[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

[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.

[hassaran]

[ She nods to Byerly, at his appeal to intelligence-gathering. ]

Take his title, as you suggested. He shouldn't be in a position of authority, and it's enough he'll feel his wrist slapped and think it finished.

[katabasis]

And at what point does the rest of this resolve? Or are we to simply have him followed indefinitely?

[bouchonne]

[ Happy to have a chance to be smug and obnoxious: ] Spoken like a man utterly unacquainted with the intelligence business.

[katabasis]

[His 'Thank you very much, Messr No Shit' look is fabulously quick to hand in reply. Indulge him.]

[bouchonne]

[ A fluid shrug. ]

You know when you know. When you find him engaged in wickedness - which possibility, I note, you do not seem to be entertaining, so I truly am moved by your inexplicable faith in this man - or when the preponderance of evidence leads to the conclusion that he is safe. A process of fact-finding worthy of the University of Orlais.

[katabasis]

[For the narrowest of split seconds, something clouds his face - eyes flicking down to that thin pink scar. And then he has tipped his attention back to Yseult, the sum of it disappearing into the changed angle:]

Would you inform Lady Asgard?

[bouchonne]

[ Before Yseult can respond, By is shaking his head. ]

The Lady de la Fontaine is quite loyal to the creature, as I understand it. A pet, of sorts. I would recommend against it, especially given her history of placing personal loyalties above the interests of Riftwatch's leadership.

[ A surprisingly unsentimental assessment, given his sentiment towards Lexie. ]

[katabasis]

—That he is being removed as her assistant.

[It's a pointed clarification, though the look he gives Byerly isn't so much sharp as it is some muted form of surprised - some flickering reassessment.]

[hassaran]

[ Her glance lights on Byerly for a moment, narrower. She nods to Flint. ]

Yes, I'll inform her. If she is inclined to 'place her personal loyalties above the interests of Riftwatch's leadership' then it's unlikely to matter whether she's told the reason or not, but others will feel differently. It would seem to be in our interest to make clear why the choice is being made.

[bouchonne]

[ Ah. ]

Let us be nonspecific, shall we? About who was on the receiving end of his knife? Not to the Lady, but if others must know.

[katabasis]

[Evidently he finds that point perfectly agreeable. To Yseult:]

Leander's your man. Would you rather I draft the report, or simply provide you with my record of the conversation he and I had?

[hassaran]

[ Fine. ]

The record will be sufficient. I'll circulate a copy of the report to each of you for review once it's complete.

To turn briefly to the other business, lest Leander decide to take it up with another of you next, I've confirmed that the cigarette case is merely a case and its theft a thoughtless whim, not some traitorous conspiracy. I don't believe Artamaeus was even aware it was happening. I've impressed upon Sulahnan the stupidity of her actions and ordered further training. As far as I'm concerned, the matter is closed.

[bouchonne]

[ The small, slightly puzzled frown of a man new to this part of the conversation - ]

Cigarette case?

[hassaran]

It isn't worth the time it would take me to explain.

[bouchonne]

[ He's almost curious enough to press... but he doesn't, just shrugging instead. Not worth irritating Yseult over, as well, most likely. ]

[katabasis]

[A growling hum. He has business with Colin, but that is division work and irrelevant. So—]

There's just one last thing. With respect to Leander.