therookery | diplomacy, gird your loins.

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Byerly and Eshal.
RECIPIENT: All y'all
NOTES: Blue is Byerly, red is Eshal.

Bonsoir, Riftwatch. I have some dreadful news for you all.

[ Byerly’s voice sounds a bit dry. And characteristically dramatic. ]

My dear comrade and equal, would you like to tell them?

It's not dreadful, get over yourself. Anyway, Diplomacy has two heads, because we're better than the lot of them. Right?

Oh, yes. It’s widely acknowledged as a show of faith to appoint two people to do the job normally done by one. A task given only to truly quality prospects.

Exactly.

[ A sigh. ]

My esteemed self and this esteemed lady have been appointed joint heads of Diplomacy. She, being a decent and righteous soul, has volunteered to hear any and all complaints that might be made about this decision.

Yep. Love to meet the rest of you, honestly. Come by the head office, any time. I'll supply the whiskey.

[ Byerly lifts an eyebrow at her; he’d expected a protest to him volunteering her for that thankless duty. But, well, if she’s willing to be the goat here, let her be the goat. A shrug. That’s it. Meet your new overseers. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You wish to have one, Sidony. You've made that clear.

[ Which does make her wilt a little. ]

You are determined to have me in tears.

[ With frustration: ]

I'm determined to have you happy.

You say that as if I know what that feels like! [ Sharp, shouted, then - softer, after a moment or two of breathing. ] I apologise.

[ Without hesitation - ]

You don't need to apologize, Sidony. What I want - I want you to have the freedom to figure that out.

... I know. You are giving me a kindness.

Somehow, it doesn't feel like it.

I simply cannot picture the gift you are trying to give me. Not now. And I admit - I enjoyed the drama of playing wife.

Understandably. But...I do fear that - Well. At times, drama can have some consequences.

You know the last thing I desire for you is trouble. I've given you enough of that.

You've given me nothing that has not been a gift.

You were stabbed on my behalf, Byerly.

And I got so much sympathy and attention for it. Did you know that Wysteria Poppell brought me wine after?

Goodness. She must have been concerned.

Don't I know it. She loathes me, you know.

I couldn’t understand why.

Ah, you are too good to me.

Just honest. [ A soft sigh. ] What reason shall we give for the end of our union?

An honest one, I should think. That it was but a sham to put your parents off. - As long as you are completely certain that they truly won't come for you, of course.