[Which probably explains the skeptical look writ large on the boy's face. Nevermind though. Here, he's turning back and making a gesture for her to follow. He has no interest in sulking in this ally. It smells and there are better places to do it.]
Honestly, I don't know why you're surprised. Wars are a nasty business.
Me? I assure you, Kitty, I've always been this charming and clever. Fighting wars has had nothing to do with it.
[But let's not go down this path where they start talking about him again. Don't get him wrong, the initial ego boost is delightful - he's just seen where this ends and would rather avoid it, thank you.]
Like it or not, you can't do this on your own. And frankly, it's a bit egotistical to moan on about it. Maybe if what you wanted was something reasonable like a nice hot fish pie, or to be a hermit in the woods but your agenda [It's a good word.] seems to be rather more far reaching than either of those. And honestly, even the fish pie gets dicey - who's catching that fish, eh? Stroppy London lass like you probably doesn't know the first thing about a hook and line.
[He's wiping tears from his eyes. They don't come naturally, so please appreciate the effort required to both will them into being and brush them away.]
Have you heard anything they talk about? Those people couldn't agree on the color of the sky, much less what they're focused on.
You've lost me. It doesn't sound like any of Corypheus' friends are terribly interested in liberating anyone either. Except for maybe everything in the Fade, but I tell you - that's complete hogwash if I ever heard it.
He might be, but what about his supporters? I've heard he has a-- [snapping fingers, what's the word] an arch spirit at his beck and call. I guarantee that one has a thought or two rattling around in its thick skull.
But we're getting away from the point. The point is, you say that what you want is long term and everything else isn't and that'll be the question that gets asked first by anyone with sense. What makes your thing so special compared to, I don't know, mage rights or something to do with the Chantry. The alienage? What are we crying about this week?
It's what you said to me before. Back in our world. It's - it's not the little things that matter, who's in charge, who's winning which war. Right? It's historical patterns of injustice and warfare. It's - the way that violence just swings back and forth and never really goes away. That's what's actually important. And that's what no one cares about solving.
[He slides her a sidelong look and does not pause in their progress through the switchbacking alleyways and narrow backstreets, but there is some element of re-examination anyway. Is he a little chuffed to find something he'd said off the cuff enshrined so? Well wouldn't you be?]
Yes, I suppose I did say that. It doesn't exactly help keep you from being thrown into some deep dark dungeon though, now does it? Not that it seems like that Artemaeus [Ugh. He hates that.] is having such a hard time of it.
Well look at that. It sounds like you have a biddable sidekick right there. Not one with a great reputation, I'll give you that, but it sounds like you don't have much of one either.
Someone who'll disagree with me. Not because they want to show me I'm wrong, or to be an arse, but because they care. About people, about the world...Not someone who wants to be told what to do. Someone with ideas. Especially if they're ones I've not thought of yet.
[What an appalling answer! Imagine being so lacking in self-awareness that this is what she comes up with.]
That is absolutely not what you want. I've disagreed with you more times than I can count and it's always complain, complain, complain in response. And don't think I haven't heard you getting into it with the sky and everyone under it over the crystals.
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Honestly, I don't know why you're surprised. Wars are a nasty business.
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Yeah, I know. And it's all happened before. Honestly, sometimes I almost understand why you are the way you are.
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[But let's not go down this path where they start talking about him again. Don't get him wrong, the initial ego boost is delightful - he's just seen where this ends and would rather avoid it, thank you.]
Like it or not, you can't do this on your own. And frankly, it's a bit egotistical to moan on about it. Maybe if what you wanted was something reasonable like a nice hot fish pie, or to be a hermit in the woods but your agenda [It's a good word.] seems to be rather more far reaching than either of those. And honestly, even the fish pie gets dicey - who's catching that fish, eh? Stroppy London lass like you probably doesn't know the first thing about a hook and line.
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[ Sort of. Desperate people fish in London. She'd never eat a fish out of the Thames. She's not even sure if there are fish left in the Thames.
Anyway, that's not the point - ]
And no one else sees my agenda as being that - important. Everyone's just focused on fighting Corypheus and beating him.
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What?
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What.
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Have you heard anything they talk about? Those people couldn't agree on the color of the sky, much less what they're focused on.
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[ She gives a small noise of frustration. ]
They're not focused on the long-term stuff. That, you'll acknowledge, right?
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Not for humans.
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They might be in a better position if it doesn't get won. No Archon to come back and built up all the old rules of slavery again.
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You've lost me. It doesn't sound like any of Corypheus' friends are terribly interested in liberating anyone either. Except for maybe everything in the Fade, but I tell you - that's complete hogwash if I ever heard it.
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Well, he's completely mad, isn't he? A mad person will be easier to overthrow than a sane one.
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But we're getting away from the point. The point is, you say that what you want is long term and everything else isn't and that'll be the question that gets asked first by anyone with sense. What makes your thing so special compared to, I don't know, mage rights or something to do with the Chantry. The alienage? What are we crying about this week?
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[ She looks at him, chin lifted. ]
It's what you said to me before. Back in our world. It's - it's not the little things that matter, who's in charge, who's winning which war. Right? It's historical patterns of injustice and warfare. It's - the way that violence just swings back and forth and never really goes away. That's what's actually important. And that's what no one cares about solving.
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Yes, I suppose I did say that. It doesn't exactly help keep you from being thrown into some deep dark dungeon though, now does it? Not that it seems like that Artemaeus [Ugh. He hates that.] is having such a hard time of it.
So, hey! Maybe you're worrying over nothing.
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Benedict is a fool and a coward who's happy to have all of his choices taken away from him so that life gets easier.
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Geeze. Get this kid a hobby; her brain's going to melt out both ears.]
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Don't whistle at me. It's what he said to me. Oh, Kitty, tell me what to do, I'll do whatever you tell me to.
[ Is this relevant? No. Does she want to bitch? Yes. ]
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I don't want a sidekick. I want...
[ She trails off, a little uncertain how to end that. ]
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Yes? A what? Speak up, the wind is absolutely howling through here.
[No it isn't.]
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[ But. A sigh - ]
Someone who'll disagree with me. Not because they want to show me I'm wrong, or to be an arse, but because they care. About people, about the world...Not someone who wants to be told what to do. Someone with ideas. Especially if they're ones I've not thought of yet.
[ A shake of her head. ]
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That is absolutely not what you want. I've disagreed with you more times than I can count and it's always complain, complain, complain in response. And don't think I haven't heard you getting into it with the sky and everyone under it over the crystals.
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