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[katabasis]

action + written + crystal

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[katabasis]

[I didn't say that, he doesn't say, but it must be in his face. Some confidant or indulgent quirk of the mouth.]

The blade is simple. It had been wielded more or less in tandem to my own. I could see the hand guiding it. I don't think you're witless. I just can't quite figure out why you're here at all.

[bouchonne]

[ He blinks in mock-surprise. ]

Why - are you suspicious of me?

[katabasis]

[A grin, all teeth. He drinks from the glass.]

[bouchonne]

[ And Byerly studies that smile, and lets out a long, long sigh. ]

What can I do to allay your suspicions? To win your trust?

[katabasis]

I'm sure you'll think of something.

[Maybe he will.]

The work Amsel was doing - how do you mean to continue it?

[bouchonne]

Maker preserve me; don't tell me you're coming after me for mage rights, too.

[katabasis]

I mean her interest in the Qun.

[bouchonne]

Ah, I haven't read that section of her notes. Tell me all about her interest in the Qun, please, Captain.

[katabasis]

We didn't speak at length on it. [Or anything whatsoever, save the aborted murder of Archon Radonis.] But something will need to be done.

[bouchonne]

Something.

[ He reaches for the bottle, reaches out to top up Flint's glass before refilling his own. ]

Do you have suggestions?

[katabasis]

Do you have thoughts?

[Parry.]

[bouchonne]

None at all.

[ He smiles toothily. ]

[katabasis]

Ah. [He takes a drink from the topped off glass and then sets it well aside.] That's too bad.

[bouchonne]

[ Hm. By doesn't do anything so obvious as narrow his eyes or frown at the sight of the alcohol being put aside, but - It is quite annoying. ]

Come, Captain. I'm sure you've very strong thoughts on what's to be done with the Qunari.

[katabasis]

I do. But I don't have to convince myself.

[bouchonne]

What serendipity.

[ A tiny, ambiguous toast to Flint. ]

[katabasis]

[He touches the glass, raises it a fraction, and then once more discards it. He gets his feet under him, sets his hands at the chair's arms as if to rise--]

Well this has been illuminating as always, Rutyer.

[bouchonne]

Seheron was of interest to you, after all, wasn't it?

[ He continues quite civilly, quite as though Flint hasn't given any indication of anything aside from a desire to prolong this pleasant, comfortable chat. ]

[katabasis]

[A pause. It's not in any way a turn in conversation, but maybe that's way it warrants it; Rutyer holding course on much of anything is unusual. That this is the thread he's chosen to pull on is baffling.]

Was it?

[bouchonne]

Wasn't it? Was that not the reason for the interest in Nascere? Dreadfully strategic for the Tevinter Navy, all that. For retaking the lost island.

[katabasis]

[He snorts, and rises from the chair.] I'm relieved we have such a strategist in our midst.

[bouchonne]

Please, Captain McGraw.

[ And then a twitch of his brows, for all intents and purposes looking genuinely embarrassed at the slip of his tongue. ]

Forgive me. Flint.

[katabasis]

[Perceptible there in the cheerfully lit room, the half righted line of his shoulders sharpens. The man tips his face to regard Byerly then, and for a moment there plays out some real flash of shock before it's replaced by a crackling stillness in the lines there - an impulse toward expression being actively flattened.]

Excuse me?

[bouchonne]

[ Confirmation. Beautiful truth. He'd had his doubts that the information is true, but now he has none. ]

Such an odd mispronunciation. My sincerest apologies.

[ He looks perfectly guileless as he gestures to the chair. Which is ominous: Byerly Rutyer never looks guileless. ]

Please, do sit. Pick up that drink. There's still so much to discuss. And I so dearly wish to be friends.

[katabasis]

[For an agonizing beat he does nothing at all save for some small movement from the hand at his side - fingers shifting, the calloused pad of thumb against the knuckle on his first finger. Then he sits. He resumes possession of the glass.]

Then by all means.