diplomacy, gird your loins.

[bouchonne]

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. ]

Comments

[libratus]

Quite. And yourself -- still Fereldan, or do one's allegiances change upon marriage as well?

[bouchonne]

Ah, I have a much longer history of being cast-off from Ferelden - one that quite predates my nuptials. Do the dead ever get irritable at being spoken for? I know I become quite angry if anyone puts words in my mouth.

[libratus]

I shall endeavor never to speak for you, in that case.

[ Apology and insult in one? ]

Certainly Lady Venaras is as knowledgeable as I in the particulars of Nevarran custom, if the subject is of interest to you, but do reach out if there is anything I might assist you with on that front of the war. I understand the situation is quite delicate.

[bouchonne]

[ Twisty, this one. By approves. ]

Are you well-regarded in your home?

[libratus]

My family is. I was not personally very social, for good or ill.

[bouchonne]

And if you were called upon to become social?

[libratus]

I would not be opposed, given our purpose. [ Perhaps purpose had been the thing lacking, before. ] Some may assume me my grandmother's creature sooner than Riftwatch's, but that has its advantages as much as disadvantages.

[bouchonne]

[ Cheerfully: ]

Few things are more useful than your enemies mistaking your intentions. So long as you aren't actually your grandmother's creature.

[libratus]

Not as much as she would like, at the very least.

Have you something in particular in mind?

[bouchonne]

Depends on what you're good at.

[libratus]

Well, I can't say I'm terribly fun at parties.

[ A delicate sigh. ]

I can rub elbows with the nobility if you've a side in mind to court. I know the politics well enough to offer recommendations. I may even have a few connections left. But the only thing I can reasonably say I'm good at is comforting the grieving, and Riftwatch hasn't much use for that.

[bouchonne]

How are you received in other nations beyond Nevarra? You, and those like you.

[libratus]

Not especially well as a rule.
Orlais worse than most-- if you recall the incident at Ghislain. [ The living dead covering their retreat, you're welcome. ]

I've asked Bastien's assistance with the language and customs, however, which I hope will allow me to smooth matters as they arise.

[bouchonne]

That was quite amusing.

[ The incident at Ghislain, he means. He watches to see if there'll be a prickle of defensiveness or anger in response to that comment. ]

[libratus]

[ His irritation is more of the long-suffering schoolmarm variety, pinched at the corner of the mouth. ]

Entertainment was not its purpose.

[bouchonne]

But a consequence even so.

[libratus]

There's no accounting for taste, Ambassador.

[bouchonne]

Please, do call me By. I dislike titles.

[ But - an even-tempered fellow, then. Good to know. ]

Why don't you all burn your dead?

[libratus]

Because we find waste disrespectful.

[ Among other things. He'll drop formalities when he's good and ready, thanks. ]

When a man dies, spirits cluster across the Veil. Weaken it. Any mage can tell you that. We believe the only way to reassert balance -- and to allow the soul to cross to the Maker's side -- is to invite a spirit to take its place.

[bouchonne]

[ This may be surprising, but - Byerly doesn't laugh at that. ]

I see. And you believe this?