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

[bouchonne]

[ A tip of his glass towards Yseult puts him in alignment with her. ]

Very true. I'm not tempted to suddenly resume sending daily reports back to Denerim - but if I found out that you were diverting our fleets to search for a new pirate haven, I might cast my eye more southwards again. Selfishness begets selfishness.

[katabasis]

[He looks between them. The cup of coffee is set aside without him ever drinking from it.]

Is it that unbelievable that what they want might be made compatible with what you do?

[hassaran]

[ Yseult takes a sip of hers. ]

If they believe they can make their private goals compatible with the mission of this organization, they are welcome to bring us their proposals.

[katabasis]

[Snapping then, all that quietened frustration boiling abruptly up—]

And what have you done to make anyone with something more to lose than this war trust us with what they give a fuck about?

[bouchonne]

[ Easily: ]

Captain, I think it is possible that the recent frustration of your own desires may be coloring your judgment.

[katabasis]

And I think you looked better with one eye, but I don't plan to hold you to poking on out.

[bouchonne]

[ That earns Flint a delighted cackle. Genuinely hilarious, well-played.

Still: ]

The dog who chases two rabbits catches neither.

[hassaran]

[ The outburst, the exchange, are both viewed with the flat patience that is by now familiar as exasperation. When Byerly's laughter has quieted sufficiently to speak over without raising her voice, she does. ]

I don't need them to trust me with their hopes and dreams. I need them to trust that defeating Corypheus is my singular objective. It is a clear and simple point of agreement. If we begin to complicate that by trying to support their other goals, those goals will inevitably conflict. We will be seen as taking sides, playing favorites. It will encourage them to politick for our favor. Then we will lose trust, and we will lose members.

it* out, slaps my own hands

[katabasis]

You are already playing favorites, [He barks back in the face of her flat patience, Byerly's laughter a splinter under a fingernail.]

For the people who ask no questions and you need sacrifice no scrap of your own comfort to please. Go back to the Inquisition if you have so little interest in leading the people you have here rather than the ones you might prefer.

[hassaran]

[ No louder, but harder: ] And let you twist this company into your personal army, to set afire whatever bits of the world you can while everyone else is occupied with Corypheus? No.

[bouchonne]

[ Byerly just sips his coffee. No comment here. ]

[katabasis]

[He takes a step toward her. Byerly fades to a black spot in his peripheral vision.]

If that's my intention, then explain one thing to me. Why do you think I'm wasting my time in this room with the two of you?

[hassaran]

So long as Corypheus rules Tevinter and this place is full of impressionable would-be revolutionaries, it is an easy source of support and opportunity. And you are confident in your ability to persuade or manipulate us as needed.

[bouchonne]

[ Byerly still says nothing. It's honestly rather fascinating - He's never been a fly on the wall in a conflict between the two of them before. He'd like to see it play out a little more before he opens his mouth and diverts their ire. ]

[katabasis]

This is what you think me persuading and manipulating you looks like?

[He laughs, all bared teeth.]

I'm telling you the facts. It has been six years since the Breach. If defeating Corypheus were the singular objective with which to motivate the world, everyone would be under the Inquisition's banner and we would be having this conversation in Minrathous. If we want people to fight, they must see a future for themselves to be won. And the truth of the matter is that no one will propose anything which aligns too closely to that vision because they have never seen this organization proudly take up anyone's work unless it was already protected by convention.

[hassaran]

I said you were confident; I didn't say you were right.

[ 'the facts' just about gets him a sneer, head turned and jaw angling as lips press, like she's loosening up her neck for a blow. Her voice doesn't change. ]

You think that Antiva and the Marches are reluctant to fight because we neglect the rights of mages and elves? Or that fomenting revolution in their streets will do anything but create confusion and opportunity for our enemy, as it did in Nevarra? You may hate that this world is ruled by princes and admirals, but it is. The truth of the matter is that this battle needs them and their power and resources more than it needs the people who might follow you and your vision.

[katabasis]

So you admit it. [Is like a dog securing its grip on something--no change in heat, just the pressure of those bared teeth clamping into place.] That you're using those who are here, under your command today and looking for leadership in a fight to which they've already committed, only for as long as they conduct themselves in whatever imaginary way might appeal to princes and lords who have refused even the Divine.

[bouchonne]

[ All right. Byerly decides that perhaps it's time to at least attempt some redirection. He laughs, suddenly, and says - ]

You know, when we find a new Provost, we really must prioritize searching for someone who isn't an asshole. Because three of us all together certainly is quite a lot.

[ Then: ]

Look, we've gotten very far off-topic. So: I apologize to you both. I was wrong for making the broadcast without consulting you.

[hassaran]

[ The incredulous disgust in Yseult's face at Flint's wordgaming is maybe the most plain and obvious expression she's ever worn in their presence. Congrats.

In comparison with that, Byerly calling her an asshole manages to pass all but unnoticed, and she brushes off his apology--necessary and appreciated as it is--with just a lift and turn of fingers. She rises, but only to pour herself another cup of coffee before returning to the chair in front of the ambassador's desk and crossing her legs neatly once again, skirt smoothed over knees. She was here first. ]

[katabasis]

[Her look of disgust does little to deter the spark of bitter self satisfaction which hooks briefly at the hard lines of Flint's expression. It's only once Yseult's seated again that the point of his attention swivels to jab back in Byerly's direction.

He'll stay standing, thanks.]

I've said how I would proceed.

[bouchonne]

[ A sigh. ]

Which asses do you want to kiss, precisely?

[katabasis]

[The list, such as it is, is plucked up and consulted. After a moment's study, it's flicked back onto the desk.]

Isaac and Rowntree. And Dickerson, who isn't on this list for all the obvious reasons and who should be encouraged.

[hassaran]

And what precisely do you desire to say to them?

[bouchonne]

[ A lift of his eyebrow. What indeed? ]

[katabasis]

Say? Nothing, [He says directly to Yseult.] Rutyer seems to think words don't travel. So see if Jeshavis has something fit for Dickerson. Assign Rowntree work aimed at preventing further desertions from the Inquisition. Find—[a turn of the hand] something for Isaac.

Point them in directions designed to inspire the kind of questions we can choose to affirm.