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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
Your face is sweet, [ is sincere.
(Not that Bastien is unaware that Byerly’s face begs for a sly, haughty portrait that will make future generations imagine him cruel. But that’s only how he would look posing, his hair neat and his shoulders straight, with all the self-awareness that comes with being scrutinized for hours by a stranger. If the portraitist ever saw him mussed and sleepy and affectionate, the image would come out differently, Bastien is sure.)
As for why he asked: some of A, some of B. He doesn't have point planned out; he's learning not to shy away from Byerly's attention. But it's easier to have things feel like an exchange, and Bastien sorts his own thoughts about himself best through the prism of other people, and he also just wants to know. ]
I like that—that maybe if I ever saw her, I would know right away who she was. Not that I will go looking for her without you, [ in case he sounds like a man planning to meddle. He isn't. ] Not unless it's an emergency or something.
I don't know if I would know them, if I saw them. Maybe Amani. She was old enough, her face might not have changed much.
(Not that Bastien is unaware that Byerly’s face begs for a sly, haughty portrait that will make future generations imagine him cruel. But that’s only how he would look posing, his hair neat and his shoulders straight, with all the self-awareness that comes with being scrutinized for hours by a stranger. If the portraitist ever saw him mussed and sleepy and affectionate, the image would come out differently, Bastien is sure.)
As for why he asked: some of A, some of B. He doesn't have point planned out; he's learning not to shy away from Byerly's attention. But it's easier to have things feel like an exchange, and Bastien sorts his own thoughts about himself best through the prism of other people, and he also just wants to know. ]
I like that—that maybe if I ever saw her, I would know right away who she was. Not that I will go looking for her without you, [ in case he sounds like a man planning to meddle. He isn't. ] Not unless it's an emergency or something.
I don't know if I would know them, if I saw them. Maybe Amani. She was old enough, her face might not have changed much.
[ It's serious—and he has picked up on Byerly being genuinely bothered, and he won't be letting that go—but a quick, grinning interlude: ]
Maybe you should use very different voices. A hello, I am here to be a problem voice, [ Bastien says, with no attempt at a Fereldan accent but a purring sort of relish, ] and a hello, I am here to solve a problem voice, [ in a much milder and reasonable tone. ]
Maybe you should use very different voices. A hello, I am here to be a problem voice, [ Bastien says, with no attempt at a Fereldan accent but a purring sort of relish, ] and a hello, I am here to solve a problem voice, [ in a much milder and reasonable tone. ]
[ It's a credit to Byerly (and his sweet face) that Bastien does actually think about it instead of slamming shut like that metaphorical clam, making a joke, causing a diversion. But thinking about really, truly seeing them again makes his chest swell with fear and shame that he knows the source of—what if they aren't there; he shouldn't have left them—and miserable, wounded anger that he doesn't.
Identified origins or no, he doesn't know what to do with any of those feelings except step away from them. So after he's thought, he shakes his head, then shakes it again while he says, ] No. No. Thank you, though. If I were ever going to go, I would want you with me. For courage. [ More lightly: ] And to prove you are real. This might shock you, but I used to tell them a lot of wild stories. My lover, the Ambassador—Fereldan nobility, yes, that's right—
Identified origins or no, he doesn't know what to do with any of those feelings except step away from them. So after he's thought, he shakes his head, then shakes it again while he says, ] No. No. Thank you, though. If I were ever going to go, I would want you with me. For courage. [ More lightly: ] And to prove you are real. This might shock you, but I used to tell them a lot of wild stories. My lover, the Ambassador—Fereldan nobility, yes, that's right—
[ Bastien laughs and has to repeat that to himself, Whyerly and Tryerly, because it's so great. Two breaths to swallow the laugh back in, and he's more serious again. Not completely serious, still smiling and faintly tickled, but more. ]
Maybe it was because—they are afraid, you know. I would be afraid. And none of the people who think it is right for them to go into Circles were piping up to say so, and there you were, the non-magical outsider.
Maybe it was because—they are afraid, you know. I would be afraid. And none of the people who think it is right for them to go into Circles were piping up to say so, and there you were, the non-magical outsider.
[ Bastien cuts his imaginary conversation off immediately to smile and say, ] I know, [ with confidence that doesn't surprise him anymore. It used to surprise him, to notice himself believing that Byerly would be there in a week or would do what he said he would.
Next he'll be surprised by his lack of surprise. But at the moment, he doesn't really recognize it. ]
Because you are the greatest, and the sweetest— [ he switches his cello to his other arm so he can take Byerly's hand ] —and you could not resist the drama.
