crystal

[bouchonne]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Byerly
RECIPIENT: Everyone
NOTES: None

[ The tone here is quite amused, even if the topic is not particularly...amusing. ]

So, now that we've all woken up, I'm sure there's just one question on everyone's mind. What are we going to do with all you naughty little boys and girls who are dreaming about joining the Venatori?

Comments

private;

[katabasis]

What single part of this seemed like a good idea before you started speaking? I genuinely want to know.

[bouchonne]

The sound of my own voice. I love hearing it.

[katabasis]

Next time, first try addressing your reflection in a glass rather than going directly to the one you see in the crystal.

[bouchonne]

But it's not the same.

[ Then: ]

What would your preference be, dear Captain, silently stewing over it for a few decades, until they've forgotten you might be coming, before taking sudden revenge?

[katabasis]

Not to open with driving them to a position of defense, to fucking start with.

[bouchonne]

[ In a decent imitation of Flint's Tevene growl: ]

Don't worry, traitors. We shall bear you no ill will. Quarter will be granted. Fear not.

[katabasis]

That's funny.

[Sounds like 'You're a goddamn idiot.']

[bouchonne]

So what would you advocate for, my good fellow? What do you think should be done?

[katabasis]

[The sound he makes is something between a snarl and a scoff.]

It makes little difference now. Now we all get to live with this.

[bouchonne]

This being...?

[katabasis]

You, suggesting to anyone who has ever had the thought that they might be better off slipping away that they might be right.

[bouchonne]

[ A click of his tongue - ]

Maker. You're right! This is what's going to spook them. The second-most effete member of all of Riftwatch calling them naughty. We should have done it your way - no one would ever flee after a full month of silence, glares, and little face-twitches whenever they're in the same room as you.

[hassaran]

[ There is the sound of a door from Byerly's end as Yseult steps into the office, catching the tail of the conversation she could guess might occur even before she was in earshot. ]

It may not be a bad thing, [ she says, helping herself to one of the chairs in front of the ambassador's desk and speaking just loud enough for the crystal, ] if the tone remains flippant. Let them think it's not taken seriously and let us gauge the mood of the rest in the process.

[bouchonne]

[ By gestures towards his side-table when she walks in, an eyebrow lifted invitingly. On that table is an assortment - wine, spirits, and (likely most enticingly) an urn of coffee, still hot. ]

[katabasis]

Gauge the mood— [The hard stop speaks as much to disorientation as it does a flare of irritation. For a briefly cold instant, the possibility that the privacy of the conversation has somehow slipped in some fashion more serious than a simple open door rises sharp. And then is promptly put away.]

And for those with serious concerns? The ones who will either see this as their leadership either being careless or making veiled threats? For fuck's sake, Rutyer. You might have had anyone else ask the question.

[bouchonne]

[ A laugh in response to that. ]

And leave our dear underlings with the impression that we're silently conferring amongst ourselves on the best course of action? An impression of unconcern - carelessness, if you insist - will assuage fears.

[hassaran]

[ Yseult rises as soon as she's sat to collect and, at Flint's tone, adds a measure of liquor as well. ]

We can have a quiet word with any who have serious concerns. As not a soul was the worried about Artemaeus committing actual treachery, I can't imagine there will be so many clamoring at our door. I don't appreciate the unilateral action, but where we are now does not seem unmanageable.

[katabasis]

[Oh, so now unilateral decision making is merely 'not appreciated.']

The difference is that Artemaeus is a moron so morally flexible that he's well acquainted with seeing his own ass. And that apparently the entire world knows it.

Which names are on your list?

[bouchonne]

I believe - [ By's voice is quite mild - ] That questions of morale and loyalty have, historically, fallen under the purview of the Diplomacy division. But if you two would like to take a more active role in party-planning henceforth, I shall make a note of it.

[ Then - ]

The much-beloved Leander dreamed himself becoming an abomination. So that's cute.

[hassaran]

[ Sharper: ] This is not a question of morale. And loyalty is plainly a matter for us all. [ That she doesn't think where they've ended up is disastrous doesn't mean he hasn't overstepped getting there, and coffee only forgives so much. ]

I imagine mages must dream of such things often. I'm more concerned with his Venatori allegiance. Edgard is another, and several other mages, as well. The Rifter scientists were at least taken against their will, but they might have cooperated less.

[katabasis]

Southern mages, Orlesian freemen. The Exalted March is setting a precedent for desertion already. I'm not surprised that the thought might be lurking in the back of a few Rifters' heads as well, given the lack of alternatives available to them.

[bouchonne]

[ It's at the tip of By's tongue to say that Flint seems quite sympathetic to the impulse - but that had been the one conversation they'd had where there'd been any sympathy, where they'd discussed that question. And so he bites it back. ]

I was rather impressed by the performance of a few of them, though. Some had rather more backbone than you'd expect. Artemaeus among them. The boy withstood quite a bit of torment.

[hassaran]

Did he? I'd heard he was with his family.

[bouchonne]

Taken there after he was betrayed. And once there, he withstood imprisonment and torture by his own mother; then, once he was rescued, he began hunting down Venatori associates.

[ A wry little shrug as he toasts Yseult with his coffee. ]

My dear assistant is still an odious little creature, no doubt, but he's come rather a long way in the past few months.

[hassaran]

That's something. [ The tip of her head says but not much. ]

We should compile a full list, with as much detail about circumstances as possible. There's little we can do given the numbers and the nature, but we should know who needs a closer watch.