A Matter of Reputation

[sulahnan]

WHO: Athessa, Byerly, Mhavos, Silver
WHAT: Talking about Propaganda!
WHEN: Early Harvestmere
WHERE: Diplomacy Office
NOTES: Content warnings, OOC notes, links to other relevant posts, etc.

Mhavos made the appointment, so who knows what Byerly is expecting from this meeting. Athessa actually sits normally in her chair, though whatever energy that usually bids her to sit improperly manifests in her leg bouncing up and down.

It's one thing to pay Byerly a visit, and another entirely to be talking to him in his professional capacity as Lord Ambassador.

Comments

[bouchonne]

Dryly, "Do you anticipate that I would be signing my name to the document?"

[sulahnan]

"I don't know! I'm not a writer, I've never done anything like this before, I don't even think I'm half as inspiring as Mhavos thinks I am," the words tumble out, and any hope of keeping this Professional™ tumble with them, out and away. She laughs once, self-effacing.

"I'm just... I dunno. Trying to do something right and not let anyone suffer for my good intentions."

[bouchonne]

A moment, and then he lifts one shoulder. "I think," he says, frankly, "that you may be overthinking this a bit. Propaganda pieces are not uncommon. They come through my office, and I sign off on them. This may feel as though it has higher stakes, because it is a propaganda piece that centers on your life, but it really is no different from any other. If you're talking maudlin about people suffering for your good intentions, you've built this up too much, I suspect."

[sulahnan]

Well. That actually does make her feel better, at least. She lets out a heavy breath and splays her hands.

"You're probably right. That's why I wanted Mhavos to help, 'cos he doesn't do this—" A vague gesture. "—emotional fluttering that I do. He's level. And I asked Bastien, because he knows stories, and he's level, and he told me to ask you, because it's your professional capacity, and—

"I mean you know me, I can't even sit in a fucking chair properly." Athessa laughs and drags both hands down her face, leaving them on her cheeks to sigh and just sit with what a mess she is for a moment.

[bouchonne]

By lifts an eyebrow, and uses his pinky finger to gesture towards himself - one arm slung over the back of the chair, his leg coming up to rest on the chair-arm.

"I can't either. Is that a sign of emotionality?"

[sulahnan]

"Maybe it's a sign of deviance," she jokes, because the term bisexual disaster is fully anachronistic. "But you manage to do it while being taken seriously, at least."

[bouchonne]

A hum of skepticism. "Somewhat seriously," he allows. "The key is, I suspect, is to cultivate an air of sinister ill-intent."

[sulahnan]

"Doesn't bode well for me, then."

Sigh. Doomed to be cute forever.

"I'm gonna go find Mhavos," she says, jutting her thumb toward the door. "When do you wanna have a little chat with Silver? Before or after we've got something to show you?"

[bouchonne]

"Before," Byerly says placidly. "The fellow will come up with clever ideas, I have no doubt."

[sulahnan]

That's that, then. Athessa nods and makes some excuse for why Byerly should be the one to set up the meeting — he's a busy man, after all, as is Silver. It's up to the busy ones to find time to confabulate. And with the excuse made, she sees herself out.