Next he'll be surprised by his lack of surprise. But at the moment, he doesn't really recognize it. ]
Because you are the greatest, and the sweetest— [ he switches his cello to his other arm so he can take Byerly's hand ] —and you could not resist the drama.
And because I'd love to find out more about how clever, witty, scheming, darling Bastien came to be.
[ By grips Bastien's hand back, smiles over at him. And, teasingly: ]
Maybe if I know those secrets, I could make more of you. I would enjoy having a hundred or so Bastiens in my life.
[ By grips Bastien's hand back, smiles over at him. And, teasingly: ]
Maybe if I know those secrets, I could make more of you. I would enjoy having a hundred or so Bastiens in my life.
[ Bastien looks at him, then at the ground ahead—pleased, flattered, letting that unthreatening interest seep in—and it's only after a few seconds of silence that he says, ]
I am not sharing you with that many people. Ninety-five of them would have to get their own.
I am not sharing you with that many people. Ninety-five of them would have to get their own.
Edgard is oddly nervous coming to Byerly's quarters. It's not every day he's invited to have a drink with anyone much less someone in a position of authority. In his nervousness, he forgets to knock and instead just walks right in.
"Drink?" is all he says.
"Drink?" is all he says.
[ her eyebrows raise with exaggerated interest as she teases, ]
Are you sure you should be telling me such opinions already, Ambassador? That feels much like one I should earn with your trust.
[ although she can hardly blame his preferences. speaking of Ferelden, though - ]
Might I ask you something personal?
Are you sure you should be telling me such opinions already, Ambassador? That feels much like one I should earn with your trust.
[ although she can hardly blame his preferences. speaking of Ferelden, though - ]
Might I ask you something personal?
[ After any short trip of Byerly's outside the Gallows' walls early in Harvestmere, he will return to find a hand-drawn map of the Gallows towers squared neatly on his pillow. Nothing is labeled, but there are markings here and there to indicate some manner of importance.
Atop the map is a folded note on scrap parchment, which reads simply: ]
I found this beneath Brother Gideon’s mattress.
Atop the map is a folded note on scrap parchment, which reads simply: ]
I found this beneath Brother Gideon’s mattress.
[ Passing notes during class; ]
probably not a lot else to say but I can do an overview later re Laufeyson
probably not a lot else to say but I can do an overview later re Laufeyson
[ You're a good man.
By shows up later in Tony's office, after the Division Heads' conversation is done, whiskey in hand. He plops down across from Tony, and starts pouring even as he says: ]
I will say, straight away, that I have a particular interest in Loki, as he is quite close to someone dear to me.
By shows up later in Tony's office, after the Division Heads' conversation is done, whiskey in hand. He plops down across from Tony, and starts pouring even as he says: ]
I will say, straight away, that I have a particular interest in Loki, as he is quite close to someone dear to me.
Baudin's friend.
[ Annoying, how these sketchy impressions are defining themselves. Annoying, that Loki didn't just vanish conveniently. Maybe there's something to that theory about anchoring the anchored through connection. In which event, blame Lexie.
Tony leans to collect a glass once it's poured, gesturing with it to indicate a 'thanks' as he says, ]
My angle's more professional. We kicked his ass, professionally, I mean.
[ Annoying, how these sketchy impressions are defining themselves. Annoying, that Loki didn't just vanish conveniently. Maybe there's something to that theory about anchoring the anchored through connection. In which event, blame Lexie.
Tony leans to collect a glass once it's poured, gesturing with it to indicate a 'thanks' as he says, ]
My angle's more professional. We kicked his ass, professionally, I mean.
The Lady Alexandrie.
[ Baudin's friend. Byerly is honestly affronted to have her so reduced to that. ]
Who, for additional context, shares my bed. And so if this Loki is a danger, then it is rather important for me to know. So. Tell me about this...professional ass-kicking.
[ He lifts his eyebrows as he says - ]
Feel honored, by the way. This is only the second time I've actually been reasonably interested in a Rifter's personal history.
[ Baudin's friend. Byerly is honestly affronted to have her so reduced to that. ]
Who, for additional context, shares my bed. And so if this Loki is a danger, then it is rather important for me to know. So. Tell me about this...professional ass-kicking.
[ He lifts his eyebrows as he says - ]
Feel honored, by the way. This is only the second time I've actually been reasonably interested in a Rifter's personal history.
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