[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

[altusimperius]

Benedict's gaze takes on an unexpectedly glassy quality, like the question tripped him up and sent his mind elsewhere even if he's the one who broached the topic in the first place.

"Well," he says distantly, a pinprick of anxiety in the word, "it went fine in that I got the information I needed."

[inkindled]

"Oh, aye?"

Matthias, sensing a story, turns to get a better look at Benedict as they're walking along. Interest gleams in his eye.

"But what else happened? 'Cos it sounds like something else happened. Go on, you might as well say."

[altusimperius]

With a deep sigh of concession, Benedict slows to a halt. He's not fully resistant, but there's clearly a bit of hesitation still as he glances around, keeping his voice low.

"I sort of-- killed someone." In a military organization, no less! "--by accident. But," he quickly adds, "he tried to kill me first."

[inkindled]

Matthias comes to a stop as well, as he's looking at Benedict when he slows. Had he been distracted, he might have gone a few steps further without realizing that he was leaving him behind. And then: the confession. He raises his eyebrows a little. He does not, actually, laugh.

"Sounds like fair play, then." Honestly. "Who was it?"

[altusimperius]

Though perhaps nervous isn't the word to describe Benedict's demeanor, he certainly still looks uncomfortable, especially after having said the words out loud.

"I... don't know," he admits, "an assassin, I suppose. Not who I thought he was."

[inkindled]

"No one's ever tried assassinating me." It's not precisely jealousy that colors Matthias' tone, but the distant cousin of jealousy, a sort of resentful respect. "Don't sound so weird about it. If someone were after you like that, I reckon you must've been brushing up close to something big and important. Practically a good thing. Especially as you're, y'know, alive now. Definitely fair play to've struck first, anybody'd agree."

[altusimperius]

"I think I made the mistake of being recognized," Benedict admits, glancing at the ground with an uncharacteristic sheepishness, "I took for granted people from outside Minrathous wouldn't know I'm... well. Where I am now."

He hunches his shoulders. "It could've gone worse. ...could've gone better, though. Feels a bit fucked-- I should've been more prepared." And not ready to slam the guy in a completely different way, but that's not important to the story.