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

at the end of nine days you're another nine days older

[bouchonne]

[ There is no pleasure greater than being asked for a favor. (Byerly thinks he feels this way because there is a ruthless advantage in having a person in your debt. He actually feels this way because he loves feeling helpful, especially to a friend.) ]

You're in luck; I have both my hands, and all my fingers on them. What are you after?

now youre just trying to hurt me

[dissolving]

[ you give folks something to do. showing a bit of weakness, it can make someone else strong. or just makes 'em busy. spreads the cards out smoother, anyway — helps even the score —

(cedric dreamed, as well. he knows that no one saw. knows it, because standing in the vigil room, he'd stood there alone. because eventually, a hand had pressed to his mind and whispered: look.) ]

'M putting my Ma down there. [ says it, before he can take it back. ] Not a body. Don't got one, dunno what they did with the ashes. But there's a name needs settling.

[bouchonne]

[ That's...a more intimate sort of favor than Byerly was expecting. Hauling some things, shaking someone down, sweet-talking someone - Yes. Providing emotional comfort - Not so much.

But he's been to funerals before. Even Navarran funerals. One had certain duties as Ambassador; he knows how to observe the rites. ]

Of course. I'll be there. Would Bastien be welcome?

[dissolving]

Sure. [ arrangement that's not his business now shuffled to include taking the boyfriend to meet the wife ] Thanks, I —

[ comes out a bit too fast: like if he says it sure enough, it'll be less fool a notion. ]

— Mostly, I need a distraction. Mortalitasi got opinions on letting knights in. Gonna have eyes on me. And 's not, I mean. I can't pay for it.

[bouchonne]

Oh.

[ Oh, thank the Maker. That's so much better than providing emotional support.

Far less stiffly - ]

Now, that suits my very particular set of skills very well. Particularly if Bastien is involved. How much time will you need?

[dissolving]

Fifteen minutes, maybe? Out in... there's gardens.

[ the plants there don't grow by sunlight and water. but these days, he's not sure the vhenadahl does, neither. the acorn will take, or it won't. ]

Pretty open area.

[bouchonne]

And what's the level of risk here from our dear necromancers, if you were caught? Would potential violence be more of the verbal sort, or would they go physical?

[dissolving]

Reckon they'd just kick me out. [ which would cause some immediate problems for diplomacy. ] But there's a lotta old spells on the place. So if I start screaming, or I come out seeming extra-cursed —

[bouchonne]

What's your baseline level of cursed?

[dissolving]

Theologically? 'Least half. [ ha ha. ] Anyway, thanks. Owe y'one. Bastien, too.

[bouchonne]

He's a lover of coffee, if you ever want to thank him properly.

[dissolving]

Uh-huh. And you?

[bouchonne]

Me? Hm. Well, I’m a lover of secrets, if you come across any of those.