[open] so what did I miss

[altusimperius]

WHO: Benedict and you
WHAT: he's been [redacted] as the ambassador to Antiva
WHEN: mid-Drakonis
WHERE: the Gallows
NOTES: (alan cumming voice) moarder

I. The Docks, the day of the Revered Mother's arrival (just one thread please)

When Benedict steps off the ferry, it's clear that something is happening. People are scurrying about, there's an edge of tension across the plaza; he'd heard, obviously, of Riftwatch's doings in Starkhaven, but whatever this is seems more immediate and quieter in its bluster.
Waving down the nearest passerby, he asks: "what's going on?"

II. Eating

If only there were more tools to keep one awake through the day. Benedict hadn't even noticed that his dreams had stopped when he went off to Antiva, but now that he's back in Kirkwall, they've returned en force. He sits in the staffed dining hall with whatever the day's meal option is, stirring it idly with a tired, dead-eyed stare at either the far wall, the middle distance, or someone at whom he'd normally have no intention of staring.
If the latter should occur, and they should meet his gaze, he gives a little start and averts his eyes-- but it might be too late.

III. At Work

For the last couple months, Byerly's office has been relatively unguarded; this is no longer the case. Anyone coming in to see the Ambassador will have to get through his secretary first-- or, should they like, they're welcome to visit the secretary himself. The Maker doesn't judge.


IV. Wildcard

for Byerly

The day he returns, Benedict saunters into the office and promptly leans against the doorframe, initially to scan for Byerly and then, upon seeing him, to offer a wave of greeting. He doesn't say anything, not yet, but his expression conveys everything: What A Trip.

Comments

[armd]

"Oh, sure."

But drawing attention to Benedict looking terrible does nothing for his mood, so Abby pivots, chewing, "Where've you been?" She noticed he wasn't around for Starkhaven. Or at all, recently. (They can absolutely avoid what they talked about, that suits her just fine.)

[altusimperius]

He has been somewhere, hasn't he? It already seems like ages ago.

"Antiva," he answers primly, but quickly adds, "on assignment. Diplomacy stuff." As in, he didn't fuck off to sip wine on a veranda somewhere while everyone was battling it out in Starkhaven.
And speaking of which,

"seems like a lot's happened."

[armd]

Abby hmmms in approval, and pushes her food around in her bowl for a moment before she answers him. "Yeeeah."

That's all there is to say about it. "How much do you know about Starkhaven?"

[altusimperius]

“That it was lain to waste recently,” he answers, uncharacteristically direct.

“Were you there?”

[armd]

Blunt, but true. Abby manages to nod without wincing.

"Yeah. It fell faster than I realised it would." They didn't have a lot of time to get people out, and then the walk to Vallomire felt like it took years. The whole thing was disconcerting, tiring. Sad.

[altusimperius]

“When Tevinter’s best and brightest have something they want,” he observes grimly, trailing off to look at his bowl.

“…sorry.”

[armd]

"Yeah, apparently."

She shrugs, and puts her fork in her mouth, speaks to him around the food. "S'fine." It's not... fine. But it's fine. "I got a cool scar out of it."

[altusimperius]

“Yeah?”

This is as good a topic as any for avoiding any real conversations, about Starkhaven or otherwise.

“Where?”

[armd]

"Mmm," Abby says, swallowing, "Updog."

I’m gonna make you work for it tho

[altusimperius]

“What?” He shakes his head a little, uncomprehending.

challenge accepted

[armd]

Abby doesn't look up. "Hmm?"

[altusimperius]

“What’d you say?”

[armd]

"Updog."

[altusimperius]

“What… is that. What does that mean.”

[armd]

"What does what mean." C'mon... you can do it...

[altusimperius]

...

"Are you having a stroke? Do you need a healer?"

[armd]

"Ugh," she huffs, glaring at him, "No! You're supposed to say what's updog."

[altusimperius]

Tentatively, because he knows this is a trap: “what’s updog?”

[armd]

"It's too late."

This is terrible. The worst thing that's ever happened to her. Even so she mumbles, "Nothing, what's up with you," to complete the circle.

[altusimperius]

This results in another very long stare.

Then, "what?"

[armd]

Abby sighs, long-suffering. "It's a dumb joke. I say something with 'updog' in it, you say what's updog. I say, nothing, what's up with you. You groan, we move on with our lives, blah blah blah."

Now she's embarrassed! She's going to be nosy to cover it up. "What diplomacy stuff were you doing. In Antiva."

[altusimperius]

"Wait," Benedict says, holding up his hand in a halting gesture-- she's not off the hook that easily. "What does any of that have to do with dogs?"

[armd]

No, let her go.

"Dunno," is the illuminating answer to that question, "It's... slang. Calling somebody your dawg is like saying they're your friend."

she will never be free

[altusimperius]

"Oh."

A long pause, and then he raises an eyebrow, leveling her with a wry look: "so you tried to trick me into calling you my friend?"

[armd]

She grimaces.

"I guess."

And returns to her food. What're you gonna do it about it, punk.