No one was entirely happy, which I suspect is the outcome of every serious negotiation in history, but I do credit the process with helping me form more serious ties within the Inquisition. But I don't see it as generosity, exactly. I do genuinely appreciate the diversity of viewpoints. One can never refine one's own position effectively without the opportunity to encounter others. Don't you find?
Oh, I agree wholeheartedly. In fact, I think it likely good that no one was made entirely happy. How could anyone hope to get anything done if that were the case? I've been told there is nothing like a contented man for bullheadedness.
[Would that he knew for sure. What a lovely image, that. To be satisfied.]
I'm curious, Enchanter. Who would you say has been your greatest--let's say collaborator rather than challenge.
Now, there's no need to be coy Julius. Haven't you heard? We Loyalists are always angling for something.
[Unlacing his hands, Cassius lightly and with good humor thumps one against the chair's arm.]
Who is the most challenging? The most likely to argue for the sake of arguing, or who suspects your motives--honorable though I'm certain they must be--most? I'm most certain it can't all be clear skies and adorable kittens around the dinner table.
( it is at this precise moment that the door to julius's office opens a second time; petrana does come empty-handed, harried, and makes no pretense of doing anything but letting herself in — )
Darling, I require,
( the forethought to remember that he is more likely, as a present project leader, to not be reliably alone in his office. the way she composes herself is immediate. )
[Is it to their mutual benefit that Cassius is half turned toward the sound if the door and so misses that fond little look on Julius' face? Or does it not particularly matter, Darling being plenty revealing all on its own?
Who can say. Cassius' eyebrows, which quirk up in the direction of his (admittedly rather high) hairline could be for anything. The surprise of the interruption. The pleasant surprise of the interruption's shape. The personal satisfaction of Senior Enchanter, the sound of a proper title (even one which he would prefer be behind him) always rather satisfying to the ear in These Trying Times.]
I haven't had the pleasure, no. What an unexpected delight. [His smile is easy, good humored.] Julius and I were just discussing our work together. We're old acquaintances from days spent trailing in First Enchanter Vivienne's rather impressive wake. Isn't that right?
[Cassius' attention swivels back in the direction of his esteemed colleague. His eyebrows remain tacked high, the line of his smile slanting in some knowing direction. Really now, Julius.]
Ah, Madam de Fer, ( pleasantly - if he missed the look julius gave her, and darling was somehow too subtle, the all too natural way she joins julius to lean against the arm of his chair is illustrative, ) I have heard much about her.
( what a diplomatic response. )
A formidable woman, certainly. Singular, to my understanding.
Madam de Fer is indeed a singular woman [he agrees], but I would be very much surprised if she remembers who I am.
[If she does, it's likely for the phylactery negotiations, which is something else again. Still, Julius's manner hasn't substantially shifted since Petrana arrived. He is, perhaps, the slightest fraction more relaxed. But then again, why should his manner change? They were just having a pleasant conversation.]
The Inquisition is, after all, a much grander affair than Riftwatch. We all know one another's faces a bit more here, I find. Those of us without the pleasure of meeting before, of course.
[By the time Petrana joins Julius on the other side of the desk, Cassius' crooked smile has curved farther into something marginally more pleasant and rather less overtly waggish. He isn't a beast.]
Yes, Riftwatch is charmingly intimate in its way. It rather reminds me of one of those sweet little farmhouses you always see painted distantly into landscapes.
[He tips his head and his attention toward Petrana.]
It seems I know all about how our friend Julius was washed up here. I hope you haven't subjected yourself to this dreadful island entirely on his behalf?
Not at all. [It's his office; he gets to rule on who is interrupting.] We were just discussing a bit of politics. A comparison of reputation to observable behavior, which is always interesting, but if you needed something more urgent.
[There is a funny, lopsided thing that the esteemed Enchanter's face does at the mention of Mssr Rowntree - there and gone again, promptly enough that it was hardly there at all. And then his curved smile becomes rather more curved as his attention shifts from Madame de Cedoux to Julius before him.
Very charming indeed.]
I shouldn't wish to keep the pair of you from more pressing matters. After all, Julius, we might catch up during more or less any convenient moment.
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[Would that he knew for sure. What a lovely image, that. To be satisfied.]
I'm curious, Enchanter. Who would you say has been your greatest--let's say collaborator rather than challenge.
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[Possibly a lie.]
Do you mean toward any particular end? Riftwatch does keep me busy, so I'm collaborating, [euphemistically or otherwise] a great deal.
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[Unlacing his hands, Cassius lightly and with good humor thumps one against the chair's arm.]
Who is the most challenging? The most likely to argue for the sake of arguing, or who suspects your motives--honorable though I'm certain they must be--most? I'm most certain it can't all be clear skies and adorable kittens around the dinner table.
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Darling, I require,
( the forethought to remember that he is more likely, as a present project leader, to not be reliably alone in his office. the way she composes herself is immediate. )
Senior Enchanter Black, I think.
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Senior Enchanter [is both an address and a confirmation], have you had the pleasure of meeting Madame de Cedoux?
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Who can say. Cassius' eyebrows, which quirk up in the direction of his (admittedly rather high) hairline could be for anything. The surprise of the interruption. The pleasant surprise of the interruption's shape. The personal satisfaction of Senior Enchanter, the sound of a proper title (even one which he would prefer be behind him) always rather satisfying to the ear in These Trying Times.]
I haven't had the pleasure, no. What an unexpected delight. [His smile is easy, good humored.] Julius and I were just discussing our work together. We're old acquaintances from days spent trailing in First Enchanter Vivienne's rather impressive wake. Isn't that right?
[Cassius' attention swivels back in the direction of his esteemed colleague. His eyebrows remain tacked high, the line of his smile slanting in some knowing direction. Really now, Julius.]
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( what a diplomatic response. )
A formidable woman, certainly. Singular, to my understanding.
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[If she does, it's likely for the phylactery negotiations, which is something else again. Still, Julius's manner hasn't substantially shifted since Petrana arrived. He is, perhaps, the slightest fraction more relaxed. But then again, why should his manner change? They were just having a pleasant conversation.]
The Inquisition is, after all, a much grander affair than Riftwatch. We all know one another's faces a bit more here, I find. Those of us without the pleasure of meeting before, of course.
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Yes, Riftwatch is charmingly intimate in its way. It rather reminds me of one of those sweet little farmhouses you always see painted distantly into landscapes.
[He tips his head and his attention toward Petrana.]
It seems I know all about how our friend Julius was washed up here. I hope you haven't subjected yourself to this dreadful island entirely on his behalf?
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( she turns her hand, so he may appreciate their shared burden, the dull green glow of it. )
But I do appreciate his company. Have I interrupted terribly?
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Very charming indeed.]
I shouldn't wish to keep the pair of you from more pressing matters. After all, Julius, we might catch up during more or less any convenient moment.