[ Benedict isn't going to Nevarra. Oviously. He isn't going anywhere for some time. And the days everyone is away from the Gallows, leaving the courtyards and dining halls quiet and empty for the few people staying behind, probably won't feel more or less lonely to Benedict than any other day. And he might not even know what day it is or when the holiday is occurring.
But in case Bastien, like, dies, or something, and never comes back to Kirkwall, and leaves him giftless forever, he's doing it before they leave. So. ]
Hello.
[ There's a book under his arm. It isn't wrapped or anything. ]
[Benedict is lying on the floor when Bastien arrives, staring at the ceiling, though he angles his head to observe the visitor. He looks a little out of it, like he’s been focusing hard and was interrupted.]
[ That's something. Bastien smiles a faint smile—one with a little pity in it, but not too much pity. The first rule of betraying nearly everyone Bastien knows to help a country invading his homeland is at least be good at it. ]
Most of us will be gone for Satinalia. So I have your gift early.
[ He turns the book out from where it's tucked, displaying the cover: Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, by Brother Genitivi. (It's much thicker and much more detailed than twelve codex entries, of course.) ]
[ He takes a guess where that line of questioning is headed. ]
It is not a prank. [ He flips it open to display the pages, which aren’t glued together or blank or anything of the sort. ] Someone put your name in for our gift exchange, and I spoke with the leaders—
[ One leader. ]
—and you can have a book. If you do not vandalize it or try to bludgeon anyone with it, I will see if we can trade it for another in a few weeks.
[ As much as Bastien loves unwashed Tevinter prisoners, he’s not wild about mages, leashed somehow or not. He keeps his distance. But he holds the book out close enough to be reached, and if Benedict goes for it he won’t even do the teasing jerk out of reach thing. Not once. That’s practically a second gift. ]
I am trusting you, [ he says, which is more of a warning than a compliment, ] to not make me look like an idiot for arguing this was a good idea.
[Taking the book, Benedict shakes his head quickly, already almost too enthralled by being allowed such an object to assure Bastien he won’t be an idiot.]
Thank you, [he says after a moment, turning toward him with the book held to his chest.]
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timeasmymeasure
a visit.
Date: 2019-11-02 03:10 am (UTC)But in case Bastien, like, dies, or something, and never comes back to Kirkwall, and leaves him giftless forever, he's doing it before they leave. So. ]
Hello.
[ There's a book under his arm. It isn't wrapped or anything. ]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 06:01 pm (UTC)Hello.
[He’s still cautiously interested, at least.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-06 03:00 am (UTC)Most of us will be gone for Satinalia. So I have your gift early.
[ He turns the book out from where it's tucked, displaying the cover: Tales of the Destruction of Thedas, by Brother Genitivi. (It's much thicker and much more detailed than twelve codex entries, of course.) ]
Cheerful, light reading.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-06 03:52 am (UTC)[Benedict sits up, perplexed, trying not to be excited.]
I can’t have—
[He pauses.]
It’s Satinalia?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-06 04:08 am (UTC)[ He takes a guess where that line of questioning is headed. ]
It is not a prank. [ He flips it open to display the pages, which aren’t glued together or blank or anything of the sort. ] Someone put your name in for our gift exchange, and I spoke with the leaders—
[ One leader. ]
—and you can have a book. If you do not vandalize it or try to bludgeon anyone with it, I will see if we can trade it for another in a few weeks.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-06 05:09 am (UTC)[His excitement is palpable, his eyes suddenly brimming as he gets to his feet and rushes to the bars. There has never been a more grateful face.]
I can? It’s not a trick? Really?
[If Bastien gets too close, he risks being kissed.]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-06 05:25 am (UTC)I am trusting you, [ he says, which is more of a warning than a compliment, ] to not make me look like an idiot for arguing this was a good idea.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-06 05:34 am (UTC)Thank you, [he says after a moment, turning toward him with the book held to his chest.]
I just— thank you.