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 casts his mind back, going thoughtful again as he digs for any memory of lead-up, of flirtatiousness between them prior to it. But, nope, coming up empty. He shakes his head. ]

Truly it was. Not quite my style, if you can believe it.

[ Which, well, would probably be more surprising to anyone who'd known Vanadi previous to arrival here. He has gotten a bit cagey lately. ]

[bouchonne]

What, there was no...seduction, nothing?

[highborn]

[ He offers just cocked eyebrows and an apologetic shrug. He's had crasser moments, to be sure, and furthermore having enjoyed many of them is not quite a paragon of class himself, but it was still worthy of a little judgment. ]

[bouchonne]

Well, that I have no explanation for. I knew the boy was a bit thick, but that's honestly beyond the pale.

[highborn]

[ He laughs, but waves a hand. ]

He was high, and he seems young. Sometimes it takes little else.

[ Like Vanadi isn't still young himself — but having exited that specific phase of life, he feels qualified to say it. ]

[bouchonne]

He's in the Diplomacy division! Maker, do I need to run a remedial course?

[highborn]

Well, if you do, leave my name out of it, because that wasn't the part I intended to bring to you.

[bouchonne]

Instead, you wanted to know all about his sordid history.

[highborn]

Well. He technically gave me permission to find out. [ He cocks an eyebrow. ] Is it really sordid?

[bouchonne]

Oh, yes, very much so. Full of betrayals. His betrayals, mostly, of us. I think the fellow's spent more time in our dungeon than out of it.

[highborn]

Really. [ He goes a little more sober. ] Was this violent betrayals, then?

[bouchonne]

Hm, most likely, in some capacity. The fellow's a mage and has no compunctions about using his magic. Early in our acquaintanceship - perhaps the first time we met - he attacked me with magic. Poor taste, really, and stupid to boot; that's the sort of thing that can get you cheerily skewered by a bloodthirsty Templar.

[highborn]

[ A mage. That's interesting. He cocks his head, looking thoughtful. ]

And that's the man you picked for an assistant?

[bouchonne]

What can I say? I'm soft-hearted, and believe in second chances.

[ Then, a shrug, and less facetiously - ]

Anyone who's fucked up that spectacularly that many times will either self-immolate or be one of the hardest workers you'll encounter.

[ Byerly knows this intimately, being a fuckup-turned-tryhard himself. ]

[highborn]

Have you yet determined which he is?

[bouchonne]

Only time will tell. You know he's a Vint, yes?

[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.