And in the sea that's painted black | OTA

[novokribirsk]

WHO: Zoya Nazyalensky, Nikolai Lantsov, and yOU
WHAT: Two new rifters arrive, shenanigans ensue.
WHEN: Nowish
WHERE: Gallows, Kirkwall
NOTES: N/A

Comments

[novokribirsk]

She groans, rests her head back against the edge of the water. Saints damn you, Byerly, you're not going to have the satisfaction of making her laugh.

To the ceiling, she says,

"Charming and egalitarian don't belong in the same breath." First of all. Second of all: "Put the baths outdoors, offer me a glass of wine, perhaps some scenery, and then I'll consider charming."

[bouchonne]

"Yes, I fear that scenery can't really be provided in Kirkwall," By admits with a rueful shrug. "Just another reason to fight harder. After the war is through, perhaps we can all go to Antiva, instead."

Then he says, slightly less facetiously, "My quarters are at the top of the tower. I could have a servant bring hot water to me, but that feels quite unkind. Besides which, I quite enjoy the company of others."

[novokribirsk]

"And," she observes, "you depend on no one for information about general sentiment."

It's a strategy she recognizes. Let the people see your face, know you, remember why they support you; keep a pulse on what they're saying, what they're thinking, and hear with your own ears instead of through any person's agenda.

Or maybe he does just like others' company. It's not what she would do, but, y'know. And it's a better topic of conversation than the idea of after the war — a war that isn't hers and she has no desire to see out.

[bouchonne]

He gives a wry smile and taps the side of his nose. A got it in one kind of gesture.

"And," he says, "I get to hear the best gossip." He sinks down in the water, letting out an ecstatic little sigh. "I love gossip."

[novokribirsk]

Well. She has to ask,

"What's the best thing you've heard recently?"

[bouchonne]

"Ooh." He sits up again, drumming two fingers against his chin. "See, this is a dilemma, because there's plenty of juicy rumors that I love but that won't matter much to you, because you don't know the people involved. And there are some that are delicious for people with a passion for drama, but I don't know your position on drama.

"So I need to know a little bit about what you care about. Are you interested in warfare and weapons?" He gives a slight gesture of that hand. "I know you're a general, but that doesn't necessarily make you a war enthusiast."