inbox.

[exsecutus]

Comments

[exsecutus]

How more securely?

[rathercommon]

Banished to another realm when not being put to work.

[exsecutus]

[Like it's not funny but it is so over the top that Nikos laughs, again.]

Holy shit.

[rathercommon]

[ Fiercely: ]

It's not something to laugh about.

[exsecutus]

Obviously I fucking know that, but it is very dramatic and over the top and wouldn't be out of place in Tevinter, probably, if they knew how the fuck to do it. In any of the noble circles, in any of the countries of Thedas. They'd do it to servants and employees paid wages, too, if they could get away with it.

[rathercommon]

Well...

[ A little reluctantly - ]

It's spirits, that're kept as slaves. Spirits who are - well, like us, I suppose - with personalities and intellects and histories. Which is why they're able to banish them. And which is why they're hard to reach.

[exsecutus]

[Whoa, what the fuck, dude.]

Then there are no human slaves, where you are from?

[rathercommon]

[ Well. ]

That's...complicated. But technically no. Not in England, at least.

[exsecutus]

Technically--

[s a r c a s t i c]

--Servitude is slavery dressed up, and sometimes paid a wage. Does that make it easier?

[rathercommon]

[ She blows out a breath, annoyed at his sarcasm. ]

Given that I'm the one whose way of life has been economic slavery, rather than growing up a noble, yeah, I don't think you need to explain it to me. [ She shakes her head, then says: ] The law says, technically, that we're all free men and women, and equal in the law, all that. But only magicians are allowed to have certain jobs, and when you take a magician to court a judge always finds for them. And we're the ones who get pressed into the armies, and we're the ones who die in factories. So it's not slavery, but it's something close.

[ Then, for a moment she hesitates, then admits - for the first time outright here - ]

We were fighting against it, back home. There weren't many of us, but we were fighting.

[exsecutus]

[With impotent but still intense rage, Nikos stares at his fucking crystal. Is she saying what he thinks she's saying? And if so, how does she know he grew up a noble? Fucking Kostos. Nikos scowls, and makes a mental note to kick him in the back of his stupid knees, next time he has the unfortunate cause to see him.]

Then you're familiar with the conditions I just said. [And, because she made him think of Kostos, he adds a petty:] Technically.

At least you're aware. At least you were fighting. Which is more than I can say for most.

[rathercommon]

[ brah she just fucking googled you ]

Most haven't got the power to fight. They haven't got the tools. They've got to be shown a way to it.

[exsecutus]

[SORRY can't hear you over how much this is Kostos' fault]

Mm. And what do we do with those that choose inactivity, and willful ignorance.

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty's lips tighten. She thinks of her parents. ]

Some people will get left behind. Leave 'em to catch up if they can. And if they can't, then leave them to figure it out.

[exsecutus]

And do they, in your experience?

[rathercommon]

[ No. But her experience is - what - only five years, now. Not even. So. ]

Do they not, in yours?

[exsecutus]

Very, very rarely.

But I have been told that we must try anyways. Even if we move pieces with cunning, and guile, if we kill, or start a war--we still leave in place those that might be receptive to the message. And we repeat it until they are willing or able to hear it. Or die of boredom. Or old age. Whichever of those happen first.

[rathercommon]

Was it your pamphlet writer? Who told you that?

[exsecutus]

He's very sentimental.

[rathercommon]

Why are you friends with him?

[exsecutus]

[Because Caspar has always seen the wrong--and not just looked, but wanted to do. Because from the moment Nikos saw Caspar, he burned. Because looking at Caspar is like looking at the sun. Because, because, because.]

Someone has to be charismatic and inspiring, or else I'd never get anywhere.

[rathercommon]

That explains why you're close to him. Not why you're friends.

[exsecutus]

Yes, because "why are you friends" is a stupid question, so I did not answer it, and assumed the best of you. That you meant ask something answerable.

[rathercommon]

It is not an unanswerable question. Like, "I'm friends with my friend Jakob because I've known him since we were both kids and we played cricket together and we went through a lot together and he's really funny and sometimes a bit of an arse but always comes and apologizes after." That's why we're friends. It's not hard.

[exsecutus]

Good for you and Jakob. Are we talking of something real, or will this continue to be about who our friends are, because I would rather eat poison than carry on with that line of conversation. So if it will be, warn me now. I have a vial right here I can eat.