Richard Dickerson (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nonvenomous) wrote2034-10-19 09:51 am
nonvenomous) wrote2034-10-19 09:51 am
Inbox - Fade Rift
Book/crystal/correspondence/action/whatever you desire.
Book/crystal/correspondence/action/whatever you desire.
[ Another pause, inscrutable through the crystal as its light fades. It's easy to forget how readily Loxley will accept a lie. ]
We'll have a better understanding of the nature of our existence here.
We'll have a better understanding of the nature of our existence here.
That the natives of this plane will welcome any excuse to fuck us over in the long run, mainly, but I don't think there's much else to do for that. Maybe you can just tell everyone that turns out we're very normal and corporeal.
[ He could lie again. But frankly, what's the use? ]
Regardless of what I or any of us say, there will come a time when this war is won or lost and any Rifters remaining will be forced to hide themselves or die fighting.
Regardless of what I or any of us say, there will come a time when this war is won or lost and any Rifters remaining will be forced to hide themselves or die fighting.
[ There's a beat, the active swallowing of another flippant remark. ]
I don't know if we're so friendless as that.
I don't know if we're so friendless as that.
—you know, I was about to say that I'll tell them you're with me, but I believe my modest bag of tricks is considered mage-worthy still.
You're not wrong, of course. Only that I don't think we'll be fighting and hiding alone, if we live to see the end of the war.
You're not wrong, of course. Only that I don't think we'll be fighting and hiding alone, if we live to see the end of the war.
Derrica is an outlier. Most of them will be more pragmatic in their analysis of our long-term worth as allies.
[ He pauses. ]
What I mean to say is that there is no finding that will render us more desirable in the eyes of the Chantry. Or less desirable to the Venatori.
[ He pauses. ]
What I mean to say is that there is no finding that will render us more desirable in the eyes of the Chantry. Or less desirable to the Venatori.
Well,
[ and no denial that Loxley was literally just talking about Derrica, and how could she be an outlier, everyone must love her, ]
then I suppose my only legitimate concern remaining is for your well being.
[ and no denial that Loxley was literally just talking about Derrica, and how could she be an outlier, everyone must love her, ]
then I suppose my only legitimate concern remaining is for your well being.
The contingent caterwauling about our work has more to worry over than they know, should they decide to intercede.
[ The crook of a smile in his voice is only a little sinister. ]
I have Thot to look out for me at night.
[ The crook of a smile in his voice is only a little sinister. ]
I have Thot to look out for me at night.
Griffons are conspicuous. [ More importantly, they're large enough to eat a man, never mind dropping one thousands of feet to his death. ]
But I suppose it depends on the location of the line.
[ How muddy is it? ]
But I suppose it depends on the location of the line.
[ How muddy is it? ]
It doesn't, actually. As I'd be too mortified to look at the ground if we were to fly over.
[Heights. Blechk.]
But we'd be working our way along the coast. Noting the passage of smugglers. Run-ins with Tevinter soldiers. Cold nights. Charmingly dilapidated seaside flop houses.
[Heights. Blechk.]
But we'd be working our way along the coast. Noting the passage of smugglers. Run-ins with Tevinter soldiers. Cold nights. Charmingly dilapidated seaside flop houses.
[ There is a necessary pause for him to weigh this against his current work, his plans for further fiddling. But his sense of duty is only briefly consulted.
This is simple arithmetic, after three years. ]
Alright.
[ And back to his note-taking, barely a break in the line. ]
When would we depart?
This is simple arithmetic, after three years. ]
Alright.
[ And back to his note-taking, barely a break in the line. ]
When would we depart?
I could bring them along.
[ This is a threat. ]
Should I pack armor?
[ This is a threat. ]
Should I pack armor?
Mm.
[ Does she?? ]
I’ll make arrangements for them.
[ Does she?? ]
I’ll make arrangements for them.
[ ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ]
There's a bay roan mare I prefer if she's available.
[ Surely he deserves a coastal vacation adventure with Mrs. Fitcher. As a treat. He is already thinking about shirts. ]
Her name is Captain.
There's a bay roan mare I prefer if she's available.
[ Surely he deserves a coastal vacation adventure with Mrs. Fitcher. As a treat. He is already thinking about shirts. ]
Her name is Captain.
Aye, aye.
[Yes, a coastal vacation cleverly disguised as work. This has nothing to do with casually flitting out of the immediate reach of the Gallows should the quiet rumor—which she'd been passed by one of the laundry girls and then confirmed for herself by delicately rifling through some less than public papers—that a rescue party has been raised to pursue two missing members of Riftwatch.
Marcus and Julius aren't her concern. It's the fact that they haven't simply disappeared, mysteriously never to be seen or heard from again which is. That means something has gone wrong, and it would be best to arrange for a thumb's breadth of distance in her favor until it's clear what it is and that it means to fly over her head.
Likely it will. This is hardly the first time she's sniffed something rotten on the air and made herself scarce. No, they will have a grand time meandering off to Ostwick. They will make a little money there, or maybe lose a little which is sometimes more pleasant.]
I'll save you a slice of standing room at the theater should you finish your work early. The shit one in Lowtown. Not the one with the good boxes. Otherwise, the stables tomorrow first thing.
[Yes, a coastal vacation cleverly disguised as work. This has nothing to do with casually flitting out of the immediate reach of the Gallows should the quiet rumor—which she'd been passed by one of the laundry girls and then confirmed for herself by delicately rifling through some less than public papers—that a rescue party has been raised to pursue two missing members of Riftwatch.
Marcus and Julius aren't her concern. It's the fact that they haven't simply disappeared, mysteriously never to be seen or heard from again which is. That means something has gone wrong, and it would be best to arrange for a thumb's breadth of distance in her favor until it's clear what it is and that it means to fly over her head.
Likely it will. This is hardly the first time she's sniffed something rotten on the air and made herself scarce. No, they will have a grand time meandering off to Ostwick. They will make a little money there, or maybe lose a little which is sometimes more pleasant.]
I'll save you a slice of standing room at the theater should you finish your work early. The shit one in Lowtown. Not the one with the good boxes. Otherwise, the stables tomorrow first thing.
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