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It feels shameful to admit he doesn't want to. Benedict isn't sure which is the way forward, but thus far, pleading his own case has never amounted to much-- or has only damaged his case.
"Will you think less of me if I ask it of you?" he says quietly.
"Will you think less of me if I ask it of you?" he says quietly.
[ Softly, with a general air of conspiracy that sounds more mirthful than urgent: ]
Are you alone?
Are you alone?
Um. Yes?
[Lexie please you're a married woman and we saw how this went last time,]
[Lexie please you're a married woman and we saw how this went last time,]
[ (Come dance with me let's pretend we're having an affair it'll work out g r e a t)
It's still soft, just in case. Also because theatricality demands it. ]
I must ask a favour of you. My ship has come into harbour a day early, and I should like to surprise our dear Ambassador.
[ "Lexie please you're a married woman" ]
It's still soft, just in case. Also because theatricality demands it. ]
I must ask a favour of you. My ship has come into harbour a day early, and I should like to surprise our dear Ambassador.
[ "Lexie please you're a married woman" ]
There’s a hum of a sound pressed against the roof of Gabranth’s mouth, his lip twitching. A faint pull upwards at the corner, though that gesture’s long forgotten— and quickly abandoned.
They will start slow, at first.
“No. I only ask you face them proudly if they hold questions for you.”
They will start slow, at first.
“No. I only ask you face them proudly if they hold questions for you.”
Ugh. Harder than it sounds.
But Benedict nods, since it's the least he can do. He's had someone advocate for him before, and it has a way of getting out of hand, but somehow he trusts Gabranth to keep his best interests at heart.
But Benedict nods, since it's the least he can do. He's had someone advocate for him before, and it has a way of getting out of hand, but somehow he trusts Gabranth to keep his best interests at heart.
That hand withdraws, then, pulling away from Benedict’s shoulder to reassemble the gap between them. There is no immediate comfort in medicine, only the bitterness of it, or the sting of a needle, yet in the aftermath....
“I shall fetch you something to eat.”
It’ll offer the man time to breathe. To acclimate himself in the warmth of a kindled fire, his own security in that given space a mild easement.
To brace himself, as he must learn to.
“I shall fetch you something to eat.”
It’ll offer the man time to breathe. To acclimate himself in the warmth of a kindled fire, his own security in that given space a mild easement.
To brace himself, as he must learn to.
"Oh."
That's a surprising offer, but-- "no, I... I mean. Thank you. But I'll be late for training if I eat up here."
And at the moment, the last thing he wants to do is irritate Jone.
That's a surprising offer, but-- "no, I... I mean. Thank you. But I'll be late for training if I eat up here."
And at the moment, the last thing he wants to do is irritate Jone.
He’ll need to dress. He’ll need his shoes— there’s no denying that to tarry any longer would, in fact, cause unnecessary delay...and likely spark Jone’s penchant for retaliatory mischief.
So he draws himself upright, moving over to the window to retrieve his helmet, fitting it neatly back into place as preparation for his own departure. He cannot confess aloud that he was, in fact, looking forward to the idea of companionship over breakfast.
But no matter.
“I am unable to join the both of you today. Put forth a strong effort.”
So he draws himself upright, moving over to the window to retrieve his helmet, fitting it neatly back into place as preparation for his own departure. He cannot confess aloud that he was, in fact, looking forward to the idea of companionship over breakfast.
But no matter.
“I am unable to join the both of you today. Put forth a strong effort.”
"I will."
The smile Benedict casts his way is genuine, if a bit curious.
"Got other plans?"
The smile Benedict casts his way is genuine, if a bit curious.
"Got other plans?"
“None joyous. I will be speaking on your behalf.”
The sooner the better, is his belief in this— and he still has much, much more to read before Flint’s wretchedly assigned task is completed.
The sooner the better, is his belief in this— and he still has much, much more to read before Flint’s wretchedly assigned task is completed.
That wipes the smile right off his face. Benedict nods, and takes his leave.
Better not to pry.
Better not to pry.
My appearance a day earlier than expected! [ This sounds entirely earnest, rather than like "keep up". ] Might I prevail upon you to make an appointment for me with him?
[ Amended: ] Well— not with me. With a facetious gentleman whose details I shall provide you with.
[ A moment, and then in case this was unclear: ] Of course, it shall in fact be me.
[ Amended: ] Well— not with me. With a facetious gentleman whose details I shall provide you with.
[ A moment, and then in case this was unclear: ] Of course, it shall in fact be me.
[Oh, so it's this sort of thing. Not Benedict's favorite use of time, but... well, it's technically his job.]
All right.
This evening?
All right.
This evening?
Just so. At the very end of the day. For one... [ A brief pause, and then the storm: ] Jean-Jacques Pierre Robert Grégoire Maxence Chauf—oh! Have you a pen?
Parfait! Chaufourier Brochard.
He is a [ hm... ] merchant. Who wishes to discuss the finer points of the diplomatic applications of importing [ hmmm... ] dried beans.
He is a [ hm... ] merchant. Who wishes to discuss the finer points of the diplomatic applications of importing [ hmmm... ] dried beans.
Uh-huh.
[He is writing it down, at least.]
[He is writing it down, at least.]
Edited 2021-04-24 22:34 (UTC)
Has the Ambassador asked you to take wardrobe and demeanor notes?
How those who come to make appointments with him are dressed, their general demeanor, as an aid to preparation for—
[ This is for something silly and he sounds tired. More gently: ]
Never mind that. You may simply write this merchanrt heavily implied there is money to be made and it should be a very advantageous relationship for Riftwatch, and I shall take up no more of your time with my games.
[ This is for something silly and he sounds tired. More gently: ]
Never mind that. You may simply write this merchanrt heavily implied there is money to be made and it should be a very advantageous relationship for Riftwatch, and I shall take up no more of your time with my games.
All right.
[It makes him a bit uneasy, he realizes, to be complicit in deception even if it's ostensibly for fun; Byerly can be unpredictable with these things, in his experience. Perhaps it just feels wrong to lie to him. Is that a thing? Feeling wrong?
But, trusting that Lexie knows what she's doing, Benedict is all business when he responds:]
I'll see it done.
[It makes him a bit uneasy, he realizes, to be complicit in deception even if it's ostensibly for fun; Byerly can be unpredictable with these things, in his experience. Perhaps it just feels wrong to lie to him. Is that a thing? Feeling wrong?
But, trusting that Lexie knows what she's doing, Benedict is all business when he responds:]
I'll see it done.
Thank you.
[ It's genuine, warm. Beans aside, the impetus for her mischief is a loving one. She is home. She wants to see Byerly. She wants to make him laugh.
When she comes, later, it'll be with a nice bottle of red she'd picked up in Minrathous as thanks. ]
[ It's genuine, warm. Beans aside, the impetus for her mischief is a loving one. She is home. She wants to see Byerly. She wants to make him laugh.
When she comes, later, it'll be with a nice bottle of red she'd picked up in Minrathous as thanks. ]
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