crystal;

[satinet]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Cassius & Benedict
RECIPIENT: All y'all
NOTES: Week 2-3, Wycome diplomacy, but a catch all for any diplomatic efforts in weeks 2-3 if others want to infodump or gossip here. Cassius is blue, Benedict is red.

Why come, indeed?

[Get it? Because they're in Wycome? It's drawled, insofar as much as a Nevarran can manage, and just muffled enough to suggest that the color commentary—]

The food isn't bad, but we didn't exactly come all this way for the hors d'oeuvres now did we?

[—is from the peanut gallery, and not the person actually trying to make this broadcast.

Benedict says:]

We tried. We tried to make an appointment with the Duke, but he’d only see people who made them in advance, but how far in advance wasn’t entirely clear, because I’m certain I saw someone who arrived today go into his office,

Well, [Cassius' voice swims closer to interrupt him.] We technically don't know that she didn't have an appointment arranged as of six months ago. Maybe they were discussing such timely subjects as the capture of Perendale. But do go on.

--and so he directed us to his niece Lady Ainize in this [muttered:] tacky [—a squawk of protest sounds in the background, but Cassius must be eating something because the noise doesn't resolve into words—] salon, and we thought we’d made some headway with her but she’s also telling us that-- well-- nothing, really. She’s told us nothing we don’t already know.

They’re aware of the situation, but won’t do a damn thing as long as it doesn’t affect Wycome. It’s exclusively the problem of the other Marches, who, to quote Lady Ainize, apparently aren’t doing anything about it anyway.

[Bitterly,] This was a massive waste of time. ...and the wine isn’t even good.

[Cassius, having apparently washed down whatever he was occupied with a moment ago, adds:] Ask them whether anyone else has had better luck elsewhere. Maybe someone else has earned us a little leverage we might ply here.

[Operating under the possibly tipsy assumption that Cassius wasn’t audible:] Have any of you had better luck elsewhere? If there’s something worth salvaging, it’d be helpful to know now.

Comments

[poleaxed]

Ben? Thought you were staying in.

If you don't like the wine, save some for me.

[altusimperius]

I was, ah... [an implied sidelong glance at Cassius,]

needed.

Will you be joining us?

[poleaxed]

[Groan.] Try'n stay safe, yeah?

If need takes me to Wycome. Not much for, uh, peaceful negotiation.

[altusimperius]

[Lowering his voice:] Truth be told, some heads could stand to be knocked, hereabouts.

[poleaxed]

Don't tease me with a good time, now; your boss wouldn't like it.

How much drink have you had, eh?

[altusimperius]

Oh, he's having a good enough time as it is. [don't ask]

Not a lot. Don't worry. ...I'd fall right to sleep, and that wouldn't do.

[poleaxed]

[With humor,] If Flint don't come back, put in a good word for me.

Just wine? Reckon it's the strong stuff. Never got a taste for it, honestly.

If things go sour, let me know, yeah? The city, not the wine.

[altusimperius]

If I'm found dead after this party, it was either the wine or a murder most foul.

I hope you'll avenge me.

[poleaxed]

Gauche to joke, luv; there's a war on.

Definitely avenge you, though.

[altusimperius]

Speaking as someone who's particularly fucked if we lose, I reserve the right.
...but thank you.

[poleaxed]

Fair enough, lad; have your fun.

But you've still pushups in the morning.

[altusimperius]

[A whining groan becomes a sigh of resignation.]

Fine.

[If nothing else, his grumbling means she can be sure he'll do them.]

Will I see you when we get back?

[poleaxed]

Good lad.

[A pause, a cough.] Of course. Though I may be busy for a time.

[altusimperius]

Busier than usual?

[Goss???]

[poleaxed]

[u g h]

Yes.

[altusimperius]

With what?

[he is Innocent,]

[poleaxed]

[With a voice like a threat-]

Women's matters.

