tea time

[bouchonne]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Byerly
RECIPIENT: Everyone
NOTES: By is actually trying to be helpful and is not just here for the drama. No comment on my own priorities.

It seems prudent, given the current situation, for us to publicly identify those who have been acting out of character. I can understand a desire for secrecy, to take any imposters by surprise, but the risk of one of our own being caught unawares seems much greater.

Who has been strange of late? And when did this change in behavior start?

Comments

[bouchonne]

Is that an actual assertion? Would you have actually known if there were demons in disguise?

[ some sort of wispy magic bullshit? ]

[exequy]

Yes, that is what I do. Sense them.

[ Is overconfident, maybe. It takes him a moment to acknowledge that and hedge. ]

Unless they stay out of range. But I talked to Benedict the day before I left. He was himself.

[bouchonne]

[ Well, that's a bloody useful skill. And bloody convenient timing for him to be away. ]

Why are you elsewhere?

[exequy]

[ oh my god rutyer you can't just ask someone why they're elsewhere (when the answer is "to not ruin the plot") ]

Francheta Fontana has a warehouse full of seized Tevinter goods. Half of them have spirits bound to them. I was helping with the removal.

[ Now he's coming back, but it'll take some time. Best not to wait for him. ]

[bouchonne]

Was there anything suspicious about this mission? Is Francheta Fontana acting at all strange?

[exequy]

No. No. She's my mother's friend. She is trying to be helpful.

[bouchonne]

You are certain? It was most inconvenient to have you gone.

[exequy]

If it was planned, it was by someone else manipulating her. She's—

[ ugh ]

—sweet.

[bouchonne]

[ Byerly's eyes narrow a bit. That doesn't sound like a word Kostos would use. ]

Tell me about my wife. Your cousin.

[exequy]

Third cousin,

[ feels important, for establishing he’s only very tenuously related to Byerly Rutyer. ]

What about her?

[bouchonne]

Well, I suppose that's proof enough.

[exequy]

I am coming back.

[ But this will be solved before he gets here. ]

[bouchonne]

Yes. [ A puffed-out sigh. ] Smooth journey.