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
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.