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]

[ 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.

[hassaran]

[ Yseult considers this suggestion in silence, with a sip of coffee and no apparent inclination to respond first. ]

[bouchonne]

Dickerson can certainly be utilized better than we're utilizing him now. And Isaac, I'll be speaking to - I think we have a bit of an understanding after he dreamed about torturing me.

[ A shrug. ]

Rowntree shouldn't be granted any extra authority whatsoever from us, given the stories of his conduct on the battlefield. Our chumminess with rebel mages gives us enough trouble as it is.

[katabasis]

Given stories of his conduct on the battlefield, you would rather he not be kept busy in a manner of our choosing?

[bouchonne]

[ A laugh - ]

Ah, yes, the Flint method of training a puppy. Give him a bone to gnaw so he doesn't start murdering Templars.

[hassaran]

Rowntree is hardly the only rebel mage in the company. I am less interested in his opinion of Templars than in his opinion of Venatori. And Dickerson's talents are not being properly utilized because he elected to join the Research division.

[katabasis]

For all any of us know, Dickerson's only a resourceful intelligencer when a dream is bending to accommodate him.

[Throwaway, like a dismissive wave of the hand.]

I'm not suggesting we deliver anyone the world. We have a morale issue, which meaningful work—work they recognize as it—either fixes, or [is the smallest concession. Or,] will make problems a damn sight easier to spot.

How many on that list would either of you have been concerned with yesterday? Because there are names there I wouldn't have thought to mention [might, in the right light and without the clipped tone, be a bigger one.]

[bouchonne]

Really?

[ By arches an eyebrow and purses his lips thoughtfully, tilting his head towards the list. ]

I wouldn't have trusted any of them. Though, to be fair, the members of Riftwatch actually worthy of trust are rather few in number, to my thinking.

[hassaran]

[ Yseult's head tips marginally toward Byerly's point. Trust, no. But, ] There are some I might not have included on a short list of potential turncoats.

It would be dangerous to take that as evidence that the dream meant nothing.

[katabasis]

[The bland look he assigns Byerly is—distracted by the more pressing point.]

My point is that if we fail to engage the issue in a way which encourages their trust—whether or not you choose to reciprocate it—, we will have no way of measuring how dangerous it actually is. To watch everyone is an impossibility.

[bouchonne]

Spoken like a man who has a limited understanding of the resources that are out there.

[ Then: ]

I can't object to these ideas. Except Rowntree. I really cannot condone empowering him with any authority.

[ By doesn't even dislike the man that much. He's just quite curious why that was the name that Flint brought up, and wants to see how hard the man will dig in his heels. It's always useful to know the alliances of one's frenemies. ]