crystal.

[byblow]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Alistair
RECIPIENT: All y'all
WHAT: Innocent and totally random question
WHEN: Now
NOTES: Threadjacking is cool, kiss kiss.

What's a reasonable amount of time to stay angry with someone?

[ There is a fairly obvious difference between Alistair's I have a serious question voice and I am trying to cause trouble voice, for those who know him, but in this case his tone falls somewhere between the two. ]

Obviously it depends on what they've done to make you angry, so let's talk about the full range. How long can I stay angry with someone for borrowing my sword without permission before I'm unreasonable?

Or what if they left everyone I cared about to die?

Just for discussion's sake.

Comments

private.

[byblow]

[ The crystals' limited functionality makes this all very confusing. There's no convenient writing displayed, YOU ARE CURRENTLY CONNECTED TO THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD, that'd be nice, some mage should get on that—but in the absence of that innovation, there's only silence, and it takes Alistair a moment to realize it's because someone is being silent on the other end.

He still doesn't know who. He could guess, maybe, if he stopped to think about it, but he doesn't. He just says, ]

Did you have an opinion or is this your way of shutting me up?

private

[mactears]

[This was a mistake, and the sensible thing to do would be to hang up before he sticks his foot in it. He doesn't.]

I won't offer you apologies, and don't expect your forgiveness, [he says, and yes, the words are still inadequate to the task at hand. Nevertheless, it feels necessary to say them.] I won't seek it either.

private

[byblow]

Oh— [ flatly ] —it's you.

What can I do for you, then, Ser Loghain?

private

[mactears]

[He's as impossible to argue with as Maric. Loghain clenches his jaw, then forces it to unclench.]

I would have us find some way to work together towards our common goal. Once the work is done, I will be gone from your life. You'll need never see me again, I swear it.

[A grimace.] But until then, Alistair, we can't continue like this. I trust that some part of you, separate from your anger, knows that too.

private

[byblow]

Continue like what?

[ That almost sounds like an innocent question. If he were a better actor he might have managed it—or at least the fake-innocent, exaggerated uptalk thing. But he is a horrible actor, so instead it sounds like someone trying to ask an innocent question but having to force it through their teeth. ]

Re: private

[mactears]

Alistair--

[It's the closest he's come to snapping yet. Close enough to regret it already. He draws a steadying breath, then lets it out. Tries again.]

Alistair, [he says, his voice more measured this time,] however else you may feel about me, however much you may hate me, you know I am right in this. We are Wardens, with a Blighted enemy to fight; must come to an accord.

private

[byblow]

Sure. An accord.

[ Skepticism as far as the ear can hear. ]

What are the terms? I never allude in any way to anything you've ever done wrong?

private

[mactears]

I would not make such a request, and I expect you know it. [Irritation, at last, finding its way into his voice.] If you would allude to my wrongdoings, I hope you would say them to me directly as well.

[Maybe he's going to regret this.] Let us discuss this in person.

private

[byblow]

Fine.

[ HE'S NOT AFRAID OF YOU, is the only reason he's agreeing. ]

I'm in the stables.

private

[mactears]

I will see you there.

[He hangs up.]