crystal; odd jobs and training efforts

[katabasis]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Flint
RECIPIENT: Everyone, but mostly Forces
NOTES: Also, a reminder that the JOBS BOARD exists now. I refuse to stop trying to make fetch happen.

Riftwatch, this is Commander Flint. With the end of winter approaching, Forces will be implementing an accelerated schedule for the repair of equipment and maintenance of gear to see that we're prepared for the coming months. Any member of Forces should expect an extra item on their rota. Any member of Riftwatch outside the division who finds they have time in the day they happily apply to manual labor is more than welcome to come to the division office and take up one of the miscellaneous tasks posted at the list on the door. If you cannot read the list, Matthias will do so for you.

[Hope you all love repairing armor and refinishing the hulls of small boats.]

Further, as the entirety of the organization has a well developed instinct for sticking its nose where it might be cut off, should anyone feel they are ill-equipped to defend themselves in an emergency and wish to remedy that, Forces will be organizing training sessions with which to familiarize yourself with some kind of weapon. There is to be a separate sheet posted on the notice board for both interested students and anyone willing to give instruction. I would prefer no one deface it.

[But if it keeps you all busy and out of his business, draw all the outrageous phalluses you can imagine. There is even a bit of graphite on a string attached to the pin and a suspiciously ample series of margins for that very purpose. You're welcome.]

If there are any questions, you're welcome to submit them either in writing or in person. If you have complaints, there is a box for that.

Comments

[katabasis]

Gold is fine, if that's our most certain prospect. Or maybe some Antivan merchant prince wants a new summer home along the front lines and we can trade for it. I don't really care. They are rotting in the harbor and it's in our best interests that Orlais have ships to make up for what they lost when the blockade was broken when it comes time to assault Val Chevin.

[He looks at him, all chafing wit from where he has settled to fill every inch of the chair:] I could do it myself, but I thought you of all people might enjoy figuring out an exorbitant price to charge Orlais in exchange for something we can't even use.

[bouchonne]

[ He suppresses a laugh. (Laughter brings with it a coughing risk.) ]

What, because I'm Fereldan?

[katabasis]

[He shrugs and spreads his hands. Is he wrong?]

[bouchonne]

I'm actually half-Fereldan and half-Orlesian, you know. I have all deep sympathy for my mother's people.

[ But that protest is belied by his grin. Yes, he will enjoy it. ]

Well, I know rather little about boats. If I'm to do this, I'll need one of your boys with me.

[katabasis]

I'm sure I can find someone to accompany you.

[He can either - ideally - give Silver a crash course in the theory, or put Darras on the hook for it.]

[bouchonne]

Someone reasonably attractive?

[katabasis]

Do you have a list of preferred traits, or should I use my own judgement?

[bouchonne]

Please use your own.

[katabasis]

[A short sniff. All right.]

Then while I'm combing our ranks for someone who won't offend Orlesians sensibilities, I'll also see both vessels submitted to a full inspection and that you or my man is provided with the details. [If they're shortchanging anyone, he'd rather they all be fully aware to what extent.]

Can you think of anything else you might need to begin?

[bouchonne]

No. Just my usual question for you of whether there's a hidden agenda, some secret I'm not aware of, et cetera.

[katabasis]

[With his elbows hooked across either arm of the chair, Flint lazily knits his fingers together across his middle.]

If there were, I hope I'd think to ask the Orlesians for something specific. Unless you mean why I'm bothering to ask you.

[bouchonne]

I know why you're asking me. I'm amazing at this sort of thing.

[ A lazy wave of his hand - ]

The question is more - is there something hidden about the ship or this deal or this trip that, oh, I don't know, will be used as some casus belli later in a way that will benefit certain parties, something something, so on and so forth.

[katabasis]

You'll be gratified to know that I'm otherwise occupied on that front. But by all means, [he says, smile is wolfish but too briskly adopted to be anything but a response to the perfunctory quality of so on and so forth.] You're welcome to say that a pirate gave you the idea.

[bouchonne]

That might actually be a bit helpful amongst the older and less-fashionable set. Pirates were quite titillating -

[ He splutters, suddenly, and coughs. Once the paroxysm has passed: ]

Ah, apologies. They were considered quite titillating a generation ago.

[katabasis]

Would you like me to crack a window? The air doesn't quite seem sufficient.

[bouchonne]

[ OK, Byerly likes rudeness as long as it doesn't actually score a solid hit. With a hint of annoyance: ]

What are you occupied with, Captain?

[katabasis]

If I told you, [his fingers come unknit; there is some loud crack of a knee of ankle as Flint shifts up from the chair,] you'd have nothing to distract yourself with in your leaisure time.

[It's a short path to a window. He pops the latch and levers open the thick pane by a finger’s width.]

[bouchonne]

[ With greater annoyance: ]

Don't open that. It's cold out there.

[katabasis]

It smells like your cough in here. Have a blanket brought up and sit near the fire for an hour.

[bouchonne]

Have a kerchief brought and dip it in perfume. If you leave it open, I'll catch a further chill and then die.

[katabasis]

Oh for-- Peace. [The window is snapped summarily shut.] If you're determined to rot in your own air, I won't stop you.

[bouchonne]

[ Oh, really. ]

Oh, come now, Captain. Don't make like you're concerned for my welfare.

[katabasis]

[From near the window, Flint shoots him a flat look. He secures the latch.]

If you die in the position, it really will be impossible to find any replacement interested by it. I couldn't tolerate the paperwork involved.

[And if he were so fixed on an ignominious death, the least he could have done would have been to get it over with before all this stabbing business.]

[bouchonne]

[ In response, Byerly smiles and says as obnoxiously as he can: ]

Now you sound like the romantic lead in a farce.

[katabasis]

You already decided I'm old fashioned, [he reminds him, as if he can't possibly be both.] Did Esahl mention to you her thoughts regarding the Tevinter soporati before she went missing?