[closed]

[katabasis]

WHO: Yseult, Thranduil, Flint
WHAT: Interpersonal conflict management
WHEN: Time is fake
WHERE: the... Gallows??
NOTES: Keep it action spammy; turn order is whatever makes the most sense. See here for context.

[In the Forces division office, a conversation is already in progress:]

—Which is evidently why he felt the pressing urge to come forward now, months after the fact. A report will have to be made and one of us should speak to Rutyer, that much seems obvious. Beyond that point however, it appears we have some decisions to make.

Comments

[bouchonne]

[ A slight purse of his lips. ]

Scoutmaster, what do you propose doing that will actually have any effect on him? In my estimation, the man is mad as a bereskarn. And nothing cures the Blight.

[hassaran]

[ The hint of irritation in the look she casts between them is outweighed by the growing incredulity, as if she cannot quite believe this is not equally obvious to them all. ]

I propose that we kill him. Kirkwall is dangerous, as are our missions. If he simply did not return one day soon, would that not solve all the problems we have identified?

[katabasis]

[Flint's laugh is a hearty, involuntary bark. Assuming no change in Yseult's expression, it abruptly draws short.]

You're serious.

[bouchonne]

[ Byerly, in contrast, has gone rather tense. That's the problem with shirtless lounging; you can't cover it up when your muscles tighten up. ]

Scoutmaster, the man is in our charge.

[hassaran]

[ She is 100% serious. ]

Precisely, he is our responsibility. If he's the sort of danger to others you've described, then we should deal with it.

[katabasis]

[Incredibly, Flint's accusatory look is shot in Byerly's direction. Mad as a bereskarn? For fuck's sake. Rounding on Yseult:]

You're suggesting we assassinate a member of our own company over an altercation whose victim evidently didn't even feel it was important enough to warrant reporting. Never mind the man's intentions, or the fact that to our knowledge he has done nothing since to validate the Ambassador's assessment - if that's all it takes, you'll forgive me if I choose to sleep behind a barricaded door.

[bouchonne]

[ By presses a hand to his mouth, trying to look pensive and trying to conceal how disturbed he is and successfully doing neither. ]

He did...endeavor to make the wound a non-fatal one. And attempted to heal me after, though I wouldn't permit his hands on me again. He is mad, but not fatally so.

[ A beat, then, reluctantly: ]

That we know of. Riftwatch would be a paradise for pleasure-killers, given our concentration of people who regularly vanish without a trace.

[hassaran]

[ who are these people and what have they done with the pirate and the spy ]

[ Slowly and calmly: ] You've described a man who is the type of mad that takes pleasure in causing grievous injury and is willing to do it at the slightest provocation. You seem quite certain that's what he is, and I've heard no disagreement from anyone else. I'm suggesting that someone we all therefore agree is unpredictably and incurably dangerous should not be allowed to remain in our company, free to travel about Thedas doing our work, on the hope that he won't take it on a whim to stab his next victim two inches to the left.

[katabasis]

I'm sorry. I was unaware you were looking for a specific watchword. I disagree that we make arrangements to murder one of our own who until this point - or in Bloomingtide [man alive, what a mess; he makes an impatient gesture - they all know what he means] - had done nothing but appear to be a willing and able hand for this outfit. All this on the opinion of the one person who has every reason to refuse to qualify his assessment and now is.

[With the requisite aside of:] —All due respect to your guts, Rutyer.

[bouchonne]

[ A little sharply: ]

Are you certain you don't want to switch jobs, Captain? Maker, you tempt me to change my vote from spite alone.

[ But. Perhaps shockingly, principle is stronger than spite for Byerly. ]

We should watch him, then. Post some of your spies - or mine - to track his behavior. Decide based on that. If he is a violent man, then surely we can catch him doing violence. [ A shrug - ] Violence against me doesn't really count.

[katabasis]

[The look Flint gives him in return is all raised eyebrows. Fine; next time, he'll keep even the barest instinct toward consideration to himself.]

[hassaran]

[ With an exasperated look: ]

And with all due respect to the rest of the Ambassador, I think you're both making this far too much about him. If it had been someone else--nearly anyone else--would you be so quick to dismiss me? Pretend for a moment that he had stabbed someone neither of you dislike. Would you care that he'd otherwise seemed polite and that it wasn't fatal?

[bouchonne]

[ He sucks at the corner of his mouth and then, reluctantly, admits - ]

It - would seem rather grave as an offense. Yes.

[katabasis]

[Baffled, at almost the exact same time:]

I'd say let them have a go at stabbing him back. [And then carrying on, valiantly and only a pained—] From the front.

[hassaran]

[ Sharper: ]

So it would be fair if he died for it, you just don't want to bother getting involved?

[katabasis]

[He looks directly at Byerly.]

Would you like me to arrange an opportunity for you to wound Leander in exchange? We can have it done privately if you'd prefer not to bloody him in the courtyard given your position.

[rowancrowned]

( he breaks his silence with a carefully said, ) This is what you wish to execute for? This crime, even carried out as a quiet accident— this one is the one that moves us, and is set as precedent?

[bouchonne]

[ Byerly is rather grateful for Thranduil's interruption; it keeps him from having to answer Flint's goad. Offer. Whatever it was. ]

[katabasis]

I fail to see anyone being moved at present.

[hassaran]

[ Looking directly at Flint: ]

And you think this vote is binding? But what if I'm very sure I'm right?

[katabasis]

Would you like me to turn my back on you now, or later so you can execute me when no one is looking?

[hassaran]

[ A dry look. Really. ]

As if I'd require assistance. But unlike you, I care about the precedent of us abiding by our own decisions. If you are all aligned against this, then I'll leave him be, but it'll be on your hands when he does it again, or worse.

[bouchonne]

[ By's glance at Flint is sharp - Maker's breath, but the man is dramatic - and rather less so at Yseult. ]

More information, Scoutmaster. Let us have him followed. See what he does, where he goes, how he treats those he's with. If a decision is to be be made, it should be made wisely, and to be made wisely, it should be made intelligently. With intelligence.

[katabasis]

And publicly? [His attention peels away from Yseult.] Leander will be expecting some response. Rightfully so.

[bouchonne]

Give him none.

[ By spreads his hands. ]

Let his imagination do the work of punishing him for a while, till we decide.