[He doesn't quite laugh. Not because it is silly, what she's said; any time Yseult has indulged in storytelling, Darras has looked over at her with a surprised grin, pleased and proud and ready to encourage this indulgence. He's wearing the ghost of that grin now, alone in the tavern. He gives the crystal another idly spin on the tabletop.]
You'd believe it of a pirate or you'd believe it of me?
[There's half a city between them, streets and doors and walls. People. Obligations. Morality. Bigger than any cottage or cabin, nothing you can get your arms around, or close away by pulling the shutters.]
We'd do better apart. For now. Not--forever, you're-- [There's no word to follow that; Darras huffs a breath, like a dry laugh.] That's what you wanted, anyway. To do your work. What you're here to do.
[ In her work, it's an asset: the ability to flip a switch somewhere inside herself, an invaluable skill to be one thing one moment and something else entirely the next if that's what is required to survive. He pushes this moment away, rejects her faith, mistakes her demands, and just like that she shuts a door. Slams it, maybe. ]
Fine. I'll focus on my work, and you tell me when you've grown a conscience.
[What, is what he wants to say, he's doing what, how is this anything other than what they have been doing, what she said--they stay out of each other's ways, they work with the Inquisition--
It's the last bit that hits like a blow. They've been nasty to one another. It shouldn't come as a surprise, shouldn't feel like a wound. Perhaps it's the utter finality that she says it with.]
I just said, 'not forever', I said-- This is what you wanted, isn't it? You wanted me to stay out of your way so you can do-- what you want to do, you can help these people so, all right, that's what I've said I will do, and I didn't say I'm leaving or going to start--smuggling Venatori about, working counter to everything--
[ She curses so rarely it adds an extra harshness to her tone like poison on a blade. ]
How many times do I have to explain before you hear me? I don't want you to stay out of my way and let me get on with it while you hang about moping, I want you to care. I want you to look at what is happening in the world and care that thousands of people are dying, and want to at least try to help some of them not because you think it might win me back but because it's the right fucking thing to do.
When you do that, we can talk. Not before.
[ There is, alas, no tell-tale click or satisfying clang as one hangs up a crystal, but the faint background noise of her room cuts off suddenly as she closes the line. ]
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no subject
You'd believe it of a pirate or you'd believe it of me?
no subject
no subject
[There's half a city between them, streets and doors and walls. People. Obligations. Morality. Bigger than any cottage or cabin, nothing you can get your arms around, or close away by pulling the shutters.]
We'd do better apart. For now. Not--forever, you're-- [There's no word to follow that; Darras huffs a breath, like a dry laugh.] That's what you wanted, anyway. To do your work. What you're here to do.
no subject
[ In her work, it's an asset: the ability to flip a switch somewhere inside herself, an invaluable skill to be one thing one moment and something else entirely the next if that's what is required to survive. He pushes this moment away, rejects her faith, mistakes her demands, and just like that she shuts a door. Slams it, maybe. ]
Fine. I'll focus on my work, and you tell me when you've grown a conscience.
no subject
[What, is what he wants to say, he's doing what, how is this anything other than what they have been doing, what she said--they stay out of each other's ways, they work with the Inquisition--
It's the last bit that hits like a blow. They've been nasty to one another. It shouldn't come as a surprise, shouldn't feel like a wound. Perhaps it's the utter finality that she says it with.]
I just said, 'not forever', I said-- This is what you wanted, isn't it? You wanted me to stay out of your way so you can do-- what you want to do, you can help these people so, all right, that's what I've said I will do, and I didn't say I'm leaving or going to start--smuggling Venatori about, working counter to everything--
no subject
[ She curses so rarely it adds an extra harshness to her tone like poison on a blade. ]
How many times do I have to explain before you hear me? I don't want you to stay out of my way and let me get on with it while you hang about moping, I want you to care. I want you to look at what is happening in the world and care that thousands of people are dying, and want to at least try to help some of them not because you think it might win me back but because it's the right fucking thing to do.
When you do that, we can talk. Not before.
[ There is, alas, no tell-tale click or satisfying clang as one hangs up a crystal, but the faint background noise of her room cuts off suddenly as she closes the line. ]