CRYSTAL;

[katabasis]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Flint
RECIPIENT: Riftwatch
NOTES: new dad; vaugely backdated to earlier in the month

This is Captain Flint. For those of you who may be unaware, Ser Coupe has stepped away from command of Riftwatch's forces. I've been asked to take the work to hand in her absence. [How politic.]

I mean to familiarize with the division's work and its personnel. If we have yet to meet, you are more than welcome to make your way to the division office in order to make your introductions. Should you have any questions, I encourage you to ask them. I only request that any concerns be submitted in writing for fair review as I work to acquaint myself. [So they can be burned or stuffed unceremoniously into the Complaints box.]

Comments

[exequy]

What happened to Coupe?

[ Did she fall down some stairs.

Were they the stairs with the broken glass on them. ]

[katabasis]

She stepped away. [see fig.A] I'm sure she'd be more than happy to discuss the matter with you personally were you to ask.

[exequy]

Mm.

[ By which he means: sounds fake, how about going snooping instead, and also congratulations, Captain, on your new position, probably you won't suck at it, but who can tell. ]

[katabasis]

[Good talk.]

Was there anything else?

[elegiaque]

Well, you were already sort of in charge of me.

( she means because boats, and that she's in forces, but also #outwiththeolddadinwiththenew )

[katabasis]

[Anyone being in charge of Madame Baudin is so wholly an unnatural state of affairs that it hardly warrants mention.]

I appreciate the sentinment.

[elegiaque]

( it's a purely ornamental role, just ask coupe. )

Just be sure to keep your quarters closed if you don't want any of the fucking menagerie in there.

( she didn't warn any of the other division heads. affection. )

[katabasis]

[He and that dog are on good terms, but you can keep the rest.]

I'll see to it that anything not in need of chewing is kept off the floor.

[bouchonne]

Oh, now I'm sad that I'm on Diplomacy. Experiencing a bit of your stern discipline would be thrilling.

[katabasis]

By all means - you're more than welcome to stop in should you find yourself in need of scolding while Riftwatch is looking for a new head of Diplomacy.

[bouchonne]

Would you be cruel?

[katabasis]

I'd prefer fair, but you can call it whatever you like.

a concern submitted in writing for fair review,

[aforethought]

COMANDR CAPTEN FLINT,

WHAT ABOWT ONES CANT RITE

a bewildered runner, sent to track melys down days later,

[katabasis]

"I'm to say you can make your complaints in person to the Seneschal if you cannot write them."

[ipseite]

Congratulations on your appointment, Commander Flint.

[katabasis]

[Sounds like gratitude (stilted, half genuine) even if the words aren't a thank you; he knows how he's meant to play this game:]

I hope to be useful in it.

[ipseite]

( petrana does not say, you could scarcely do worse, because she does, too. )

If I might be of use to you in it where remits overlap, of course. I was at your predecessor's disposal.

( that is one way of describing what in practise ended up more of a cold war. )

[katabasis]

I would be more than happy for any assistance you might provide. [Etc, etc. But-- recognize who leans forward when you say you've taken the reins of a thing.]

We should speak when you have a moment.

[sulahnan]

Does taking over for Coupe give you a new title or is it just "Captain?"

[katabasis]

I believe it would be Commander.

[he can feel the Captain Commander jokes brewing as they speak.]

[sulahnan]

Ok, follow-up question, do you really care what we call you?

[ To everyone's surprise, not a joke. ]

[katabasis]

My preferences have no bearing on it. It's meant to clarify the chain of command while in combat.

[hornswoggle]

[ from two feet to his right, probably. ]

So, this has worked out well.

[ in a manner of speaking. ]

action/private/whatever;

[katabasis]

It's progress. Though ultimately means very little if we can't sway Riftwatch to act with us.

[Thedas needs spinning chairs; it's less visually satisfying to put the crystal in a desk drawer instead of villain turning away from it.]

We need to appeal to the Loyalists. The other mages and the elves are ready to do whatever earns them a piece of freedom when this is over, but we'll need the former's support if we're to convince the rest through numbers.

[hornswoggle]

[ Is this how it went before? Is this the conclusion decided between Thomas and Miranda Hamilton and James McGraw before he was Flint?

It's logical. John just isn't entirely sure how they manage it. ]

Well, that'll be slightly easier now that you're a respectable commander of something other than a pirate ship.

[ John recognizes this isn't much of a start, but it's something. ]

We don't need all of them, you know. Just a handful, and then they'll bring the rest of their own accord.