only on one front. ]
Ah - oh, my lady, you weren't supposed to be the one to bring the wine! I was going to treat you!
[ No time is a particularly good time in this office, especially of late. But Byerly suspects - given some of the friendships and interconnected webs he's perceived here in the Gallows - that it would serve him well to make some sort of friend of Margaery. It might, in some way, Maker willing, make the mages' attempts to panic the Rifters a little slower and more difficult.
This war would be ever so much simpler if he was fighting only on one front. ]
Ah - oh, my lady, you weren't supposed to be the one to bring the wine! I was going to treat you!
Edited 2021-09-12 17:30 (UTC)
[ It would be odd to hear a man talk about his wife like a little sister, if Bastien didn't know better already. But he does. So it's not odd. It's sweet. ]
How darling. They have to come, then. We can go to the Belltower. [ The cleanest place he can think of where no one will look twice at who's dancing with whom. ] Can you tell me who her companion is? Or should I ask her.
How darling. They have to come, then. We can go to the Belltower. [ The cleanest place he can think of where no one will look twice at who's dancing with whom. ] Can you tell me who her companion is? Or should I ask her.
[ her relieved smile is radiant, and appropriately rueful. ]
I may have never held an important station like yours, but I know this meeting is, at its core, a disturbance. Allow me to at least offer something of value in return?
[ besides, the wine is vintage - a recent gift from a noble admirer - and it's the only reason why Margaery feels no shame in offering. she steps in to present him with the bottle, taking care to close the door again, but that is as far as her manners will allow. ]
May I? [ gesturing towards the chair, coincidentally the only thing that doesn't seem to be covered with piles of books and papers ]
I may have never held an important station like yours, but I know this meeting is, at its core, a disturbance. Allow me to at least offer something of value in return?
[ besides, the wine is vintage - a recent gift from a noble admirer - and it's the only reason why Margaery feels no shame in offering. she steps in to present him with the bottle, taking care to close the door again, but that is as far as her manners will allow. ]
May I? [ gesturing towards the chair, coincidentally the only thing that doesn't seem to be covered with piles of books and papers ]
If you insist, I will accept.
[ He stands and comes around to greet her, pulling the chair out for her chivalrously to invite her to sit. ]
I'll fetch glasses, and - Oh, a very good choice. You have excellent taste. [ Unexpectedly so, he thinks, as he looks at the label on the bottle; either she's a very quick study, or she's had some guidance on the wines worth drinking. ]
[ He stands and comes around to greet her, pulling the chair out for her chivalrously to invite her to sit. ]
I'll fetch glasses, and - Oh, a very good choice. You have excellent taste. [ Unexpectedly so, he thinks, as he looks at the label on the bottle; either she's a very quick study, or she's had some guidance on the wines worth drinking. ]
[ An odd kind of shudder runs through her when his arms enclose her, as if something in her body that had shaken loose falls into place and settles there. She rests her hands flat against his chest, the side of her face above them, and she takes in a long breath that drains some of the tension from her on its exhale.
It is two more such breaths before she answers. It is in Trade again, the edge of hysteria gone from her voice when she speaks. ]
I cannot tell when I am, sometimes. If my heart is feeling what belongs to the present or the past.
Sometimes when I am most afraid that you are leaving, I can feel silk velvet balled up in my hands. It is not of the moment we are in. Perhaps even the fear is not. If I do not have something of now, someone to keep me here, it is so easy to slip away to somewhere else where it is worse and bring all of what is there back with me.
It is two more such breaths before she answers. It is in Trade again, the edge of hysteria gone from her voice when she speaks. ]
I cannot tell when I am, sometimes. If my heart is feeling what belongs to the present or the past.
Sometimes when I am most afraid that you are leaving, I can feel silk velvet balled up in my hands. It is not of the moment we are in. Perhaps even the fear is not. If I do not have something of now, someone to keep me here, it is so easy to slip away to somewhere else where it is worse and bring all of what is there back with me.
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