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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[bouchonne]

A teen. I was a boy more by merit of my fecklessness than my true age. What, that horrifies you when having children fight is simply normal?

[ Asked with curiosity, not condemnation. ]

[archademode]

Orphans made by the weight of war and all hungering disaster that crawls in its wake; countless in number but not directly crafted by matter of intent.

[And so, to that extent, with a hardened tone rather than anything openly sypathetic:]

Perhaps you stand better off for the distance so afforded to you.

[bouchonne]

Oh, I'm much better off for it.

[ Byerly sounds positively cheerful. Like this is a great amusement to him, rather than an agonizing story from a miserable life. ]

It makes me seem so deliciously interesting, doesn't it? Besides which, I've certainly developed a peculiar set of skills. Without that, I'd be of no use to this war at all.

[archademode]

[At the words ‘deliciously interesting’ there’s a faint noise from Gabranth. Not deliberately critical, mind, but—

Byerly had given him permission to be a touch more candid, hadn’t he.]

Skills?

[Narrow shoulders, frail hands and all— Gabranth can’t imagine him out there slinging a sword. Magic, maybe?]

[bouchonne]

[ A laugh. ]

Skills, yes, good fellow, skills. A man doesn't become head of Diplomacy without developing a gift of gab. And a man doesn't develop the gift of gab unless there's some reason to do so. A comfortable nobleman doesn't learn to charm, does he?

[archademode]

Head of—

[Excuse him, Byerly. Give him a moment, if you'd be so kind.


Actually, on second thought, he might have to call you back. That or he's died, because it's now startlingly quiet over there.

Probably the death thing.]

[archademode]

[Ah, there he is. Still alive.]

...no, more often than not a lifetime of comfort leads to an indolent result.

[bouchonne]

Mm.

[ His voice rich with amusement: ]

You didn't know? No wonder you were cross.

[archademode]

[The words Lord Rutyer almost slip out. He bites his tongue to tamp down on it.

If he'd ever managed to overcome his own tendency for offending those he ought not to, then this is its triumphant return by Gabranth's own estimation.]

You misunderstood. I was not incensed.

[He was, though. He definitely was.]

[bouchonne]

You thought it was merely a fellow soldier foisting work off on you, rather than an assignment. I'd be cross.

[archademode]

Hardly a soldier.

[...is that not also technically an insult, Gabranth?]

Had I truly been unwilling, I could easily have denied you.

[And the orphans. And their very small flower crowns.]

Forgive my ignorance. Adjustment to this world has taxed more than I care to admit.

[bouchonne]

Well, you'd best be careful in the future. If you'd denied me, I'd have had you summarily executed for abandonment of duties.

[ And then, because Gabranth is so comically serious, By feels that he must be kind and amend: ]

Just kidding. It'd just be a lashing.

[ ...well, okay, semi-kind. ]

[archademode]

[His instincts are entirely correct. Between Barrow and Byerly, consider lashings now filed away under things that Definitely Do Happen around here.]

I did not think you the type to rely on bold measures.

[Most people hire someone else on for that. Like say, a Judge.]

[bouchonne]

Ah, Maker, preserve my wicked heart from honest ones.

[ He's laughing. ]

I'm joking, dear fellow, in truth I am. No hand would be laid upon you. The discipline of this organization is nearly nonexistent, and we'd fracture to pieces if we tried to actually impose any rules.

[archademode]

[Yet he’d been told— ah. Foolish him, it seems.]

How do you guard yourselves from injudiciousness if you enforce so little?

[Far too transparent and protective besides, he sounds more concerned than anything else, if his unmasked voice is any indication.]

[bouchonne]

One might argue that we don't. That we're all a grand mess. Does that distress you?

[archademode]

...no. [He isn’t lying, in fact.]

I’ve seen enough now to know the majority of work here is done with earnest intent. Your means might not be entirely to my taste but—

[Well, it’s his duty to worry anyway, isn’t it?]

You seem capable enough.

[Watch out for this unprecedented level of praise, wow.]

[bouchonne]

I'm flattered.

[ He's actually not lying. ]

Most people think that we're rowdy and unprofessional. Or when you say you seem capable, are you talking about me personally?

[archademode]

[He opens his mouth, closes it, and then starts again:]

Would you like me to speak of you specifically?

[bouchonne]

[ With delight: ]

Desperately.

[archademode]

I find your briefing technique lacking.

[His conduct as well, by Archadian standards—

But that’s the thing, isn’t it? This is not Archadia, and this world is— despite being so near to familiar at times— not at all Ivalice, nor some faint reflection of it. He makes an effort, then, letting his eyes drift shut in thought (in spite of the fact that it can’t be seen or heard, and might therefore be considered rude) attempting to consider a broader picture than his own typical black and white analysis.

It’s stiff, still, but he can do no better.]

Yet your voice carries warmth when you speak. You most likely take care in choosing what information you let slip, and obscure the rest without coarse conveyance.

If your role truly is one of diplomatic relations, I would consider you competent in service.

[Competent, Byerly. That's a passing grade.]

[bouchonne]

[ And Byerly laughs. ]

And now I'm blushing.

[ Still, with that assessment, Gabranth moves a rung or two up in By's assessment of him. Seriousness and straightforwardness don't actually mean that a person is simple-minded, which is a fact Byerly sometimes forgets. Generally to his detriment. It's good to be periodically reminded that a fellow can be perceptive without also being guileful, especially when it's in a situation where lives aren't on the line. ]

We'll see, though, won't we? Competence doesn't truly reveal itself till someone takes action.

[archademode]

[There's another scoff on the other end of the line at that initial comment; he's never much had the stomach for joking, not even in his youth.]

Then I shall hope to see you driven to action that much sooner.

Enjoy what remains of your evening, [wait for it, he's doing his level best to forego titles:] Byerly.