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

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[highborn]

[ He shakes his head; and, just to be clear: ]

From Tevinter, where slavery is regarded as a profitable career. Is that right?

[ look at him, slowly learning ]

[bouchonne]

Just so. Our enemies to the north.

[ Well. To clarify, since Vanadi might not have the frame of reference to understand that he's being a bit facetious: ]

I am obligated to note that they are not our enemies; they are simply dominated by an extremist group who are our enemies.

[highborn]

Right. [ politics, please, absolutely the worst, and he has no intention of ever being in a position to make use of this information anyway. he waves it off. ] So, Benedict. Why is he still here?

[bouchonne]

Are you asking me why he wants to remain here, or why we allow him to remain here?

[highborn]

The latter, unless you happen to know both.

[bouchonne]

Only the latter, I fear. He's mostly a prisoner.

[highborn]

I've not seen any chains. A prisoner with little desire to escape, then?

[bouchonne]

We are on an island, you know.

[highborn]

[ he waves a dismissive hand ]

That wouldn't stop anyone with a grain of determination.

[bouchonne]

Good behavior has earned him certain privileges. The right to leave the Gallows if he's dosed with magebane, for example. Plus, there is honestly only so long one can give a shit about this sort of thing, no?

[ A shrug. ]

I don't understand why up here in the North, they imprison people for so long, as though that'd make a bit of difference. Just chop off a fellow's hand and be done with it, eh?

[highborn]

Oh, yes, certainly. I'm sure anyone would prefer dismemberment to confinement.

[bouchonne]

You wouldn't?

[ An innocent blink. ]

[highborn]

[ he rolls his eyes, but then, with a nod to his left shoulder: ] Did I ever tell you that this is new?

[bouchonne]

[ A little of the facetiousness fades. ]

You didn't, no. It's impressive.

[highborn]

Yes, it looks just like the original. [ or it did, before he started getting it scarred up here, sigh. ] In any case, place me firmly on imprisonment's side.

[bouchonne]

Oh, I don't know. I think being shut away from other people would be the worst sort of torture. I just love people too much.

[ Serious? Facetious? Who's to say? ]

[highborn]

[ What a grim discussion, playful or otherwise. His lack of enthusiasm shows in a dislodged gaze, a slight thin of his lips. ]

Well, then I suppose immediate execution is the only humane option.