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]

The name does have a good structure. Athessa. That's, what, an amphibrach? Quite singable.

[sulahnan]

Not particularly, no.

[ What the fuck is an amphibrach? ]

But it's not about what I want. It's about what'd be most effective. What'd send a message, ya know?

[hornswoggle]

[ There is a pause in which John looks directly at Byerly, trying to discern his reaction. It's a bit of a fool's errand; Byerly is difficult to read, and John doesn't know enough of him to guess either way at his feelings. ]

I think it matters very much what you want, considering you're the one who'll have to live with it.

[ John's personal experiences notwithstanding, of course. ]

There's ways to send a message while still obscuring your identity. I think between the three of us we're up to managing the task.

[bouchonne]

But if the identity is obscured, then one risks being nothing more than a folk hero. [ Byerly says that mildly enough. ] Though not worthless, of course. There's always a Bastien out there willing to take up arms for the Black Fox. But rather more people were inspired by Andraste.

[sulahnan]

[ It's a succinct way to put it, she thinks, but Athessa has to suppress a cringe. ]

I don't have anything against changing the name, but I don't want it to be fully anonymous. It has to be clear that it was written by an elf.

[hornswoggle]

[ A flicker of amusement at the comparison. Were Athessa not in the room he might has asked: Are we emulating that example? Being made into a holy idol didn't safeguard her. ]

You'll know how to communicate that. Just as our dear Ambassador would know how to speak to his fellow Fereldans as one of their own.

[ She is an elf, after all. The only thing John can offer her is something he once wished for himself, though there's no changing what Billy made of him. ]

We can afford you [ protection ] privacy, while coming to the same effect.

[bouchonne]

[ A noise of assent. ]

And we can include a very sexy illustration. Don't you think? [ To Silver. ] I'm imagining an elven woman, armor just a little scanty - cut low - looking heroic and determined, but with a hint of vulnerability...

[sulahnan]

[ Athessa's wry suggestion, spoken to the hearth: ] And buxom, too.

[ Nobody would mistake a full chested woman for Athessa. A real Lina Inverse problem. ]

[hornswoggle]

Keep the scar.

[ John's fingers tapping at one cheek. ]

I imagine there's a very exciting story attached, and we wouldn't want to diminish it.

[ But he is waiting for Athessa to turn, to get a better sense of her thoughts. ]

[bouchonne]

Agreed. It's quite dangerous.

[sulahnan]

[ Oh, it's only the story that started all of this. She mugs skeptically at Byerly. ]

Why a sexy illustration, though?

[hornswoggle]

[ John swivels to look at Byerly, expectant. ]

[bouchonne]

[ A wry smile. ]

I'm shocked you're asking me that, my little agent-in-training. Sex appeal turns heads and captures hearts. Why, consider Mr. Silver here, for example. Do you think he'd be half as effective without those beautiful blue eyes and those sumptuous curls? His beauty catches the eye. And once he has their eye, he can catch their ear.

[ Guilelessly, to Silver: ]

Is that a fair assessment?

[sulahnan]

[ Athessa swivels to look at Silver, expectant. ]

[hornswoggle]

[ A hand over his heart. Goodness. ]

Surprisingly, in my case, they weren't of as much use as you'd imagine.

[ However— ]

But our good Ambassador isn't incorrect. I don't think it would hurt, particularly when we consider those more inclined to read a pamphlet if it has a compelling illustration accompanying the literature.

[bouchonne]

[ His eyes widen slightly at Silver - What, really? But he doesn't comment, giving Athessa space to think it over. ]

[sulahnan]

[ It doesn't really seem like that much to think over, really. She doesn't have any issue against an illustration that only bears resemblance in the ears and scar. ]

Sure, alright. I guess we can uh...commission an artist or something for that?