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]

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.

[bouchonne]

No one has to be convinced. Not by me. I'm just saying.

[katabasis]

Really? You can think of no one to remind of the evils of the practice who might be encouraged to lend Valeriantus' cohort some form of support?

[bouchonne]

Apologies; you mistake me. I mean that no one needs to be convinced of my sincerity with regards to the cause. You can play the righteous hero for us both.

[katabasis]

[Somewhere, an eyeroll must occur.]

Pleased to be of service.