Dorian Pavus had stood in this very room, very nearly on the exact spot as Tertia does now, not so very long ago. It's possible that there's something in the rhythm of those two points which satisfies the dregs of reservation lingering at the fringes of Flint's study of her, for hardly a beat after does his hand fall away from smoothing the corner of his unwaxed mustache.
There is no telling shift forward or knowing sidelong look passed in Silver's direction. Presumably they can skip past the pretense of such things and John can detect the presence of his interest by the omission as well as he might from such a glance's presence. From sat back in his chair—
"It does sound as if we might share similar concerns. And seeing as we're so familiar to one another, I suggest that you sit," he says, indicating the chair near her with a nod. "And describe the sort of partnership you believe your people might find most beneficial."
That letter had been tactfully light on the specifics, hadn't it?
Is that good? That he's inviting her to sit? Her gaze flits over to Messere Silver's face - but for all that he looks less stern than Commander Flint, he isn't all that much easier to read. But if they were rejecting her out of hand, then they wouldn't be spending more time with her. They're likely far too busy to be pityingly indulgent.
"Yes," she agrees breathily, and then slips over to the seat. She lays her staff awkwardly against the arm of the chair, then sits. Her feet dangle slightly.
Then she takes a breath, and says, "The first part of our partnership - we're thinking - would be attacks against slavers." She rubs a little anxiously at her callused hands as she speaks. "Specific ones. Ones allied with the Venatori. So that we could test how well we fight with one another, at the start."
Then - "If things seem promising - What we ultimately want is that Riftwatch supports and advocates for a free Tevinter after the end of the war." Among other things. But - that topic can wait for later. Tertia doesn't know how friendly these two might be to the condition of you won't interfere with our bloodier business - to be discovered later.
On paper, such a request should surely strike a person as uncontroversial. A free Tevinter. Wouldn't that be to everyone's benefit? And the timing would suit. Weakened after a defeat, concessions would be need to be made.
But having observed how any discussion within Riftwatch spirals, John refrains from immediate agreement on the latter point.
As to her former—
"I assume you can provide names. The names of their buyers and suppliers would be of use to us as well."
Who knows? Perhaps there would be some names that surprise them. Some that Yseult might make use of.
An aside, to Flint, "We might note those who receive their purchases by sea."
The tilt of his head toward that last point is a tic of consideration, a reflexive acknowledgement. If anyone in the South were found to still be trading under the table with the Imperium, there would be more to skewer them with than just the distasteful nature of the cargo in question. Nothing emitters a merchant invested in his ships' holds like someone else turning profit that he's been barred from.
He taps his thumb once, absently, there on the table top. Then Flint produces a fresh sheet of paper from a desk drawer and a pencil from the battered tin cup. She will have names and trade route secrets to hand, he's almost certain. But rather than immediately lay the page out for Tertia's use (Does she write?), instead—
"This all seems attainable."
Nevermind Riftwatch's ability to conjuring five divisive opinions for every two members of its ranks.
"Though it's important that you and your people understand that the apparent limits of Riftwatch's influence rarely fully reflects its resolve."
Her gaze lifts briefly to study Flint's face while he's talking, then falls again. But - This is good. This sounds really good. This seems attainable, and you can provide, and all of it - These are the sorts of things that people say when they're interested.
"It's better to have good intentions without power than it is to have power without good intentions," she says, and then feels lightly embarrassed at the smooth and well-turned way that had come out. It's embarrassing to seem more eloquent than you actually are, she decides.
"It's - That's all we've ever gotten from the Venatori. All the power to do whatever they want, but no action on any promise they've made." She looks up again, gaze passing between Silver and Flint. "We're tired of lies." Tired of lies, of being used, of being treated like children or idiots. Even ineffectuality would be better than that.
"Are you and your compatriots prepared to make some show of good faith?"
While they're considering power, who got what from which corner, it stands to reason that some point in the future, Flint will need to walk into a room and convince three other people of the benefits of this partnership. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but there would come a point where it would be necessary.
It will benefit him to have something to take with him other than assurances. John knows this.
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no subject
There is no telling shift forward or knowing sidelong look passed in Silver's direction. Presumably they can skip past the pretense of such things and John can detect the presence of his interest by the omission as well as he might from such a glance's presence. From sat back in his chair—
"It does sound as if we might share similar concerns. And seeing as we're so familiar to one another, I suggest that you sit," he says, indicating the chair near her with a nod. "And describe the sort of partnership you believe your people might find most beneficial."
That letter had been tactfully light on the specifics, hadn't it?
no subject
"Yes," she agrees breathily, and then slips over to the seat. She lays her staff awkwardly against the arm of the chair, then sits. Her feet dangle slightly.
Then she takes a breath, and says, "The first part of our partnership - we're thinking - would be attacks against slavers." She rubs a little anxiously at her callused hands as she speaks. "Specific ones. Ones allied with the Venatori. So that we could test how well we fight with one another, at the start."
Then - "If things seem promising - What we ultimately want is that Riftwatch supports and advocates for a free Tevinter after the end of the war." Among other things. But - that topic can wait for later. Tertia doesn't know how friendly these two might be to the condition of you won't interfere with our bloodier business - to be discovered later.
no subject
But having observed how any discussion within Riftwatch spirals, John refrains from immediate agreement on the latter point.
As to her former—
"I assume you can provide names. The names of their buyers and suppliers would be of use to us as well."
Who knows? Perhaps there would be some names that surprise them. Some that Yseult might make use of.
An aside, to Flint, "We might note those who receive their purchases by sea."
no subject
He taps his thumb once, absently, there on the table top. Then Flint produces a fresh sheet of paper from a desk drawer and a pencil from the battered tin cup. She will have names and trade route secrets to hand, he's almost certain. But rather than immediately lay the page out for Tertia's use (Does she write?), instead—
"This all seems attainable."
Nevermind Riftwatch's ability to conjuring five divisive opinions for every two members of its ranks.
"Though it's important that you and your people understand that the apparent limits of Riftwatch's influence rarely fully reflects its resolve."
no subject
"It's better to have good intentions without power than it is to have power without good intentions," she says, and then feels lightly embarrassed at the smooth and well-turned way that had come out. It's embarrassing to seem more eloquent than you actually are, she decides.
"It's - That's all we've ever gotten from the Venatori. All the power to do whatever they want, but no action on any promise they've made." She looks up again, gaze passing between Silver and Flint. "We're tired of lies." Tired of lies, of being used, of being treated like children or idiots. Even ineffectuality would be better than that.
no subject
While they're considering power, who got what from which corner, it stands to reason that some point in the future, Flint will need to walk into a room and convince three other people of the benefits of this partnership. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but there would come a point where it would be necessary.
It will benefit him to have something to take with him other than assurances. John knows this.