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

[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.