inbox.

[exsecutus]

Comments

[champions]

( Unlike with Kostos, Marisol does allow herself the indulgence of swearing in conversation with Nikos. Only once, and in Antivan, but presumably blasphemously. )

I don't want to go back to being locked in a Circle.

( Calmly, that; she can see the sense in a quarantine, she can understand its necessity, but she does not like it. ) And I don't care to see others locked there, either.

[exsecutus]

[Nikos, in no way ill or deserving of being swept up in this quarantine, still manages to feel his health somewhat improve when he hears his cousin swearing with fevered blasphemy.]

How lucky you are that you have an estate to lock others out of instead. Now, will it settle your delicate heart to know that I'm fairly confident I can leave when I choose?

[champions]

It is lucky, Nikos. I know what people lost to the Circles, and I'm lucky I have the resources I do to try and help.

( She should not respond when he needles her, when their ideals stand in stark opposition, but sometimes control does nothing for interactions with family. )

Are you sure? From the crystals it would appear that people are falling into line to protect the common man. Isn't that your chief concern?

[exsecutus]

So long as you remember that it is luck, we will have-- [a comedic beat] --fewer quarrels. I won't lie and say none.

My chief concern is all men, and women. Common, and uncommon. But I don't see what they need protecting from, when my only sin is having lived in a damp cell for a little over a month. I'm not among the afflicted. I haven't spared more than two words to the afflicted.

And if anyone gets very angry, I'll tell them I'm Kostos.

[champions]

I am wealthy, not an imbecile. Just because the two often go hand in hand does not mean they have to.

( The comment is good natured, despite how easy it would be for it to sound petulant. )

They are worried the sickness infecting the Rifters and the Templars may be contagious. Anyone in the Gallows is being locked in as a precaution. And... in respect to that caution I suppose I will be locking myself and my staff into the estate, to make sure we don't sabotage the effort, since we have been passing in and out of the Gallows.

( A pause. ) Do you think I can tell people that I'm Kostos, as well?

[exsecutus]

I would call you many names before I called you imbecilic.

[Totally dry.]

As I am also not an imbecile, I will tell you that I do know what the Inquisition is worried about. I am neither a Templar nor a Rifter. What I am, is unhappy to be locked in isolation with people I don't like, for the sake of a precaution. If we threw the Templars and the Rifters into the bay, we would all be equally protected from contagions. A more sensible precaution in many ways.

And I think you would have to cut your hair if you were to pass for Kostos. And you would look terrible with short hair. I suggest you get your own twin rather than try to use mine.

[champions]

I do love it when you grumble.

( It's probably a more reliable means to make sure he's alive than checking his breathing or heartbeat. Just see if he's grumbling about something, everything will be fine. )

Alas, I could not have a twin. I have far too great a need to be everyone's favourite. A twin would be too much competition.

[exsecutus]

Mm,

[says Nikos, and it comes out quite grumbly.]

Speaking from experience, you would adjust. Find some way to become superior. For example: I became the charming one.

[j o k e s]

[champions]

By Nevarran standards, perhaps; I think not even the very finest Antivan charms are enough to temper Nevarran severity. And that's not comment on your mother, either, you know she is my favourite aunt.

[exsecutus]

Though it is a comment against me. You know, "favorite" begins to lose weight when it is applied to so many.

[champions]

I just know so many wonderful people, and have a great deal of affection to grant each of them. Of course, you are my favourite favourite.

[exsecutus]

Nikos, Marisol. I am Nikos.

[champions]

Nikos, from the Antivan word for wondrous splendour.

[exsecutus]

[cousins]

Comes out closer to unrealistic expectations in Nevarran. Language is amazing.

[champions]

Isn't it?

( c: ) Antiva is a naturally more optimistic place. It's all the flamingos, very uplifting.

[exsecutus]

I must have been living in the part of Antiva where the flamingo shit gets shoveled.

[champions]

Did you put yourself to good use?

[exsecutus]

Never. Nikos, remember?

[As if she's perhaps confused as to who she is speaking with.]

[champions]

Mm. I can't work out if you are saying that because you have a low opinion of yourself, or you want other people to have low expectations.

[exsecutus]

Why can it not be both?

[champions]

That is worse.

[exsecutus]

[Nikos sighs, sharply.]

Marisol, if you start to show concern for my self-esteem, I am going to throw myself off of a tall tower and give you something to really be concerned about.

Why are you not overseeing redecoration of your fifth salon or whatever excessive room is in fashion right now.

[champions]

Oh, boca de dragon. ( Snapdragon. She likes to call him snapdragon. Because he's Nevarran, but also a dramatic flower. Also that translation might be wrong, don't trust the internet. ) Entrails are so tiresome to clean up, and they upset the flamingos.

I don't have time for my fifth salon, let alone my sixth, but because I have an excessive cousin who is more dramatic than is fashionable, right now.

[exsecutus]

[A nickname he both despises and, despite himself, appreciates. A little. In a way he would never, ever admit, no matter how drunk or ill or on his deathbed. Which means: Nikos gives a wordless grumble. Resigned.]

Very blasé and Antivan of you. I don't give a single shit about fashion. But I am not dramatic. I am quarantined. It is the opposite of dramatic.

You should teach your flamingos to eat entrails.

[champions]

One can be dramatic and quarantined. If anything, I think that would bring it out in people.

( And, laughter. ) Perhaps they can become a terrifying second army.