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

crystal.

[earpiest]

Imagine my surprise when I found out the finest wig peddler of Riftwatch is also the Ambassador.

Do you have time for friendly chats and/or questions?

Re: crystal.

[bouchonne]

Conversations are so much better when my interlocutor just knows me as Byerly. But now that the nug is out of the bag - Yes. Let's chat.

[earpiest]

( muttered, ) I really need to just find an encyclopaedia.

( perhaps he can detect the sound of something being written down, to be revisited later. )

Awesome. So… diplomatically speaking, what’s the best thing about rifters? And the worst thing. I got some of the Chantry perspective, but I thought diplomatically there might be more nuances.

So, you know, a really easy question for you, to start off with.

[bouchonne]

[ A laugh - ]

Maker preserve me. The best thing and the worst thing? This sounds like I'm trying to court someone. Badly.

[earpiest]

( She laughs as well, even as she feigns indignation: )

My point of reference for interviews and diplomacy is largely bad entertainment and dating apps. Yeah.

Come on, it doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect insights, just— whatever you’ve got.

[bouchonne]

Well -

[ A thoughtful frown as he considers what answer would be the most diplomatic. ]

I actually think the answer to both questions is precisely the same. A lack of knowledge of this world. Rifters' ignorance of the customs and norms here creates enormous conflict with people at all levels of society - and yet it also allows them to examine our world with fresh eyes and generate new ideas.

[earpiest]

And… I’m guessing people from other worlds means other beliefs, other deities, and that’s not going to fly with the Chantry. Especially when there’s the stuff about the conversion to the Chant of Light being necessary to earn the Maker’s forgiveness. People come in from another world, we aren’t the Maker’s creations and we’re either more difficult to convert or actively talking about other gods or saying religion is stupid.

( She has been Reading. Doing homework. Being a nerd.)

Our new perspectives and even the knowledge that’s helping in the Research department— that could make people worried or be fodder for some shitticket to use as an argument for why we suck and why they should be given support, so they can shout louder about why we suck.

Is that… the bulk of it?

[bouchonne]

[ A bit dryly: ]

Converting nonbelievers is not the highest item on the Chantry's list of priorities right now. They're rather more concerned with simple survival.

[ But - ]

But it certainly doesn't smooth the path for - say - diplomatic efforts, no.

[earpiest]

No, of course, but I mean— the people who are most fanatical or follow more radical interpretations of any religion are going to keep hammering on something even when there’s a whole bunch of other stuff going on. Or— blame natural disasters on non-believers and sinners or say things are tests or punishment.

( She takes a second, clears her throat. That got a little too Real, for a second. )

If the rest of the Chantry isn’t to stressed about conversations right now, it’s the best chance we have to change the perception, if… I don’t know. We can try to mediate or do damage control with the extremes.

( Not that she has any ideas, mind you. )

Do you think a cake would work?

[bouchonne]

Well, there are a lot of devotees of the Chantry. I'm not sure we have enough eggs to bake one for everyone.