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

Comments

[katabasis]

Of Valeriantus or your concerns?

[bouchonne]

Of my suggestion that we strike down this man.

[katabasis]

I think it's fascinating that of all the people we might assassinate for our convenience, that you've picked one of the few contacts we have inside Tevinter.

[bouchonne]

[ With amusement: ] Ooh, is that a little intimation that I'm in league with Corypheus? After all this time?

[katabasis]

Hardly. Only that I've heard no suggestion to do away with Orlesian generals stonewalling the siege of Val Chevin or Antivans willing to trade with the North. Yet our most promising contact to this effort inside the Imperium is apparently disposable.

[bouchonne]

Why do you suppose that is?

[katabasis]

[Mildly:]

No one in the South will care if you kill some rabble rouser in Tevinter. Or maybe you would prefer the Imperial March find no inconveniently sympathetic force who might oppose being trampled on the way to Minrathous. Or you've got it on your head a Tevene rebel is the more likely double agent than the half dozen other prospects to hand.

I honestly don't really care what the reason is. But until you can provide me a better avenue into the Imperium, we keep this one.

[bouchonne]

[ And, cheerfully: ]

Or maybe, dear Captain, I don't actually have any great interest in assassination, but am curious to hear how you react when I propose things. Maker, you're always so serious.

[katabasis]

Well.

[—in tones of someone must be.]

[bouchonne]

Well nothing. And also, proposing the assassination of merchant princes and Orlesian generals. Honestly, you can't help yourself, can you?

[katabasis]

How do you mean?

[bouchonne]

Respectable fellow though you are now, prominent, a leader of men, I think your heart is actually that of a scrappy little rebel. I bet you and Nikos Averesch would like each other if your personalities didn't clash so dreadfully, wouldn't you?

[katabasis]

[His laugh is a sharp, barking thing.]

Is that news?

[bouchonne]

It remains news, I should say. That your heart is still thus, so many years into this war.

[ Well - ]

And don't pretend you go around singing this song, dear Captain. For all that your heart beats to the common man's drum, your tongue doesn't speak the common man's words.

[katabasis]

I'm sure you're aware that the world is very good at either ignoring or discrediting those voices.

[bouchonne]

Are you sure that I'm aware of that? I'm a milk-coddled noble, after all.

[katabasis]

I'm sure.

[bouchonne]

[ A small hum. ]

And yet let's be quite honest. I could pass for a common fellow far more easily than you ever could.

[katabasis]

I should hope so. Otherwise you might reconsider your chosen profession.

[bouchonne]

On the contrary, dear fellow; my chosen profession relies most typically upon my identity as a highborn noble.

[katabasis]

And mine on being uncivilized.

[bouchonne]

Then why do you read so much accursed poetry?

[katabasis]

All men have their vices.

[Dismissive. Then—]

So no message to be carried north, I take it.

[bouchonne]

Just "fight on, fight valiantly."

[ And also - ]

I am Fereldan, you know. Slavery is as hateful to me as it is to you.

[katabasis]

I'm not who has to be convinced.