[altusimperius]

Such as,

[poleaxed]

Such as none of your bloody business.

[With irritation-] There's work to be done. I'm off; keep yourself from trouble, you great horse's arse.

[altusimperius]

[G O S S]

Miss you.

[poleaxed]

Ain't mutual. Ta, luv.

[altusimperius]

[This certainly isn’t over.

But it can wait.]

[ipseite]

Some luck, in Starkhaven. Enchanter Julius and Mssr Rowntree and I have been in Starkhaven, engaged in facilitating noble backing behind merchant ships to transport refugees through the Marches — it has promise, yet, and may benefit us further in the future in terms of goodwill.

I can only wish you luck of Wycome.

[satinet]

You'll be trying the famous fish pie between bouts of effectiveness, I hope.

[ipseite]

It seems most improbable that we wouldn't.

[satinet]

I've heard promising things about their honey as well.

[ipseite]

If it is within my power to return with some, I shall.

Though under the circumstances you will have to forgive me if this is an empty promise.

[satinet]

But only on behalf of the extenuating circumstances.

[He's joking. Probably.]

[ipseite]

Of course.

( probably. )

[satinet]

In the mean time, best wishes with your refugee relief affairs. Should you have any need of a—what does that say? [is addressed to someone near to hand who must be in possession of the bottle in question] —a fine Nine Rivers port wine, I'm sure I could find some way of smuggling a bottle or two out in my robes.

[ipseite]

Well, far be it from me to claim myself not in such need, Senior Enchanter.

[satinet]

I'll see whether I can persuade our gracious host to part with a little more then. Barring all else, she must have that much in her power.

I'm late I'm late for a very important date

[cozen]

The Margrave would like to help, but... You know. It's Ansburg.

[ Between his accent and his tone, that's a very friendly what could you expect from farmers. Not that he's taken that tone with the Margrave—except a little at the beginning, counterbalanced by the Lady Seeker's nonjudgmental charm. An Orlesian brought around to the city's merits is more convincing than one arriving already impressed.

Anyway, ]

They think being so close to Antiva will protect them. Maybe it is the same in Wycome?

[satinet]

And why shouldn't they? After all, Antiva has been a stalwart defender against Tevinter for many years now.

[Ha ha ha, he's very funny.]

[fairforce]

[Yes yes everyone here is very funny, moving on--]

Ansburg is doing its best to defend itself, outside of that reliance. The Margrave's first priority seems to be to his people. We can't fault him for wanting to care for those closest to him.

[satinet]

Yes, yes. Of course. And how happy for the people of Ansburg. I'm merely noting that Antiva seems a rather unreliable wall to put one's back against, all things considered.

[fairforce]

The sad part is, I don't know that we would have gotten much disagree on that point from the Margrave if we had visited any other time. I had hoped that we could convince him that Riftwatch would be a powerful ally, and could replace Antiva, but Antiva is far closer to his people than Riftwatch.

[satinet]

I'm certain the possibility that refugees might more willingly flow toward a declared ally had nothing to do with either his or the Duke in Wycome's decision making.

[fairforce]

[Ok cynic]

I can't speak for the Duke, but for the Margrave's part, I do feel that he would offer aid, if he thought he could spare it. He doesn't think that he can.

[cozen]

He's right.

[ In Bastien's opinion, anyway, which is only moderately influenced by the fact that he was nearly run down by a herd of goats on one of Ansburg's "major" "streets". ]

J'sais pas—do you think we could put the fear of refugees into Wycome, if not the fear of Corypheus? If Ansburg has the will but not the means and Wycome has the means but not the will, maybe they would be willing to pay to keep people a little further away.

[satinet]

Now there's an idea. From what I saw of the man [being: absolutely nothing], I strongly suspect the Duke would be shockingly amenable to such a proposition given the right incentive.

It would be incredibly convenient if a messenger were to happen across a few hundred refugees headed in this direction.